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Calabrò S, Nogara L, Jian Y, Valentin M, Bizzotto D, Braghetta P, Russo L, Gambarotto L, Blaauw B, Hashemolhosseini S, Bonaldo P, Cescon M. Salbutamol repurposing ameliorates neuromuscular junction defects and muscle atrophy in Col6a1 -/- mouse model of collagen VI-related myopathies. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1688. [PMID: 38984773 PMCID: PMC11234414 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Calabrò
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Leonardo Nogara
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Venetian Institute of Molecular MedicinePadovaItaly
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological SciencesUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Yongzhi Jian
- Institut für BiochemieFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Manuel Valentin
- Institut für BiochemieFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Dario Bizzotto
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Paola Braghetta
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Loris Russo
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Lisa Gambarotto
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Bert Blaauw
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Venetian Institute of Molecular MedicinePadovaItaly
| | - Said Hashemolhosseini
- Institut für BiochemieFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Matilde Cescon
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
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2
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Pugliese A, Della Marina A, de Paula Estephan E, Zanoteli E, Roos A, Schara-Schmidt U, Hentschel A, Azuma Y, Töpf A, Thompson R, Polavarapu K, Lochmüller H. Mutations in PTPN11 could lead to a congenital myasthenic syndrome phenotype: a Noonan syndrome case series. J Neurol 2024; 271:1331-1341. [PMID: 37923938 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12070-w] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The RASopathies are a group of genetic rare diseases caused by mutations affecting genes involved in the RAS/MAPK (RAS-mitogen activated protein kinase) pathway. Among them, PTPN11 pathogenic variants are responsible for approximately 50% of Noonan syndrome (NS) cases and, albeit to a lesser extent, of Leopard syndrome (LPRD1), which present a few overlapping clinical features, such as facial dysmorphism, developmental delay, cardiac defects, and skeletal deformities. Motor impairment and decreased muscle strength have been recently reported. The etiology of the muscle involvement in these disorders is still not clear but probably multifactorial, considering the role of the RAS/MAPK pathway in skeletal muscle development and Acetylcholine Receptors (AChR) clustering at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We report, herein, four unrelated children carrying three different heterozygous mutations in the PTPN11 gene. Intriguingly, their phenotypic features first led to a clinical suspicion of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), due to exercise-induced fatigability with a variable degree of muscle weakness, and serum proteomic profiling compatible with a NMJ defect. Moreover, muscle fatigue improved after treatment with CMS-specific medication. Although the link between PTPN11 gene and neuromuscular transmission is unconfirmed, an increasing number of patients with RASopathies are affected by muscle weakness and fatigability. Hence, NS or LPDR1 should be considered in children with suspected CMS but negative genetic workup for known CMS genes or additional symptoms indicative of NS, such as facial dysmorphism or intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pugliese
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", Messina, Italy
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Adela Della Marina
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Eduardo de Paula Estephan
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Psychiatry, and Medical Psychology, Sao Jose do Rio Preto State Medical School, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edmar Zanoteli
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andreas Roos
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Heimer Institute for Muscle Research, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44789, Bochum, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Centre for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hentschel
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Yoshiteru Azuma
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ana Töpf
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachel Thompson
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Kiran Polavarapu
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada.
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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3
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Joyce W, Warwicker J, Shiels HA, Perry SF. Evolution and divergence of teleost adrenergic receptors: why sometimes 'the drugs don't work' in fish. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245859. [PMID: 37823524 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245859] [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] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Adrenaline and noradrenaline, released as hormones and/or neurotransmitters, exert diverse physiological functions in vertebrates, and teleost fishes are widely used as model organisms to study adrenergic regulation; however, such investigations often rely on receptor subtype-specific pharmacological agents (agonists and antagonists; see Glossary) developed and validated in mammals. Meanwhile, evolutionary (phylogenetic and comparative genomic) studies have begun to unravel the diversification of adrenergic receptors (ARs) and reveal that whole-genome duplications and pseudogenization events in fishes results in notable distinctions from mammals in their genomic repertoire of ARs, while lineage-specific gene losses within teleosts have generated significant interspecific variability. In this Review, we visit the evolutionary history of ARs (including α1-, α2- and β-ARs) to highlight the prominent interspecific differences in teleosts, as well as between teleosts and other vertebrates. We also show that structural modelling of teleost ARs predicts differences in ligand binding affinity compared with mammalian orthologs. To emphasize the difficulty of studying the roles of different AR subtypes in fish, we collate examples from the literature of fish ARs behaving atypically compared with standard mammalian pharmacology. Thereafter, we focus on specific case studies of the liver, heart and red blood cells, where our understanding of AR expression has benefited from combining pharmacological approaches with molecular genetics. Finally, we briefly discuss the ongoing advances in 'omics' technologies that, alongside classical pharmacology, will provide abundant opportunities to further explore adrenergic signalling in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Joyce
- Department of Biology - Zoophysiology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jim Warwicker
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Holly A Shiels
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Steve F Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1N 6N5
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Salih MA. The Meryon Lecture at the 24th annual meeting of the Meryon Society, St. Anne's College, Oxford, UK, 15th July 2022: Neuromuscular diseases in the Arab population. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:792-799. [PMID: 37679229 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa A Salih
- Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia.
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Mazzaro A, Vita V, Ronfini M, Casola I, Klein A, Dobrowolny G, Sorarù G, Musarò A, Mongillo M, Zaglia T. Sympathetic neuropathology is revealed in muscles affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1165811. [PMID: 37250128 PMCID: PMC10213213 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1165811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The anatomical substrate of skeletal muscle autonomic innervation has remained underappreciated since it was described many decades ago. As such, the structural and functional features of muscle sympathetic innervation are largely undetermined in both physiology and pathology, mainly due to methodological limitations in the histopathological analysis of small neuronal fibers in tissue samples. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease which mainly targets motor neurons, and despite autonomic symptoms occurring in a significant fraction of patients, peripheral sympathetic neurons (SNs) are generally considered unaffected and, as such, poorly studied. Purpose: In this research, we compared sympathetic innervation of normal and ALS muscles, through structural analysis of the sympathetic network in human and murine tissue samples. Methods and Results: We first refined tissue processing to circumvent methodological limitations interfering with the detection of muscle sympathetic innervation. The optimized "Neuro Detection Protocol" (NDP) was validated in human muscle biopsies, demonstrating that SNs innervate, at high density, both blood vessels and skeletal myofibers, independent of the fiber metabolic type. Subsequently, NDP was exploited to analyze sympathetic innervation in muscles of SOD1G93A mice, a preclinical ALS model. Our data show that ALS murine muscles display SN denervation, which has already initiated at the early disease stage and worsened during aging. SN degeneration was also observed in muscles of MLC/SOD1G93A mice, with muscle specific expression of the SOD1G93A mutant gene. Notably, similar alterations in SNs were observed in muscle biopsies from an ALS patient, carrying the SOD1G93A mutation. Conclusion: We set up a protocol for the analysis of murine and, more importantly, human muscle sympathetic innervation. Our results indicate that SNs are additional cell types compromised in ALS and suggest that dysfunctional SOD1G93A muscles affect their sympathetic innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Mazzaro
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Veronica Vita
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Ronfini
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Irene Casola
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Klein
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Gabriella Dobrowolny
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati Sapienza (SSAS), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Mongillo
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Padua, Italy
- CIR-MYO Myology Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Tania Zaglia
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- CIR-MYO Myology Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Prömer J, Barresi C, Herbst R. From phosphorylation to phenotype - Recent key findings on kinase regulation, downstream signaling and disease surrounding the receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110584. [PMID: 36608736 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110584] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is the key regulator of neuromuscular junction development. MuSK acts via several distinct pathways and is responsible for pre- and postsynaptic differentiation. MuSK is unique among receptor tyrosine kinases as activation and signaling are particularly tightly regulated. Initiation of kinase activity requires Agrin, a heparan sulphate proteoglycan derived from motor neurons, the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-4 (Lrp4) and the intracellular adaptor protein Dok-7. There is a great knowledge gap between MuSK activation and downstream signaling. Recent studies using omics techniques have addressed this knowledge gap, thereby greatly contributing to a better understanding of MuSK signaling. Impaired MuSK signaling causes severe muscle weakness as described in congenital myasthenic syndromes or myasthenia gravis but the underlying pathophysiology is often unclear. This review focuses on recent advances in deciphering MuSK activation and downstream signaling. We further highlight latest break-throughs in understanding and treatment of MuSK-related disorders and discuss the role of MuSK in non-muscle tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Prömer
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cinzia Barresi
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Herbst
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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McMacken G, Whittaker RG, Wake R, Lochmuller H, Horvath R. Neuromuscular junction involvement in inherited motor neuropathies: genetic heterogeneity and effect of oral salbutamol treatment. J Neurol 2023; 270:3112-3119. [PMID: 36869887 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11643-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Inherited defects of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) comprise an increasingly diverse range of diseases. Several recently identified genes highlight the overlap between peripheral neuropathies and congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS). The beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist salbutamol has been shown to provide symptomatic benefit in CMS, while improving structural defects at the NMJ. Based on these findings, we identified cases of motor neuropathy with NMJ dysfunction and assessed the effect of salbutamol on motor function. METHODS Cases of motor neuropathy with significant NMJ dysfunction, were identified using repetitive nerve stimulation and single fibre electromyography. Oral salbutamol was administered for 12 months. Repeat neurophysiological and clinical assessments were undertaken at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. RESULTS Significant defects of neuromuscular transmission were identified in 15 patients harbouring a range of genetic defects, including mutations in GARS1, DNM2, SYT2 and DYNC1H. No clear benefit on motor function was seen following the administration of 12 months of oral salbutamol; however, there was a significant improvement in patient reported fatigue. In addition, no clear effect on neurophysiological parameters was seen in patients treated with salbutamol. Side-effects due to off-target beta-adrenergic effects were significant in the patient cohort. CONCLUSION These results highlight the involvement of the NMJ in several subtypes of motor neuropathies, including subtypes of neuropathy due to deficits in mitochondrial fusion-fission, synaptic vesicle transport, calcium channels and tRNA synthetases. Whether the NMJ dysfunction is simply due to muscle reinnervation or a pathology unrelated to denervation is unknown. The involvement of the NMJ may represent a novel therapeutic target in these conditions. However, treatment regimens will need to be more targeted for patients with primary inherited defects of neuromuscular transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace McMacken
- Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Roger G Whittaker
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ruth Wake
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmuller
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Level 3 A Block, Box 165, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
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Nieto CT, Manchado A, Belda L, Diez D, Garrido NM. 2-Phenethylamines in Medicinal Chemistry: A Review. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020855. [PMID: 36677913 PMCID: PMC9864394 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A concise review covering updated presence and role of 2-phenethylamines in medicinal chemistry is presented. Open-chain, flexible alicyclic amine derivatives of this motif are enumerated in key therapeutic targets, listing medicinal chemistry hits and appealing screening compounds. Latest reports in discovering new bioactive 2-phenethylamines by research groups are covered too.
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Shao S, Shi G, Bi FF, Huang K. Pharmacological Treatments for Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes Caused by COLQ Mutations. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1594-1605. [PMID: 36703579 PMCID: PMC10472815 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230126145652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) refer to a series of inherited disorders caused by defects in various proteins. Mutation in the collagen-like tail subunit of asymmetric acetylcholinesterase (COLQ) is the second-most common cause of CMS. However, data on pharmacological treatments are limited. OBJECTIVE In this study, we reviewed related reports to determine the most appropriate pharmacological strategy for CMS caused by COLQ mutations. A literature review and meta-analysis were also performed. PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify studies published in English before July 22, 2022. RESULTS A total of 42 studies including 164 patients with CMS due to 72 different COLQ mutations were selected for evaluation. Most studies were case reports, and none were randomized clinical trials. Our meta-analysis revealed evidence that β-adrenergic agonists, including salbutamol and ephedrine, can be used as first-line pharmacological treatments for CMS patients with COLQ mutations, as 98.7% of patients (74/75) treated with β-adrenergic agonists showed positive effects. In addition, AChEIs should be avoided in CMS patients with COLQ mutations, as 90.5% (105/116) of patients treated with AChEIs showed either no or negative effects. CONCLUSION (1) β-adrenergic agonist therapy is the first pharmacological strategy for treating CMS with COLQ mutations. (2) AChEIs should be avoided in patients with CMS with COLQ mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Shao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Guanzhong Shi
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Fang-Fang Bi
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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10
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Lescouzères L, Bordignon B, Bomont P. Development of a high-throughput tailored imaging method in zebrafish to understand and treat neuromuscular diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:956582. [PMID: 36204134 PMCID: PMC9530744 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.956582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate species offering multitude of advantages for the study of conserved biological systems in human and has considerably enriched our knowledge in developmental biology and physiology. Being equally important in medical research, the zebrafish has become a critical tool in the fields of diagnosis, gene discovery, disease modeling, and pharmacology-based therapy. Studies on the zebrafish neuromuscular system allowed for deciphering key molecular pathways in this tissue, and established it as a model of choice to study numerous motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle diseases. Starting with the similarities of the zebrafish neuromuscular system with the human system, we review disease models associated with the neuromuscular system to focus on current methodologies employed to study them and outline their caveats. In particular, we put in perspective the necessity to develop standardized and high-resolution methodologies that are necessary to deepen our understanding of not only fundamental signaling pathways in a healthy tissue but also the changes leading to disease phenotype outbreaks, and offer templates for high-content screening strategies. While the development of high-throughput methodologies is underway for motility assays, there is no automated approach to quantify the key molecular cues of the neuromuscular junction. Here, we provide a novel high-throughput imaging methodology in the zebrafish that is standardized, highly resolutive, quantitative, and fit for drug screening. By providing a proof of concept for its robustness in identifying novel molecular players and therapeutic drugs in giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) disease, we foresee that this new tool could be useful for both fundamental and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lescouzères
- ERC Team, Institut NeuroMyoGéne-PGNM, Inserm U1315, CNRS UMR 5261, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Benoît Bordignon
- Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, BioCampus, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascale Bomont
- ERC Team, Institut NeuroMyoGéne-PGNM, Inserm U1315, CNRS UMR 5261, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- *Correspondence: Pascale Bomont,
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Tonelotto V, Consorti C, Facchinello N, Trapani V, Sabatelli P, Giraudo C, Spizzotin M, Cescon M, Bertolucci C, Bonaldo P. Collagen VI ablation in zebrafish causes neuromuscular defects during developmental and adult stages. Matrix Biol 2022; 112:39-61. [PMID: 35961424 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Collagen VI (COL6) is an extracellular matrix protein exerting multiple functions in different tissues. In humans, mutations of COL6 genes cause rare inherited congenital disorders, primarily affecting skeletal muscles and collectively known as COL6-related myopathies, for which no cure is available yet. In order to get insights into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying COL6-related diseases, diverse animal models were produced. However, the roles exerted by COL6 during embryogenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we generated the first zebrafish COL6 knockout line through CRISPR/Cas9 site-specific mutagenesis of the col6a1 gene. Phenotypic characterization during embryonic and larval development revealed that lack of COL6 leads to neuromuscular defects and motor dysfunctions, together with distinctive alterations in the three-dimensional architecture of craniofacial cartilages. These phenotypic features were maintained in adult col6a1 null fish, which displayed defective muscle organization and impaired swimming capabilities. Moreover, col6a1 null fish showed autophagy defects and organelle abnormalities at both embryonic and adult stages, thus recapitulating the main features of patients affected by COL6-related myopathies. Mechanistically, lack of COL6 led to increased BMP signaling, and direct inhibition of BMP activity ameliorated the locomotor col6a1 null embryos. Finally performance of, treatment with salbutamol, a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist, elicited a significant amelioration of the neuromuscular and motility defects of col6a1 null fish embryos. Altogether, these findings indicate that this newly generated zebrafish col6a1 null line is a valuable in vivo tool to model COL6-related myopathies and suitable for drug screenings aimed at addressing the quest for effective therapeutic strategies for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Consorti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Facchinello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Valeria Trapani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sabatelli
- CNR - Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Unit of Bologna, 40136, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Giraudo
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Advanced Clinical and Translational Imaging, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Marianna Spizzotin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matilde Cescon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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Novel pathogenic ALG2 mutation causing congenital myasthenic syndrome: A case report. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 32:80-83. [PMID: 34980536 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
ALG2 mutations are extremely rare causes of congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS). The clinical phenotype and treatment response is therefore not well described. We present the case of a baby who immediately after birth presented with pronounced truncal hypotonia, proximal muscle weakness and feeding difficulties. Single fibre electromyography showed neuromuscular transmission failure and salbutamol and ephedrine treatment improved both muscle weakness and neuromuscular transmission. Genetic analysis revealed a likely pathogenic variant c.1040del, p.(Gly347Valfs*27) in exon 2 and a variant of uncertain significance, c.239G>A, p.(Gly80Asp) in exon 1 of the ALG2 gene. Western blot in whole cell lysates of HEK293 cells transfected with p.Gly80Asp, or p.Gly347Valfs*27 expression constructs indicated that p.Gly347Valfs*27 is likely a null allele and p.Gly80Asp is pathogenic through marked reduction of ALG2 expression. This case highlights the utility of functional studies in clarifying variants of unknown significance, in suspected cases of CMS.
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13
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Webster RG, Vanhaesebrouck AE, Maxwell SE, Cossins JA, Liu W, Ueta R, Yamanashi Y, Beeson DMW. Effect of salbutamol on neuromuscular junction function and structure in a mouse model of DOK7 congenital myasthenia. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2325-2336. [PMID: 32543656 PMCID: PMC7424765 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are characterized by fatigable muscle weakness resulting from impaired neuromuscular transmission. β2-adrenergic agonists are an effective treatment for DOK7-CMS. DOK7 is a component within the AGRN-LRP4-MUSK-DOK7 signalling pathway that is key for the formation and maintenance of the synaptic structure of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The precise mechanism of action of β2-adrenergic agonists at the NMJ is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether β2-adrenergic agonists improve both neurotransmission and structural integrity of the NMJ in a mouse model of DOK7-CMS. Ex-vivo electrophysiological techniques and microscopy of the NMJ were used to study the effect of salbutamol, a β2-adrenergic agonist, on synaptic structure and function. DOK7-CMS model mice displayed a severe phenotype with reduced weight gain and perinatal lethality. Salbutamol treatment improved weight gain and survival in DOK7 myasthenic mice. Model animals had fewer active NMJs, detectable by endplate recordings, compared with age-matched wild-type littermates. Salbutamol treatment increased the number of detectable NMJs during endplate recording. Correspondingly, model mice had fewer acetylcholine receptor-stained NMJs detected by fluorescent labelling, but following salbutamol treatment an increased number were detectable. The data demonstrate that salbutamol can prolong survival and increase NMJ number in a severe model of DOK7-CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Webster
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - An E Vanhaesebrouck
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Susan E Maxwell
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Judith A Cossins
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ryo Ueta
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cancer Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Yuji Yamanashi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cancer Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - David M W Beeson
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
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14
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Spendiff S, Howarth R, McMacken G, Davey T, Quinlan K, O'Connor E, Slater C, Hettwer S, Mäder A, Roos A, Horvath R, Lochmüller H. Modulation of the Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering Pathway Improves Neuromuscular Junction Structure and Muscle Strength in a Mouse Model of Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:594220. [PMID: 33390901 PMCID: PMC7773664 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.594220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a diverse group of inherited neuromuscular disorders characterized by a failure of synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). CMS often present early with fatigable weakness and can be fatal through respiratory complications. The AGRN gene is one of over 30 genes known to harbor mutations causative for CMS. In this study, we aimed to determine if a compound (NT1654), developed to stimulate the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering pathway, would benefit a mouse model of CMS caused by a loss-of-function mutation in Agrn (Agrnnmf380 mouse). Methods:Agrnnmf380 mice received an injection of either NT1654 or vehicle compound daily, with wild-type litter mates used for comparison. Animals were weighed daily and underwent grip strength assessments. After 30 days of treatment animals were sacrificed, and muscles collected. Investigations into NMJ and muscle morphology were performed on collected tissue. Results: While minimal improvements in NMJ ultrastructure were observed with electron microscopy, gross NMJ structure analysis using fluorescent labelling and confocal microscopy revealed extensive postsynaptic improvements in Agrnnmf380 mice with NT1654 administration, with variables frequently returning to wild type levels. An improvement in muscle weight and myofiber characteristics helped increase forelimb grip strength and body weight. Conclusions: We conclude that NT1654 restores NMJ postsynaptic structure and improves muscle strength through normalization of muscle fiber composition and the prevention of atrophy. We hypothesize this occurs through the AChR clustering pathway in Agrnnmf380 mice. Future studies should investigate if this may represent a viable treatment option for patients with CMS, especially those with mutations in proteins of the AChR clustering pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Spendiff
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Howarth
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Grace McMacken
- Department of Neurosciences, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Davey
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kaitlyn Quinlan
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Emily O'Connor
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Clarke Slater
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Andreas Roos
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
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15
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de Almeida GM, Scola RH, Ducci RDP, Cirino RHD, Cláudia SKK, Lorenzoni PJ, Lima PHS, de Oliveira LP, Werneck LC. Does oral salbutamol improve fatigue in multiple sclerosis? A pilot placebo-controlled study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 46:102586. [PMID: 33296982 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because MS-related fatigue could be associated with enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production, drugs with immunomodulatories properties, such as salbutamol, may represent an alternative treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effect of salbutamol on MS-related fatigue. METHODS Thirty patients with relapsing-remitting MS who were between 18 and 69 years old, and suffering from fatigue, were evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Brazilian version of the neurological fatigue index for multiple sclerosis (NFI/MS-BR). They received salbutamol 2 mg twice a day or a placebo in a pilot randomized, double-masked placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome was the change in the FSS score at the end of 90 days. The secondary outcome was the efficacy, represented by changes in their scores on the NFI/MS-BR subdomains (in the same period) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at the end of 90 days. RESULTS Thirty subjects were allocated to receive either salbutamol (14) or a placebo (16). There was no superiority of salbutamol over the placebo in the FSS outcome at 30 (p ==0.498), 60 (p = 0.854) and 90 (p = 0.240) days. There was no a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with severe or moderate fatigue in the salbutamol group at the end of the follow-up. The scores on the NFI/MS-BR and its subscales did not improve significantly with treatment. No significant difference was observed in the EDSS outcome (p = 0.313). No serious adverse events were found. An increase in heart rate was evident in the salbutamol group only in the first 30 days, but without statistical significance in relation to placebo (p = 0.077). CONCLUSION Treatment with salbutamol does not improve fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo M de Almeida
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Rosana H Scola
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil.
| | - Renata D P Ducci
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Raphael H D Cirino
- Cardiology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - S K Kay Cláudia
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Paulo J Lorenzoni
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Pedro H S Lima
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Lívia P de Oliveira
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Lineu C Werneck
- Demyelinating and Neuromuscular Disorders Service, Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), General Carneiro Street 181, Curitiba, PR 80060-900, Brazil
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16
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Tsentsevitsky A, Nurullin L, Tyapkina O, Bukharaeva E. Sympathomimetics regulate quantal acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions through various types of adrenoreceptors. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 108:103550. [PMID: 32890729 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The studies of the interaction between the sympathetic and motor nervous systems are extremely relevant due to therapy for many neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders involving adrenergic compounds. Evidences indicate close contact between sympathetic varicosities and neuromuscular synapses. This raises questions about the effects of catecholamines on synaptic transmission. The currently available information is contradictory, and the types of adrenoreceptors responsible for modulation of neurotransmitter release have not been identified in mammalian neuromuscular synapses. Our results have shown that the α1A, α1B, α2A, α2B, α2C, and β1 adrenoreceptor subtypes are expressed in mouse diaphragm muscle containing neuromuscular synapses and sympathetic varicosities. Pharmacological stimulation of adrenoreceptors affects both spontaneous and evoked acetylcholine quantal secretion. Agonists of the α1, α2 and β1 adrenoreceptors decrease spontaneous release. Activation of the α2 and β1 adrenoreceptors reduces the number of acetylcholine quanta released in response to a nerve stimulus (quantal content), but an agonist of the β2 receptors increases quantal content. Activation of α2 and β2 adrenoreceptors alters the kinetics of acetylcholine quantal release by desynchronizing the neurosecretory process. Specific blockers of these receptors eliminate the effects of the specific agonists. The action of blockers on quantal acetylcholine secretion indicates possible action of endogenous catecholamines on neuromuscular transmission. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which clinically utilized adrenomimetics and adrenoblockers regulate synaptic vesicle release at the motor axon terminal will lead to the creation of improved and safer sympathomimetics for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases with synaptic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Tsentsevitsky
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, PB 30, Kazan 420111, Russia
| | - Leniz Nurullin
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, PB 30, Kazan 420111, Russia
| | - Oksana Tyapkina
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, PB 30, Kazan 420111, Russia
| | - Ellya Bukharaeva
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, PB 30, Kazan 420111, Russia.
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17
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Vanhaesebrouck AE, Webster R, Maxwell S, Rodriguez Cruz PM, Cossins J, Wickens J, Liu WW, Cetin H, Cheung J, Ramjattan H, Palace J, Beeson D. β2-Adrenergic receptor agonists ameliorate the adverse effect of long-term pyridostigmine on neuromuscular junction structure. Brain 2020; 142:3713-3727. [PMID: 31633155 PMCID: PMC6892641 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine receptor deficiency is the most common form of the congenital myasthenic syndromes, a heterogeneous collection of genetic disorders of neuromuscular transmission characterized by fatiguable muscle weakness. Most patients with acetylcholine receptor deficiency respond well to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; however, in some cases the efficacy of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors diminishes over time. Patients with acetylcholine receptor deficiency can also benefit from the addition of a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist to their medication. The working mechanism of β2-adrenergic agonists in myasthenic patients is not fully understood. Here, we report the long-term follow-up for the addition of β2-adrenergic agonists for a cohort of patients with acetylcholine receptor deficiency on anticholinesterase medication that demonstrates a sustained quantitative improvement. Coincidently we used a disease model to mirror the treatment of acetylcholine receptor deficiency, and demonstrate improved muscle fatigue, improved neuromuscular transmission and improved synaptic structure resulting from the addition of the β2-adrenergic agonist salbutamol to the anticholinesterase medication pyridostigmine. Following an initial improvement in muscle fatiguability, a gradual decline in the effect of pyridostigmine was observed in mice treated with pyridostigmine alone (P < 0.001). Combination therapy with pyridostigmine and salbutamol counteracted this decline (P < 0.001). Studies of compound muscle action potential decrement at high nerve stimulation frequencies (P < 0.05) and miniature end-plate potential amplitude analysis (P < 0.01) showed an improvement in mice following combination therapy, compared to pyridostigmine monotherapy. Pyridostigmine alone reduced postsynaptic areas (P < 0.001) and postsynaptic folding (P < 0.01). Combination therapy increased postsynaptic area (P < 0.001) and promoted the formation of postsynaptic junctional folds (P < 0.001), in particular in fast-twitch muscles. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time how the improvement seen in patients from adding salbutamol to their medication can be explained in an experimental model of acetylcholine receptor deficiency, the most common form of congenital myasthenic syndrome. Salbutamol enhances neuromuscular junction synaptic structure by counteracting the detrimental effects of long-term acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction. The results have implications for both autoimmune and genetic myasthenias where anticholinesterase medication is a standard treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- An E Vanhaesebrouck
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Richard Webster
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Susan Maxwell
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Pedro M Rodriguez Cruz
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Department of Clinical Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Judith Cossins
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - James Wickens
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Wei-Wei Liu
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Hakan Cetin
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Jonathan Cheung
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Hayley Ramjattan
- Paediatric Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Department of Clinical Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - David Beeson
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
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18
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The congenital myasthenic syndromes: expanding genetic and phenotypic spectrums and refining treatment strategies. Curr Opin Neurol 2020; 32:696-703. [PMID: 31361628 PMCID: PMC6735524 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of heterogeneous inherited disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins whose function is essential for the integrity of neuromuscular transmission. This review updates the reader on the expanding phenotypic spectrum and suggested improved treatment strategies.
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19
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Rodríguez Cruz PM, Cossins J, Estephan EDP, Munell F, Selby K, Hirano M, Maroofin R, Mehrjardi MYV, Chow G, Carr A, Manzur A, Robb S, Munot P, Wei Liu W, Banka S, Fraser H, De Goede C, Zanoteli E, Conti Reed U, Sage A, Gratacos M, Macaya A, Dusl M, Senderek J, Töpf A, Hofer M, Knight R, Ramdas S, Jayawant S, Lochmüller H, Palace J, Beeson D. The clinical spectrum of the congenital myasthenic syndrome resulting from COL13A1 mutations. Brain 2020; 142:1547-1560. [PMID: 31081514 PMCID: PMC6752227 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing techniques were recently used to show mutations in COL13A1 cause synaptic basal lamina-associated congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19. Animal studies showed COL13A1, a synaptic extracellular-matrix protein, is involved in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular synapse that appears independent of the Agrin-LRP4-MuSK-DOK7 acetylcholine receptor clustering pathway. Here, we report the phenotypic spectrum of 16 patients from 11 kinships harbouring homozygous or heteroallelic mutations in COL13A1. Clinical presentation was mostly at birth with hypotonia and breathing and feeding difficulties often requiring ventilation and artificial feeding. Respiratory crisis related to recurrent apnoeas, sometimes triggered by chest infections, were common early in life but resolved over time. The predominant pattern of muscle weakness included bilateral ptosis (non-fatigable in adulthood), myopathic facies and marked axial weakness, especially of neck flexion, while limb muscles were less involved. Other features included facial dysmorphism, skeletal abnormalities and mild learning difficulties. All patients tested had results consistent with abnormal neuromuscular transmission. Muscle biopsies were within normal limits or showed non-specific changes. Muscle MRI and serum creatine kinase levels were normal. In keeping with COL13A1 mutations affecting both synaptic structure and presynaptic function, treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine and salbutamol resulted in motor and respiratory function improvement. In non-treated cases, disease severity and muscle strength improved gradually over time and several adults recovered normal muscle strength in the limbs. In summary, patients with COL13A1 mutations present mostly with severe early-onset myasthenic syndrome with feeding and breathing difficulties. Axial weakness is greater than limb weakness. Disease course improves gradually over time, which could be consistent with the less prominent role of COL13A1 once the neuromuscular junction is mature. This report emphasizes the role of collagens at the human muscle endplate and should facilitate the recognition of this disorder, which can benefit from pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodríguez Cruz
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Judith Cossins
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eduardo de Paula Estephan
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francina Munell
- Neuromuscular disorders Group, Child Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kathryn Selby
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michio Hirano
- Department of Neurology, H. Houston Merritt Neuromuscular Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Reza Maroofin
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
| | | | - Gabriel Chow
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, UK
| | - Aisling Carr
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Adnan Manzur
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Robb
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Pinki Munot
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Wei Wei Liu
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Siddharth Banka
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Harry Fraser
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Edmar Zanoteli
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Umbertina Conti Reed
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Abigail Sage
- Department of Neurology, H. Houston Merritt Neuromuscular Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margarida Gratacos
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona Spain
| | - Alfons Macaya
- Neuromuscular disorders Group, Child Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Dusl
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Senderek
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Töpf
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Monika Hofer
- Department of Neuropathology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ravi Knight
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sithara Ramdas
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sandeep Jayawant
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Hans Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.,Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David Beeson
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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Tsentsevitsky AN, Kovyazina IV, Bukharaeva EA. Diverse Effects of Noradrenaline and Adrenaline on the Quantal Secretion of Acetylcholine at the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction. Neuroscience 2019; 423:162-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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21
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Rodríguez Cruz PM, Cossins J, Cheung J, Maxwell S, Jayawant S, Herbst R, Waithe D, Kornev AP, Palace J, Beeson D. Congenital myasthenic syndrome due to mutations in MUSK suggests that the level of MuSK phosphorylation is crucial for governing synaptic structure. Hum Mutat 2019; 41:619-631. [PMID: 31765060 PMCID: PMC7028094 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MUSK encodes the muscle‐specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK), a key component of the agrin‐LRP4‐MuSK‐DOK7 signaling pathway, which is essential for the formation and maintenance of highly specialized synapses between motor neurons and muscle fibers. We report a patient with severe early‐onset congenital myasthenic syndrome and two novel missense mutations in MUSK (p.C317R and p.A617V). Functional studies show that MUSK p.C317R, located at the frizzled‐like cysteine‐rich domain of MuSK, disrupts an integral part of MuSK architecture resulting in ablated MuSK phosphorylation and acetylcholine receptor (AChR) cluster formation. MUSK p.A617V, located at the kinase domain of MuSK, enhances MuSK phosphorylation resulting in anomalous AChR cluster formation. The identification and evidence for pathogenicity of MUSK mutations supported the initiation of treatment with β2‐adrenergic agonists with a dramatic improvement of muscle strength in the patient. This work suggests uncharacterized mechanisms in which control of the precise level of MuSK phosphorylation is crucial in governing synaptic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodríguez Cruz
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Neurosciences Group, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Judith Cossins
- Neurosciences Group, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jonathan Cheung
- Neurosciences Group, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan Maxwell
- Neurosciences Group, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sandeep Jayawant
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ruth Herbst
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical Science Divisions, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominic Waithe
- MRC Centre for Computational Biology and Wolfson Imaging Centre, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexandr P Kornev
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David Beeson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Neurosciences Group, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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22
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Modulation of Agrin and RhoA Pathways Ameliorates Movement Defects and Synapse Morphology in MYO9A-Depleted Zebrafish. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080848. [PMID: 31394789 PMCID: PMC6721702 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of rare, inherited disorders characterised by impaired function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). This is due to defects in one of the many proteins associated with the NMJ. In three patients with CMS, missense mutations in a gene encoding an unconventional myosin protein, MYO9A, were identified as likely causing their disorder. Preliminary studies revealed a potential involvement of the RhoA/ROCK pathway and of a key NMJ protein, agrin, in the pathophysiology of MYO9A-depletion. In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9 approach was used to generate genetic mutants of MYO9A zebrafish orthologues, myo9aa/ab, to expand and refine the morphological analysis of the NMJ. Injection of NT1654, a synthetic agrin fragment compound, improved NMJ structure and zebrafish movement in the absence of Myo9aa/ab. In addition, treatment of zebrafish with fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, also provided improvements to the morphology of NMJs in early development, as well as rescuing movement defects, but not to the same extent as NT1654 and not at later time points. Therefore, this study highlights a role for MYO9A at the NMJ, the first unconventional myosin motor protein associated with a neuromuscular disease, and provides a potential mechanism of action of MYO9A-pathophysiology.
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23
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McMacken GM, Spendiff S, Whittaker RG, O’Connor E, Howarth RM, Boczonadi V, Horvath R, Slater CR, Lochmüller H. Salbutamol modifies the neuromuscular junction in a mouse model of ColQ myasthenic syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:2339-2351. [PMID: 31220253 PMCID: PMC6606850 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The β-adrenergic agonists salbutamol and ephedrine have proven to be effective as therapies for human disorders of the neuromuscular junction, in particular many subsets of congenital myasthenic syndromes. However, the mechanisms underlying this clinical benefit are unknown and improved understanding of the effect of adrenergic signalling on the neuromuscular junction is essential to facilitate the development of more targeted therapies. Here, we investigated the effect of salbutamol treatment on the neuromuscular junction in the ColQ deficient mouse, a model of end-plate acetylcholinesterase deficiency. ColQ-/- mice received 7 weeks of daily salbutamol injection, and the effect on muscle strength and neuromuscular junction morphology was analysed. We show that salbutamol leads to a gradual improvement in muscle strength in ColQ-/- mice. In addition, the neuromuscular junctions of salbutamol treated mice showed significant improvements in several postsynaptic morphological defects, including increased synaptic area, acetylcholine receptor area and density, and extent of postjunctional folds. These changes occurred without alterations in skeletal muscle fibre size or type. These findings suggest that β-adrenergic agonists lead to functional benefit in the ColQ-/- mouse and to long-term structural changes at the neuromuscular junction. These effects are primarily at the postsynaptic membrane and may lead to enhanced neuromuscular transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M McMacken
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sally Spendiff
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Roger G Whittaker
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Emily O’Connor
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachel M Howarth
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Veronika Boczonadi
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Clarke R Slater
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
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24
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Frongia AL, Natera-de Benito D, Ortez C, Alarcón M, Borrás A, Medina J, Vigo M, Padrós N, Moya O, Armas J, Carrera-García L, Expósito-Escudero J, Cuadras D, Bernal S, Martorell L, Colomer J, Nascimento A. Salbutamol tolerability and efficacy in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type II. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 29:517-524. [PMID: 31201046 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by homozygous deletions or loss-of-function mutations in SMN1, which result in a degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem. Even without a randomized placebo-controlled trial, salbutamol has been offered to patients with SMA in the neuromuscular clinics of most of hospitals for many years. We describe the response to salbutamol in 48 patients with SMA type II who were not taking any other medication. We investigate the changes over an eighteen-month period in motor functional scales and we analyze side effects and subjective response to treatment. Our results suggest that oral administration of salbutamol might be helpful in the maintenance of motor function in patients with SMA type II. An apparent beneficial effect was observed in functional scales of children under the age of 6, especially during the first 6 months of therapy. The majority of patients of all ages referred some kind of subjective positive effect associated with therapy intake. Salbutamol seemed safe and was well tolerated without serious side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Frongia
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - D Natera-de Benito
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain.
| | - C Ortez
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - M Alarcón
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Borrás
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - J Medina
- Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Vigo
- Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Padrós
- Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - O Moya
- Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Armas
- Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Carrera-García
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - J Expósito-Escudero
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - D Cuadras
- Statistics Department, Fundacio Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Bernal
- Department of Genetics, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Martorell
- Department of Genetics, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Colomer
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
| | - A Nascimento
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain; Center for the Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain
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25
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Rodrigues AZC, Wang ZM, Messi ML, Delbono O. Sympathomimetics regulate neuromuscular junction transmission through TRPV1, P/Q- and N-type Ca 2+ channels. Mol Cell Neurosci 2019; 95:59-70. [PMID: 30763691 PMCID: PMC6394868 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that, first, the sympathetic nervous system interacts extensively with both vasculature and skeletal muscle fibers near neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and, second, its neurotransmitter, noradrenaline, influences myofiber molecular composition and function and motor innervation. Since sympathomimetic agents have been reported to improve NMJ transmission, we examined whether two in clinical use, salbutamol and clenbuterol, affect the motor axon terminal via extracellular Ca2+ and molecular targets, such as TRPV1 and P/Q- and N-type voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. Electrophysiological recordings in ex-vivo preparations of peroneal nerves and lumbricalis muscles from young adult mice focused on spontaneous miniature end-plate potentials and singly and repetitively evoked end-plate potentials. Adding one dose of salbutamol or clenbuterol to the nerve/muscle preparation or repeatedly administering salbutamol to a mouse for 4 weeks increased spontaneous and evoked synaptic vesicle release but induced a steep decline in EPP amplitude in response to repetitive nerve stimulation. These effects were mediated primarily by ω-agatoxin IVA-sensitive P/Q-type and secondarily by ω-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive N-type Ca2+ channels. Presynaptic arvanil-sensitive TRPV1 channels seem to regulate Ca2+ at the motor neuron terminal at rest, while putative presynaptic β-adrenergic receptors may mediate sympathomimetic and catecholamine effects on presynaptic Ca2+ channels during NMJ activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zaia Carolina Rodrigues
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America; Neuroscience Program, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America
| | - Zhong-Min Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America
| | - María Laura Messi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America
| | - Osvaldo Delbono
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America; Neuroscience Program, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America.
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