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Shelton GD, Tucciarone F, Guo LT, Coghill LM, Lyons LA. Precision medicine using whole genome sequencing identifies a novel dystrophin (DMD) variant for X-linked muscular dystrophy in a cat. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:135-144. [PMID: 38180235 PMCID: PMC10800237 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16971] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a large, heterogeneous group of degenerative muscle diseases. X-linked dystrophin-deficient MD in cats is the first genetically characterized cat model for a human disease and a few novel forms have been identified. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Muscular dystrophy was suspected in a young male domestic shorthair cat. Clinical, molecular, and genetic techniques could provide a definitive diagnosis. ANIMALS A 1-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented for progressive difficulty walking, macroglossia and dysphagia beginning at 6 months of age. The tongue was thickened, protruded with constant ptyalism, and thickening and rigidity of the neck and shoulders were observed. METHODS A complete neurological examination, baseline laboratory evaluation and biopsies of the trapezius muscle were performed with owner consent. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of muscle cryosections was performed using several monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against dystrophy-associated proteins. DNA was isolated for genomic analyses by whole genome sequencing and comparison to DNA variants in the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing dataset. RESULTS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Aspartate aminotransferase (687 IU/L) and creatine kinase (24 830 IU/L) activities were increased and mild hypokalemia (3.7 mmol/L) was present. Biopsy samples from the trapezius muscle confirmed a degenerative and regenerative myopathy and protein alterations identified by immunohistochemistry resulted in a diagnosis of a in dystrophin-deficient form of X-linked MD. A stop gain variant (c.4849C>T; p.Gln1617Ter) dystrophin was identified by genome sequencing. Precision/genomic medicine efforts for the domestic cat and in veterinary medicine support disease variant and animal model discovery and provide opportunities for targeted treatments for companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Diane Shelton
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Ling T. Guo
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lyndon M. Coghill
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Leslie A. Lyons
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
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2
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Crawford AH, Hildyard JCW, Wells DJ, Piercy RJ. Identification of quantitative polymerase chain reaction reference genes suitable for normalising gene expression in the brain of normal and dystrophic mice and dogs. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 6:84. [PMID: 37942409 PMCID: PMC10628364 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16707.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: In addition to progressive, debilitating muscle degeneration, ~50% of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have associated cognitive and behavioural disorders secondary to deficiency of dystrophin protein in the brain. The brain expresses a variety of dystrophin isoforms (Dp427, Dp140 and Dp71) whose functions remain to be fully elucidated. Detailed comparative analysis of gene expression in healthy and dystrophin-deficient brain is fundamental to understanding the functions of each isoform, and the consequences of their deficiency, with animal models representing a key tool in this endeavour. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) is a widely used method to study gene expression. However, accurate quantitative assessment requires normalisation of expression data using validated reference genes. The aim of this study was to identify a panel of suitable reference genes that can be used to normalise gene expression in the brain of healthy and dystrophic dogs and mice. Methods: Using the DE50-MD dog and mdx mouse models of DMD we performed RT-qPCR from fresh frozen brain tissue and employed the geNorm, BestKeeper and Normfinder algorithms to determine the stability of expression of a panel of candidate reference genes across healthy and dystrophic animals, and across different brain regions. Results: We show that SDHA, UBC and YWHAZ are suitable reference genes for normalising gene expression in healthy and dystrophic canine brain, and GAPDH, RPL13A and CYC1 in healthy and dystrophic murine brain. Notably, there was no overlap in the highest performing reference genes between the two species. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that gene expression normalisation is possible across six regions of the canine brain, and three regions of the murine brain. Our results should facilitate future work to study gene expression in the brains of normal and dystrophic dogs and mice and thus decipher the transcriptional consequences of dystrophin deficiency in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbe H. Crawford
- Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | | | - Dominic J. Wells
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
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Wu R, Song Y, Wu S, Chen Y. Promising therapeutic approaches of utrophin replacing dystrophin in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 2:885-893. [PMID: 38933385 PMCID: PMC11197810 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.07.004] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a serious genetic neuromuscular rare disease that is prevalent and caused by the mutation/deletion of the X-linked DMD gene that encodes dystrophin. Utrophin is a dystrophin homologous protein on human chromosome 6. Dystrophin and utrophin are highly homologous. They can recruit many dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC)-related proteins and co-localize at the sarcolemma in the early stage of human embryonic development. Moreover, utrophin is overexpressed naturally at the mature myofiber sarcolemma in DMD patients. Therefore, utrophin is considered the most promising homologous protein to replace dystrophin. This review summarizes various modulating drugs and gene therapy approaches for utrophin replacement. As a universal method to treat DMD disease, utrophin has a promising therapeutic prospect and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research & Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yafeng Song
- Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, No.48 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shiwen Wu
- Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yongchang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research & Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
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4
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Su Y, Song Y. The new challenge of “exercise + X″ therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy—Individualized identification of exercise tolerance and precise implementation of exercise intervention. Front Physiol 2022; 13:947749. [PMID: 35991169 PMCID: PMC9389311 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.947749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive fatal muscular disease. Gene therapy, cell therapy, and drug therapy are currently the most widely used treatments for DMD. However, many experiments on animals and humans suggested that appropriate exercise could improve the effectiveness of such precision medicine treatment, thereby improving patient’s muscle quality and function. Due to the striated muscle damage of DMD individuals, there are still many debates about whether DMD animals or patients can exercise, how to exercise, when to exercise best, and how to exercise effectively. The purpose of this review is to summarize and investigate the scientific basis and efficacy of exercise as an adjuvant therapy for DMD gene therapy, cell therapy and drug therapy, as well as to present the theoretical framework and optional strategies of “exercise + X″″ combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Su
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- Institute of Physical Education, Jilin Normal University, Siping, China
| | - Yafeng Song
- China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yafeng Song,
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5
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MicroRNAs in Dystrophinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147785. [PMID: 35887128 PMCID: PMC9318410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), which represent the range of dystrophinopathies, account for nearly 80% of muscle dystrophy. DMD and BMD result from the loss of a functional dystrophin protein, and the leading cause of death in these patients is cardiac remodeling and heart failure. The pathogenesis and progression of the more severe form of DMD have been extensively studied and are controlled by many determinants, including microRNAs (miRNAs). The regulatory role of miRNAs in muscle function and the differential miRNA expression in muscular dystrophy indicate the clinical significance of miRNAs. This review discusses the relevant microRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for DMD and DMD cardiomyopathy as examples of dystrophinopathies.
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6
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Mukherjee P, Roy S, Ghosh D, Nandi SK. Role of animal models in biomedical research: a review. Lab Anim Res 2022; 38:18. [PMID: 35778730 PMCID: PMC9247923 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-022-00128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The animal model deals with the species other than the human, as it can imitate the disease progression, its’ diagnosis as well as a treatment similar to human. Discovery of a drug and/or component, equipment, their toxicological studies, dose, side effects are in vivo studied for future use in humans considering its’ ethical issues. Here lies the importance of the animal model for its enormous use in biomedical research. Animal models have many facets that mimic various disease conditions in humans like systemic autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, Atherosclerosis, diabetes, etc., and many more. Besides, the model has tremendous importance in drug development, development of medical devices, tissue engineering, wound healing, and bone and cartilage regeneration studies, as a model in vascular surgeries as well as the model for vertebral disc regeneration surgery. Though, all the models have some advantages as well as challenges, but, present review has emphasized the importance of various small and large animal models in pharmaceutical drug development, transgenic animal models, models for medical device developments, studies for various human diseases, bone and cartilage regeneration model, diabetic and burn wound model as well as surgical models like vascular surgeries and surgeries for intervertebral disc degeneration considering all the ethical issues of that specific animal model. Despite, the process of using the animal model has facilitated researchers to carry out the researches that would have been impossible to accomplish in human considering the ethical prohibitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mukherjee
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Mohanpur, Nadia, India
| | - S Roy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Mohanpur, Nadia, India
| | - D Ghosh
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India
| | - S K Nandi
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India.
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Loreti M, Sacco A. The jam session between muscle stem cells and the extracellular matrix in the tissue microenvironment. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:16. [PMID: 35177651 PMCID: PMC8854427 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00204-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle requires a highly orchestrated coordination between multiple cell types and their microenvironment to exert its function and to maintain its homeostasis and regenerative capacity. Over the past decades, significant advances, including lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing, have contributed to identifying multiple muscle resident cell populations participating in muscle maintenance and repair. Among these populations, muscle stem cells (MuSC), also known as satellite cells, in response to stress or injury, are able to proliferate, fuse, and form new myofibers to repair the damaged tissue. These cells reside adjacent to the myofiber and are surrounded by a specific and complex microenvironment, the stem cell niche. Major components of the niche are extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, able to instruct MuSC behavior. However, during aging and muscle-associated diseases, muscle progressively loses its regenerative ability, in part due to a dysregulation of ECM components. This review provides an overview of the composition and importance of the MuSC microenvironment. We discuss relevant ECM proteins and how their mutations or dysregulation impact young and aged muscle tissue or contribute to diseases. Recent discoveries have improved our knowledge about the ECM composition of skeletal muscle, which has helped to mimic the architecture of the stem cell niche and improved the regenerative capacity of MuSC. Further understanding about extrinsic signals from the microenvironment controlling MuSC function and innovative technologies are still required to develop new therapies to improve muscle repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Loreti
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alessandra Sacco
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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8
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Shelton GD, Minor KM, Guo LT, Friedenberg SG, Cullen JN, Hord JM, Venzke D, Anderson ME, Devereaux M, Prouty SJ, Handelman C, Campbell KP, Mickelson JR. Muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy in a family of Labrador retrievers with a LARGE1 mutation. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:1169-1178. [PMID: 34654610 PMCID: PMC8963908 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-dystroglycan (αDG) is a highly glycosylated cell surface protein with a significant role in cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions in muscle. αDG interaction with extracellular ligands relies on the activity of the LARGE1 glycosyltransferase that synthesizes and extends the heteropolysaccharide matriglycan. Abnormalities in αDG glycosylation and formation of matriglycan are the pathogenic mechanisms for the dystroglycanopathies, a group of congenital muscular dystrophies. Muscle biopsies were evaluated from related 6-week-old Labrador retriever puppies with poor suckling, small stature compared to normal litter mates, bow-legged stance and markedly elevated creatine kinase activities. A dystrophic phenotype with marked degeneration and regeneration, multifocal mononuclear cell infiltration and endomysial fibrosis was identified on muscle cryosections. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array genotyping data on the family members identified three regions of homozygosity in 4 cases relative to 8 controls. Analysis of whole genome sequence data from one of the cases identified a stop codon mutation in the LARGE1 gene that truncates 40% of the protein. Immunofluorescent staining and western blotting demonstrated the absence of matriglycan in skeletal muscle and heart from affected dogs. Compared to control, LARGE enzyme activity was not detected. This is the first report of a dystroglycanopathy in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Diane Shelton
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0709 United States.
| | - Katie M Minor
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108 United States
| | - Ling T Guo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0709 United States
| | - Steven G Friedenberg
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108 United States
| | - Jonah N Cullen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108 United States
| | - Jeffrey M Hord
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Neurology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 United States
| | - David Venzke
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Neurology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 United States
| | - Mary E Anderson
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Neurology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 United States
| | - Megan Devereaux
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Neurology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 United States
| | - Sally J Prouty
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Neurology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 United States
| | - Caryl Handelman
- Veterinary Housecalls of Long Island, Commack, NY 11725 United States
| | - Kevin P Campbell
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and Department of Neurology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Roy J and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242 United States
| | - James R Mickelson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108 United States
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Barraza-Flores P, Bukovec KE, Dagda M, Conner BW, Oliveira-Santos A, Grange RW, Burkin DJ. Laminin-111 protein therapy after disease onset slows muscle disease in a mouse model of laminin-α2 related congenital muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2162-2170. [PMID: 32472139 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminin-α2 related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) is a fatal muscle disease caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene. Laminin-α2 is critical for the formation of laminin-211 and -221 heterotrimers in the muscle basal lamina. LAMA2-CMD patients exhibit hypotonia from birth and progressive muscle loss that results in developmental delay, confinement to a wheelchair, respiratory insufficiency and premature death. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for LAMA2-CMD. Several studies have shown laminin-111 can serve as an effective protein-replacement therapy for LAMA2-CMD. Studies have demonstrated early treatment with laminin-111 protein results in an increase in life expectancy and improvements in muscle pathology and function. Since LAMA2-CMD patients are often diagnosed after advanced disease, it is unclear if laminin-111 protein therapy at an advanced stage of the disease can have beneficial outcomes. In this study, we tested the efficacy of laminin-111 protein therapy after disease onset in a mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. Our results showed laminin-111 treatment after muscle disease onset increased life expectancy, promoted muscle growth and increased muscle stiffness. Together these studies indicate laminin-111 protein therapy either early or late in the disease process could serve as an effective protein replacement therapy for LAMA2-CMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Barraza-Flores
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Katherine E Bukovec
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Marisela Dagda
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Brandon W Conner
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Ariany Oliveira-Santos
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Robert W Grange
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Dean J Burkin
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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Soblechero-Martín P, López-Martínez A, de la Puente-Ovejero L, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Arechavala-Gomeza V. Utrophin modulator drugs as potential therapies for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:711-723. [PMID: 33999469 PMCID: PMC8518368 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Utrophin is an autosomal paralogue of dystrophin, a protein whose deficit causes Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). Utrophin is naturally overexpressed at the sarcolemma of mature dystrophin‐deficient fibres in DMD and BMD patients as well as in the mdx Duchenne mouse model. Dystrophin and utrophin can co‐localise in human foetal muscle, in the dystrophin‐competent fibres from DMD/BMD carriers, and revertant fibre clusters in biopsies from DMD patients. These findings suggest that utrophin overexpression could act as a surrogate, compensating for the lack of dystrophin, and, as such, it could be used in combination with dystrophin restoration therapies. Different strategies to overexpress utrophin are currently under investigation. In recent years, many compounds have been reported to modulate utrophin expression efficiently in preclinical studies and ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype in animal models of the disease. In this manuscript, we discuss the current knowledge on utrophin protein and the different mechanisms that modulate its expression in skeletal muscle. We also include a comprehensive review of compounds proposed as utrophin regulators and, as such, potential therapeutic candidates for these muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soblechero-Martín
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Clinical Laboratory Service, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao-Basurto Integrated Health Organisation, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Andrea López-Martínez
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | | | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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11
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Martin PT, Zygmunt DA, Ashbrook A, Hamilton S, Packer D, Birch SM, Bettis AK, Balog-Alvarez CJ, Guo LJ, Nghiem PP, Kornegay JN. Short-term treatment of golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs with rAAVrh74.MHCK7.GALGT2 induces muscle glycosylation and utrophin expression but has no significant effect on muscle strength. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248721. [PMID: 33770101 PMCID: PMC7997012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We have examined the effects of intravenous (IV) delivery of rAAVrh74.MHCK7.GALGT2 in the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). After baseline testing, GRMD dogs were treated at 3 months of age and reassessed at 6 months. This 3–6 month age range is a period of rapid disease progression, thus offering a relatively short window to establish treatment efficacy. Measures analyzed included muscle AAV transduction, GALGT2 transgene expression, GALGT2-induced glycosylation, muscle pathology, and muscle function. A total of five dogs were treated, 4 at 2x1014vg/kg and one at 6x1014vgkg. The 2x1014vg/kg dose led to transduction of regions of the heart with 1–3 vector genomes (vg) per nucleus, while most skeletal muscles were transduced with 0.25–0.5vg/nucleus. GALGT2-induced glycosylation paralleled levels of myofiber vg transduction, with about 90% of cardiomyocytes having increased glycosylation versus 20–35% of all myofibers across the skeletal muscles tested. Conclusions from phenotypic testing were limited by the small number of dogs. Treated dogs had less pronounced fibrosis and overall lesion severity when compared to control groups, but surprisingly no significant changes in limb muscle function measures. GALGT2-treated skeletal muscle and heart had elevated levels of utrophin protein expression and GALGT2-induced expression of glycosylated α dystroglycan, providing further evidence of a treatment effect. Serum chemistry, hematology, and cardiac function measures were largely unchanged by treatment. Cumulatively, these data show that short-term intravenous treatment of GRMD dogs with rAAVrh74.MHCK7.GALGT2 at high doses can induce muscle glycosylation and utrophin expression and may be safe over a short 3-month interval, but that such treatments had only modest effects on muscle pathology and did not significantly improve muscle strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Martin
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Deborah A. Zygmunt
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anna Ashbrook
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sonia Hamilton
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Davin Packer
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sharla M. Birch
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Amanda K. Bettis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Cynthia J. Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Lee-Jae Guo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Peter P. Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Joe N. Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
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12
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Yue F, Song C, Huang D, Narayanan N, Qiu J, Jia Z, Yuan Z, Oprescu SN, Roseguini BT, Deng M, Kuang S. PTEN Inhibition Ameliorates Muscle Degeneration and Improves Muscle Function in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mol Ther 2020; 29:132-148. [PMID: 33068545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by a mutation of the muscle membrane protein dystrophin and characterized by severe degeneration of myofibers, progressive muscle wasting, loss of mobility, and, ultimately, cardiorespiratory failure and premature death. Currently there is no cure for DMD. Herein, we report that skeletal muscle-specific knockout (KO) of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) gene in an animal model of DMD (mdx mice) alleviates myofiber degeneration and restores muscle function without increasing tumor incidence. Specifically, Pten KO normalizes myofiber size and prevents muscular atrophy, and it improves grip strength and exercise performance in mdx mice. Pten KO also reduces fibrosis and inflammation, and it ameliorates muscle pathology in mdx mice. Unbiased RNA sequencing reveals that Pten KO upregulates extracellular matrix and basement membrane components positively correlated with wound healing and suppresses negative regulators of wound healing and lipid biosynthesis, thus improving the integrity of muscle basement membrane at the ultrastructural level. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of PTEN similarly ameliorates muscle pathology and improves muscle integrity and function in mdx mice. Our findings provide evidence that PTEN inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to restore muscle function in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yue
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Changyou Song
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Di Huang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Naagarajan Narayanan
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jiamin Qiu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhihao Jia
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhengrong Yuan
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Stephanie N Oprescu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Bruno T Roseguini
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Meng Deng
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Shihuan Kuang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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13
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Barraza-Flores P, Hermann HJ, Bates CR, Allen TG, Grunert TT, Burkin DJ. Human laminin-111 and laminin-211 protein therapy prevents muscle disease progression in an immunodeficient mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:18. [PMID: 32498713 PMCID: PMC7271547 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00235-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laminin-α2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) is a devastating genetic disease caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene. These mutations result in progressive muscle wasting and inflammation leading to delayed milestones, and reduced lifespan in affected patients. There is currently no cure or treatment for LAMA2-CMD. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that mouse laminin-111 can serve as an effective protein replacement therapy in a mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. METHODS In this study, we generated a novel immunocompromised dyW mouse model of LAMA2-CMD to study the role the immune system plays in muscle disease progression. We used this immune-deficient dyW mouse model to test the therapeutic benefits of recombinant human laminin-111 and laminin-211 protein therapy on laminin-α2-deficient muscle disease progression. RESULTS We show that immunodeficient laminin-α2 null mice demonstrate subtle differences in muscle regeneration compared to immunocompetent animals during early disease stages but overall exhibit a comparable muscle disease progression. We found human laminin-111 and laminin-211 could serve as effective protein replacement strategies with mice showing improvements in muscle pathology and function. We observed that human laminin-111 and laminin-211 exhibit differences on satellite and myoblast cell populations and differentially affect muscle repair. CONCLUSIONS This study describes the generation of a novel immunodeficient mouse model that allows investigation of the role the immune system plays in LAMA2-CMD. This model can be used to assess the therapeutic potential of heterologous therapies that would elicit an immune response. Using this model, we show that recombinant human laminin-111 can serve as effective protein replacement therapy for the treatment of LAMA2-CMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Barraza-Flores
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Hailey J Hermann
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Christina R Bates
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Tyler G Allen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Timothy T Grunert
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Dean J Burkin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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14
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Story BD, Miller ME, Bradbury AM, Million ED, Duan D, Taghian T, Faissler D, Fernau D, Beecy SJ, Gray-Edwards HL. Canine Models of Inherited Musculoskeletal and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:80. [PMID: 32219101 PMCID: PMC7078110 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of human disease remain the bread and butter of modern biology and therapeutic discovery. Nonetheless, more often than not mouse models do not reproduce the pathophysiology of the human conditions they are designed to mimic. Naturally occurring large animal models have predominantly been found in companion animals or livestock because of their emotional or economic value to modern society and, unlike mice, often recapitulate the human disease state. In particular, numerous models have been discovered in dogs and have a fundamental role in bridging proof of concept studies in mice to human clinical trials. The present article is a review that highlights current canine models of human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, degenerative myelopathy, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, globoid cell leukodystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, mucopolysaccharidosis, and fucosidosis. The goal of the review is to discuss canine and human neurodegenerative pathophysiologic similarities, introduce the animal models, and shed light on the ability of canine models to facilitate current and future treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D. Story
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, United States
- University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Matthew E. Miller
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Allison M. Bradbury
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Emily D. Million
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toloo Taghian
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Dominik Faissler
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Deborah Fernau
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sidney J. Beecy
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Heather L. Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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15
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Barraza-Flores P, Bates CR, Oliveira-Santos A, Burkin DJ. Laminin and Integrin in LAMA2-Related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy: From Disease to Therapeutics. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:1. [PMID: 32116540 PMCID: PMC7026472 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminin-α2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) is a devastating neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene. These mutations result in the complete absence or truncated expression of the laminin-α2 chain. The α2-chain is a major component of the laminin-211 and laminin-221 isoforms, the predominant laminin isoforms in healthy adult skeletal muscle. Mutations in this chain result in progressive skeletal muscle degeneration as early as neonatally. Laminin-211/221 is a ligand for muscle cell receptors integrin-α7β1 and α-dystroglycan. LAMA2 mutations are correlated with integrin-α7β1 disruption in skeletal muscle. In this review, we will summarize laminin-211/221 interactions with integrin-α7β1 in LAMA2-CMD muscle. Additionally, we will summarize recent developments using upregulation of laminin-111 in the sarcolemma of laminin-α2-deficient muscle. We will discuss potential mechanisms of action by which laminin-111 is able to prevent myopathy. These published studies demonstrate that laminin-111 is a disease modifier of LAMA2-CMD through different methods of delivery. Together, these studies show the potential for laminin-111 therapy as a novel paradigm for the treatment of LAMA2-CMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Barraza-Flores
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Christina R Bates
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Ariany Oliveira-Santos
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Dean J Burkin
- Department of Pharmacology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
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16
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Nguyen Q, Lim KRQ, Yokota T. Current understanding and treatment of cardiac and skeletal muscle pathology in laminin-α2 chain-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2019; 12:113-130. [PMID: 31308722 PMCID: PMC6618038 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s187481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is a class of severe early-onset muscular dystrophies affecting skeletal/cardiac muscles as well as the central nervous system (CNS). Laminin-α2 chain-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2 MD), also known as merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A), is an autosomal recessive CMD characterized by severe muscle weakness and degeneration apparent at birth or in the first 6 months of life. LAMA2 MD is the most common congenital muscular dystrophy, affecting approximately 4 in 500,000 children. The most common cause of death in early-onset LAMA2 MD is respiratory tract infection, with 30% of them dying within the first decade of life. LAMA2 MD is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the LAMA2 gene encoding for the laminin-α2 chain, one of the subunits of laminin-211. Laminin-211 is an extracellular matrix protein that functions to stabilize the basement membrane and muscle fibers during contraction. Since laminin-α2 is expressed in many tissue types including skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, Schwann cells, and trophoblasts, patients with LAMA2 MD experience a multi-systemic clinical presentation depending on the extent of laminin-α2 chain deficiency. Cardiac manifestations are typically associated with a complete absence of laminin-α2; however, recent case reports highlight cardiac involvement in partial laminin-α2 chain deficiency. Laminin-211 is also expressed in the brain, and many patients have abnormalities on brain imaging; however, mental retardation and/or seizures are rarely seen. Currently, there is no cure for LAMA2 MD, but various therapies are being investigated in an effort to lessen the severity of LAMA2 MD. For example, antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing have efficiently restored the laminin-α2 chain in mouse models in vivo. This review consolidates information on the clinical presentation, genetic basis, pathology, and current treatment approaches for LAMA2 MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quynh Nguyen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Kenji Rowel Q Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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