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Wetzlich B, Nyakundi BB, Yang J. Therapeutic applications and challenges in myostatin inhibition for enhanced skeletal muscle mass and functions. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-05120-y. [PMID: 39340593 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-05120-y] [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: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Myostatin, a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic target for muscle dystrophies. Despite extensive research and promising preclinical results, clinical trials targeting myostatin inhibition in muscle dystrophies have failed to yield substantial improvements in muscle function or fitness in patients. This review details the mechanisms behind myostatin's function and the various inhibitors that have been tested preclinically and clinically. It also examines the challenges encountered in clinical translation, including issues with drug specificity, differences in serum myostatin concentrations between animal models and humans, and the necessity of neural input for functional improvements. Additionally, we explore promising avenues of research beyond muscle dystrophies, particularly in the treatment of metabolic syndromes and orthopedic disorders. Insights from these alternative applications suggest that myostatin inhibition may hold the potential for addressing a broader range of pathologies, providing new directions for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brock Wetzlich
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Benard B Nyakundi
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Jinzeng Yang
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
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2
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Bolado-Carrancio A, Tapia O, Rodríguez-Rey JC. Ubiquitination Insight from Spinal Muscular Atrophy-From Pathogenesis to Therapy: A Muscle Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8800. [PMID: 39201486 PMCID: PMC11354275 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168800] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most frequent causes of death in childhood. The disease's molecular basis is deletion or mutations in the SMN1 gene, which produces reduced survival motor neuron protein (SMN) levels. As a result, there is spinal motor neuron degeneration and a large increase in muscle atrophy, in which the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a significant role. In humans, a paralogue of SMN1, SMN2 encodes the truncated protein SMNΔ7. Structural differences between SMN and SMNΔ7 affect the interaction of the proteins with UPS and decrease the stability of the truncated protein. SMN loss affects the general ubiquitination process by lowering the levels of UBA1, one of the main enzymes in the ubiquitination process. We discuss how SMN loss affects both SMN stability and the general ubiquitination process, and how the proteins involved in ubiquitination could be used as future targets for SMA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Bolado-Carrancio
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria-and Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain;
| | - Olga Tapia
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, Universidad de la Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
| | - José C. Rodríguez-Rey
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria-and Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain;
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3
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Mackels L, Mariot V, Buscemi L, Servais L, Dumonceaux J. Impact of Disease Severity and Disease-Modifying Therapies on Myostatin Levels in SMA Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8763. [PMID: 39201450 PMCID: PMC11354404 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168763] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials with treatments inhibiting myostatin pathways to increase muscle mass are currently ongoing in spinal muscular atrophy. Given evidence of potential myostatin pathway downregulation in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), restoring sufficient myostatin levels using disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) might arguably be necessary prior to considering myostatin inhibitors as an add-on treatment. This retrospective study assessed pre-treatment myostatin and follistatin levels' correlation with disease severity and explored their alteration by disease-modifying treatment in SMA. We retrospectively collected clinical characteristics, motor scores, and mysotatin and follistatin levels between 2018 and 2020 in 25 Belgian patients with SMA (SMA1 (n = 13), SMA2 (n = 6), SMA 3 (n = 6)) and treated by nusinersen. Data were collected prior to treatment and after 2, 6, 10, 18, and 30 months of treatment. Myostatin levels correlated with patients' age, weight, SMA type, and motor function before treatment initiation. After treatment, we observed correlations between myostatin levels and some motor function scores (i.e., MFM32, HFMSE, 6MWT), but no major effect of nusinersen on myostatin or follistatin levels over time. In conclusion, further research is needed to determine if DMTs can impact myostatin and follistatin levels in SMA, and how this could potentially influence patient selection for ongoing myostatin inhibitor trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurane Mackels
- Adult Neurology Department, Citadelle Hospital, 1 Boulevard Du 12e De Ligne, 4000 Liege, Belgium
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center, Department of Paediatrics, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Virginie Mariot
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre and Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
| | - Laura Buscemi
- Neuromuscular Center, Citadelle Hospital, 1 Boulevard Du 12e De Ligne, 4000 Liege, Belgium;
| | - Laurent Servais
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center, Department of Paediatrics, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
- Neuromuscular Center, Division of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Liège, University of Liège, Boulevard Du 12e De Ligne, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Julie Dumonceaux
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre and Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
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Haque US, Yokota T. Recent Progress in Gene-Targeting Therapies for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Promises and Challenges. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:999. [PMID: 39202360 PMCID: PMC11353366 DOI: 10.3390/genes15080999] [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: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe genetic disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness, loss of mobility, and respiratory complications. In its most severe forms, SMA can result in death within the first two years of life if untreated. The condition arises from mutations in the SMN1 (survival of motor neuron 1) gene, causing a deficiency in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Humans possess a near-identical gene, SMN2, which modifies disease severity and is a primary target for therapies. Recent therapeutic advancements include antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small molecules targeting SMN2, and virus-mediated gene replacement therapy delivering a functional copy of SMN1. Additionally, recognizing SMA's broader phenotype involving multiple organs has led to the development of SMN-independent therapies. Evidence now indicates that SMA affects multiple organ systems, suggesting the need for SMN-independent treatments along with SMN-targeting therapies. No single therapy can cure SMA; thus, combination therapies may be essential for comprehensive treatment. This review addresses the SMA etiology, the role of SMN, and provides an overview of the rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape, highlighting current achievements and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umme Sabrina Haque
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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Lan XQ, Deng CJ, Wang QQ, Zhao LM, Jiao BW, Xiang Y. The role of TGF-β signaling in muscle atrophy, sarcopenia and cancer cachexia. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 353:114513. [PMID: 38604437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle, comprising a significant proportion (40 to 50 percent) of total body weight in humans, plays a critical role in maintaining normal physiological conditions. Muscle atrophy occurs when the rate of protein degradation exceeds protein synthesis. Sarcopenia refers to age-related muscle atrophy, while cachexia represents a more complex form of muscle wasting associated with various diseases such as cancer, heart failure, and AIDS. Recent research has highlighted the involvement of signaling pathways, including IGF1-Akt-mTOR, MuRF1-MAFbx, and FOXO, in regulating the delicate balance between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. Myostatin, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, negatively regulates muscle growth and promotes muscle atrophy by activating Smad2 and Smad3. It also interacts with other signaling pathways in cachexia and sarcopenia. Inhibition of myostatin has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for sarcopenia and cachexia. Additionally, other TGF-β family members, such as TGF-β1, activin A, and GDF11, have been implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass. Furthermore, myostatin cooperates with these family members to impair muscle differentiation and contribute to muscle loss. This review provides an overview of the significance of myostatin and other TGF-β signaling pathway members in muscular dystrophy, sarcopenia, and cachexia. It also discusses potential novel therapeutic strategies targeting myostatin and TGF-β signaling for the treatment of muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Qiang Lan
- Metabolic Control and Aging Group, Human Aging Research Institute (HARI) and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cheng-Jie Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Qi-Quan Wang
- Metabolic Control and Aging Group, Human Aging Research Institute (HARI) and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Li-Min Zhao
- Senescence and Cancer Group, Human Aging Research Institute (HARI) and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Bao-Wei Jiao
- National Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- Metabolic Control and Aging Group, Human Aging Research Institute (HARI) and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, Jiangxi, China.
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Jakkamsetti V, Ma Q, Angulo G, Scudder W, Beutler B, Pascual JM. Genetic influences on motor learning and performance and superperforming mutants revealed by random mutational survey of the mouse genome. J Physiol 2024; 602:2649-2664. [PMID: 38299894 PMCID: PMC11142877 DOI: 10.1113/jp285505] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolution depends upon genetic variations that influence physiology. As defined in a genetic screen, phenotypic performance may be enhanced or degraded by such mutations. We set out to detect mutations that influence motor function, including motor learning. Thus, we tested the motor effects of 36,444 non-synonymous coding/splicing mutations induced in the germline of C57BL/6J mice with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea by measuring changes in the performance of repetitive rotarod trials while blinded to genotype. Automated meiotic mapping was used to implicate individual mutations in causation. In total, 32,726 mice bearing all the variant alleles were screened. This was complemented with the simultaneous testing of 1408 normal mice for reference. In total, 16.3% of autosomal genes were thus rendered detectably hypomorphic or nullified by mutations in homozygosity and motor tested in at least three mice. This approach allowed us to identify superperformance mutations in Rif1, Tk1, Fan1 and Mn1. These genes are primarily related, among other less well-characterized functions, to nucleic acid biology. We also associated distinct motor learning patterns with groups of functionally related genes. These functional sets included, preferentially, histone H3 methyltransferase activity for mice that learnt at an accelerated rate relative to the remaining mutant mice. The results allow for an estimation of the fraction of mutations that can modify a behaviour influential for evolution such as locomotion. They may also enable, once the loci are further validated and the mechanisms elucidated, the harnessing of the activity of the newly identified genes to enhance motor ability or to counterbalance disability or disease. KEY POINTS: We studied the effect of chemically induced random mutations on mouse motor performance. An array of mutations influenced the rate of motor learning. DNA regulation genes predominated among these mutant loci. Several mutations in unsuspected genes led to superperformance. Assuming little-biased mutagenicity, the results allow for an estimation of the probability for any spontaneous mutation to influence a behaviour such as motor learning and ultimate performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Jakkamsetti
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Qian Ma
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Gustavo Angulo
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - William Scudder
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for Genetics of Host Defense, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Juan M. Pascual
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth & Development / Center for Human Genetics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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7
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Crawford TO, Darras BT, Day JW, Dunaway Young S, Duong T, Nelson LL, Barrett D, Song G, Bilic S, Cote S, Sadanowicz M, Iarrobino R, Xu TJ, O'Neil J, Rossello J, Place A, Kertesz N, Nomikos G, Chyung Y. Safety and Efficacy of Apitegromab in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Types 2 and 3: The Phase 2 TOPAZ Study. Neurology 2024; 102:e209151. [PMID: 38330285 PMCID: PMC11067700 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Currently approved therapies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) reverse the degenerative course, leading to better functional outcome, but they do not address the impairment arising from preexisting neurodegeneration. Apitegromab, an investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody, inhibits activation of myostatin (a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth), thereby preserving muscle mass. The phase 2 TOPAZ trial assessed the safety and efficacy of apitegromab in individuals with later-onset type 2 and type 3 SMA. METHODS In this study, designed to investigate potential meaningful combinations of eligibility and treatment regimen for future studies, participants aged 2-21 years received IV apitegromab infusions every 4 weeks for 12 months in 1 of 3 cohorts. Cohort 1 stratified ambulatory participants aged 5-21 years into 2 arms (apitegromab 20 mg/kg alone or in combination with nusinersen); cohort 2 evaluated apitegromab 20 mg/kg combined with nusinersen in nonambulatory participants aged 5-21 years; and cohort 3 blindly evaluated 2 randomized apitegromab doses (2 and 20 mg/kg) combined with nusinersen in younger participants ≥2 years of age. The primary efficacy measure was mean change from baseline using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale version appropriate for each cohort. Data were analyzed using a paired t test with 2-sided 5% type 1 error for the mean change from baseline for predefined cohort-specific primary efficacy end points. RESULTS Fifty-eight participants (mean age 9.4 years) were enrolled at 16 trial sites in the United States and Europe. Participants had been treated with nusinersen for a mean of 25.9 months before enrollment in any of the 3 trial cohorts. At month 12, the mean change from baseline in Hammersmith scale score was -0.3 points (95% CI -2.1 to 1.4) in cohort 1 (n = 23), 0.6 points (-1.4 to 2.7) in cohort 2 (n = 15), and in cohort 3 (n = 20), the mean scores were 5.3 (-1.5 to 12.2) and 7.1 (1.8 to 12.5) for the 2-mg/kg (n = 8) and 20-mg/kg (n = 9) arms, respectively. The 5 most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were headache (24.1%), pyrexia (22.4%), upper respiratory tract infection (22.4%), cough (22.4%), and nasopharyngitis (20.7%). No deaths or serious adverse reactions were reported. DISCUSSION Apitegromab led to improved motor function in participants with later-onset types 2 and 3 SMA. These results support a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial of apitegromab in participants with SMA. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03921528). CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that apitegromab improves motor function in later-onset types 2 and 3 spinal muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas O Crawford
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Basil T Darras
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - John W Day
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Sally Dunaway Young
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Tina Duong
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Leslie L Nelson
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Doreen Barrett
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Guochen Song
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Sanela Bilic
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Shaun Cote
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Mara Sadanowicz
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Ryan Iarrobino
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Tiina J Xu
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Janet O'Neil
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - José Rossello
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Amy Place
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Nathalie Kertesz
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - George Nomikos
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Yung Chyung
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
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8
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de Albuquerque ALA, Chadanowicz JK, Giudicelli GC, Staub ALP, Weber AC, Silva JMDS, Becker MM, Kowalski TW, Siebert M, Saute JAM. Serum myostatin as a candidate disease severity and progression biomarker of spinal muscular atrophy. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae062. [PMID: 38487549 PMCID: PMC10939446 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae062] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy is crucial for predicting disease progression, severity, and response to new disease-modifying therapies. This study aimed to investigate the role of serum levels of myostatin and follistatin as biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy, considering muscle atrophy secondary to denervation as the main clinical manifestation of the disease. The study evaluated the differential gene expression of myostatin and follistatin in a lesional model of gastrocnemius denervation in mice, as well as in a meta-analysis of three datasets in transgenic mice models of spinal muscular atrophy, and in two studies involving humans with spinal muscular atrophy. Subsequently, a case-control study involving 27 spinal muscular atrophy patients and 27 controls was conducted, followed by a 12-month cohort study with 25 spinal muscular atrophy cases. Serum levels of myostatin and follistatin were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at a single centre in southern Brazil. Skeletal muscle gene expression of myostatin decreased and of follistatin increased following lesional muscle denervation in mice, consistent with findings in the spinal muscular atrophy transgenic mice meta-analysis and in the iliopsoas muscle of five patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1. Median serum myostatin levels were significantly lower in spinal muscular atrophy patients (98 pg/mL; 5-157) compared to controls (412 pg/mL; 299-730) (P < 0.001). Lower myostatin levels were associated with greater disease severity based on clinician-rated outcomes (Rho = 0.493-0.812; P < 0.05). After 12 months, there was a further reduction in myostatin levels among spinal muscular atrophy cases (P = 0.021). Follistatin levels did not differ between cases and controls, and no significant changes were observed over time. The follistatin:myostatin ratio was significantly increased in spinal muscular atrophy subjects and inversely correlated with motor severity. Serum myostatin levels show promise as a novel biomarker for evaluating the severity and progression of spinal muscular atrophy. The decrease in myostatin levels and the subsequent favourable environment for muscle growth may be attributed to denervation caused by motor neuron dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Letícia Amorim de Albuquerque
- Graduate Program in Medicine, Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Júlia Kersting Chadanowicz
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Câmara Giudicelli
- Bioinformatics core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Ana Lucia Portella Staub
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Arthur Carpeggiani Weber
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- Bioinformatics core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Marina Siebert
- Unit of Laboratorial Research, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Graduate Program in Medicine, Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
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9
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Muntoni F, Byrne BJ, McMillan HJ, Ryan MM, Wong BL, Dukart J, Bansal A, Cosson V, Dreghici R, Guridi M, Rabbia M, Staunton H, Tirucherai GS, Yen K, Yuan X, Wagner KR. The Clinical Development of Taldefgrobep Alfa: An Anti-Myostatin Adnectin for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:183-219. [PMID: 38190001 PMCID: PMC10787703 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle disorder that manifests during early childhood and is ultimately fatal. Recently approved treatments targeting the genetic cause of DMD are limited to specific subpopulations of patients, highlighting the need for therapies with wider applications. Pharmacologic inhibition of myostatin, an endogenous inhibitor of muscle growth produced almost exclusively in skeletal muscle, has been shown to increase muscle mass in several species, including humans. Taldefgrobep alfa is an anti-myostatin recombinant protein engineered to bind to and block myostatin signaling. Preclinical studies of taldefgrobep alfa demonstrated significant decreases in myostatin and increased lower limb volume in three animal species, including dystrophic mice. METHODS This manuscript reports the cumulative data from three separate clinical trials of taldefgrobep alfa in DMD: a phase 1 study in healthy adult volunteers (NCT02145234), and two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in ambulatory boys with DMD-a phase 1b/2 trial assessing safety (NCT02515669) and a phase 2/3 trial including the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) as the primary endpoint (NCT03039686). RESULTS In healthy adult volunteers, taldefgrobep alfa was generally well tolerated and resulted in a significant increase in thigh muscle volume. Treatment with taldefgrobep alfa was associated with robust dose-dependent suppression of free myostatin. In the phase 1b/2 trial, myostatin suppression was associated with a positive effect on lean body mass, though effects on muscle mass were modest. The phase 2/3 trial found that the effects of treatment did not meet the primary endpoint pre-specified futility analysis threshold (change from baseline of ≥ 1.5 points on the NSAA total score). CONCLUSIONS The futility analysis demonstrated that taldefgrobep alfa did not result in functional change for boys with DMD. The program was subsequently terminated in 2019. Overall, there were no safety concerns, and no patients were withdrawn from treatment as a result of treatment-related adverse events or serious adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02145234, NCT02515669, NCT03039686.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Hugh J McMillan
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Monique M Ryan
- Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brenda L Wong
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Juergen Dukart
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain and Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Roxana Dreghici
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
- Solid Biosciences Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Karl Yen
- Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Sanofi, Paris, France
| | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
- The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Pascual JM, Jakkamsetti V, Málaga I, Noble D. Impoverished Conceptions of Gene Causation and Therapy in Developmental Neurology. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 148:198-205. [PMID: 37652816 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
We offer a primer to the modifiability of genetic neurological disease, particularly during development. One goal is to harness several unexpected observations made in the course of experimental gene modification or therapy into an explanatory conceptual context based on biological first principles. To this end, we anchor growing, disparate reports of unusual or untoward effects to a plausible framework wherein genes exhibit different degrees of modifiability and may result, when mutated or therapeutically modified, in unsuspected consequences. We propose that genetic pathogenic variant effects and modifiability depend on the number and complexity of associated protein-protein or higher-order interactions. Thus, gene malleability may range from that characteristic of the favorably modifiable primarily structural genes that subserve relatively invariant or circumscribed phenomena such as cell shape to that typical of some transcription factors, which are less functionally predictable when altered. The latter may be expressed developmentally, in compartmentalized manner, or only intermittently and yet exert vastly ramified influences sometimes circumscribed only to select species. We also argue that genetic diseases may steer the organism toward often poorly understood biological end points and co-opt multiple processes into hardly modifiable biology. Addition or modification of genes to approximate a normal state not previously experienced by the organism may lead to further aberration due to extraneous interference with the native biology of the disease state. Therefore, an understanding as perspicuous as possible of gene function, regulation, modifiability, and biological directionality down to seemingly minute but disease-relevant consequences is a prerequisite to intervention. Although we provide some groundwork steps to such an understanding, this may occasionally prove unattainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Pascual
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth & Development/Center for Human Genetics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Vikram Jakkamsetti
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ignacio Málaga
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Denis Noble
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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11
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Habets LE, Bartels B, Jeneson JAL, Asselman FL, Stam M, Wijngaarde CA, Wadman RI, van Eijk RPA, Stegeman DF, Ludo van der Pol W. Enhanced low-threshold motor unit capacity during endurance tasks in patients with spinal muscular atrophy using pyridostigmine. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 154:100-106. [PMID: 37595479 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.06.024] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the electrophysiological basis of pyridostigmine enhancement of endurance performance documented earlier in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS We recorded surface electromyography (sEMG) in four upper extremity muscles of 31 patients with SMA types 2 and 3 performing endurance shuttle tests (EST) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) measurements during a randomized, double blind, cross-over, phase II trial. Linear mixed effect models (LMM) were used to assess the effect of pyridostigmine on (i) time courses of median frequencies and of root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of sEMG signals and (ii) maximal RMS amplitudes during MVC measurements. These sEMG changes over time indicate levels of peripheral muscle fatigue and recruitment of new motor units, respectively. RESULTS In comparison to a placebo, patients with SMA using pyridostigmine had fourfold smaller decreases in frequency and twofold smaller increases in amplitudes of sEMG signals in some muscles, recorded during ESTs (p < 0.05). We found no effect of pyridostigmine on MVC RMS amplitudes. CONCLUSIONS sEMG parameters indicate enhanced low-threshold (LT) motor unit (MU) function in upper-extremity muscles of patients with SMA treated with pyridostigmine. This may underlie their improved endurance. SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest that enhancing LT MU function may constitute a therapeutic strategy to reduce fatigability in patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Habets
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen A L Jeneson
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes Stam
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel A Wijngaarde
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske I Wadman
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick F Stegeman
- Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der, Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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12
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Jha NN, Kim JK, Her YR, Monani UR. Muscle: an independent contributor to the neuromuscular spinal muscular atrophy disease phenotype. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e171878. [PMID: 37737261 PMCID: PMC10561723 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.171878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a pediatric-onset neuromuscular disorder caused by insufficient survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN restorative therapies are now approved for the treatment of SMA; however, they are not curative, likely due to a combination of imperfect treatment timing, inadequate SMN augmentation, and failure to optimally target relevant organs. Here, we consider the implications of imperfect treatment administration, focusing specifically on outcomes for skeletal muscle. We examine the evidence that muscle plays a contributing role in driving neuromuscular dysfunction in SMA. Next, we discuss how SMN might regulate the health of myofibers and their progenitors. Finally, we speculate on therapeutic outcomes of failing to raise muscle SMN to healthful levels and present strategies to restore function to this tissue to ensure better treatment results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra N. Jha
- Department of Neurology
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, and
| | - Jeong-Ki Kim
- Department of Neurology
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, and
| | - Yoon-Ra Her
- Department of Neurology
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, and
| | - Umrao R. Monani
- Department of Neurology
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, and
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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13
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Jakkamsetti V, Ma Q, Angulo G, Scudder W, Beutler B, Pascual JM. Genetic influences on motor learning and superperformance mutants revealed by random mutational survey of mouse locomotion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546756. [PMID: 37425744 PMCID: PMC10327015 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Evolution depends upon genetic variations that influence physiology. As defined in a genetic screen, phenotypic performance may be enhanced or degraded by such mutations. We set out to detect mutations that influence motor function, including motor learning. Thus, we tested the motor effects of 36,444 non-synonymous coding/splicing mutations induced in the germline of C57BL/6J mice with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea by measuring changes in the performance of repetitive rotarod trials while blinded to genotype. Automated meiotic mapping was used to implicate individual mutations in causation. 32,726 mice bearing all the variant alleles were screened. This was complemented with the simultaneous testing of 1,408 normal mice for reference. 16.3% of autosomal genes were thus rendered detectably hypomorphic or nullified by mutations in homozygosity and motor tested in at least 3 mice. This approach allowed us to identify superperformance mutations in Rif1, Tk1, Fan1 and Mn1. These genes are primarily related, among other less well characterized functions, to nucleic acid biology. We also associated distinct motor learning patterns with groups of functionally related genes. These functional sets included preferentially histone H3 methyltransferase activity for mice that learnt at an accelerated rate relative to the rest of mutant mice. The results allow for an estimation of the fraction of mutations that can modify a behavior influential for evolution such as locomotion. They may also enable, once the loci are further validated and the mechanisms elucidated, the harnessing of the activity of the newly identified genes to enhance motor ability or to counterbalance disability or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Jakkamsetti
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Qian Ma
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Gustavo Angulo
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - William Scudder
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for Genetics of Host Defense, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Juan M. Pascual
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth & Development / Center for Human Genetics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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14
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Ikenaka A, Kitagawa Y, Yoshida M, Lin CY, Niwa A, Nakahata T, Saito MK. SMN promotes mitochondrial metabolic maturation during myogenesis by regulating the MYOD-miRNA axis. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201457. [PMID: 36604149 PMCID: PMC9834662 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a congenital neuromuscular disease caused by the mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Although the primary cause of progressive muscle atrophy in SMA has classically been considered the degeneration of motor neurons, recent studies have indicated a skeletal muscle-specific pathological phenotype such as impaired mitochondrial function and enhanced cell death. Here, we found that the down-regulation of SMN causes mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent cell death in in vitro models of skeletal myogenesis with both a murine C2C12 cell line and human induced pluripotent stem cells. During myogenesis, SMN binds to the upstream genomic regions of MYOD1 and microRNA (miR)-1 and miR-206. Accordingly, the loss of SMN down-regulates these miRs, whereas supplementation of the miRs recovers the mitochondrial function, cell survival, and myotube formation of SMN-deficient C2C12, indicating the SMN-miR axis is essential for myogenic metabolic maturation. In addition, the introduction of the miRs into ex vivo muscle stem cells derived from Δ7-SMA mice caused myotube formation and muscle contraction. In conclusion, our data revealed novel transcriptional roles of SMN during myogenesis, providing an alternative muscle-oriented therapeutic strategy for SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Ikenaka
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yohko Kitagawa
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Michiko Yoshida
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chuang-Yu Lin
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Akira Niwa
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tatsutoshi Nakahata
- Drug Discovery Technology Development Office, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Megumu K Saito
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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15
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Mitra A, Qaisar R, Bose B, Sudheer SP. The elusive role of myostatin signaling for muscle regeneration and maintenance of muscle and bone homeostasis. Osteoporos Sarcopenia 2023; 9:1-7. [PMID: 37082359 PMCID: PMC10111947 DOI: 10.1016/j.afos.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is one of the leading frameworks of the musculo-skeletal system, which works in synergy with the bones. Long skeletal muscles provide stability and mobility to the human body and are primarily composed of proteins. Conversely, improper functioning of various skeletal muscles leads to diseases and disorders, namely, age-related muscle disorder called sarcopenia, a group of genetic muscle disorders such as muscular dystrophies, and severe muscle wasting in cancer known as cachexia. However, skeletal muscle has an excellent ability to undergo hypertrophy and enhanced functioning during sustained exercise over time. Indeed, these processes of skeletal muscle regeneration/hypertrophy, as well as degeneration and atrophy, involve an interplay of various signaling pathways. Myostatin is one such chemokine/myokine with a significant contribution to muscle regeneration or atrophy in multiple conditions. In this review, we try to put together the role and regulation of myostatin as a function of muscle regeneration extrapolated to multiple aspects of its molecular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Mitra
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Rizwan Qaisar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bipasha Bose
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, Karnataka, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Shenoy P Sudheer
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, Karnataka, India
- Corresponding author.
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16
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Abstract
Myostatin (GDF-8) was discovered 25 years ago as a new transforming growth factor-β family member that acts as a master regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Myostatin is made by skeletal myofibers, circulates in the blood, and acts back on myofibers to limit growth. Myostatin appears to have all of the salient properties of a chalone, which is a term proposed over a half century ago to describe hypothetical circulating, tissue-specific growth inhibitors that control tissue size. The elucidation of the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms underlying myostatin activity suggests that myostatin functions as a negative feedback regulator of muscle mass and raises the question as to whether this type of chalone mechanism is unique to skeletal muscle or whether it also operates in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.,The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA;
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17
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Reilly A, Chehade L, Kothary R. Curing SMA: Are we there yet? Gene Ther 2023; 30:8-17. [PMID: 35614235 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Loss or deletion of survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1) is causative for a severe and devastating neuromuscular disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMN1 produces SMN, a ubiquitously expressed protein, that is essential for the development and survival of motor neurons. Major advances and developments in SMA therapeutics are shifting the natural history of the disease. With three relatively new available therapies, nusinersen (Spinraza), onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma), and risdiplam (Evrysdi), patients survive longer and have improved outcomes. However, patients and families continue to face many challenges associated with use of these therapies, including poor treatment response and a variability in the benefits to those that do respond, suggesting that the quest for the SMA cure is not over. In this review, we discuss the current therapies, their limitations, and highlight necessary gaps that need to be addressed to guarantee the best outcomes for SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lucia Chehade
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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18
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Bofanova NS, Eliseeva AR, Onchina VS. [Modern principles of therapy for patients with spinal muscular atrophy]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:34-40. [PMID: 36946394 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202312303134] [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: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common cause of childhood mortality among hereditary diseases of the central nervous system, which are caused by the processes of degeneration and death of motor neurons of the anterior horns of the spinal cord. An urgent issue of modern neurology is pathogenetic therapy for this group of patients, the purpose of which is to increase the level of motoneuron survival protein. We performed a search on current methods of treating SMA in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase by the keywords: spinal muscular atrophy, neuromuscular diseases, pathogenetic therapy. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of SMA over the past 7 years. A major advance is the introduction of disease-modifying therapies using SMN2 splicing modulation or gene replacement therapy. At the moment, there are 3 FDA-approved drugs for pathogenetic therapy: Nusinersen, Risdiplam, Zolgensma. The article compares the drugs, evaluates their safety and effectiveness according to the available literature. Modern drugs for the pathogenetic therapy of SMA are highly effective and reduce the mortality rate. The results of clinical trials predict the emergence of new modern drugs. This suggests a favorable prognosis for the treatment of patients with SMA.
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19
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Wang X, Wei Z, Gu M, Zhu L, Hai C, Di A, Wu D, Bai C, Su G, Liu X, Yang L, Li G. Loss of Myostatin Alters Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation, TCA Cycle Activity, and ATP Production in Skeletal Muscle. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415707. [PMID: 36555347 PMCID: PMC9779574 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myostatin (MSTN) is an important negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth in animals. A lack of MSTN promotes lipolysis and glucose metabolism but inhibits oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Here, we aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of MSTN regulating the mitochondrial energy homeostasis of skeletal muscle. To this end, MSTN knockout mice were generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Expectedly, the MSTN null (Mstn-/-) mouse has a hypermuscular phenotype. The muscle metabolism of the Mstn-/- mice was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect calorimetry, ChIP-qPCR, and RT-qPCR. The resting metabolic rate and body temperature of the Mstn-/- mice were significantly reduced. The loss of MSTN not only significantly inhibited the production of ATP by OXPHOS and decreased the activity of respiratory chain complexes, but also inhibited key rate-limiting enzymes related to the TCA cycle and significantly reduced the ratio of NADH/NAD+ in the Mstn-/- mice, which then greatly reduced the total amount of ATP. Further ChIP-qPCR results confirmed that the lack of MSTN inhibited both the TCA cycle and OXPHOS, resulting in decreased ATP production. The reason may be that Smad2/3 is not sufficiently bound to the promoter region of the rate-limiting enzymes Idh2 and Idh3a of the TCA cycle, thus affecting their transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Zhuying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Mingjuan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Chao Hai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Anqi Di
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Di Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Chunling Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Guanghua Su
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Xuefei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
- Correspondence: (L.Y.); (G.L.)
| | - Guangpeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
- Correspondence: (L.Y.); (G.L.)
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20
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Messina S, Sframeli M, Maggi L, D'Amico A, Bruno C, Comi G, Mercuri E. Spinal muscular atrophy: state of the art and new therapeutic strategies. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:615-624. [PMID: 33871750 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05258-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe disorder of motor neurons and the most frequent cause of genetic mortality, due to respiratory complications. We are facing an exciting era with three available therapeutic options in a disease considered incurable for more than a century. However, the availability of effective approaches has raised up ethical, medical, and financial issues that are routinely faced by the SMA community. Each therapeutic strategy has its weaknesses and strengths and clinicians need to know them to optimize clinical care. In this review, the state of the art and the results and challenges of the new SMA therapeutic strategies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. .,NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) Sud Clinical Centre, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Sframeli
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) Sud Clinical Centre, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, Foundation IRCCS Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Giacomo Comi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Unit, La Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore di Milano Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Department of Child Neurology, University Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
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21
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Day JW, Howell K, Place A, Long K, Rossello J, Kertesz N, Nomikos G. Advances and limitations for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:632. [PMID: 36329412 PMCID: PMC9632131 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (5q-SMA; SMA), a genetic neuromuscular condition affecting spinal motor neurons, is caused by defects in both copies of the SMN1 gene that produces survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. The highly homologous SMN2 gene primarily expresses a rapidly degraded isoform of SMN protein that causes anterior horn cell degeneration, progressive motor neuron loss, skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness. Severe cases result in limited mobility and ventilatory insufficiency. Untreated SMA is the leading genetic cause of death in young children. Recently, three therapeutics that increase SMN protein levels in patients with SMA have provided incremental improvements in motor function and developmental milestones and prevented the worsening of SMA symptoms. While the therapeutic approaches with Spinraza®, Zolgensma®, and Evrysdi® have a clinically significant impact, they are not curative. For many patients, there remains a significant disease burden. A potential combination therapy under development for SMA targets myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass and strength. Myostatin inhibition in animal models increases muscle mass and function. Apitegromab is an investigational, fully human, monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to proforms of myostatin, promyostatin and latent myostatin, thereby inhibiting myostatin activation. A recently completed phase 2 trial demonstrated the potential clinical benefit of apitegromab by improving or stabilizing motor function in patients with Type 2 and Type 3 SMA and providing positive proof-of-concept for myostatin inhibition as a target for managing SMA. The primary goal of this manuscript is to orient physicians to the evolving landscape of SMA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Day
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kelly Howell
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Jose Rossello
- Scholar Rock, Inc, 301 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, USA
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22
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Chiriboga CA. Pharmacotherapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Babies and Children: A Review of Approved and Experimental Therapies. Paediatr Drugs 2022; 24:585-602. [PMID: 36028610 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-022-00529-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative neuromuscular disorder characterized by loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and atrophy that is caused by survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency resulting from the biallelic loss of the SMN1 gene. The SMN2 gene modulates the SMA phenotype, as a small fraction of its transcripts are alternatively spliced to produce full-length SMN (fSMN) protein. SMN-targeted therapies increase SMN protein; mRNA therapies, nusinersen and risdiplam, increase the amount of fSMN transcripts alternatively spliced from the SMN2 gene, while gene transfer therapy, onasemnogene abeparvovec xioi, increases SMN protein by introducing the hSMN gene into various tissues, including spinal cord via an AAV9 vector. These SMN-targeted therapies have been found effective in improving outcomes and are approved for use in SMA in the US and elsewhere. This article discusses the clinical trial results for SMN-directed therapies with a focus on efficacy, side effects and treatment response predictors. It also discusses preliminary data from muscle-targeted trials, as single agents and in combination with SMN-targeted therapies, as well as other classes of SMA treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A Chiriboga
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, 180 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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23
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Meshchaninov VN, Tsyvian PB, Myakotnykh VS, Kovtun OP, Shcherbakov DL, Blagodareva MS. Ontogenetic Principles of Accelerated Aging and the Prospects for Its Prevention and Treatment. ADVANCES IN GERONTOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s2079057022030080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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24
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Relationships between Body Weight Status and Serum Levels of Adipokine, Myokine and Bone Metabolism Parameters in Healthy Normal Weight and Thin Children. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11144013. [PMID: 35887780 PMCID: PMC9320693 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimal body weight and body composition for age are relevant to child development and healthy life. Changes in lean mass and fat mass as well as its distribution are associated with alterations in the secretion of myokines and adipokines by muscle and adipose tissues. These factors are very important for bone health. The aim of the study was to assess serum leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin and omentin as adipokines and myostatin and irisin as myokines with regard to their associations with bone parameters in healthy normal weight and thin children. We studied 81 healthy prepubertal children (aged 5 to 9 years) divided into three groups: group A—35 children with a BMI z-score between +1 and −1 SD; group B—36 children with a BMI z-score between −1 and −2 SD; and group C—10 thin children with a BMI z-score of <−2 SD. We observed significantly (p < 0.001) lower fat mass, fat/lean mass ratio and bone mineral density (BMD) across weight status with the lowest values in the group of thin children. We noticed significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, resistin and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin but higher levels of myostatin as the BMI z-score deceased. We found that BMI and leptin levels were directly correlated with fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD. Resistin levels were negatively associated with lean mass, while visfatin concentrations were positively related to total BMD. In healthy prepubertal children there were differences in body composition and in bone mineral density across decreasing BMI status. We suggest that changes in serum myostatin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may play a role in bone status of thin children. Moreover, significant relations between adipokines and bone parameters may confirm crosstalk between fat tissue and bone in these children.
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25
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Abati E, Manini A, Comi GP, Corti S. Inhibition of myostatin and related signaling pathways for the treatment of muscle atrophy in motor neuron diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:374. [PMID: 35727341 PMCID: PMC9213329 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04408-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth secreted by skeletal myocytes. In the past years, myostatin inhibition sparked interest among the scientific community for its potential to enhance muscle growth and to reduce, or even prevent, muscle atrophy. These characteristics make it a promising target for the treatment of muscle atrophy in motor neuron diseases, namely, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which are rare neurological diseases, whereby the degeneration of motor neurons leads to progressive muscle loss and paralysis. These diseases carry a huge burden of morbidity and mortality but, despite this unfavorable scenario, several therapeutic advancements have been made in the past years. Indeed, a number of different curative therapies for SMA have been approved, leading to a revolution in the life expectancy and outcomes of SMA patients. Similarly, tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, is now undergoing clinical trial phase for use in ALS patients carrying the SOD1 mutation. However, these therapies are not able to completely halt or reverse progression of muscle damage. Recently, a trial evaluating apitegromab, a myostatin inhibitor, in SMA patients was started, following positive results from preclinical studies. In this context, myostatin inhibition could represent a useful strategy to tackle motor symptoms in these patients. The aim of this review is to describe the myostatin pathway and its role in motor neuron diseases, and to summarize and critically discuss preclinical and clinical studies of myostatin inhibitors in SMA and ALS. Then, we will highlight promises and pitfalls related to the use of myostatin inhibitors in the human setting, to aid the scientific community in the development of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Abati
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Manini
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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26
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López-Cortés A, Echeverría-Garcés G, Ramos-Medina MJ. Molecular Pathogenesis and New Therapeutic Dimensions for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060894. [PMID: 35741415 PMCID: PMC9219894 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The condition known as 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by a deficiency of the ubiquitous protein survival of motor neuron (SMN), which is encoded by the SMN1 and SMN2 genes. It is one of the most common pediatric recessive genetic diseases, and it represents the most common cause of hereditary infant mortality. After decades of intensive basic and clinical research efforts, and improvements in the standard of care, successful therapeutic milestones have been developed, delaying the progression of 5q SMA and increasing patient survival. At the same time, promising data from early-stage clinical trials have indicated that additional therapeutic options are likely to emerge in the near future. Here, we provide updated information on the molecular underpinnings of SMA; we also provide an overview of the rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape for SMA, including SMN-targeted therapies, SMN-independent therapies, and combinational therapies that are likely to be key for the development of treatments that are effective across a patient’s lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés López-Cortés
- Programa de Investigación en Salud Global, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Internacional SEK, Quito 170302, Ecuador
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador
- Latin American Network for the Implementation and Validation of Clinical Pharmacogenomics Guidelines (RELIVAF-CYTED), 28001 Madrid, Spain; (G.E.-G.); (M.J.R.-M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Gabriela Echeverría-Garcés
- Latin American Network for the Implementation and Validation of Clinical Pharmacogenomics Guidelines (RELIVAF-CYTED), 28001 Madrid, Spain; (G.E.-G.); (M.J.R.-M.)
| | - María José Ramos-Medina
- Latin American Network for the Implementation and Validation of Clinical Pharmacogenomics Guidelines (RELIVAF-CYTED), 28001 Madrid, Spain; (G.E.-G.); (M.J.R.-M.)
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27
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Exploiting protease activation for therapy. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1743-1754. [PMID: 35314338 PMCID: PMC9132161 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Proteases have crucial roles in homeostasis and disease; and protease inhibitors and recombinant proteases in enzyme replacement therapy have become key therapeutic applications of protease biology across several indications. This review briefly summarises therapeutic approaches based on protease activation and focuses on how recent insights into the spatial and temporal control of the proteolytic activation of growth factors and interleukins are leading to unique strategies for the discovery of new medicines. In particular, two emerging areas are covered: the first is based on antibody therapies that target the process of proteolytic activation of the pro-form of proteins rather than their mature form; the second covers a potentially new class of biopharmaceuticals using engineered, proteolytically activable and initially inactive pro-forms of antibodies or effector proteins to increase specificity and improve the therapeutic window.
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An Antisense Oligonucleotide against a Splicing Enhancer Sequence within Exon 1 of the MSTN Gene Inhibits Pre-mRNA Maturation to Act as a Novel Myostatin Inhibitor. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095016. [PMID: 35563408 PMCID: PMC9101285 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are agents that modulate gene function. ASO-mediated out-of-frame exon skipping has been employed to suppress gene function. Myostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. ASOs that induce skipping of out-of-frame exon 2 of the MSTN gene have been studied for their use in increasing muscle mass. However, no ASOs are currently available for clinical use. We hypothesized that ASOs against the splicing enhancer sequence within exon 1 of the MSTN gene would inhibit maturation of pre-mRNA, thereby suppressing gene function. To explore this hypothesis, ASOs against sequences of exon 1 of the MSTN gene were screened for their ability to reduce mature MSTN mRNA levels. One screened ASO, named KMM001, decreased MSTN mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner and reciprocally increased MSTN pre-mRNA levels. Accordingly, KMM001 decreased myostatin protein levels. KMM001 inhibited SMAD-mediated myostatin signaling in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Remarkably, it did not decrease GDF11 mRNA levels, indicating myostatin-specific inhibition. As expected, KMM001 enhanced the proliferation of human myoblasts. We conclude that KMM001 is a novel myostatin inhibitor that inhibits pre-mRNA maturation. KMM001 has great promise for clinical applications and should be examined for its ability to treat various muscle-wasting conditions.
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Brakemeier S, Stolte B, Kleinschnitz C, Hagenacker T. Treatment of Adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Overview and Recent Developments. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:892-898. [PMID: 35352647 DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220329115433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease leading to progressive and in many cases severe muscle weakness and atrophy in the natural disease course. An increasing number of gene-based treatment options have become available in recent years. Growing knowledge about the underlying genetic mechanisms makes the disease well amenable to this. Over the past few years, many data on new treatments, their mechanisms of action and therapeutic outcomes have been published, reflecting the current dynamics in this field. With the approval of the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen, the vector-based therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec and the small molecule splicing modifier risdiplam, three gene therapeutic drugs are available for the treatment of SMA showing improvement in motor function. But in the pivotal studies several relevant parameters have not been addressed. There is a data gap for the treatment outcome of adult individuals with SMA as well as for several other relevant outcome parameters like bulbary or ventilatory function. With increasing treatment options, additional individual therapies have become necessary. Studies on combination therapies or switch of therapy, e.g. the sequential administration of onasemnogen abeparvovec and nusinersen, are necessary. An overview of current developments in the field of therapeutic options for adult SMA is presented. Important characteristics of each therapeutic option will be discussed so that the reader can comprehend underlying pathophysiological mechanisms as well as advantages and disadvantages of each therapy. The focus is on gene-based treatment options, but options beyond this are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Brakemeier
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stolte
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Rodgers BD, Ward CW. Myostatin/Activin Receptor Ligands in Muscle and the Development Status of Attenuating Drugs. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:329-365. [PMID: 34520530 PMCID: PMC8905337 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Muscle wasting disease indications are among the most debilitating and often deadly noncommunicable disease states. As a comorbidity, muscle wasting is associated with different neuromuscular diseases and myopathies, cancer, heart failure, chronic pulmonary and renal diseases, peripheral neuropathies, inflammatory disorders, and, of course, musculoskeletal injuries. Current treatment strategies are relatively ineffective and can at best only limit the rate of muscle degeneration. This includes nutritional supplementation and appetite stimulants as well as immunosuppressants capable of exacerbating muscle loss. Arguably, the most promising treatments in development attempt to disrupt myostatin and activin receptor signaling because these circulating factors are potent inhibitors of muscle growth and regulators of muscle progenitor cell differentiation. Indeed, several studies demonstrated the clinical potential of "inhibiting the inhibitors," increasing muscle cell protein synthesis, decreasing degradation, enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis, and preserving muscle function. Such changes can prevent muscle wasting in various disease animal models yet many drugs targeting this pathway failed during clinical trials, some from serious treatment-related adverse events and off-target interactions. More often, however, failures resulted from the inability to improve muscle function despite preserving muscle mass. Drugs still in development include antibodies and gene therapeutics, all with different targets and thus, safety, efficacy, and proposed use profiles. Each is unique in design and, if successful, could revolutionize the treatment of both acute and chronic muscle wasting. They could also be used in combination with other developing therapeutics for related muscle pathologies or even metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher W Ward
- Department of Orthopedics and Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology (BioMET), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Jablonka S, Hennlein L, Sendtner M. Therapy development for spinal muscular atrophy: perspectives for muscular dystrophies and neurodegenerative disorders. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:2. [PMID: 34983696 PMCID: PMC8725368 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-021-00162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major efforts have been made in the last decade to develop and improve therapies for proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The introduction of Nusinersen/Spinraza™ as an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, Onasemnogene abeparvovec/Zolgensma™ as an AAV9-based gene therapy and Risdiplam/Evrysdi™ as a small molecule modifier of pre-mRNA splicing have set new standards for interference with neurodegeneration. MAIN BODY Therapies for SMA are designed to interfere with the cellular basis of the disease by modifying pre-mRNA splicing and enhancing expression of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which is only expressed at low levels in this disorder. The corresponding strategies also can be applied to other disease mechanisms caused by loss of function or toxic gain of function mutations. The development of therapies for SMA was based on the use of cell culture systems and mouse models, as well as innovative clinical trials that included readouts that had originally been introduced and optimized in preclinical studies. This is summarized in the first part of this review. The second part discusses current developments and perspectives for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome to introduce RNA-based therapies and gene therapies for these disorders. CONCLUSION RNA-based therapies offer chances for therapy development of complex neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The experiences made with these new drugs for SMA, and also the experiences in AAV gene therapies could help to broaden the spectrum of current approaches to interfere with pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Luisa Hennlein
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Spinal muscular atrophy: Where are we now? Current challenges and high hopes. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/ahem-2022-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness. It causes movement issues and severe physical disability. SMA is classified into four types based on the level of function achieved, age of onset, and maximum function achieved. The deletion or point mutation in the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene causes SMA. As a result, no full-length protein is produced. A nearly identical paralog, SMN2, provides enough stable protein to prevent death but not enough to compensate for SMN1's loss. The difference between SMN1 and SMN2 is due to different exon 7 alternative splicing patterns. SMA molecular therapies currently focus on restoring functional SMN protein by splicing modification of SMN2 exon 7 or elevated SMN protein levels. Nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide targeting the ISS-N1 sequence in SMN2 intron 7, was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Risdiplam, a novel therapeutic that acts as an SMN2 exon 7 splicing modifier, was recently approved. All of these drugs result in the inclusion of SMN2 exon 7, and thus the production of functional SMN protein. Onasemnogene abeparvovec is a gene therapy that uses a recombinant adeno-associated virus that encodes the SMN protein. There are also experimental therapies available, such as reldesemtiv and apitegromab (SRK-015), which focus on improving muscle function or increasing muscle tissue growth, respectively. Although approved therapies have been shown to be effective, not all SMA patients can benefit from them due to age or weight, but primarily due to their high cost. This demonstrates the significance of continuous treatment improvement in today's medical challenges.
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Bigford GE, Donovan A, Webster MT, Dietrich WD, Nash MS. Selective Myostatin Inhibition Spares Sublesional Muscle Mass and Myopenia-Related Dysfunction after Severe Spinal Cord Contusion in Mice. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:3440-3455. [PMID: 34714134 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinically relevant myopenia accompanies spinal cord injury (SCI), and compromises function, metabolism, body composition, and health. Myostatin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)β family member, is a key negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. We investigated inhibition of myostatin signaling using systemic delivery of a highly selective monoclonal antibody - muSRK-015P (40 mg/kg) - that blocks release of active growth factor from the latent form of myostatin. Adult female mice (C57BL/6) were subjected to a severe SCI (65 kdyn) at T9 and were then immediately and 1 week later administered test articles: muSRK-015P (40 mg/kg) or control (vehicle or IgG). A sham control group (laminectomy only) was included. At euthanasia, (2 weeks post-SCI) muSRK-015P preserved whole body lean mass and sublesional gastrocnemius and soleus mass. muSRK-015P-treated mice with SCI also had significantly attenuated myofiber atrophy, lipid infiltration, and loss of slow-oxidative phenotype in soleus muscle. These outcomes were accompanied by significantly improved sublesional motor function and muscle force production at 1 and 2 weeks post-SCI. At 2 weeks post-SCI, lean mass was significantly decreased in SCI-IgG mice, but was not different in SCI-muSRK-015P mice than in sham controls. Total energy expenditure (kCal/day) at 2 weeks post-SCI was lower in SCI-immunoglobulin (Ig)G mice, but not different in SCI-muSRK-015P mice than in sham controls. We conclude that in a randomized, blinded, and controlled study in mice, myostatin inhibition using muSRK-015P had broad effects on physical, metabolic, and functional outcomes when compared with IgG control treated SCI animals. These findings may identify a useful, targeted therapeutic strategy for treating post-SCI myopenia and related sequelae in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory E Bigford
- Department of Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | | | - W Dalton Dietrich
- Department of Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mark S Nash
- Department of Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
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Kray KM, McGovern VL, Chugh D, Arnold WD, Burghes AHM. Dual SMN inducing therapies can rescue survival and motor unit function in symptomatic ∆7SMA mice. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 159:105488. [PMID: 34425216 PMCID: PMC8502210 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency which results in motor neuron loss and muscle atrophy. SMA is caused by a mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and retention of the nearly identical SMN2 gene. SMN2 contains a C to T change in exon 7 that results in exon 7 exclusion from 90% of transcripts. SMN protein lacking exon 7 is unstable and rapidly degraded. The remaining full-length transcripts from SMN2 are insufficient for normal motor neuron function leading to the development of SMA. Three different therapeutic approaches that increase full-length SMN (FL-SMN) protein production are approved for treatment of SMA patients. Studies in both animal models and humans have demonstrated increasing SMN levels prior to onset of symptoms provides the greatest therapeutic benefit. Treatment of SMA, after some motor neuron loss has occurred, is also effective but to a lesser degree. The SMN∆7 mouse model is a well characterized model of severe or type 1 SMA, dying at 14 days of age. Here we treated three groups of ∆7SMA mice starting before, roughly during, and after symptom onset to determine if combining two mechanistically distinct SMN inducing therapies could improve the therapeutic outcome both before and after motor neuron loss. We found, compared with individual therapies, that morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) directed against ISS-N1 combined with the small molecule compound RG7800 significantly increased FL-SMN transcript and protein production resulting in improved survival and weight of ∆7SMA mice. Moreover, when give late symptomatically, motor unit function was completely rescued with no loss in function at 100 days of age in the dual treatment group. We have therefore shown that this dual therapeutic approach successfully increases SMN protein and rescues motor function in symptomatic ∆7SMA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Kray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Vicki L McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Deepti Chugh
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12(th) Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12(th) Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12(th) Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Ambroszkiewicz J, Gajewska J, Mazur J, Klemarczyk W, Rowicka G, Ołtarzewski M, Strucińska M, Chełchowska M. Does a Vegetarian Diet Affect the Levels of Myokine and Adipokine in Prepubertal Children? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10173995. [PMID: 34501443 PMCID: PMC8432473 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173995] [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: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myokines are cytokines secreted by muscle and exert autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine effects. Myokines mediate communication between muscle and other organs, including adipose tissue. The aim of the study was to assess serum myokines and their relationships with adipokines and anthropometric and nutritional parameters in children following vegetarian and omnivorous diets. One hundred and five prepubertal children were examined. Among them there were 55 children on a vegetarian diet and 50 children on an omnivorous diet. Concentrations of myokines (myostatin, irisin) and adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, omentin, visfatin) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We observed comparable median values of serum myokines and adipokines (except of leptin concentration) in both of the studied groups of children. We also found several correlations between myokine and adipokine levels and certain nutritional parameters. Serum myostatin was positively correlated with omentin levels in vegetarians and omnivores (p = 0.002). Serum irisin was positively associated with omentin (p = 0.045) levels in omnivores and inversely with visfatin concentration (p = 0.037) in vegetarians. Myostatin concentration was negatively correlated with the percentage of energy from protein (p = 0.014), calcium (p = 0.046), and vitamin A (p = 0.028) intakes in vegetarians and with dietary vitamin C (p = 0.041) and vitamin E (p = 0.021) intakes in omnivores. In multivariate regression analyses, positive correlations of serum myostatin with omentin levels were revealed in both study groups (β = 0.437, p < 0.001 for vegetarians; and β = 0.359, p = 0.001 for omnivores). Consuming a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet did not influence serum levels of myokines (myostatin, irisin) and adipokines such as adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin in prepubertal children. However, leptin levels were significantly lower in vegetarians compared with omnivores. The observed significant positive correlations between myostatin and omentin concentrations might suggest tissue cross-talk between skeletal muscle and fat tissue. Further studies, carried out in a larger group of children following different dietary patterns, could be important to fully understand the relations between muscle, adipose tissues, and nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadwiga Ambroszkiewicz
- Department of Screening Tests and Metabolic Diagnostics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (J.G.); (M.O.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-3277-260; Fax: +48-22-3277-161
| | - Joanna Gajewska
- Department of Screening Tests and Metabolic Diagnostics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (J.G.); (M.O.); (M.C.)
| | - Joanna Mazur
- Department of Humanization in Medicine and Sexology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, 65-726 Zielona Gora, Poland;
| | - Witold Klemarczyk
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (W.K.); (G.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Grażyna Rowicka
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (W.K.); (G.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Mariusz Ołtarzewski
- Department of Screening Tests and Metabolic Diagnostics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (J.G.); (M.O.); (M.C.)
| | - Małgorzata Strucińska
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (W.K.); (G.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Magdalena Chełchowska
- Department of Screening Tests and Metabolic Diagnostics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland; (J.G.); (M.O.); (M.C.)
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Lejman J, Zieliński G, Gawda P, Lejman M. Alternative Splicing Role in New Therapies of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1346. [PMID: 34573328 PMCID: PMC8468182 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been estimated that 80% of the pre-mRNA undergoes alternative splicing, which exponentially increases the flow of biological information in cellular processes and can be an attractive therapeutic target. It is a crucial mechanism to increase genetic diversity. Disturbed alternative splicing is observed in many disorders, including neuromuscular diseases and carcinomas. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. Homozygous deletion in 5q13 (the region coding for the motor neuron survival gene (SMN1)) is responsible for 95% of SMA cases. The nearly identical SMN2 gene does not compensate for SMN loss caused by SMN1 gene mutation due to different splicing of exon 7. A pathologically low level of survival motor neuron protein (SMN) causes degeneration of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord with associated destruction of α-motor cells and manifested by muscle weakness and loss. Understanding the regulation of the SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing process has allowed for innovative treatment and the introduction of new medicines for SMA. After describing the concept of splicing modulation, this review will cover the progress achieved in this field, by highlighting the breakthrough accomplished recently for the treatment of SMA using the mechanism of alternative splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lejman
- Student Scientific Society, Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Zieliński
- Department of Sports Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (G.Z.); (P.G.)
| | - Piotr Gawda
- Department of Sports Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (G.Z.); (P.G.)
| | - Monika Lejman
- Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Chong LC, Gandhi G, Lee JM, Yeo WWY, Choi SB. Drug Discovery of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) from the Computational Perspective: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8962. [PMID: 34445667 PMCID: PMC8396480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), one of the leading inherited causes of child mortality, is a rare neuromuscular disease arising from loss-of-function mutations of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which encodes the SMN protein. When lacking the SMN protein in neurons, patients suffer from muscle weakness and atrophy, and in the severe cases, respiratory failure and death. Several therapeutic approaches show promise with human testing and three medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to date. Despite the shown promise of these approved therapies, there are some crucial limitations, one of the most important being the cost. The FDA-approved drugs are high-priced and are shortlisted among the most expensive treatments in the world. The price is still far beyond affordable and may serve as a burden for patients. The blooming of the biomedical data and advancement of computational approaches have opened new possibilities for SMA therapeutic development. This article highlights the present status of computationally aided approaches, including in silico drug repurposing, network driven drug discovery as well as artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted drug discovery, and discusses the future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chuin Chong
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Data Sciences, Perdana University, Suite 9.2, 9th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Kuala Lumpur 50490, Malaysia; (L.C.C.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Gayatri Gandhi
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Perdana University, Suite 9.2, 9th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Kuala Lumpur 50490, Malaysia; (G.G.); (W.W.Y.Y.)
| | - Jian Ming Lee
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Data Sciences, Perdana University, Suite 9.2, 9th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Kuala Lumpur 50490, Malaysia; (L.C.C.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Wendy Wai Yeng Yeo
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Perdana University, Suite 9.2, 9th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Kuala Lumpur 50490, Malaysia; (G.G.); (W.W.Y.Y.)
| | - Sy-Bing Choi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Data Sciences, Perdana University, Suite 9.2, 9th Floor, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Kuala Lumpur 50490, Malaysia; (L.C.C.); (J.M.L.)
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Yin L, Li N, Jia W, Wang N, Liang M, Yang X, Du G. Skeletal muscle atrophy: From mechanisms to treatments. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105807. [PMID: 34389456 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a crucial tissue for movement, gestural assistance, metabolic homeostasis, and thermogenesis. It makes up approximately 40% of the total body weight and 50% of total protein. However, several pathological abnormalities (e.g., chronic diseases, cancer, long-term infection, aging) can induce an imbalance in skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation, which triggers muscle wasting and even leads to atrophy. Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by weakening, shrinking, and decreasing muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area at the histological level. It manifests as a reduction in force production, easy fatigue and decreased exercise capability, along with a lower quality of life. Mechanistically, there are several pathophysiological processes involved in skeletal muscle atrophy, including oxidative stress and inflammation, which then activate signal transduction, such as the ubiquitin proteasome system, autophagy lysosome system, and mTOR. Considering the great economic and social burden that muscle atrophy can inflict, effective prevention and treatment strategies are essential but still limited. Exercise is widely acknowledged as the most effective therapy for skeletal muscle atrophy; unfortunately, it is not applicable for all patients. Several active substances for skeletal muscle atrophy have been discovered and evaluated in clinical trials, however, they have not been marketed to date. Knowledge is being gained on the underlying mechanisms, highlighting more promising treatment strategies in the future. In this paper, the mechanisms and treatment strategies for skeletal muscle atrophy are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Weihua Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Nuoqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Meidai Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Xiuying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China.
| | - Guanhua Du
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China.
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McCormack NM, Villalón E, Viollet C, Soltis AR, Dalgard CL, Lorson CL, Burnett BG. Survival motor neuron deficiency slows myoblast fusion through reduced myomaker and myomixer expression. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2021; 12:1098-1116. [PMID: 34115448 PMCID: PMC8350220 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by insufficient levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Recently approved treatments aimed at increasing SMN protein levels have dramatically improved patient survival and have altered the disease landscape. While restoring SMN levels slows motor neuron loss, many patients continue to have smaller muscles and do not achieve normal motor milestones. While timing of treatment is important, it remains unclear why SMN restoration is insufficient to fully restore muscle size and function. We and others have shown that SMN-deficient muscle precursor cells fail to efficiently fuse into myotubes. However, the role of SMN in myoblast fusion is not known. METHODS In this study, we show that SMN-deficient myoblasts readily fuse with wild-type myoblasts, demonstrating fusion competency. Conditioned media from wild type differentiating myoblasts do not rescue the fusion deficit of SMN-deficient cells, suggesting that compromised fusion may primarily be a result of altered membrane dynamics at the cell surface. Transcriptome profiling of skeletal muscle from SMN-deficient mice revealed altered expression of cell surface fusion molecules. Finally, using cell and mouse models, we investigate if myoblast fusion can be rescued in SMN-deficient myoblast and improve the muscle pathology in SMA mice. RESULTS We found reduced expression of the muscle fusion proteins myomaker (P = 0.0060) and myomixer (P = 0.0051) in the muscle of SMA mice. Suppressing SMN expression in C2C12 myoblast cells reduces expression of myomaker (35% reduction; P < 0.0001) and myomixer, also known as myomerger and minion, (30% reduction; P < 0.0001) and restoring SMN levels only partially restores myomaker and myomixer expression. Ectopic expression of myomixer improves myofibre number (55% increase; P = 0.0006) and motor function (35% decrease in righting time; P = 0.0089) in SMA model mice and enhances motor function (82% decrease in righting time; P < 0.0001) and extends survival (28% increase; P < 0.01) when administered in combination with an antisense oligonucleotide that increases SMN protein levels. CONCLUSIONS Here, we identified reduced expression of muscle fusion proteins as a key factor in the fusion deficits of SMN-deficient myoblasts. This discovery provides a novel target to improve SMA muscle pathology and motor function, which in combination with SMN increasing therapy could enhance clinical outcomes for SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki M McCormack
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Coralie Viollet
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anthony R Soltis
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,The American Genome Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Barrington G Burnett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology and clinical presentations of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and reviews therapeutic developments, including US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved gene-targeted therapies and mainstays of supportive SMA care. RECENT FINDINGS Over the past decades, an understanding of the role of SMN protein in the development and maintenance of the motor unit and the intricate genetics underlying SMA has led to striking developments in therapeutics with three FDA-approved treatments for SMA, one targeting SMN1 gene replacement (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) and two others enhancing SMN protein production from the SMN2 gene (nusinersen and risdiplam). These therapies are most effective in infants treated at younger ages, and improvement is most striking in babies treated as neonates. Despite improvements in motor function, patients (especially those treated at older ages) continue to experience significant weakness and require continued close monitoring of respiratory and orthopedic symptoms. SUMMARY Striking therapeutic advancements have changed the clinical course of SMA dramatically, although supportive care continues to play an important role in patient care.
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Butchbach MER. Genomic Variability in the Survival Motor Neuron Genes ( SMN1 and SMN2): Implications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Phenotype and Therapeutics Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157896. [PMID: 34360669 PMCID: PMC8348669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant death worldwide that is characterized by loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA results from the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene but retention of its paralog SMN2. The copy numbers of SMN1 and SMN2 are variable within the human population with SMN2 copy number inversely correlating with SMA severity. Current therapeutic options for SMA focus on increasing SMN2 expression and alternative splicing so as to increase the amount of SMN protein. Recent work has demonstrated that not all SMN2, or SMN1, genes are equivalent and there is a high degree of genomic heterogeneity with respect to the SMN genes. Because SMA is now an actionable disease with SMN2 being the primary target, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of this genomic heterogeneity with respect to hybrid SMN1–SMN2 genes generated by gene conversion events as well as partial deletions of the SMN genes. This review will describe this genetic heterogeneity in SMA and its impact on disease phenotype as well as therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. R. Butchbach
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA;
- Center for Pediatric Research, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Chaytow H, Faller KM, Huang YT, Gillingwater TH. Spinal muscular atrophy: From approved therapies to future therapeutic targets for personalized medicine. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100346. [PMID: 34337562 PMCID: PMC8324491 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating childhood motor neuron disease that, in the most severe cases and when left untreated, leads to death within the first two years of life. Recent therapeutic advances have given hope to families and patients by compensating for the deficiency in survival motor neuron (SMN) protein via gene therapy or other genetic manipulation. However, it is now apparent that none of these therapies will cure SMA alone. In this review, we discuss the three currently licensed therapies for SMA, briefly highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages, before considering alternative approaches to increasing SMN protein levels. We then explore recent preclinical research that is identifying and targeting dysregulated pathways secondary to, or independent of, SMN deficiency that may provide adjunctive opportunities for SMA. These additional therapies are likely to be key for the development of treatments that are effective across the lifespan of SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Chaytow
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kiterie M.E. Faller
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Welsh BT, Cote SM, Meshulam D, Jackson J, Pal A, Lansita J, Kalra A. Preclinical Safety Assessment and Toxicokinetics of Apitegromab, an Antibody Targeting Proforms of Myostatin for the Treatment of Muscle-Atrophying Disease. Int J Toxicol 2021; 40:322-336. [PMID: 34255983 PMCID: PMC8326894 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211025477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle and has become a therapeutic target for muscle atrophying disorders. Although previous inhibitors of myostatin offered promising preclinical data, these therapies demonstrated a lack of specificity toward myostatin signaling and have shown limited success in the clinic. Apitegromab is a fully human, monoclonal antibody that binds to human promyostatin and latent myostatin with a high degree of specificity, without binding mature myostatin and other closely related growth factors. To support the clinical development of apitegromab, we present data from a comprehensive preclinical assessment of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety across multiple species. In vitro studies confirmed the ability of apitegromab to inhibit the activation of promyostatin. Toxicology studies in monkeys for 4 weeks and in adult rats for up to 26 weeks showed that weekly intravenous administration of apitegromab achieved sustained serum exposure and target engagement and was well-tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse findings at the highest doses tested of up to 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg in monkeys and rats, respectively. Additionally, results from an 8-week juvenile rat study showed no adverse effects on any endpoint, including neurodevelopmental, motor, and reproductive outcomes at 300 mg/kg administered weekly IV. In summary, the nonclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and toxicology data demonstrate that apitegromab is a selective inhibitor of proforms of myostatin that does not exhibit toxicities observed with other myostatin pathway inhibitors. These data support the conduct of ongoing clinical studies of apitegromab in adult and pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ajai Pal
- Scholar Rock, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Behera B. Nusinersen, an exon 7 inclusion drug for spinal muscular atrophy: A minireview. World J Meta-Anal 2021; 9:277-285. [DOI: 10.13105/wjma.v9.i3.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease with incidence of 1 in 5000 to 10000 live births and is produced by homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 in the SMN1 gene. The SMN1 and SMN2 genes encode the survival motor neuron protein, a crucial protein for the preservation of motor neurons. Use of the newer drug, Nusinersen, from early infancy has shown improvement in clinical outcomes of spinal muscular atrophy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijaylaxmi Behera
- Department of Neonatology, Chaitanya Hospital, Chandigarh 160044, India
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45
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Barrett D, Bilic S, Chyung Y, Cote SM, Iarrobino R, Kacena K, Kalra A, Long K, Nomikos G, Place A, Still JG, Vrishabhendra L. A Randomized Phase 1 Safety, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of the Novel Myostatin Inhibitor Apitegromab (SRK-015): A Potential Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Adv Ther 2021; 38:3203-3222. [PMID: 33963971 PMCID: PMC8189951 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-021-01757-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Apitegromab (SRK-015) is an anti-promyostatin monoclonal antibody under development to improve motor function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease. This phase 1 double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed safety, pharmacokinetic parameters, pharmacodynamics (serum latent myostatin), and immunogenicity of single and multiple ascending doses of apitegromab in healthy adult subjects. Methods Subjects were administered single intravenous ascending doses of apitegromab of 1, 3, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg or placebo, and multiple intravenous ascending doses of apitegromab of 10, 20, 30 mg/kg or placebo. Results Following single ascending doses, the pharmacokinetic parameters of apitegromab appeared to be similar across all dose groups, following a biphasic pattern of decline in the concentration–time curve. The mean apparent terminal t1/2 after single intravenous doses of apitegromab ranged from 24 to 31 days across dose groups. Dose-related increases were observed in Cmax following multiple ascending doses. Single and multiple apitegromab doses resulted in dose-dependent and sustained increases in serum latent myostatin, indicating robust target engagement. Apitegromab was safe and well tolerated, on the basis of the adverse event (AE) profile with no clinically meaningful changes in baseline vital signs, electrocardiograms, or clinical laboratory parameters and no anti-drug antibody formation. Conclusion These results support continued investigation of apitegromab for the treatment of patients with milder forms (type 2 and 3) of spinal muscular atrophy.
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Gandhi G, Abdullah S, Foead AI, Yeo WWY. The potential role of miRNA therapies in spinal muscle atrophy. J Neurol Sci 2021; 427:117485. [PMID: 34015517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by low levels of full-length survival motor neuron (SMN) protein due to the loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and inefficient splicing of the survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) gene, which mostly affects alpha motor neurons of the lower spinal cord. Despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved SMN-dependent therapies including Nusinersen, Zolgensma® and Evrysdi™, SMA is still a devastating disease as these existing expensive drugs may not be sufficient and thus, remains a need for additional therapies. The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in SMA is expanding because miRNAs are important mediators of gene expression as each miRNA could target a number of genes. Hence, miRNA-based therapy could be utilized in treating this genetic disorder. However, the delivery of miRNAs into the target cells remains an obstacle in SMA, as there is no effective delivery system to date. This review highlights the potential strategies for intracellular miRNA delivery into target cells and current challenges in miRNA delivery. Furthermore, we provide the future prospects of miRNA-based therapeutic strategies in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Gandhi
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Perdana University, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Syahril Abdullah
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Selangor, Malaysia; Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Selangor, Malaysia; UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Agus Iwan Foead
- Department of Orthopedics, Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Perdana University, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wendy Wai Yeng Yeo
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Perdana University, Wisma Chase Perdana, Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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47
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Lee SJ. Targeting the myostatin signaling pathway to treat muscle loss and metabolic dysfunction. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:148372. [PMID: 33938454 DOI: 10.1172/jci148372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of myostatin (MSTN; also known as GDF-8) as a critical regulator of skeletal muscle mass in 1997, there has been an extensive effort directed at understanding the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying MSTN activity, with the long-term goal of developing strategies and agents capable of blocking MSTN signaling to treat patients with muscle loss. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating key components of this regulatory system, and in parallel with this effort has been the development of numerous biologics that have been tested in clinical trials for a wide range of indications, including muscular dystrophy, sporadic inclusion body myositis, spinal muscular atrophy, cachexia, muscle loss due to aging or following falls, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Here, I review what is known about the MSTN regulatory system and the current state of efforts to target this pathway for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.,University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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48
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Lodberg A. Principles of the activin receptor signaling pathway and its inhibition. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 60:1-17. [PMID: 33933900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This review captures the anabolic and stimulatory effects observed with inhibition of the transforming growth factor β superfamily in muscle, blood, and bone. New medicinal substances that rectify activin, myostatin, and growth differentiation factor 11 signaling give hope to the many whose lives are affected by deterioration of these tissues. The review first covers the origin, structure, and common pathway of activins, myostatin, and growth differentiation factor 11 along with the pharmacodynamics of the new class of molecules designed to oppose the activin receptor signaling pathway. Current terminology surrounding this new class of molecules is inconsistent and does not infer functionality. Adopting inhibitors of the activin receptor signaling pathway (IASPs) as a generic term is proposed because it encapsulates the molecular mechanisms along the pathway trajectory. To conclude, a pragmatic classification of IASPs is presented that integrates functionality and side effects based on the data available from animals and humans. This provides researchers and clinicians with a tool to tailor IASPs therapy according to the need of projects or patients and with respect to side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lodberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Wilhelm Meyers Allé, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Servais L, Baranello G, Scoto M, Daron A, Oskoui M. Therapeutic interventions for spinal muscular atrophy: preclinical and early clinical development opportunities. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:519-527. [PMID: 33749510 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1904889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease that presents primarily in children. Abnormalities in the SMN1 gene cause reduced levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, while a second gene, SMN2, produces low levels of functional SMN protein. Currently available drugs do not cure, so a significant unmet need remains for patients treated after symptom onset. AREAS COVERED Drugs available in the clinic, investigational agents and key questions for researchers are discussed. A pragmatic search of the literature was performed to identify therapies in late stages of preclinical, or in early stages of clinical development. This list was compared to the CureSMA pipeline for completeness. Drugs approved for indications that have potential for impact for SMA were included. These drugs target the primary deficiency in SMN protein or other pathways involved in SMA pathophysiology that are not SMN-protein dependent. EXPERT OPINION Children treated after the onset of symptoms continue to have significant disability. Given the heterogeneity of the population phenotype evidenced by variable response to initial therapy, age at treatment onset and the need to demonstrate added value beyond approved therapeutics, the clinical development of new drugs will be challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Servais
- MDUK Neuromuscular Center, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Neuromuscular Reference Center Disease, Department of Paediatrics, Liege, Belgium and University of Liege, Liège, Belgium
| | - Giovanni Baranello
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mariacristina Scoto
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aurore Daron
- Neuromuscular Reference Center Disease, Department of Paediatrics, Liege, Belgium and University of Liege, Liège, Belgium
| | - Maryam Oskoui
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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50
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Nicolau S, Waldrop MA, Connolly AM, Mendell JR. Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2021; 37:100878. [PMID: 33892848 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2021.100878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy is one of the most common neuromuscular disorders of childhood and has high morbidity and mortality. Three different disease-modifying treatments were introduced in the last 4 years: nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec, and risdiplam. These agents have demonstrated safety and efficacy, but their long-term benefits require further study. Newborn screening programs are enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment and better outcomes, but respiratory care and other supportive measures retain a key role in the management of spinal muscular atrophy. Ongoing efforts seek to optimize gene therapy vectors, explore new therapeutic targets beyond motor neurons, and evaluate the role of combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nicolau
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
| | - Megan A Waldrop
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Anne M Connolly
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Jerry R Mendell
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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