1
|
Giardina E, Camaño P, Burton-Jones S, Ravenscroft G, Henning F, Magdinier F, van der Stoep N, van der Vliet PJ, Bernard R, Tomaselli PJ, Davis MR, Nishino I, Oflazer P, Race V, Vishnu VY, Williams V, Sobreira CFR, van der Maarel SM, Moore SA, Voermans NC, Lemmers RJLF. Best practice guidelines on genetic diagnostics of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Update of the 2012 guidelines. Clin Genet 2024; 106:13-26. [PMID: 38685133 PMCID: PMC11147721 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The gold standard for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) genetic diagnostic procedures was published in 2012. With the increasing complexity of the genetics of FSHD1 and 2, the increase of genetic testing centers, and the start of clinical trials for FSHD, it is crucial to provide an update on our knowledge of the genetic features of the FSHD loci and renew the international consensus on the molecular testing recommendations. To this end, members of the FSHD European Trial Network summarized the evidence presented during the 2022 ENMC meeting on Genetic diagnosis, clinical outcome measures, and biomarkers. The working group additionally invited genetic and clinical experts from the USA, India, Japan, Australia, South-Africa, and Brazil to provide a global perspective. Six virtual meetings were organized to reach consensus on the minimal requirements for genetic confirmation of FSHD1 and FSHD2. Here, we present the clinical and genetic features of FSHD, specific features of FSHD1 and FSHD2, pros and cons of established and new technologies (Southern blot in combination with either linear or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, molecular combing, optical genome mapping, FSHD2 methylation analysis and FSHD2 genotyping), the possibilities and challenges of prenatal testing, including pre-implantation genetic testing, and the minimal requirements and recommendations for genetic confirmation of FSHD1 and FSHD2. This consensus is expected to contribute to current clinical management and trial-readiness for FSHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Giardina
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine & Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pilar Camaño
- Molecular Diagnostics Platform, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
- CIBERNED, CIBER, Spanish Ministry of Science & Innovation, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gina Ravenscroft
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Franclo Henning
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Nienke van der Stoep
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rafaëlle Bernard
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Timone Adultes, Biogénopôle, Service de Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France
| | - Pedro J Tomaselli
- Department of Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mark R Davis
- Department of Diagnostic Genomics, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ichizo Nishino
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Genome Medicine Development, Clinical Genome Analysis, Medical Genome Center (MGC), National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Piraye Oflazer
- Department of Neurology, Koç University Hospital Muscle Center, Koç University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Valerie Race
- Clinical Laboratory Geneticist, Human Genetics, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Venugopalan Y Vishnu
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, India
| | | | - Cláudia F R Sobreira
- Department of Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Steve A Moore
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Pathology, Roy J. And Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schätzl T, Todorow V, Kaiser L, Weinschrott H, Schoser B, Deigner HP, Meinke P, Kohl M. Meta-analysis towards FSHD reveals misregulation of neuromuscular junction, nuclear envelope, and spliceosome. Commun Biol 2024; 7:640. [PMID: 38796645 PMCID: PMC11127974 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06325-z] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common autosomal dominant muscle disorders, yet no cure or amelioration exists. The clinical presentation is diverse, making it difficult to identify the actual driving pathomechanism among many downstream events. To unravel this complexity, we performed a meta-analysis of 13 original omics datasets (in total 171 FSHD and 129 control samples). Our approach confirmed previous findings about the disease pathology and specified them further. We confirmed increased expression of former proposed DUX4 biomarkers, and furthermore impairment of the respiratory chain. Notably, the meta-analysis provides insights about so far not reported pathways, including misregulation of neuromuscular junction protein encoding genes, downregulation of the spliceosome, and extensive alterations of nuclear envelope protein expression. Finally, we developed a publicly available shiny app to provide a platform for researchers who want to search our analysis for genes of interest in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Schätzl
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Todorow
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Kaiser
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Helga Weinschrott
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Deigner
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
- Faculty of Science, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- EXIM Department, Fraunhofer Institute IZI (Leipzig), Rostock, Germany
| | - Peter Meinke
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Kohl
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lemmers RJLF, Butterfield R, van der Vliet PJ, de Bleecker JL, van der Pol L, Dunn DM, Erasmus CE, D'Hooghe M, Verhoeven K, Balog J, Bigot A, van Engelen B, Statland J, Bugiardini E, van der Stoep N, Evangelista T, Marini-Bettolo C, van den Bergh P, Tawil R, Voermans NC, Vissing J, Weiss RB, van der Maarel SM. Autosomal dominant in cis D4Z4 repeat array duplication alleles in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Brain 2024; 147:414-426. [PMID: 37703328 PMCID: PMC10834250 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) has a unique genetic aetiology resulting in partial chromatin relaxation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array on 4qter. This D4Z4 chromatin relaxation facilitates inappropriate expression of the transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is encoded by a retrogene that is embedded within the distal region of the D4Z4 repeat array. In the European population, the D4Z4 repeat array is usually organized in a single array that ranges between 8 and 100 units. D4Z4 chromatin relaxation and DUX4 derepression in FSHD is most often caused by repeat array contraction to 1-10 units (FSHD1) or by a digenic mechanism requiring pathogenic variants in a D4Z4 chromatin repressor like SMCHD1, combined with a repeat array between 8 and 20 units (FSHD2). With a prevalence of 1.5% in the European population, in cis duplications of the D4Z4 repeat array, where two adjacent D4Z4 arrays are interrupted by a spacer sequence, are relatively common but their relationship to FSHD is not well understood. In cis duplication alleles were shown to be pathogenic in FSHD2 patients; however, there is inconsistent evidence for the necessity of an SMCHD1 mutation for disease development. To explore the pathogenic nature of these alleles we compared in cis duplication alleles in FSHD patients with or without pathogenic SMCHD1 variant. For both groups we showed duplication-allele-specific DUX4 expression. We studied these alleles in detail using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-based Southern blotting and molecular combing, emphasizing the challenges in the characterization of these rearrangements. Nanopore sequencing was instrumental to study the composition and methylation of the duplicated D4Z4 repeat arrays and to identify the breakpoints and the spacer sequence between the arrays. By comparing the composition of the D4Z4 repeat array of in cis duplication alleles in both groups, we found that specific combinations of proximal and distal repeat array sizes determine their pathogenicity. Supported by our algorithm to predict pathogenicity, diagnostic laboratories should now be furnished to accurately interpret these in cis D4Z4 repeat array duplications, alleles that can easily be missed in routine settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J L F Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Patrick J van der Vliet
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ludo van der Pol
- University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Diane M Dunn
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Corrie E Erasmus
- Neuromuscular Centre Nijmegen, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marc D'Hooghe
- Department of Neurology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, 8000, Brugge, Belgium
| | - Kristof Verhoeven
- Department of Neurology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, 8000, Brugge, Belgium
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Bigot
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMRS974, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Baziel van Engelen
- Neuromuscular Centre Nijmegen, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Enrico Bugiardini
- National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Nienke van der Stoep
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Teresinha Evangelista
- Unité de Morphologie Neuromusculaire, Institut de Myologie, AP-HP, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Chiara Marini-Bettolo
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | | | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642, Rochester, USA
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Neuromuscular Centre Nijmegen, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John Vissing
- Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert B Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Silvère M van der Maarel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Erdmann H, Scharf F, Gehling S, Benet-Pagès A, Jakubiczka S, Becker K, Seipelt M, Kleefeld F, Knop KC, Prott EC, Hiebeler M, Montagnese F, Gläser D, Vorgerd M, Hagenacker T, Walter MC, Reilich P, Neuhann T, Zenker M, Holinski-Feder E, Schoser B, Abicht A. Methylation of the 4q35 D4Z4 repeat defines disease status in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Brain 2023; 146:1388-1402. [PMID: 36100962 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diagnosis of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) remains a challenge in clinical practice as it cannot be detected by standard sequencing methods despite being the third most common muscular dystrophy. The conventional diagnostic strategy addresses the known genetic parameters of FSHD: the required presence of a permissive haplotype, a size reduction of the D4Z4 repeat of chromosome 4q35 (defining FSHD1) or a pathogenic variant in an epigenetic suppressor gene (consistent with FSHD2). Incomplete penetrance and epistatic effects of the underlying genetic parameters as well as epigenetic parameters (D4Z4 methylation) pose challenges to diagnostic accuracy and hinder prediction of clinical severity. In order to circumvent the known limitations of conventional diagnostics and to complement genetic parameters with epigenetic ones, we developed and validated a multistage diagnostic workflow that consists of a haplotype analysis and a high-throughput methylation profile analysis (FSHD-MPA). FSHD-MPA determines the average global methylation level of the D4Z4 repeat array as well as the regional methylation of the most distal repeat unit by combining bisulphite conversion with next-generation sequencing and a bioinformatics pipeline and uses these as diagnostic parameters. We applied the diagnostic workflow to a cohort of 148 patients and compared the epigenetic parameters based on FSHD-MPA to genetic parameters of conventional genetic testing. In addition, we studied the correlation of repeat length and methylation level within the most distal repeat unit with age-corrected clinical severity and age at disease onset in FSHD patients. The results of our study show that FSHD-MPA is a powerful tool to accurately determine the epigenetic parameters of FSHD, allowing discrimination between FSHD patients and healthy individuals, while simultaneously distinguishing FSHD1 and FSHD2. The strong correlation between methylation level and clinical severity indicates that the methylation level determined by FSHD-MPA accounts for differences in disease severity among individuals with similar genetic parameters. Thus, our findings further confirm that epigenetic parameters rather than genetic parameters represent FSHD disease status and may serve as a valuable biomarker for disease status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Erdmann
- Medical Genetics Center (MGZ), 80335 Munich, Germany
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Anna Benet-Pagès
- Medical Genetics Center (MGZ), 80335 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Jakubiczka
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Maria Seipelt
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Felix Kleefeld
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Miriam Hiebeler
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Federica Montagnese
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Vorgerd
- Department of Neurology, Berufgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Maggie C Walter
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Reilich
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg, Otto-von-Guericke Universität, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Elke Holinski-Feder
- Medical Genetics Center (MGZ), 80335 Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Abicht
- Medical Genetics Center (MGZ), 80335 Munich, Germany
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Di Feo MF, Bettio C, Salsi V, Bertucci E, Tupler R. Counseling and prenatal diagnosis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A retrospective study on a 13‐year multidisciplinary approach. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e614. [PMID: 35509380 PMCID: PMC9059202 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Francesca Di Feo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, and Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI) University of Genoa Genova Italy
- IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Genova Italy
| | - Cinzia Bettio
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Valentina Salsi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children, and Adults University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Modena Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Massachusetts USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Massachusetts USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
van den Heuvel A, Lassche S, Mul K, Greco A, San León Granado D, Heerschap A, Küsters B, Tapscott SJ, Voermans NC, van Engelen BGM, van der Maarel SM. Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy transcriptome signatures correlate with different stages of disease and are marked by different MRI biomarkers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1426. [PMID: 35082321 PMCID: PMC8791933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04817-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With several therapeutic strategies for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) entering clinical testing, outcome measures are becoming increasingly important. Considering the spatiotemporal nature of FSHD disease activity, clinical trials would benefit from non-invasive imaging-based biomarkers that can predict FSHD-associated transcriptome changes. This study investigated two FSHD-associated transcriptome signatures (DUX4 and PAX7 signatures) in FSHD skeletal muscle biopsies, and tested their correlation with a variety of disease-associated factors, including Ricci clinical severity score, disease duration, D4Z4 repeat size, muscle pathology scorings and functional outcome measures. It establishes that DUX4 and PAX7 signatures both show a sporadic expression pattern in FSHD-affected biopsies, possibly marking different stages of disease. This study analyzed two imaging-based biomarkers—Turbo Inversion Recovery Magnitude (TIRM) hyperintensity and fat fraction—and provides insights into their predictive power as non-invasive biomarkers for FSHD signature detection in clinical trials. Further insights in the heterogeneity of—and correlation between—imaging biomarkers and molecular biomarkers, as provided in this study, will provide important guidance to clinical trial design in FSHD. Finally, this study investigated the role of infiltrating non-muscle cell types in FSHD signature expression and detected potential distinct roles for two fibro-adipogenic progenitor subtypes in FSHD.
Collapse
|
7
|
Distrofia muscolare facio-scapolo-omerale. Neurologia 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1634-7072(21)45785-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
8
|
Katz NK, Hogan J, Delbango R, Cernik C, Tawil R, Statland JM. Predictors of functional outcomes in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Brain 2021; 144:3451-3460. [PMID: 34542603 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most prevalent muscular dystrophies characterized by considerable variability in severity, rates of progression and functional outcomes. Few studies follow FSHD cohorts long enough to understand predictors of disease progression and functional outcomes, creating gaps in our understanding which impacts clinical care and the design of clinical trials. Efforts to identify molecularly targeted therapies create a need to better understand disease characteristics with predictive value to help refine clinical trial strategies and understand trial outcomes. Here we analyzed a prospective cohort from a large, longitudinally-followed registry of patients with FSHD in the United States to determine predictors of outcomes such as need for wheelchair use. This study analyzed de-identified data from 578 individuals with confirmed FSHD type 1 enrolled in the United States National Registry for FSHD Patients and Family members. Data were collected from January 2002 to September 2019 and included an average of nine years (range 0 to 18) of follow up surveys. Data were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological techniques, and risk of wheelchair use was determined using cox proportional hazards models. Supervised machine learning analysis was completed using Random Forest modeling and included all 189 unique features collected from registry questionnaires. A separate medications-only model was created that included 359 unique medications reported by participants. Here we show that smaller allele sizes were predictive of earlier age at onset, diagnosis and likelihood of wheelchair use. Additionally, we show that women were more likely overall to progress to wheelchair use and at a faster rate as compared to men, independent of genetics. Use of machine learning models that included all reported clinical features showed that the effect of allele size on progression to wheelchair use is small compared to disease duration, which may be important to consider in trial design. Medical comorbidities and medication use add to the risk for need for wheelchair dependence, raising the possibility for better medical management impacting outcomes in FSHD. The findings in this study will require further validation in additional, larger datasets but could have implications for clinical care, and inclusion criteria for future clinical trials in FSHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K Katz
- Department of Neurology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - John Hogan
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, AIbytes, LLC, Hurley, NY 12443, USA
| | - Ryan Delbango
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, AIbytes, LLC, Hurley, NY 12443, USA
| | - Colin Cernik
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Adenine base editing of the DUX4 polyadenylation signal for targeted genetic therapy in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 25:342-354. [PMID: 34484861 PMCID: PMC8399085 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by chromatin relaxation of the D4Z4 repeat resulting in misexpression of the D4Z4-encoded DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle. One of the key genetic requirements for the stable production of full-length DUX4 mRNA in skeletal muscle is a functional polyadenylation signal (ATTAAA) in exon three of DUX4 that is used in somatic cells. Base editors hold great promise to treat DNA lesions underlying genetic diseases through their ability to carry out specific and rapid nucleotide mutagenesis even in postmitotic cells such as skeletal muscle. In this study, we present a simple and straightforward strategy for mutagenesis of the somatic DUX4 polyadenylation signal by adenine base editing in immortalized myoblasts derived from independent FSHD-affected individuals. We show that mutating this critical cis-regulatory element results in downregulation of DUX4 mRNA and its direct transcriptional target genes. Our findings identify the somatic DUX4 polyadenylation signal as a therapeutic target and represent the first step toward clinical application of the CRISPR-Cas9 base editing platform for FSHD gene therapy.
Collapse
|
10
|
Brennan CM, Emerson CP, Owens J, Christoforou N. p38 MAPKs - roles in skeletal muscle physiology, disease mechanisms, and as potential therapeutic targets. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e149915. [PMID: 34156029 PMCID: PMC8262482 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
p38 MAPKs play a central role in orchestrating the cellular response to stress and inflammation and in the regulation of myogenesis. Potent inhibitors of p38 MAPKs have been pursued as potential therapies for several disease indications due to their antiinflammatory properties, although none have been approved to date. Here, we provide a brief overview of p38 MAPKs, including their role in regulating myogenesis and their association with disease progression. Finally, we discuss targeting p38 MAPKs as a therapeutic approach for treating facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscular dystrophies by addressing multiple pathological mechanisms in skeletal muscle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles P Emerson
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jane Owens
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lim KRQ, Yokota T. Genetic Approaches for the Treatment of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:642858. [PMID: 33776777 PMCID: PMC7996372 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.642858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive, asymmetric muscle weakness at the face, shoulders, and upper limbs, which spreads to the lower body with age. It is the third most common inherited muscular disorder worldwide. Around 20% of patients are wheelchair-bound, and some present with extramuscular manifestations. FSHD is caused by aberrant expression of the double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4) gene in muscle. DUX4 codes for a transcription factor which, in skeletal muscle, dysregulates numerous signaling activities that culminate in cytotoxicity. Potential treatments for FSHD therefore aim to reduce the expression of DUX4 or the activity of its toxic protein product. In this article, we review how genetic approaches such as those based on oligonucleotide and genome editing technologies have been developed to achieve these goals. We also outline the challenges these therapies are facing on the road to translation, and discuss possible solutions and future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q. Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Heier CR, Zhang A, Nguyen NY, Tully CB, Panigrahi A, Gordish-Dressman H, Pandey SN, Guglieri M, Ryan MM, Clemens PR, Thangarajh M, Webster R, Smith EC, Connolly AM, McDonald CM, Karachunski P, Tulinius M, Harper A, Mah JK, Fiorillo AA, Chen YW. Multi-Omics Identifies Circulating miRNA and Protein Biomarkers for Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040236. [PMID: 33228131 PMCID: PMC7711540 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of therapeutics for muscle diseases such as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is impeded by a lack of objective, minimally invasive biomarkers. Here we identify circulating miRNAs and proteins that are dysregulated in early-onset FSHD patients to develop blood-based molecular biomarkers. Plasma samples from clinically characterized individuals with early-onset FSHD provide a discovery group and are compared to healthy control volunteers. Low-density quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based arrays identify 19 candidate miRNAs, while mass spectrometry proteomic analysis identifies 13 candidate proteins. Bioinformatic analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data shows that the FSHD-dysregulated DUX4 transcription factor binds to regulatory regions of several candidate miRNAs. This panel of miRNAs also shows ChIP signatures consistent with regulation by additional transcription factors which are up-regulated in FSHD (FOS, EGR1, MYC, and YY1). Validation studies in a separate group of patients with FSHD show consistent up-regulation of miR-100, miR-103, miR-146b, miR-29b, miR-34a, miR-454, miR-505, and miR-576. An increase in the expression of S100A8 protein, an inflammatory regulatory factor and subunit of calprotectin, is validated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Bioinformatic analyses of proteomics and miRNA data further support a model of calprotectin and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway dysregulation in FSHD. Moving forward, this panel of miRNAs, along with S100A8 and calprotectin, merit further investigation as monitoring and pharmacodynamic biomarkers for FSHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Heier
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (H.G.-D.); (A.A.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.R.H.); (Y.-W.C.)
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Nhu Y Nguyen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Christopher B. Tully
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Aswini Panigrahi
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (H.G.-D.); (A.A.F.)
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Sachchida Nand Pandey
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | | | - Monique M. Ryan
- The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia;
| | - Paula R. Clemens
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
| | - Mathula Thangarajh
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | | | - Edward C. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA;
| | - Anne M. Connolly
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
| | - Craig M. McDonald
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Peter Karachunski
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Mar Tulinius
- Department of Pediatrics, Gothenburg University, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, 41685 Göteborg, Sweden;
| | - Amy Harper
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Jean K. Mah
- Deparment of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, T2N T3B, Calgary, AB 6A81N4, Canada;
| | - Alyson A. Fiorillo
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (H.G.-D.); (A.A.F.)
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
- Correspondence: (C.R.H.); (Y.-W.C.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
DeSimone AM, Cohen J, Lek M, Lek A. Cellular and animal models for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:13/10/dmm046904. [PMID: 33174531 PMCID: PMC7648604 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy and presents with weakness of the facial, scapular and humeral muscles, which frequently progresses to the lower limbs and truncal areas, causing profound disability. Myopathy results from epigenetic de-repression of the D4Z4 microsatellite repeat array on chromosome 4, which allows misexpression of the developmentally regulated DUX4 gene. DUX4 is toxic when misexpressed in skeletal muscle and disrupts several cellular pathways, including myogenic differentiation and fusion, which likely underpins pathology. DUX4 and the D4Z4 array are strongly conserved only in primates, making FSHD modeling in non-primate animals difficult. Additionally, its cytotoxicity and unusual mosaic expression pattern further complicate the generation of in vitro and in vivo models of FSHD. However, the pressing need to develop systems to test therapeutic approaches has led to the creation of multiple engineered FSHD models. Owing to the complex genetic, epigenetic and molecular factors underlying FSHD, it is difficult to engineer a system that accurately recapitulates every aspect of the human disease. Nevertheless, the past several years have seen the development of many new disease models, each with their own associated strengths that emphasize different aspects of the disease. Here, we review the wide range of FSHD models, including several in vitro cellular models, and an array of transgenic and xenograft in vivo models, with particular attention to newly developed systems and how they are being used to deepen our understanding of FSHD pathology and to test the efficacy of drug candidates. Summary: Owing to its complex etiology and the toxicity of DUX4, modeling facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is uniquely challenging. Here, we review the approaches that overcame these difficulties to develop highly relevant FSHD models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alec M DeSimone
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Justin Cohen
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Monkol Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ruggiero L, Mele F, Manganelli F, Bruzzese D, Ricci G, Vercelli L, Govi M, Vallarola A, Tripodi S, Villa L, Di Muzio A, Scarlato M, Bucci E, Antonini G, Maggi L, Rodolico C, Tomelleri G, Filosto M, Previtali S, Angelini C, Berardinelli A, Pegoraro E, Moggio M, Mongini T, Siciliano G, Santoro L, Tupler R. Phenotypic Variability Among Patients With D4Z4 Reduced Allele Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e204040. [PMID: 32356886 PMCID: PMC7195625 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.4040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is considered an autosomal dominant disorder, associated with the deletion of tandemly arrayed D4Z4 repetitive elements. The extensive use of molecular analysis of the D4Z4 locus for FSHD diagnosis has revealed wide clinical variability, suggesting that subgroups of patients exist among carriers of the D4Z4 reduced allele (DRA). OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical expression of FSHD in the genetic subgroup of carriers of a DRA with 7 to 8 repeat units (RUs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter cross-sectional study included 422 carriers of DRA with 7 to 8 RUs (187 unrelated probands and 235 relatives) from a consecutive sample of 280 probands and 306 relatives from the Italian National Registry for FSHD collected between 2008 and 2016. Participants were evaluated by the Italian Clinical Network for FSHD, and all clinical and molecular data were collected in the Italian National Registry for FSHD database. Data analysis was conducted from January 2017 to June 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The phenotypic classification of probands and relatives was obtained by applying the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form which classifies patients in the 4 following categories: (1) participants presenting facial and scapular girdle muscle weakness typical of FSHD (category A, subcategories A1-A3), (2) participants with muscle weakness limited to scapular girdle or facial muscles (category B, subcategories B1 and B2), (3) asymptomatic or healthy participants (category C, subcategories C1 and C2), and (4) participants with myopathic phenotypes presenting clinical features not consistent with FSHD canonical phenotype (category D, subcategories D1 and D2). RESULTS A total of 187 probands (mean [SD] age at last neurological examination, 53.5 [15.2] years; 103 [55.1%] men) and 235 relatives (mean [SD] age at last neurologic examination, 45.1 [17.0] years; 104 [44.7%] men) with a DRA with 7 to 8 RUs and a molecular diagnosis of FSHD were evaluated. Of 187 probands, 99 (52.9%; 95% CI, 45.7%-60.1%) displayed the classic FSHD phenotype, whereas 86 (47.1%; 95% CI, 39.8%-54.3%) presented incomplete or atypical phenotypes. Of 235 carrier relatives from 106 unrelated families, 124 (52.8%; 95% CI, 46.4%-59.7%) had no motor impairment, whereas a small number (38 [16.2%; 95% CI, 9.8%-23.1%]) displayed the classic FSHD phenotype, and 73 (31.0%; 95% CI, 24.7%-38.0%) presented with incomplete or atypical phenotypes. In 37 of 106 families (34.9%; 95% CI, 25.9%-44.8%), the proband was the only participant presenting with a myopathic phenotype, while only 20 families (18.9%; 95% CI, 11.9%-27.6%) had a member with autosomal dominant FSHD. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found large phenotypic variability associated with individuals carrying a DRA with 7 to 8 RUs, in contrast to the indication that a positive molecular test is the only determining aspect for FSHD diagnosis. These findings suggest that carriers of a DRA with 7 to 8 RUs constitute a genetic subgroup different from classic FSHD. Based on these results, it is recommended that clinicians use the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form for clinical classification and, whenever possible, study the extended family to provide the most adequate clinical management and genetic counseling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Bruzzese
- Department of Preventive Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Vercelli
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Monica Govi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Vallarola
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Tripodi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Villa
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Center for Excellence on Aging, Gabrile D’Annunzio University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marina Scarlato
- Neuromuscular Repair Unit, Inspe and Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Previtali
- Neuromuscular Repair Unit, Inspe and Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Angela Berardinelli
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS, Casimiro Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Greco A, Goossens R, van Engelen B, van der Maarel SM. Consequences of epigenetic derepression in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Clin Genet 2020; 97:799-814. [PMID: 32086799 PMCID: PMC7318180 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a common hereditary myopathy, is caused either by the contraction of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat at the distal end of chromosome 4q to a size of 1 to 10 repeat units (FSHD1) or by mutations in D4Z4 chromatin modifiers such as Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Hinge Domain Containing 1 (FSHD2). These two genotypes share a phenotype characterized by progressive and often asymmetric muscle weakening and atrophy, and common epigenetic alterations of the D4Z4 repeat. All together, these epigenetic changes converge the two genetic forms into one disease and explain the derepression of the DUX4 gene, which is otherwise kept epigenetically silent in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is consistently transcriptionally upregulated in FSHD1 and FSHD2 skeletal muscle cells where it is believed to exercise a toxic effect. Here we provide a review of the recent literature describing the progress in understanding the complex genetic and epigenetic architecture of FSHD, with a focus on one of the consequences that these epigenetic changes inflict, the DUX4‐induced immune deregulation cascade. Moreover, we review the latest therapeutic strategies, with particular attention to the potential of epigenetic correction of the FSHD locus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Greco
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remko Goossens
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
LoRusso S, Johnson NE, McDermott MP, Eichinger K, Butterfield RJ, Carraro E, Higgs K, Lewis L, Mul K, Sacconi S, Sansone VA, Shieh P, van Engelen B, Wagner K, Wang L, Statland JM, Tawil R. Clinical trial readiness to solve barriers to drug development in FSHD (ReSolve): protocol of a large, international, multi-center prospective study. BMC Neurol 2019; 19:224. [PMID: 31506080 PMCID: PMC6734593 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-019-1452-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a dominantly-inherited progressive muscular dystrophy caused by de-repression of the DUX4 gene, which causes disease by a toxic-gain-of-function. As molecularly targeted drugs move from preclinical testing into human trials, it is essential that we validate clinical trial tools and methodology to facilitate the drug development process. Methods/design The primary goal of this study is to hasten drug development for FSHD by validating two novel clinical outcome assessments (COAs) and refining clinical trial strategies. We will perform an 18-month longitudinal study in 220 genetically confirmed and clinically affected participants using our FSHD Clinical Trial Research Network, comprised of 8 sites in the United States, and 3 collaborating sites in Europe. Visits occur at baseline and months 3, 12, and 18. At each visit we will collect: 1) a novel FSHD functional composite COA made up of 18 evaluator-administered motor tasks in the domains of shoulder/arm, hand, core/abdominal, leg, and balance function; and 2) electrical impedance myography as a novel muscle quality biomarker (US sites). Other COAs include 1) Domain 1 of the Motor Function Measure; 2) Reachable workspace; 3) orofacial strength using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument; 4) lean muscle mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA); 5) strength as measured by quantitative myometry and manual muscle testing; and 6) the FSHD Health Index and other patient-reported outcomes. Plasma, DNA, RNA, and serum will be collected for future biomarker studies. We will use an industry standard multi-site training plan. We will evaluate the test-retest reliability, validity, and sensitivity to disease progression, and minimal clinically important changes of our new COAs. We will assess associations between demographic and genetic factors and the rate of disease progression to inform refinement of eligibility criteria for future clinical trials. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest collaborative study of patients with FSHD performed in the US and Europe. The results of this study will enable more efficient clinical trial design. During the conduct of the study, relevant data will be made available for investigators or companies pursuing novel FSHD therapeutics. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT03458832; Date of registration: 1/11/2018 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12883-019-1452-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha LoRusso
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave., 7th Floor, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Nicholas E Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall St, PO Box 980599, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Michael P McDermott
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology and Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd., CU 420630, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Katy Eichinger
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 673, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Russell J Butterfield
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Utah, Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, Room 2260A, 15 N 2030 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Elena Carraro
- The NEMO Clinical Center, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, Piazza dell'Ospedale Maggiore, 3, Milan, 20162, Italy
| | - Kiley Higgs
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 2012, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Leann Lewis
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 673, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (935), 6525, GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Université Côte d'Azur, Peripheral Nervous System, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Muscle & ALS Department, Pasteur 2 Hospital, 30 Voie Romaine, 06001, Nice Cedex 1, France
| | - Valeria A Sansone
- The NEMO Clinical Center, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, Piazza dell'Ospedale Maggiore, 3, Milan, 20162, Italy
| | - Perry Shieh
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite B-200, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Baziel van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (935), 6525, GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kathryn Wagner
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leo Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 2012, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 673, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a progressive myopathy that afflicts individuals of all ages, provides a powerful model of the complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of chromatin regulation. FSHD is caused by dysregulation of a macrosatellite repeat, either by contraction of the repeat or by mutations in silencing proteins. Both cases lead to chromatin relaxation and, in the context of a permissive allele, aberrant expression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is a pioneer transcription factor that activates a program of gene expression during early human development, after which its expression is silenced in most somatic cells. When misexpressed in FSHD skeletal muscle, the DUX4 program leads to accumulated muscle pathology. Epigenetic regulators of the disease locus represent particularly attractive therapeutic targets for FSHD, as many are not global modifiers of the genome, and altering their expression or activity should allow correction of the underlying defect.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Chromatin/chemistry
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/metabolism
- DNA Methylation
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Gene Editing
- Genetic Loci
- Genome, Human
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/classification
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/pathology
- Mutation
- Severity of Illness Index
- DNA Methyltransferase 3B
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charis L Himeda
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA;
| | - Peter L Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Background Facial-scapular-humeral myodystrophy Landouzy-Dejerine (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disease, the basis of its pathogenesis is ectopic expression of the transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle. There are two types of the disease: FSHD1 (MIM:158900) and FSHD2 (MIM: 158901), which have different genetic causes but are phenotypically indistinguishable. In FSHD1, partial deletion of the D4Z4 repeats on the 4th chromosome affects the expression of DUX4, whereas FSHD2 is caused by the mutations in the protein regulating the methylation status of chromatin - SMCHD1. High variability of clinical picture, both intra - and inter-family indicates a large number of factors influencing clinical picture. There are key genetic, epigenetic and gender factors that influence the expressivity and penetrance of the disease. Using only one of these factors allows just a rough prediction of the course of the disease, which indicates the combined effect of all of the factors on the DUX4 expression and on the clinical picture. Results In this paper, we analyzed the impact of genetic, epigenetic and gender differences on phenotype and the possibility of using them for disease prognosis and family counselling. Conclusions Key pathogenesis factors have been identified for FSHD. However, the pronounced intra - and inter-family polymorphism of manifestations indicates a large number of modifiers of the pathological process, many of which remain unknown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikhail Skoblov
- Research Center for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia.,School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lin XD, He JJ, Lin F, Chen HZ, Xu LQ, Hu W, Cai NQ, Lin MT, Wang N, Wang ZQ, Xu GR. A "Triple Trouble" Case of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Accompanied by Peripheral Neuropathy and Myoclonic Epilepsy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2018; 131:2164-2171. [PMID: 30203790 PMCID: PMC6144853 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.240797] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterized by asymmetric muscular deficit of facial, shoulder-girdle muscles, and descending to lower limb muscles, but it exists in several extramuscular manifestations or overlapping syndromes. Herein, we report a "complex disease plus" patient with FSHD1, accompanied by peripheral neuropathy and myoclonic epilepsy. Methods Standard clinical assessments, particular auxiliary examination, histological analysis, and molecular analysis were performed through the new Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-based Southern blot, Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), whole exome sequencing (WES), and targeted methylation sequencing. Results The patient presented with mild facial weakness, humeral poly-hill sign, scapular winging, peroneal weakness, drop foot, pes cavus, and myoclonic epilepsy. Furthermore, electrophysiology revealed severely demyelinated and axonal injury. The muscle and nerve biopsy revealed broadly fiber Type II grouping atrophy and myelinated nerve fibers that significantly decreased with thin myelinated fibers and onion bulbs changes. Generalized sharp and sharp-slow wave complexes on electroencephalography support the diagnosis toward myoclonic epilepsy. In addition, molecular testing demonstrated a co-segregated 20-kb 4q35-EcoRI fragment and permissive allele A, which corresponded with D4Z4 hypomethylation status in the family. Both the patient's mother and brother only presented the typical FSHD but lacked overlapping syndromes. However, no mutations for hereditary peripheral neuropathy and myoclonic epilepsy were discovered by MLPA and WES. Conclusions The present study described a "tripe trouble" with FSHD, peripheral neuropathy, and myoclonic epilepsy, adding the spectrum of overlapping syndromes and contributing to the credible diagnosis of atypical phenotype. It would provide a direct clue on medical care and genetic counseling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Lin
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Jun-Jie He
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Hai-Zhu Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Liu-Qing Xu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Nai-Qing Cai
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Min-Ting Lin
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University; Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University; Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| | - Guo-Rong Xu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mul K, Voermans NC, Lemmers RJLF, Jonker MA, van der Vliet PJ, Padberg GW, van Engelen BGM, van der Maarel SM, Horlings CGC. Phenotype-genotype relations in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1. Clin Genet 2018; 94:521-527. [PMID: 30211448 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To determine how much of the clinical variability in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) can be explained by the D4Z4 repeat array size, D4Z4 methylation and familial factors, we included 152 carriers of an FSHD1 allele (23 single cases, 129 familial cases from 37 families) and performed state-of-the-art genetic testing, extensive clinical evaluation and quantitative muscle MRI. Familial factors accounted for 50% of the variance in disease severity (FSHD clinical score). The explained variance by the D4Z4 repeat array size for disease severity was limited (approximately 10%), and varied per body region (facial muscles, upper and lower extremities approximately 30%, 15% and 3%, respectively). Unaffected gene carriers had longer repeat array sizes compared to symptomatic individuals (7.3 vs 6.0 units, P = 0.000) and slightly higher Delta1 methylation levels (D4Z4 methylation corrected for repeat size, 0.96 vs -2.46, P = 0.048). The D4Z4 repeat array size and D4Z4 methylation contribute to variability in disease severity and penetrance, but other disease modifying factors must be involved as well. The larger effect of the D4Z4 repeat array on facial muscle involvement suggests that these muscles are more sensitive to the influence of the FSHD1 locus itself, whereas leg muscle involvement seems highly dependent on modifying factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J L F Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne A Jonker
- Department of Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - George W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Corinne G C Horlings
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Esnault J, Missaoui B, Bendaya S, Mane M, Eymard B, Laforet P, Stojkovic T, Behin A, Thoumie P. Isokinetic assessment of trunk muscles in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 patients. Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:996-1002. [PMID: 30415787 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 is the third most common inherited myopathy. Its severity is proportionate to the loss of microsatellite D4Z4 repetitions, which are below 10. Patients suffer from weakness in facial muscles, shoulder girdles and ankle dorsiflexors. Trunk impairment is reported in few studies. To assess correlation between D4Z4 number of repetitions in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 patients and trunk extensors and flexors isokinetic peak torque, 48 patients with southern Blot confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 were enrolled to perform clinical evaluation (Ricci's Clinical Severity Scoring, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, timed up-and-go test, six-minute walk test, functional independence measure) and trunk isokinetic assessment. Trunk extensors and flexors isokinetic peak torque at 60°/sec were significantly correlated with number of D4Z4 microsatellite repetitions, sex, weight and age-independent (r = 0.391 [0.121; 0.662], p < 0.006 and r = 0.334 [0.028; 0.641], p < 0.033, respectively). Ricci's Clinical Severity Scoring was significantly correlated to trunk extensors isokinetic peak torque at 60°/sec, sex and weight-independent (r = -0.743 [-0.938; -0.548], p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates moderate correlation between pathologic compression of D4Z4 microsatellite array and trunk extensors isokinetic strength among facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type I patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Esnault
- Hôpital Rothschild, Service de Reeducation Neuro-orthopédique, 5 Rue Santerre 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Besma Missaoui
- Hôpital Rothschild, Service de Reeducation Neuro-orthopédique, 5 Rue Santerre 75012 Paris, France
| | - Samy Bendaya
- Hôpital Rothschild, Service de Reeducation Neuro-orthopédique, 5 Rue Santerre 75012 Paris, France
| | - Michele Mane
- Hôpital Rothschild, Service de Reeducation Neuro-orthopédique, 5 Rue Santerre 75012 Paris, France
| | - Bruno Eymard
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut de Myologie, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 Paris, France
| | - Pascal Laforet
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut de Myologie, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 Paris, France
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut de Myologie, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 Paris, France
| | - Anthony Behin
- Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut de Myologie, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital 75013 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Thoumie
- Hôpital Rothschild, Service de Reeducation Neuro-orthopédique, 5 Rue Santerre 75012 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dadali EL, Sharkova IV, Zernov NV, Rudenskaya GE, Skoblov MY. [Clinical and genetic characteristics of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy Landuzi-Dezherina type 1]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2017; 117:122-128. [PMID: 29265097 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2017117111122-128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To describe clinical and genetic characteristics of patients from the Russian population with a variety of phenotypic variants of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy Landuzi-Dezherina type 1 (FSHD 1). MATERIAL AND METHODS The material for the study were blood samples of 16 patients from 15 unrelated families residing in the territory of the Russian Federation, between the ages of 6 to 66 years, with symptoms of FSHD. Diagnosis was based on genealogical data analysis, neurological examination, electroneuromyographic study, indicators of activity of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in the blood serum and molecular genetic analysis of the results, aimed at the analysis of macrosatellite D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The study established the diagnosis of FSHD1 in 75% of patients. The correlation of the severity and phenotypic spectrum of FSHD1 with the age of onset was found. There was the significant clinical heterogeneity even among the 1st degree relatives in the same family. The correlation between macrosatellite D4Z4 repeats and clinical features of FSHD1 described previously in the literature was not observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E L Dadali
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Sharkova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| | - N V Zernov
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - M Yu Skoblov
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gijsbertse K, Goselink R, Lassche S, Nillesen M, Sprengers A, Verdonschot N, van Alfen N, de Korte C. Ultrasound Imaging of Muscle Contraction of the Tibialis Anterior in Patients with Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:2537-2545. [PMID: 28764967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A need exists for biomarkers to diagnose, quantify and longitudinally follow facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and many other neuromuscular disorders. Furthermore, the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to muscle weakness in most neuromuscular disorders are not completely understood. Dynamic ultrasound imaging (B-mode image sequences) in combination with speckle tracking is an easy, applicable and patient-friendly imaging tool to visualize and quantify muscle deformation. This dynamic information provides insight in the pathophysiological mechanisms and may help to distinguish the various stages of diseased muscle in FSHD. In this proof-of-principle study, we applied a speckle tracking technique to 2-D ultrasound image sequences to quantify the deformation of the tibialis anterior muscle in patients with FSHD and in healthy controls. The resulting deformation patterns were compared with muscle ultrasound echo intensity analysis (a measure of fat infiltration and dystrophy) and clinical outcome measures. Of the four FSHD patients, two patients had severe peroneal weakness and two patients had mild peroneal weakness on clinical examination. We found a markedly varied muscle deformation pattern between these groups: patients with severe peroneal weakness showed a different motion pattern of the tibialis anterior, with overall less displacement of the central tendon region, while healthy patients showed a non-uniform displacement pattern, with the central aponeurosis showing the largest displacement. Hence, dynamic muscle ultrasound of the tibialis anterior muscle in patients with FSHD revealed a distinctively different tissue deformation pattern among persons with and without tibialis anterior weakness. These findings could clarify the understanding of the pathophysiology of muscle weakness in FSHD patients. In addition, the change in muscle deformation shows good correlation with clinical measures and quantitative muscle ultrasound measurements. In conclusion, dynamic ultrasound in combination with speckle tracking allows the study of the effects of muscle pathology in relation to strength, force transmission and movement generation. Although further research is required, this technique can develop into a biomarker to quantify muscle disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaj Gijsbertse
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Rianne Goselink
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Lassche
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Nillesen
- Medical Ultrasound Imaging Center (MUSIC), Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - André Sprengers
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Nico Verdonschot
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Chris de Korte
- Medical Ultrasound Imaging Center (MUSIC), Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Physics of Fluids Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mah JK, Chen YW. A Pediatric Review of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2017; 16:222-231. [PMID: 30923442 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophies worldwide. It is a complex and heterogeneous disease secondary to insufficient epigenetic repression of D4Z4 repeats and aberrant expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscles. Type 1 facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by contraction of D4Z4 repeats on 4q35, whereas type 2 FSHD is associated with mutations of the SMCHD1 or DNMT3B gene in the presence of a disease-permissive 4qA haplotype. Classical FSHD is a slowly progressive disorder with gradual-onset of muscle atrophy and a descending pattern of muscle weakness. In contrast, early-onset FSHD is associated with a large deletion of D4Z4 repeats and a more severe disease phenotype, including early loss of independent ambulation as well as extramuscular manifestations, such as retinal vasculopathy, hearing loss, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. However, the correlation between D4Z4 repeats and disease severity remains imprecise. The current standard of care guidelines offers comprehensive assessment and symptomatic management of secondary complications. Several clinical trials are currently underway for FSHD. New and emerging treatments focus on correcting the transcriptional misregulation of D4Z4 and reversing the cytotoxic effects of DUX4. Other potential therapeutic targets include reduction of inflammation, improving muscle mass, and activating compensatory molecular pathways. The utility of disease-modifying treatments will depend on selection of sensitive clinical endpoints as well as validation of muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other biomarkers to detect meaningful changes in disease progression. Correction of the epigenetic defects using new gene editing as well as other DUX4 silencing technologies offers potential treatment options for many individuals with FSHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean K Mah
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States.,Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Teveroni E, Pellegrino M, Sacconi S, Calandra P, Cascino I, Farioli-Vecchioli S, Puma A, Garibaldi M, Morosetti R, Tasca G, Ricci E, Trevisan CP, Galluzzi G, Pontecorvi A, Crescenzi M, Deidda G, Moretti F. Estrogens enhance myoblast differentiation in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy by antagonizing DUX4 activity. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:1531-1545. [PMID: 28263188 DOI: 10.1172/jci89401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by extreme variability in symptoms, with females being less severely affected than males and presenting a higher proportion of asymptomatic carriers. The sex-related factors involved in the disease are not known. Here, we have utilized myoblasts isolated from FSHD patients (FSHD myoblasts) to investigate the effect of estrogens on muscle properties. Our results demonstrated that estrogens counteract the differentiation impairment of FSHD myoblasts without affecting cell proliferation or survival. Estrogen effects are mediated by estrogen receptor β (ERβ), which reduces chromatin occupancy and transcriptional activity of double homeobox 4 (DUX4), a protein whose aberrant expression has been implicated in FSHD pathogenesis. During myoblast differentiation, we observed that the levels and activity of DUX4 increased progressively and were associated with its enhanced recruitment in the nucleus. ERβ interfered with this recruitment by relocalizing DUX4 in the cytoplasm. This work identifies estrogens as a potential disease modifier that underlie sex-related differences in FSHD by protecting against myoblast differentiation impairments in this disease.
Collapse
|
26
|
Casa V, Runfola V, Micheloni S, Aziz A, Dilworth FJ, Gabellini D. Polycomb repressive complex 1 provides a molecular explanation for repeat copy number dependency in FSHD muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:753-767. [PMID: 28040729 PMCID: PMC5409123 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repression of repetitive elements is crucial to preserve genome integrity and has been traditionally ascribed to constitutive heterochromatin pathways. FacioScapuloHumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common myopathies, is characterized by a complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic events. The main FSHD form is linked to a reduced copy number of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat on 4q35, causing loss of silencing and aberrant expression of the D4Z4-embedded DUX4 gene leading to disease. By an unknown mechanism, D4Z4 copy-number correlates with FSHD phenotype. Here we show that the DUX4 proximal promoter (DUX4p) is sufficient to nucleate the enrichment of both constitutive and facultative heterochromatin components and to mediate a copy-number dependent gene silencing. We found that both the CpG/GC dense DNA content and the repetitive nature of DUX4p arrays are important for their repressive ability. We showed that DUX4p mediates a copy number-dependent Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) recruitment, which is responsible for the copy-number dependent gene repression. Overall, we directly link genetic and epigenetic defects in FSHD by proposing a novel molecular explanation for the copy number-dependency in FSHD pathogenesis, and offer insight into the molecular functions of repeats in chromatin regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Casa
- Gene Expression and Muscular Dystrophy Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Valeria Runfola
- Gene Expression and Muscular Dystrophy Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Stefano Micheloni
- Gene Expression and Muscular Dystrophy Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Arif Aziz
- The Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - F Jeffrey Dilworth
- The Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Davide Gabellini
- Gene Expression and Muscular Dystrophy Unit, Division of Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lemmers RJLF. Analyzing Copy Number Variation Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis: Providing a Genetic Diagnosis for FSHD1. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1492:107-125. [PMID: 27822859 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6442-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The myopathy facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) is caused by copy number variation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat on chromosome 4. In unaffected individuals the number of 3.3 kb D4Z4 units varies between 8 and 100, whereas 1-10 units are seen in FSHD1 cases. A homologous and heterogenous D4Z4 array can be found on chromosome 10q, but contractions of this array are typically not associated with FSHD. Discriminating between the chromosome 4 and chromosome 10 D4Z4 arrays, as well as determining the array size, requires the use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, and the isolation of high-quality DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J L F Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Goselink RJM, Schreuder THA, Mul K, Voermans NC, Pelsma M, de Groot IJM, van Alfen N, Franck B, Theelen T, Lemmers RJ, Mah JK, van der Maarel SM, van Engelen BG, Erasmus CE. Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy in children: design of a prospective, observational study on natural history, predictors and clinical impact (iFocus FSHD). BMC Neurol 2016; 16:138. [PMID: 27530735 PMCID: PMC4988042 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0664-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD; OMIM 158900 & 158901) is a progressive skeletal muscle dystrophy, characterized by an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. One of the major unsolved questions in FSHD is the marked clinical heterogeneity, ranging from asymptomatic individuals to severely affected patients with an early onset. An estimated 10 % of FSHD patients have an early onset (onset before 10 years of age) and are traditionally classified as infantile FSHD. This subgroup is regarded as severely affected and extra-muscular symptoms, such as hearing loss and retinopathy, are frequently described. However, information on the prevalence, natural history and clinical management of early onset FSHD is currently lacking, thereby hampering adequate patient counselling and management. Therefore, a population-based prospective cohort study on FSHD in children is highly needed. Methods/design This explorative study aims to recruit all children (aged 0–17 years) with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of FSHD in The Netherlands. The children will be assessed at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. The general aim of the study is the description of the clinical features and genetic characteristics of this paediatric cohort. The primary outcome is the motor function as measured by the Motor Function Measure. Secondary outcomes include quantitative and qualitative description of the clinical phenotype, muscle imaging, genotyping and prevalence estimations. The ultimate objective will be a thorough description of the natural history, predictors of disease severity and quality of life in children with FSHD. Discussion The results of this population-based study are vital for adequate patient management and clinical trial-readiness. Furthermore, this study is expected to provide additional insight in the epigenetic and environmental disease modifying factors. In addition to improve counselling, this could contribute to unravelling the aetiology of FSHD. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT02625662.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rianne J M Goselink
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Tim H A Schreuder
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike Pelsma
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Imelda J M de Groot
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Franck
- Department of Clinical audiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Theelen
- Department of Op Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jean K Mah
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Baziel G van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie E Erasmus
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ricci G, Ruggiero L, Vercelli L, Sera F, Nikolic A, Govi M, Mele F, Daolio J, Angelini C, Antonini G, Berardinelli A, Bucci E, Cao M, D'Amico MC, D'Angelo G, Di Muzio A, Filosto M, Maggi L, Moggio M, Mongini T, Morandi L, Pegoraro E, Rodolico C, Santoro L, Siciliano G, Tomelleri G, Villa L, Tupler R. A novel clinical tool to classify facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy phenotypes. J Neurol 2016; 263:1204-14. [PMID: 27126453 PMCID: PMC4893383 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-016-8123-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Based on the 7-year experience of the Italian Clinical Network for FSHD, we revised the FSHD clinical form to describe, in a harmonized manner, the phenotypic spectrum observed in FSHD. The new Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF) defines various clinical categories by the combination of different features. The inter-rater reproducibility of the CCEF was assessed between two examiners using kappa statistics by evaluating 56 subjects carrying the molecular marker used for FSHD diagnosis. The CCEF classifies: (1) subjects presenting facial and scapular girdle muscle weakness typical of FSHD (category A, subcategories A1–A3), (2) subjects with muscle weakness limited to scapular girdle or facial muscles (category B subcategories B1, B2), (3) asymptomatic/healthy subjects (category C, subcategories C1, C2), (4) subjects with myopathic phenotype presenting clinical features not consistent with FSHD canonical phenotype (D, subcategories D1, D2). The inter-rater reliability study showed an excellent concordance of the final four CCEF categories with a κ equal to 0.90; 95 % CI (0.71; 0.97). Absolute agreement was observed for categories C and D, an excellent agreement for categories A [κ = 0.88; 95 % CI (0.75; 1.00)], and a good agreement for categories B [κ = 0.79; 95 % CI (0.57; 1.00)]. The CCEF supports the harmonized phenotypic classification of patients and families. The categories outlined by the CCEF may assist diagnosis, genetic counseling and natural history studies. Furthermore, the CCEF categories could support selection of patients in randomized clinical trials. This precise categorization might also promote the search of genetic factor(s) contributing to the phenotypic spectrum of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ricci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Liliana Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Sera
- MRC Centre of Epidemiology for Child Health, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Ana Nikolic
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Monica Govi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jessica Daolio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Berardinelli
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS "C. Mondino" Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Chiara D'Amico
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Grazia D'Angelo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Institute Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Maggi
- IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lucia Morandi
- IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luisa Villa
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. .,Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lin F, Wang ZQ, Lin MT, Murong SX, Wang N. New Insights into Genotype-phenotype Correlations in Chinese Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: A Retrospective Analysis of 178 Patients. Chin Med J (Engl) 2016; 128:1707-13. [PMID: 26112708 PMCID: PMC4733718 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.159336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a common autosomal dominant muscular disorder, is caused by contraction of the D4Z4 repeats on 4q35. The complicated genotype-phenotype correlation among different ethnic population remains a controversial subject. We aimed to refine this correlation in order to provide new information for genetic counseling. Methods: Here, a cohort of 136 Chinese families including 178 affected individuals and 137 unaffected members were investigated. Genetic analyses were performed using the p13E-11, 4qA and 4qB probes after pulsed field gel electrophoresis separation and southern blotting. A 10-grade FSHD clinical severity scale was adopted for clinical assessment. The genotype-phenotype correlation was established by linear regression analyses. Results: We observed a roughly inversed correlation between the short EcoRI fragment size and age-corrected clinical severity score in 154 symptomatic patients (P < 0.05). Compared to male patients, a significant higher proportion of females in both asymptomatic carriers and severe patients showed larger variation in the size of short EcoRI fragment. A high incidence (19/42, 45.2%) of asymptomatic (or minimally affected) carriers was found in familial members. Conclusions: Although the number of D4Z4 repeats is known as one of the critical influences on genotype-phenotype correlation, a majority of phenotypic spectrum was still incompatible with their heterozygous contraction of the D4Z4 repeat, especial in female cases. Our results suggest that there are multi-factors synergistically modulating the phenotypic expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Nikolic A, Ricci G, Sera F, Bucci E, Govi M, Mele F, Rossi M, Ruggiero L, Vercelli L, Ravaglia S, Brisca G, Fiorillo C, Villa L, Maggi L, Cao M, D'Amico MC, Siciliano G, Antonini G, Santoro L, Mongini T, Moggio M, Morandi L, Pegoraro E, Angelini C, Di Muzio A, Rodolico C, Tomelleri G, Grazia D'Angelo M, Bruno C, Berardinelli A, Tupler R. Clinical expression of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in carriers of 1-3 D4Z4 reduced alleles: experience of the FSHD Italian National Registry. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e007798. [PMID: 26733561 PMCID: PMC4716236 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) has been genetically linked to reduced numbers (≤ 8) of D4Z4 repeats at 4q35. Particularly severe FSHD cases, characterised by an infantile onset and presence of additional extra-muscular features, have been associated with the shortest D4Z4 reduced alleles with 1-3 repeats (1-3 DRA). We searched for signs of perinatal onset and evaluated disease outcome through the systematic collection of clinical and anamnestic records of de novo and familial index cases and their relatives, carrying 1-3 DRA. SETTING Italy. PARTICIPANTS 66 index cases and 33 relatives carrying 1-3 DRA. OUTCOMES The clinical examination was performed using the standardised FSHD evaluation form with validated inter-rater reliability. To investigate the earliest signs of disease, we designed the Infantile Anamnestic Questionnaire (IAQ). Comparison of age at onset was performed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum or Kruskal-Wallis test. Comparison of the FSHD score was performed using a general linear model and Wald test. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the age-specific cumulative motor impairment risk. RESULTS No patients had perinatal onset. Among index cases, 36 (54.5%) showed the first signs by 10 years of age. The large majority of patients with early disease onset (26 out of 36, 72.2%) were de novo; whereas the majority of patients with disease onset after 10 years of age were familial (16, 53.3%). Comparison of the disease severity outcome between index cases with age at onset before and over 10 years of age, failed to detect statistical significance (Wald test p value=0.064). Of 61 index cases, only 17 (27.9%) presented extra-muscular conditions. Relatives carrying 1-3 DRA showed a large clinical variability ranging from healthy subjects, to patients with severe motor impairment. CONCLUSIONS The size of the D4Z4 allele is not always predictive of severe clinical outcome. The high degree of clinical variability suggests that additional factors contribute to the phenotype complexity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Nikolic
- Department of Science of Life, Institute of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Department of Science of Life, Institute of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Sera
- MRC Centre of Epidemiology for Child Health, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Department of Neurology, S Andrea Hospital, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Govi
- Department of Science of Life, Institute of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- Department of Science of Life, Institute of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marta Rossi
- Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Institute ‘C Mondino’ Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Liliana Vercelli
- Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sabrina Ravaglia
- Department of Public Health and Neurosciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Brisca
- Department of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, IRCCS Institute Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neuromuscular Disorders, IRCCS Institute Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luisa Villa
- IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- IRCCS Foundation, C Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neurology, S Andrea Hospital, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Morandi
- IRCCS Foundation, C Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, University ‘G d'Annunzio’, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia D'Angelo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Institute Eugenio Medea Ca’ Granada Ospedale Maggiore, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Department of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, IRCCS Institute Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angela Berardinelli
- Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Institute ‘C Mondino’ Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Science of Life, Institute of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Statland JM, Donlin-Smith CM, Tapscott SJ, Lemmers RJLF, van der Maarel SM, Tawil R. Milder phenotype in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy with 7-10 residual D4Z4 repeats. Neurology 2015; 85:2147-50. [PMID: 26561289 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000002217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of clinical and genetic features of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) with 7-10 residual D4Z4 repeats in a large genetically defined FSHD1 cohort. METHODS We performed a prospective cross-sectional observational study of 74 clinically affected patients with FSHD1. Measures of clinical severity were compared between patients with 1-6 D4Z4 repeats and 7-10 repeats, and included D4Z4 CpG methylation, age at diagnosis, age-adjusted clinical severity score, a muscle pathology grade of quadriceps biopsies (0 = normal, 12 = severe dystrophic changes), quantitative myometry of biopsied muscles, global manual muscle testing scores, and frequency of wheelchair use. RESULTS Twenty-eight (37.8%) participants had 7-10 D4Z4 repeats, and compared to participants with 1-6 repeats, were diagnosed 6.6 years older (p = 0.17); had lower CpG methylation than would be predicted by D4Z4 repeat size (p = 0.04); had age-adjusted clinical severity 39.8 points lower (p = 0.004); had muscle pathology grades that were 2.4 points less severe (p < 0.0001); had quantitative myometry 28.3% predicted of normal higher (p = 0.002); had global manual muscle testing scores 0.6 higher (p = 0.005); and did not require wheelchairs. CONCLUSION Patients with FSHD with 7-10 D4Z4 repeats have milder disease than other genetically defined patients with FSHD1. The lower than predicted methylation in the 7-10 residual repeat group may suggest that additional epigenetic factors play a role in the severity of disease expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Statland
- From the Department of Neurology (J.M.S.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; the Department of Neurology (C.M.D., R.T.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY; the Division of Human Biology (S.J.T.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and the Department of Human Genetics (R.J.L.F.L., S.M.v.d.M.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
| | - Colleen M Donlin-Smith
- From the Department of Neurology (J.M.S.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; the Department of Neurology (C.M.D., R.T.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY; the Division of Human Biology (S.J.T.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and the Department of Human Genetics (R.J.L.F.L., S.M.v.d.M.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- From the Department of Neurology (J.M.S.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; the Department of Neurology (C.M.D., R.T.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY; the Division of Human Biology (S.J.T.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and the Department of Human Genetics (R.J.L.F.L., S.M.v.d.M.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Richard J L F Lemmers
- From the Department of Neurology (J.M.S.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; the Department of Neurology (C.M.D., R.T.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY; the Division of Human Biology (S.J.T.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and the Department of Human Genetics (R.J.L.F.L., S.M.v.d.M.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Silvère M van der Maarel
- From the Department of Neurology (J.M.S.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; the Department of Neurology (C.M.D., R.T.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY; the Division of Human Biology (S.J.T.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and the Department of Human Genetics (R.J.L.F.L., S.M.v.d.M.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Rabi Tawil
- From the Department of Neurology (J.M.S.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City; the Department of Neurology (C.M.D., R.T.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY; the Division of Human Biology (S.J.T.), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; and the Department of Human Genetics (R.J.L.F.L., S.M.v.d.M.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Park HJ, Hong JM, Lee JH, Lee HS, Shin HY, Kim SM, Ki CS, Lee JH, Choi YC. Low D4Z4 copy number and gender difference in Korean patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1. Neuromuscul Disord 2015; 25:859-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
34
|
Himeda CL, Jones TI, Jones PL. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy as a model for epigenetic regulation and disease. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 22:1463-82. [PMID: 25336259 PMCID: PMC4432493 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2014.6090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Aberrant epigenetic regulation is an integral aspect of many diseases and complex disorders. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a progressive myopathy that afflicts individuals of all ages, is caused by disrupted genetic and epigenetic regulation of a macrosatellite repeat. FSHD provides a powerful model to investigate disease-relevant epigenetic modifiers and general mechanisms of epigenetic regulation that govern gene expression. RECENT ADVANCES In the context of a genetically permissive allele, the one aspect of FSHD that is consistent across all known cases is the aberrant epigenetic state of the disease locus. In addition, certain mutations in the chromatin regulator SMCHD1 (structural maintenance of chromosomes hinge-domain protein 1) are sufficient to cause FSHD2 and enhance disease severity in FSHD1. Thus, there are multiple pathways to generate the epigenetic dysregulation required for FSHD. CRITICAL ISSUES Why do some individuals with the genetic requirements for FSHD develop disease pathology, while others remain asymptomatic? Similarly, disease progression is highly variable among individuals. What are the relative contributions of genetic background and environmental factors in determining disease manifestation, progression, and severity in FSHD? What is the interplay between epigenetic factors regulating the disease locus and which, if any, are viable therapeutic targets? FUTURE DIRECTIONS Epigenetic regulation represents a potentially powerful therapeutic target for FSHD. Determining the epigenetic signatures that are predictive of disease severity and identifying the spectrum of disease modifiers in FSHD are vital to the development of effective therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charis L Himeda
- The Wellstone Program and the Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology and Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Clinical Muscle Testing Compared with Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Facio-scapulo-humeral Muscular Dystrophy. Clin Neuroradiol 2015; 26:445-455. [DOI: 10.1007/s00062-015-0386-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
36
|
Dorobek M, van der Maarel SM, Lemmers RJLF, Ryniewicz B, Kabzińska D, Frants RR, Gawel M, Walecki J, Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz I. Early-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 with some atypical features. J Child Neurol 2015; 30:580-7. [PMID: 24717985 DOI: 10.1177/0883073814528281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy cases with facial weakness before the age of 5 and signs of shoulder weakness by the age of 10 are defined as early onset. Contraction of the D4Z4 repeat on chromosome 4q35 is causally related to facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1, and the residual size of the D4Z4 repeat shows a roughly inverse correlation with the severity of the disease. Contraction of the D4Z4 repeat on chromosome 4q35 is believed to induce a local change in chromatin structure and consequent transcriptional deregulation of 4qter genes. We present early-onset cases in the Polish population that amounted to 21% of our total population with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. More than 27% of them presented with severe phenotypes (wheelchair dependency). The residual D4Z4 repeat sizes ranged from 1 to 4 units. In addition, even within early-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 phenotypes, some cases had uncommon features (head drop, early disabling contractures, progressive ptosis, and respiratory insufficiency and cardiomyopathy).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Dorobek
- Department of Neurology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior, Warsaw, Poland Neuromuscular Unit, Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Silvère M van der Maarel
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Richard J L F Lemmers
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara Ryniewicz
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Kabzińska
- Neuromuscular Unit, Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rune R Frants
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Malgorzata Gawel
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Walecki
- Department of Radiology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior, Warsaw, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Salort-Campana E, Nguyen K, Bernard R, Jouve E, Solé G, Nadaj-Pakleza A, Niederhauser J, Charles E, Ollagnon E, Bouhour F, Sacconi S, Echaniz-Laguna A, Desnuelle C, Tranchant C, Vial C, Magdinier F, Bartoli M, Arne-Bes MC, Ferrer X, Kuntzer T, Levy N, Pouget J, Attarian S. Low penetrance in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 with large pathological D4Z4 alleles: a cross-sectional multicenter study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2015; 10:2. [PMID: 25603992 PMCID: PMC4320820 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-014-0218-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1(FSHD1) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with the contraction of D4Z4 less than 11 repeat units (RUs) on chromosome 4q35. Penetrance in the range of the largest alleles is poorly known. Our objective was to study the penetrance of FSHD1 in patients carrying alleles ranging between 6 to10 RUs and to evaluate the influence of sex, age, and several environmental factors on clinical expression of the disease. Methods A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in six French and one Swiss neuromuscular centers. 65 FSHD1 affected patients carrying a 4qA allele of 6–10 RUs were identified as index cases (IC) and their 119 at-risk relatives were included. The age of onset was recorded for IC only. Medical history, neurological examination and manual muscle testing were performed for each subject. Genetic testing determined the allele size (number of RUs) and the 4qA/4qB allelic variant. The clinical status of relatives was established blindly to their genetic testing results. The main outcome was the penetrance defined as the ratio between the number of clinically affected carriers and the total number of carriers. Results Among the relatives, 59 carried the D4Z4 contraction. At the clinical level, 34 relatives carriers were clinically affected and 25 unaffected. Therefore, the calculated penetrance was 57% in the range of 6–10 RUs. Penetrance was estimated at 62% in the range of 6–8 RUs, and at 47% in the range of 9–10 RUs. Moreover, penetrance was lower in women than men. There was no effect of drugs, anesthesia, surgery or traumatisms on the penetrance. Conclusions Penetrance of FSHD1 is low for largest alleles in the range of 9–10 RUs, and lower in women than men. This is of crucial importance for genetic counseling and clinical management of patients and families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Salort-Campana
- AP-HM, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Marseille, Cedex 05, 13385, France. .,Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France. .,AP-HM, Department of Medical Genetics, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.
| | - Karine Nguyen
- Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France. .,AP-HM, Department of Medical Genetics, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.
| | - Rafaelle Bernard
- Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France. .,AP-HM, Department of Medical Genetics, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.
| | - Elisabeth Jouve
- CIC-UPCET, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, UMR CNRS Aix-Marseille University 6193, Marseille, France.
| | - Guilhem Solé
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders, CHU of Bordeaux, Pessac, France.
| | - Aleksandra Nadaj-Pakleza
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nantes-Angers, Service de Neurologie, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France.
| | - Julien Niederhauser
- Nerve-Muscle Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Estelle Charles
- CIC-UPCET, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, UMR CNRS Aix-Marseille University 6193, Marseille, France.
| | | | - Françoise Bouhour
- Electroneuromyography and Neuromuscular Department, GHE Neurologic hospital, Lyon, Bron Cedex, 69677, France.
| | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Neuromuscular Disease Specialized Center, Nice University Hospital, Nice, France.
| | - Andoni Echaniz-Laguna
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders, Neurology Department, Hautepierre Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Claude Desnuelle
- Neuromuscular Disease Specialized Center, Nice University Hospital, Nice, France.
| | - Christine Tranchant
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders, Neurology Department, Hautepierre Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Christophe Vial
- Electroneuromyography and Neuromuscular Department, GHE Neurologic hospital, Lyon, Bron Cedex, 69677, France.
| | - Frederique Magdinier
- Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France.
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France.
| | | | - Xavier Ferrer
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders, CHU of Bordeaux, Pessac, France.
| | - Thierry Kuntzer
- Nerve-Muscle Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Nicolas Levy
- Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France. .,AP-HM, Department of Medical Genetics, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.
| | - Jean Pouget
- AP-HM, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Marseille, Cedex 05, 13385, France. .,Aix Marseille Université - Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics, Marseille, France.
| | - Shahram Attarian
- AP-HM, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Marseille, Cedex 05, 13385, France.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Diagnostic approach for FSHD revisited: SMCHD1 mutations cause FSHD2 and act as modifiers of disease severity in FSHD1. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:808-16. [PMID: 25370034 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant muscular disorder with a wide clinical variability. Contractions of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat on chromosome 4q35 are the molecular basis of the pathophysiology. Recently, in a subset of patients without D4Z4 repeat contractions, variants in the SMCHD1 gene have been identified that lead to hypomethylation of D4Z4 and thus DUX4 transcription, which causes FSHD type 2. In this study, we have screened 55 FSHD1-negative and 40 FSHD1-positive patients from unrelated families for potentially pathogenic variants in SMCHD1 by next-generation sequencing (NGS). We identified variants in SMCHD1 in 11 index patients, including missense, splice site and non-sense mutations. We developed a pyrosequencing assay to determine the methylation status of the D4Z4 repeat array and found significantly lower methylation levels for FSHD2 patients than for healthy controls and FSHD1 patients. Two out of eleven SMCHD1 mutation carriers had moderately contracted D4Z4 alleles thus these patients are suffering from FSHD1 and 2. Comparing the phenotype of patients, all FSHD2 patients were relatively mildly affected while patients with FSHD1+2 were much more severely affected than expected from their D4Z4 copy number. Our findings confirm the role of SMCHD1 mutations in FSHD2 and as a modifier of disease severity. With SMCHD1 variants found in 16.4% of phenotypic FSHD patients without D4Z4 repeat contractions, the incidence of FSHD2 is rather high and hence we suggest including sequencing of SMCHD1, haplotyping and methylation analysis in the workflow of molecular FSHD diagnostics.
Collapse
|
39
|
Scully MA, Eichinger KJ, Donlin-Smith CM, Tawil R, Statland JM. Restrictive lung involvement in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2014; 50:739-43. [PMID: 24639337 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Few studies have evaluated the frequency or predisposing factors for respiratory involvement in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) and type 2 (FSHD2). METHODS We performed a prospective cross-sectional observational study of 61 genetically confirmed FSHD participants (53 FSHD1 and 8 FSHD2). Participants underwent bedside pulmonary function testing in sitting and supine positions, a standard clinical history and physical assessment, and manual muscle testing. RESULTS Restrictive respiratory involvement was suggested in 9.8% (95% confidence interval 2.4-17.3): 7.5% FSHD1 and 25.0% FSHD2 (P = 0.17). Participants with testing suggestive of restrictive lung involvement (n = 6) were more severely affected (P = 0.005), had weaker hip flexion (P = 0.0007), and were more likely to use a wheelchair (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Restrictive respiratory involvement should be considered in all moderate to severely affected FSHD patients with proximal lower extremity weakness. The higher frequency of restrictive lung disease in FSHD2 seen here requires confirmation in a larger cohort of FSHD2 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele A Scully
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 673, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14642
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lemmers RJLF, Goeman JJ, van der Vliet PJ, van Nieuwenhuizen MP, Balog J, Vos-Versteeg M, Camano P, Ramos Arroyo MA, Jerico I, Rogers MT, Miller DG, Upadhyaya M, Verschuuren JJGM, Lopez de Munain Arregui A, van Engelen BGM, Padberg GW, Sacconi S, Tawil R, Tapscott SJ, Bakker B, van der Maarel SM. Inter-individual differences in CpG methylation at D4Z4 correlate with clinical variability in FSHD1 and FSHD2. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:659-69. [PMID: 25256356 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD: MIM#158900) is a common myopathy with marked but largely unexplained clinical inter- and intra-familial variability. It is caused by contractions of the D4Z4 repeat array on chromosome 4 to 1-10 units (FSHD1), or by mutations in the D4Z4-binding chromatin modifier SMCHD1 (FSHD2). Both situations lead to a partial opening of the D4Z4 chromatin structure and transcription of D4Z4-encoded polyadenylated DUX4 mRNA in muscle. We measured D4Z4 CpG methylation in control, FSHD1 and FSHD2 individuals and found a significant correlation with the D4Z4 repeat array size. After correction for repeat array size, we show that the variability in clinical severity in FSHD1 and FSHD2 individuals is dependent on individual differences in susceptibility to D4Z4 hypomethylation. In FSHD1, for individuals with D4Z4 repeat arrays of 1-6 units, the clinical severity mainly depends on the size of the D4Z4 repeat. However, in individuals with arrays of 7-10 units, the clinical severity also depends on other factors that regulate D4Z4 methylation because affected individuals, but not non-penetrant mutation carriers, have a greater reduction of D4Z4 CpG methylation than can be expected based on the size of the pathogenic D4Z4 repeat array. In FSHD2, this epigenetic susceptibility depends on the nature of the SMCHD1 mutation in combination with D4Z4 repeat array size with dominant negative mutations being more deleterious than haploinsufficiency mutations. Our study thus identifies an epigenetic basis for the striking variability in onset and disease progression that is considered a clinical hallmark of FSHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pilar Camano
- Neurosciences, BioDonostia Health Research Institute, Hospital Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | - Ivonne Jerico
- Servicio de Neurologia, Complejo Universitario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mark T Rogers
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Daniel G Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Meena Upadhyaya
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - George W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Centre de Reference des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Nice, France
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA and
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common type of adult muscular dystrophy and is divided into types 1 and 2 based on genetic mutation. Clinically, both FSHD types often show asymmetric and progressive muscle weakness affecting initially the face, shoulder, and arms followed by the distal then proximal lower extremities. Approximately 95% of patients, termed FSHD1, have a deletion of a key number of repetitive elements on chromosome 4q35. The remaining 5%, termed FSHD2, have no deletion on chromosome 4q35. Nevertheless, both types share a common downstream mechanism, making it possible for future disease-directed therapies to be effective for both FSHD types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Boulevard, CU 420669, Rochester, NY 14642-0669, USA.
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Boulevard, CU 420669, Rochester, NY 14642-0669, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Rijken NHM, van der Kooi EL, Hendriks JCM, van Asseldonk RJGP, Padberg GW, Geurts ACH, van Engelen BGM. Skeletal muscle imaging in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, pattern and asymmetry of individual muscle involvement. Neuromuscul Disord 2014; 24:1087-96. [PMID: 25176503 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 05/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
To better understand postural and movement disabilities, the pattern of total body muscle fat infiltration was analyzed in a large group of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Additionally, we studied whether residual D4Z4 repeat array length adjusted for age and gender could predict the degree of muscle involvement. Total body computed tomography scans of 70 patients were used to assess the degree of fat infiltration of 42 muscles from neck to ankle level on a semi-quantitative scale. Groups of muscles that highly correlated regarding fat infiltration were identified using factor analysis. Linear regression analysis was performed using muscle fat infiltration as the dependent variable and D4Z4 repeat length and age as independent variables. A pattern of muscle fat infiltration in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy could be constructed. Trunk muscles were most frequently affected. Of these, back extensors were more frequently affected than previously reported. Asymmetry in muscle involvement was seen in 45% of the muscles that were infiltrated with fat. The right-sided upper extremity showed significantly higher scores for fat infiltration compared to the left side, which could not be explained by handedness. It was possible to explain 29% of the fat infiltration based on D4Z4 repeat length, corrected for age and gender. Based on our results we conclude that frequent involvement of fat infiltration in back extensors, in addition to the abdominal muscles, emphasizes the extent of trunk involvement, which may have a profound impact on postural control even in otherwise mildly affected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N H M Rijken
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E L van der Kooi
- Department of Neurology, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - J C M Hendriks
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R J G P van Asseldonk
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - G W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A C H Geurts
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tawil R, van der Maarel SM, Tapscott SJ. Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy: the path to consensus on pathophysiology. Skelet Muscle 2014; 4:12. [PMID: 24940479 PMCID: PMC4060068 DOI: 10.1186/2044-5040-4-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the pathophysiology of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) has been controversial over the last decades, progress in recent years has led to a model that incorporates these decades of findings and is gaining general acceptance in the FSHD research community. Here we review how the contributions from many labs over many years led to an understanding of a fundamentally new mechanism of human disease. FSHD is caused by inefficient repeat-mediated epigenetic repression of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array on chromosome 4, resulting in the variegated expression of the DUX4 retrogene, encoding a double-homeobox transcription factor, in skeletal muscle. Normally expressed in the testis and epigenetically repressed in somatic tissues, DUX4 expression in skeletal muscle induces expression of many germline, stem cell, and other genes that might account for the pathophysiology of FSHD. Although some disagreements regarding the details of mechanisms remain in the field, the coalescing agreement on a central model of pathophysiology represents a pivot-point in FSHD research, transitioning the field from discovery-oriented studies to translational studies aimed at developing therapies based on a sound model of disease pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Silvère M van der Maarel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Statland JM, Tawil R. Risk of functional impairment in Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2014; 49:520-7. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.23949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Revised: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Statland
- Department of Neurology; University of Rochester Medical Center; 265 Crittenden Boulevard, CU 420669 Rochester New York 14642-0669 USA
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology; University of Rochester Medical Center; 265 Crittenden Boulevard, CU 420669 Rochester New York 14642-0669 USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ricci G, Scionti I, Sera F, Govi M, D’Amico R, Frambolli I, Mele F, Filosto M, Vercelli L, Ruggiero L, Berardinelli A, Angelini C, Antonini G, Bucci E, Cao M, Daolio J, Di Muzio A, Di Leo R, Galluzzi G, Iannaccone E, Maggi L, Maruotti V, Moggio M, Mongini T, Morandi L, Nikolic A, Pastorello E, Ricci E, Rodolico C, Santoro L, Servida M, Siciliano G, Tomelleri G, Tupler R. Large scale genotype-phenotype analyses indicate that novel prognostic tools are required for families with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Brain 2013; 136:3408-17. [PMID: 24030947 PMCID: PMC3808686 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy has been genetically linked to reduced numbers (≤ 8) of D4Z4 repeats at 4q35 combined with 4A(159/161/168) DUX4 polyadenylation signal haplotype. However, we have recently reported that 1.3% of healthy individuals carry this molecular signature and 19% of subjects affected by facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy do not carry alleles with eight or fewer D4Z4 repeats. Therefore, prognosis for subjects carrying or at risk of carrying D4Z4 reduced alleles has become more complicated. To test for additional prognostic factors, we measured the degree of motor impairment in a large group of patients affected by facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and their relatives who are carrying D4Z4 reduced alleles. The clinical expression of motor impairment was assessed in 530 subjects, 163 probands and 367 relatives, from 176 unrelated families according to a standardized clinical score. The associations between clinical severity and size of D4Z4 allele, degree of kinship, gender, age and 4q haplotype were evaluated. Overall, 32.2% of relatives did not display any muscle functional impairment. This phenotype was influenced by the degree of relation with proband, because 47.1% of second- through fifth-degree relatives were unaffected, whereas only 27.5% of first-degree family members did not show motor impairment. The estimated risk of developing motor impairment by age 50 for relatives carrying a D4Z4 reduced allele with 1-3 repeats or 4-8 repeats was 88.7% and 55%, respectively. Male relatives had a mean score significantly higher than females (5.4 versus 4.0, P = 0.003). No 4q haplotype was exclusively associated with the presence of disease. In 13% of families in which D4Z4 alleles with 4-8 repeats segregate, the diagnosis of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy was reported only in one generation. In conclusion, this large-scale analysis provides further information that should be taken into account when counselling families in which a reduced allele with 4-8 D4Z4 repeats segregates. In addition, the reduced expression of disease observed in distant relatives suggests that a family's genetic background plays a role in the occurrence of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. These results indicate that the identification of new susceptibility factors for this disease will require an accurate classification of families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ricci
- 1 Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Isabella Scionti
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- 3 Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Francesco Sera
- 4 MRC Centre of Epidemiology for Child Health, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Monica Govi
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Roberto D’Amico
- 5 Unit of Biostatistics, Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Medicine and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Frambolli
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- 6 Clinical Neurology, University Hospital ‘‘Spedali Civili’’, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Liliana Vercelli
- 7 Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- 8 Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Berardinelli
- 9 Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS ‘C.Mondino’ Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Corrado Angelini
- 10 Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, via Orus 2, 35129 Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- 11 Department of Neurology, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, via Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- 11 Department of Neurology, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome ‘Sapienza’, via Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Cao
- 10 Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, via Orus 2, 35129 Padua, Italy
| | - Jessica Daolio
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- 12 Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University ‘G. d’Annunzio’, via Colle dell’Ara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Rita Di Leo
- 13 Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry and Anaesthesiology, University of Messina, via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
- 14 IRCCS San Camillo Venezia Via Alberoni 70, 30126 Venezia
| | - Giuliana Galluzzi
- 15 Molecular Genetics Laboratory of UILDM, Lazio Section, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Iannaccone
- 16 Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- 17 IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio Maruotti
- 12 Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University ‘G. d’Annunzio’, via Colle dell’Ara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- 18 Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- 7 Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Lucia Morandi
- 17 IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Nikolic
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Ebe Pastorello
- 10 Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, via Orus 2, 35129 Padua, Italy
| | - Enzo Ricci
- 16 Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- 13 Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry and Anaesthesiology, University of Messina, via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- 8 Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maura Servida
- 18 Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- 1 Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- 19 Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- 2 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
- 3 Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Lassche S, Ottenheijm CAC, Voermans NC, Westeneng HJ, Janssen BH, van der Maarel SM, Hopman MT, Padberg GW, Stienen GJM, van Engelen BGM. Determining the role of sarcomeric proteins in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: a study protocol. BMC Neurol 2013; 13:144. [PMID: 24119284 PMCID: PMC3852245 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-13-144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although muscle weakness is a hallmark of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), the molecular mechanisms that lead to weakness in FSHD remain largely unknown. Recent studies suggest aberrant expression of genes involved in skeletal muscle development and sarcomere contractility, and activation of pathways involved in sarcomeric protein degradation. This study will investigate the contribution of sarcomeric protein dysfunction to the pathogenesis of muscle weakness in FSHD. Methods/Design Evaluation of sarcomeric function using skinned single muscle fiber contractile studies and protein analysis in muscle biopsies (quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior) from patients with FSHD and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients with other forms of muscular dystrophy and inflammatory myopathy will be included as disease controls to assess whether results are due to changes specific for FSHD, or a consequence of muscle disease in general. A total of 56 participants will be included. Extensive clinical parameters will be measured using MRI, quantitative muscle studies and physical activity assessments. Discussion This study is the first to extensively investigate muscle fiber physiology in FSHD following an earlier pilot study suggesting sarcomeric dysfunction in FSHD. The results obtained in this study will increase the understanding of the pathophysiology of muscle weakness in FSHD, and possibly identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Lassche
- Department of Neurology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Sacconi S, Lemmers R, Balog J, van der Vliet P, Lahaut P, van Nieuwenhuizen M, Straasheijm K, Debipersad R, Vos-Versteeg M, Salviati L, Casarin A, Pegoraro E, Tawil R, Bakker E, Tapscott S, Desnuelle C, van der Maarel S. The FSHD2 gene SMCHD1 is a modifier of disease severity in families affected by FSHD1. Am J Hum Genet 2013; 93:744-51. [PMID: 24075187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) is caused by contraction of the D4Z4 repeat array on chromosome 4 to a size of 1-10 units. The residual number of D4Z4 units inversely correlates with clinical severity, but significant clinical variability exists. Each unit contains a copy of the DUX4 retrogene. Repeat contractions are associated with changes in D4Z4 chromatin structure that increase the likelihood of DUX4 expression in skeletal muscle, but only when the repeat resides in a genetic background that contains a DUX4 polyadenylation signal. Mutations in the structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain containing 1 (SMCHD1) gene, encoding a chromatin modifier of D4Z4, also result in the increased likelihood of DUX4 expression in individuals with a rare form of FSHD (FSHD2). Because SMCHD1 directly binds to D4Z4 and suppresses somatic expression of DUX4, we hypothesized that SMCHD1 may act as a genetic modifier in FSHD1. We describe three unrelated individuals with FSHD1 presenting an unusual high clinical severity based on their upper-sized FSHD1 repeat array of nine units. Each of these individuals also carries a mutation in the SMCHD1 gene. Familial carriers of the FSHD1 allele without the SMCHD1 mutation were only mildly affected, suggesting a modifier effect of the SMCHD1 mutation. Knocking down SMCHD1 in FSHD1 myotubes increased DUX4 expression, lending molecular support to a modifier role for SMCHD1 in FSHD1. We conclude that FSHD1 and FSHD2 share a common pathophysiological pathway in which the FSHD2 gene can act as modifier for disease severity in families affected by FSHD1.
Collapse
|
48
|
Schreiber O, Schneiderat P, Kress W, Rautenstrauss B, Senderek J, Schoser B, Walter MC. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy 1A - evidence for "double trouble" overlapping syndromes. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2013; 14:92. [PMID: 24041033 PMCID: PMC3848428 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2350-14-92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We report on a patient with genetically confirmed overlapping diagnoses of CMT1A and FSHD. This case adds to the increasing number of unique patients presenting with atypical phenotypes, particularly in FSHD. Even if a mutation in one disease gene has been found, further genetic testing might be warranted in cases with unusual clinical presentation. CASE PRESENTATION The reported 53 years old male patient suffered from walking difficulties and foot deformities first noticed at age 20. Later on, he developed scapuloperoneal and truncal muscle weakness, along with atrophy of the intrinsic hand and foot muscles, pes cavus, claw toes and a distal symmetric hypoesthesia. Motor nerve conduction velocities were reduced to 20 m/s in the upper extremities, and not educible in the lower extremities, sensory nerve conduction velocities were not attainable. Electromyography showed both, myopathic and neurogenic changes. A muscle biopsy taken from the tibialis anterior muscle showed a mild myopathy with some neurogenic findings and hypertrophic type 1 fibers. Whole-body muscle MRI revealed severe changes in the lower leg muscles, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were highly replaced by fatty tissue. Additionally, fatty degeneration of shoulder girdle and straight back muscles, and atrophy of dorsal upper leg muscles were seen. Taken together, the presenting features suggested both, a neuropathy and a myopathy. Patient's family history suggested an autosomal dominant inheritance.Molecular testing revealed both, a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 1A (HMSN1A, also called Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy 1A, CMT1A) due to a PMP22 gene duplication and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) due to a partial deletion of the D4Z4 locus (19 kb). CONCLUSION Molecular testing in hereditary neuromuscular disorders has led to the identification of an increasing number of atypical phenotypes. Nevertheless, finding the right diagnosis is crucial for the patient in order to obtain adequate medical care and appropriate genetic counseling, especially in the background of arising curative therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Schreiber
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, D-80336 Munich, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Salort-Campana E, Nguyen K, Lévy N, Pouget J, Attarian S. Diagnostic clinique et moléculaire de la myopathie facioscapulo-humérale de type 1 (FSHD1) en 2012. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2013; 169:573-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
50
|
Della Marca G, Frusciante R, Vollono C, Iannaccone E, Dittoni S, Losurdo A, Testani E, Gnoni V, Colicchio S, Di Blasi C, Erra C, Mazza S, Ricci E. Pain and the Alpha-Sleep Anomaly: A Mechanism of Sleep Disruption in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. PAIN MEDICINE 2013; 14:487-97. [DOI: 10.1111/pme.12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|