1
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Kong C, Yin G, Wang X, Sun Y. In Utero Gene Therapy and its Application in Genetic Hearing Loss. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400193. [PMID: 39007241 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
For monogenic genetic diseases, in utero gene therapy (IUGT) shows the potential for early prevention against irreversible and lethal pathological changes. Moreover, animal models have also demonstrated the effectiveness of IUGT in the treatment of coagulation disorders, hemoglobinopathies, neurogenetic disorders, and metabolic and pulmonary diseases. For major alpha thalassemia and severe osteogenesis imperfecta, in utero stem cell transplantation has entered the phase I clinical trial stage. Within the realm of the inner ear, genetic hearing loss significantly hampers speech, cognitive, and intellectual development in children. Nowadays, gene therapies offer substantial promise for deafness, with the success of clinical trials in autosomal recessive deafness 9 using AAV-OTOF gene therapy. However, the majority of genetic mutations that cause deafness affect the development of cochlear structures before the birth of fetuses. Thus, gene therapy before alterations in cochlear structure leading to hearing loss has promising applications. In this review, addressing advances in various fields of IUGT, the progress, and application of IUGT in the treatment of genetic hearing loss are focused, in particular its implementation methods and unique advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Kong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ge Yin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
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2
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Mattar CNZ, Chan JKY, Choolani M. Gene modification therapies for hereditary diseases in the fetus. Prenat Diagn 2023; 43:674-686. [PMID: 36965009 PMCID: PMC10946994 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Proof-of-principle disease models have demonstrated the feasibility of an intrauterine gene modification therapy (in utero gene therapy (IUGT)) approach to hereditary diseases as diverse as coagulation disorders, haemoglobinopathies, neurogenetic disorders, congenital metabolic, and pulmonary diseases. Gene addition, which requires the delivery of an integrating or episomal transgene to the target cell nucleus to be transcribed, and gene editing, where the mutation is corrected within the gene of origin, have both been used successfully to increase normal protein production in a bid to reverse or arrest pathology in utero. While most experimental models have employed lentiviral, adenoviral, and adeno-associated viral vectors engineered to efficiently enter target cells, newer models have also demonstrated the applicability of non-viral lipid nanoparticles. Amelioration of pathology is dependent primarily on achieving sustained therapeutic transgene expression, silencing of transgene expression, production of neutralising antibodies, the dilutional effect of the recipient's growth on the mass of transduced cells, and the degree of pre-existing cellular damage. Safety assessment of any IUGT strategy will require long-term postnatal surveillance of both the fetal recipient and the maternal bystander for cell and genome toxicity, oncogenic potential, immune-responsiveness, and germline mutation. In this review, we discuss advances in the field and the push toward clinical translation of IUGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citra N. Z. Mattar
- Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- National University Health SystemsSingaporeSingapore
| | - Jerry K. Y. Chan
- KK Women's and Children's HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
| | - Mahesh Choolani
- Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- National University Health SystemsSingaporeSingapore
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3
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Choi S, Ferrari G, Moyle LA, Mackinlay K, Naouar N, Jalal S, Benedetti S, Wells C, Muntoni F, Tedesco FS. Assessing and enhancing migration of human myogenic progenitors using directed iPS cell differentiation and advanced tissue modelling. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14526. [PMID: 36161772 PMCID: PMC9549733 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle satellite stem cells (MuSCs) are responsible for skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. Despite their differentiation potential, human MuSCs have limited in vitro expansion and in vivo migration capacity, limiting their use in cell therapies for diseases affecting multiple skeletal muscles. Several protocols have been developed to derive MuSC-like progenitors from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells (hiPSCs) to establish a source of myogenic cells with controllable proliferation and differentiation. However, current hiPSC myogenic derivatives also suffer from limitations of cell migration, ultimately delaying their clinical translation. Here we use a multi-disciplinary approach including bioinformatics and tissue engineering to show that DLL4 and PDGF-BB improve migration of hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrate that this property is conserved across species and multiple hiPSC lines, consistent with results from single cell motility profiling. Treated cells showed enhanced trans-endothelial migration in transwell assays. Finally, increased motility was detected in a novel humanised assay to study cell migration using 3D artificial muscles, harnessing advanced tissue modelling to move hiPSCs closer to future muscle gene and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- SungWoo Choi
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Louise A Moyle
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Present address:
Institute of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | - Kirsty Mackinlay
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Present address:
Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Naira Naouar
- Institut de Biologie Paris Seine FR3631, Plateforme de Bioinformatique ARTbioSorbonne UniversitéParisFrance
| | - Salma Jalal
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Sara Benedetti
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research CentreLondonUK
| | - Christine Wells
- Centre for Stem Cell SystemsThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research CentreLondonUK
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular CentreUCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital for ChildrenLondonUK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular CentreUCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital for ChildrenLondonUK
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4
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Mattar CNZ, Labude MK, Lee TN, Lai PS. Ethical considerations of preconception and prenatal gene modification in the embryo and fetus. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:3018-3027. [PMID: 34665851 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab222] [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: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The National Academies of Sciences and Medicine 2020 consensus statement advocates the reinstatement of research in preconception heritable human genome editing (HHGE), despite the ethical concerns that have been voiced about interventions in the germline, and outlines criteria for its eventual clinical application to address monogenic disorders. However, the statement does not give adequate consideration to alternative technologies. Importantly, it omits comparison to fetal gene therapy (FGT), which involves gene modification applied prenatally to the developing fetus and which is better researched and less ethically contentious. While both technologies are applicable to the same monogenic diseases causing significant prenatal or early childhood morbidity, the benefits and risks of HHGE are distinct from FGT though there are important overlaps. FGT has the current advantage of a wealth of robust preclinical data, while HHGE is nascent technology and its feasibility for specific diseases still requires scientific proof. The ethical concerns surrounding each are unique and deserving of further discussion, as there are compelling arguments supporting research and eventual clinical translation of both technologies. In this Opinion, we consider HHGE and FGT through technical and ethical lenses, applying common ethical principles to provide a sense of their feasibility and acceptability. Currently, FGT is in a more advanced position for clinical translation and may be less ethically contentious than HHGE, so it deserves to be considered as an alternative therapy in further discussions on HHGE implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citra Nurfarah Zaini Mattar
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Markus Klaus Labude
- Science, Health and Policy-Relevant Ethics in Singapore (SHAPES) Initiative, Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Timothy Nicholas Lee
- Science, Health and Policy-Relevant Ethics in Singapore (SHAPES) Initiative, Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Poh San Lai
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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5
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Li J, Fredericks M, Cannell M, Wang K, Sako D, Maguire MC, Grenha R, Liharska K, Krishnan L, Bloom T, Belcheva EP, Martinez PA, Castonguay R, Keates S, Alexander MJ, Choi H, Grinberg AV, Pearsall RS, Oh P, Kumar R, Suragani RN. ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc alleviates muscle dysfunction and comorbidities in murine models of neuromuscular disorders. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:138634. [PMID: 33586684 DOI: 10.1172/jci138634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with neuromuscular disorders suffer from a lack of treatment options for skeletal muscle weakness and disease comorbidities. Here, we introduce as a potential therapeutic agent a heterodimeric ligand-trapping fusion protein, ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc, which comprises extracellular domains of activin-like kinase 4 (ALK4) and activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB), a naturally occurring pair of type I and II receptors belonging to the TGF-β superfamily. By surface plasmon resonance (SPR), ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc exhibited a ligand binding profile distinctly different from that of its homodimeric variant ActRIIB-Fc, sequestering ActRIIB ligands known to inhibit muscle growth but not trapping the vascular regulatory ligand bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9). ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc and ActRIIB-Fc administered to mice exerted differential effects - concordant with SPR results - on vessel outgrowth in a retinal explant assay. ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc induced a systemic increase in muscle mass and function in wild-type mice and in murine models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and disuse atrophy. Importantly, ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc improved neuromuscular junction abnormalities in murine models of DMD and presymptomatic ALS and alleviated acute muscle fibrosis in a DMD model. Furthermore, in combination therapy ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc increased the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide M12-PMO on dystrophin expression and skeletal muscle endurance in an aged DMD model. ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc shows promise as a therapeutic agent, alone or in combination with dystrophin rescue therapy, to alleviate muscle weakness and comorbidities of neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Kathryn Wang
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dianne Sako
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Rosa Grenha
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Troy Bloom
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sarah Keates
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Hyunwoo Choi
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Paul Oh
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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6
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Virgilio KM, Jones BK, Miller EY, Ghajar-Rahimi E, Martin KS, Peirce SM, Blemker SS. Computational Models Provide Insight into In Vivo Studies and Reveal the Complex Role of Fibrosis in mdx Muscle Regeneration. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:536-547. [PMID: 32748106 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02566-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a pro-fibrotic, muscle wasting disease. Reducing fibrosis is a potential therapeutic target; however, its effect on muscle regeneration is not fully understood. This study (1) used an agent-based model to predict the effect of increased fibrosis in mdx muscle on regeneration from injury, and (2) experimentally tested the resulting model-derived hypothesis. The model predicted that increasing the area fraction of fibrosis decreased regeneration 28 days post injury due to limited growth factor diffusion and impaired cell migration. WT, mdx, and TGFβ-treated mdx mice were used to test this experimentally. TGFβ injections increased the extracellular matrix (ECM) area fraction; however, the passive stiffness of the treated muscle, which was assumed to correlate with ECM protein density, decreased following injections, suggesting that ECM protein density was lower. Further, there was no cross-sectional area (CSA) difference during recovery between the groups. Additional simulations revealed that decreasing the ECM protein density resulted in no difference in CSA, similar to the experiment. These results suggest that increases in ECM area fraction alone are not sufficient to reduce the regenerative capacity of mdx muscle, and that fibrosis is a complex pathological condition requiring further understanding.
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7
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Péladeau C, Jasmin BJ. Targeting IRES-dependent translation as a novel approach for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy. RNA Biol 2020; 18:1238-1251. [PMID: 33164678 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1847894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal-ribosomal entry sites (IRES) are translational elements that allow the initiation machinery to start protein synthesis via internal initiation. IRESs promote tissue-specific translation in stress conditions when conventional cap-dependent translation is inhibited. Since many IRES-containing mRNAs are relevant to diseases, this cellular mechanism is emerging as an attractive therapeutic target for pharmacological and genetic modulations. Indeed, there has been growing interest over the past years in determining the therapeutic potential of IRESs for several disease conditions such as cancer, neurodegeneration and neuromuscular diseases including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). IRESs relevant for DMD have been identified in several transcripts whose protein product results in functional improvements in dystrophic muscles. Together, these converging lines of evidence indicate that activation of IRES-mediated translation of relevant transcripts in DMD muscle represents a novel and appropriate therapeutic strategy for DMD that warrants further investigation, particularly to identify agents that can modulate their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Péladeau
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and the Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and the Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Choi S, Ferrari G, Tedesco FS. Cellular dynamics of myogenic cell migration: molecular mechanisms and implications for skeletal muscle cell therapies. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12357. [PMID: 33210465 PMCID: PMC7721365 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Directional cell migration is a critical process underlying morphogenesis and post-natal tissue regeneration. During embryonic myogenesis, migration of skeletal myogenic progenitors is essential to generate the anlagen of limbs, diaphragm and tongue, whereas in post-natal skeletal muscles, migration of muscle satellite (stem) cells towards regions of injury is necessary for repair and regeneration of muscle fibres. Additionally, safe and efficient migration of transplanted cells is critical in cell therapies, both allogeneic and autologous. Although various myogenic cell types have been administered intramuscularly or intravascularly, functional restoration has not been achieved yet in patients with degenerative diseases affecting multiple large muscles. One of the key reasons for this negative outcome is the limited migration of donor cells, which hinders the overall cell engraftment potential. Here, we review mechanisms of myogenic stem/progenitor cell migration during skeletal muscle development and post-natal regeneration. Furthermore, strategies utilised to improve migratory capacity of myogenic cells are examined in order to identify potential treatments that may be applied to future transplantation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- SungWoo Choi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.,Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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9
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Sinenko SA, Ponomartsev SV, Tomilin AN. Human artificial chromosomes for pluripotent stem cell-based tissue replacement therapy. Exp Cell Res 2020; 389:111882. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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10
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Gerli MFM, Moyle LA, Benedetti S, Ferrari G, Ucuncu E, Ragazzi M, Constantinou C, Louca I, Sakai H, Ala P, De Coppi P, Tajbakhsh S, Cossu G, Tedesco FS. Combined Notch and PDGF Signaling Enhances Migration and Expression of Stem Cell Markers while Inducing Perivascular Cell Features in Muscle Satellite Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:461-473. [PMID: 30745033 PMCID: PMC6409426 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite cells are responsible for skeletal muscle regeneration. Upon activation, they proliferate as transient amplifying myoblasts, most of which fuse into regenerating myofibers. Despite their remarkable differentiation potential, these cells have limited migration capacity, which curtails clinical use for widespread forms of muscular dystrophy. Conversely, skeletal muscle perivascular cells have less myogenic potential but better migration capacity than satellite cells. Here we show that modulation of Notch and PDGF pathways, involved in developmental specification of pericytes, induces perivascular cell features in adult mouse and human satellite cell-derived myoblasts. DLL4 and PDGF-BB-treated cells express markers of perivascular cells and associate with endothelial networks while also upregulating markers of satellite cell self-renewal. Moreover, treated cells acquire trans-endothelial migration ability while remaining capable of engrafting skeletal muscle upon intramuscular transplantation. These results extend our understanding of muscle stem cell fate plasticity and provide a druggable pathway with clinical relevance for muscle cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Francesco Maria Gerli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK
| | - Louise Anne Moyle
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK
| | - Sara Benedetti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK; Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, WC1N 1EH London, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK
| | - Ekin Ucuncu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK
| | - Chrystalla Constantinou
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK
| | - Irene Louca
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK
| | - Hiroshi Sakai
- Department of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK
| | - Shahragim Tajbakhsh
- Department of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France; CNRS UMR 3738, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Giulio Cossu
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6DE London, UK; The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK.
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11
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Shimizu-Motohashi Y, Komaki H, Motohashi N, Takeda S, Yokota T, Aoki Y. Restoring Dystrophin Expression in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Current Status of Therapeutic Approaches. J Pers Med 2019; 9:jpm9010001. [PMID: 30621068 PMCID: PMC6462907 DOI: 10.3390/jpm9010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness, is caused by the absence or a decreased amount of the muscle cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. Currently, several therapeutic approaches to cure DMD are being investigated, which can be categorized into two groups: therapies that aim to restore dystrophin expression, and those that aim to compensate for the lack of dystrophin. Therapies that restore dystrophin expression include read-through therapy, exon skipping, vector-mediated gene therapy, and cell therapy. Of these approaches, the most advanced are the read-through and exon skipping therapies. In 2014, ataluren, a drug that can promote ribosomal read-through of mRNA containing a premature stop codon, was conditionally approved in Europe. In 2016, eteplirsen, a morpholino-based chemical capable of skipping exon 51 in premature mRNA, received conditional approval in the USA. Clinical trials on vector-mediated gene therapy carrying micro- and mini- dystrophin are underway. More innovative therapeutic approaches include CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing and stem cell-based cell therapies. Here we review the current status of therapeutic approaches for DMD, focusing on therapeutic approaches that can restore dystrophin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Shimizu-Motohashi
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan.
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Komaki
- Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
| | - Norio Motohashi
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta. 831 Medical Sciences Building, 8613-114 St., Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
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12
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Moyle LA, Tedesco FS, Benedetti S. Pericytes in Muscular Dystrophies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1147:319-344. [PMID: 31147885 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-16908-4_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The muscular dystrophies are an heterogeneous group of inherited myopathies characterised by the progressive wasting of skeletal muscle tissue. Pericytes have been shown to make muscle in vitro and to contribute to skeletal muscle regeneration in several animal models, although recent data has shown this to be controversial. In fact, some pericyte subpopulations have been shown to contribute to fibrosis and adipose deposition in muscle. In this chapter, we explore the identity and the multifaceted role of pericytes in dystrophic muscle, potential therapeutic applications and the current need to overcome the hurdles of characterisation (both to identify pericyte subpopulations and track cell fate), to prevent deleterious differentiation towards myogenic-inhibiting subpopulations, and to improve cell proliferation and engraftment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Anne Moyle
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Sara Benedetti
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK.
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13
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Virgilio KM, Martin KS, Peirce SM, Blemker SS. Agent-based model illustrates the role of the microenvironment in regeneration in healthy and mdx skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2018; 125:1424-1439. [PMID: 30070607 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00379.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting disease with no effective treatment. Multiple mechanisms are thought to contribute to muscle wasting, including increased susceptibility to contraction-induced damage, chronic inflammation, fibrosis, altered satellite stem cell (SSC) dynamics, and impaired regenerative capacity. The goals of this project were to 1) develop an agent-based model of skeletal muscle that predicts the dynamic regenerative response of muscle cells, fibroblasts, SSCs, and inflammatory cells as a result of contraction-induced injury, 2) calibrate and validate the model parameters based on comparisons with published experimental measurements, and 3) use the model to investigate how changing isolated and combined factors known to be associated with DMD (e.g., altered fibroblast or SSC behaviors) influence muscle regeneration. Our predictions revealed that the percent of injured muscle that recovered 28 days after injury was dependent on the peak SSC counts following injury. In simulations with near-full cross-sectional area recovery (healthy, 4-wk mdx, 3-mo mdx), the SSC counts correlated with the extent of initial injury; however, in simulations with impaired regeneration (9-mo mdx), the peak SSC counts were suppressed relative to initial injury. The differences in SSC counts between these groups were emergent predictions dependent on altered microenvironment factors known to be associated with DMD. Multiple cell types influenced the peak number of SSCs, but no individual parameter predicted the differences in SSC counts. This finding suggests that interventions to target the microenvironment rather than SSCs directly could be an effective method for improving regeneration in impaired muscle. NEW & NOTEWORTHY A computational model predicted that satellite stem cell (SSC) counts are correlated with muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) recovery following injury. In simulations with impaired CSA recovery, SSC counts are suppressed relative to healthy muscle. The suppressed SSC counts were an emergent model prediction, because all simulations had equal initial SSC counts. Fibroblast and anti-inflammatory macrophage counts influenced SSC counts, but no single factor was able to predict the pathological differences in SSC counts that lead to impaired regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley M Virgilio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Kyle S Martin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Shayn M Peirce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Silvia S Blemker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
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14
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At the Crossroads of Clinical and Preclinical Research for Muscular Dystrophy-Are We Closer to Effective Treatment for Patients? Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051490. [PMID: 29772730 PMCID: PMC5983724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among diseases affecting skeletal muscle, muscular dystrophy is one of the most devastating and complex disorders. The term ‘muscular dystrophy’ refers to a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases associated with a primary muscle defect that leads to progressive muscle wasting and consequent loss of muscle function. Muscular dystrophies are accompanied by numerous clinical complications and abnormalities in other tissues that cause extreme discomfort in everyday life. The fact that muscular dystrophy often takes its toll on babies and small children, and that many patients die at a young age, adds to the cruel character of the disease. Clinicians all over the world are facing the same problem: they have no therapy to offer except for symptom-relieving interventions. Patients, their families, but also clinicians, are in urgent need of an effective cure. Despite advances in genetics, increased understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying muscle disease, despite a sweeping range of successful preclinical strategies and relative progress of their implementation in the clinic, therapy for patients is currently out of reach. Only a greater comprehension of disease mechanisms, new preclinical studies, development of novel technologies, and tight collaboration between scientists and physicians can help improve clinical treatment. Fortunately, inventiveness in research is rapidly extending the limits and setting new standards for treatment design. This review provides a synopsis of muscular dystrophy and considers the steps of preclinical and clinical research that are taking the muscular dystrophy community towards the fundamental goal of combating the traumatic disease.
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15
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Catarinella G, Latella L. Bet on autophagy in the race against muscular dystrophies. Muscle Nerve 2018; 58:332-334. [PMID: 29742807 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Catarinella
- Epigenetics and Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Latella
- Epigenetics and Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100 Rome, Italy
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16
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Benedetti S, Uno N, Hoshiya H, Ragazzi M, Ferrari G, Kazuki Y, Moyle LA, Tonlorenzi R, Lombardo A, Chaouch S, Mouly V, Moore M, Popplewell L, Kazuki K, Katoh M, Naldini L, Dickson G, Messina G, Oshimura M, Cossu G, Tedesco FS. Reversible immortalisation enables genetic correction of human muscle progenitors and engineering of next-generation human artificial chromosomes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 10:254-275. [PMID: 29242210 PMCID: PMC5801502 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201607284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transferring large or multiple genes into primary human stem/progenitor cells is challenged by restrictions in vector capacity, and this hurdle limits the success of gene therapy. A paradigm is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an incurable disorder caused by mutations in the largest human gene: dystrophin. The combination of large-capacity vectors, such as human artificial chromosomes (HACs), with stem/progenitor cells may overcome this limitation. We previously reported amelioration of the dystrophic phenotype in mice transplanted with murine muscle progenitors containing a HAC with the entire dystrophin locus (DYS-HAC). However, translation of this strategy to human muscle progenitors requires extension of their proliferative potential to withstand clonal cell expansion after HAC transfer. Here, we show that reversible cell immortalisation mediated by lentivirally delivered excisable hTERT and Bmi1 transgenes extended cell proliferation, enabling transfer of a novel DYS-HAC into DMD satellite cell-derived myoblasts and perivascular cell-derived mesoangioblasts. Genetically corrected cells maintained a stable karyotype, did not undergo tumorigenic transformation and retained their migration ability. Cells remained myogenic in vitro (spontaneously or upon MyoD induction) and engrafted murine skeletal muscle upon transplantation. Finally, we combined the aforementioned functions into a next-generation HAC capable of delivering reversible immortalisation, complete genetic correction, additional dystrophin expression, inducible differentiation and controllable cell death. This work establishes a novel platform for complex gene transfer into clinically relevant human muscle progenitors for DMD gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Benedetti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Narumi Uno
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Hoshiya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Kazuki
- Department of Biomedical Science, Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biofunction, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Louise Anne Moyle
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rossana Tonlorenzi
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Lombardo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- AIM/AFM Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- AIM/AFM Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France
| | - Marc Moore
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Linda Popplewell
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | - Kanako Kazuki
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Motonobu Katoh
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Luigi Naldini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
| | | | - Mitsuo Oshimura
- Chromosome Engineering Research Center (CERC), Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Giulio Cossu
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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17
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Dibenedetto S, Niklison-Chirou M, Cabrera CP, Ellis M, Robson LG, Knopp P, Tedesco FS, Ragazzi M, Di Foggia V, Barnes MR, Radunovic A, Marino S. Enhanced Energetic State and Protection from Oxidative Stress in Human Myoblasts Overexpressing BMI1. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:528-542. [PMID: 28735850 PMCID: PMC5549966 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb group gene BMI1 is essential for efficient muscle regeneration in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and its enhanced expression in adult skeletal muscle satellite cells ameliorates the muscle strength in this model. Here, we show that the impact of mild BMI1 overexpression observed in mouse models is translatable to human cells. In human myoblasts, BMI1 overexpression increases mitochondrial activity, leading to an enhanced energetic state with increased ATP production and concomitant protection against DNA damage both in vitro and upon xenografting in a severe dystrophic mouse model. These preclinical data in mouse models and human cells provide a strong rationale for the development of pharmacological approaches to target BMI1-mediated mitochondrial regulation and protection from DNA damage to sustain the regenerative potential of the skeletal muscle in conditions of chronic muscle wasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Dibenedetto
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Maria Niklison-Chirou
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Claudia P Cabrera
- Centre for Translational Bioinformatics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Matthew Ellis
- Division of Neuropathology, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Lesley G Robson
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Paul Knopp
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, 21 University Street, London WC1X 0JS, UK
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, 21 University Street, London WC1X 0JS, UK
| | - Valentina Di Foggia
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Michael R Barnes
- Centre for Translational Bioinformatics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Aleksandar Radunovic
- Neuroscience and Trauma Centre, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Silvia Marino
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK.
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18
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Santos-Zas I, Negroni E, Mamchaoui K, Mosteiro CS, Gallego R, Butler-Browne GS, Pazos Y, Mouly V, Camiña JP. Obestatin Increases the Regenerative Capacity of Human Myoblasts Transplanted Intramuscularly in an Immunodeficient Mouse Model. Mol Ther 2017; 25:2345-2359. [PMID: 28750736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although cell-based therapy is considered a promising method aiming at treating different muscular disorders, little clinical benefit has been reported. One of major hurdles limiting the efficiency of myoblast transfer therapy is the poor survival of the transplanted cells. Any intervention upon the donor cells focused on enhancing in vivo survival, proliferation, and expansion is essential to improve the effectiveness of such therapies in regenerative medicine. In the present work, we investigated the potential role of obestatin, an autocrine peptide factor regulating skeletal muscle growth and repair, to improve the outcome of myoblast-based therapy by xenotransplanting primary human myoblasts into immunodeficient mice. The data proved that short in vivo obestatin treatment of primary human myoblasts not only enhances the efficiency of engraftment, but also facilitates an even distribution of myoblasts in the host muscle. Moreover, this treatment leads to a hypertrophic response of the human-derived regenerating myofibers. Taken together, the activation of the obestatin/GPR39 pathway resulted in an overall improvement of the efficacy of cell engraftment within the host's skeletal muscle. These data suggest considerable potential for future therapeutic applications and highlight the importance of combinatorial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Icia Santos-Zas
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Celular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), Servicio Gallego de Salud (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Elisa Negroni
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Université Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, Center for Research in Myology, 47 Boulevard de l'hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Université Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, Center for Research in Myology, 47 Boulevard de l'hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Carlos S Mosteiro
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Celular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), Servicio Gallego de Salud (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosalia Gallego
- Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Gillian S Butler-Browne
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Université Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, Center for Research in Myology, 47 Boulevard de l'hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Yolanda Pazos
- Laboratorio de Patología Digestiva, IDIS, CHUS, SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Université Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, Center for Research in Myology, 47 Boulevard de l'hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - Jesus P Camiña
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Celular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), Servicio Gallego de Salud (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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19
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Meregalli M, Maciotta S, Angeloni V, Torrente Y. Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by a frame-shift mutation in the acceptor splice site of intron 26. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2016; 17:55. [PMID: 27515321 PMCID: PMC4982232 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-016-0318-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dystrophin gene is the one of the largest described in human beings and mutations associated to this gene are responsible for Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophies. CASE PRESENTATION Here we describe a nucleotide substitution in the acceptor splice site of intron 26 (c.3604-1G > C) carried by a 6-year-old boy who presented with a history of progressive proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase levels. RNA analysis showed that the first two nucleotides of the mutated intron 26 (AC) were not recognized by the splicing machinery and a new splicing site was created within exon 27, generating a premature stop codon and avoiding protein translation. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of the pathogenic effect of the mutation by mRNA analysis will be useful in the optics of an antisense oligonucleotides (AON)-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Meregalli
- Department of Phatophysiology and Transplantation, Stem Cell Laboratory, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Centro Dino Ferrari, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Maciotta
- Department of Phatophysiology and Transplantation, Stem Cell Laboratory, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Centro Dino Ferrari, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Angeloni
- Department of Phatophysiology and Transplantation, Stem Cell Laboratory, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Centro Dino Ferrari, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Yvan Torrente
- Department of Phatophysiology and Transplantation, Stem Cell Laboratory, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Centro Dino Ferrari, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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20
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Serena E, Zatti S, Zoso A, Lo Verso F, Tedesco FS, Cossu G, Elvassore N. Skeletal Muscle Differentiation on a Chip Shows Human Donor Mesoangioblasts' Efficiency in Restoring Dystrophin in a Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Model. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 5:1676-1683. [PMID: 27502519 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
: Restoration of the protein dystrophin on muscle membrane is the goal of many research lines aimed at curing Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Results of ongoing preclinical and clinical trials suggest that partial restoration of dystrophin might be sufficient to significantly reduce muscle damage. Different myogenic progenitors are candidates for cell therapy of muscular dystrophies, but only satellite cells and pericytes have already entered clinical experimentation. This study aimed to provide in vitro quantitative evidence of the ability of mesoangioblasts to restore dystrophin, in terms of protein accumulation and distribution, within myotubes derived from DMD patients, using a microengineered model. We designed an ad hoc experimental strategy to miniaturize on a chip the standard process of muscle regeneration independent of variables such as inflammation and fibrosis. It is based on the coculture, at different ratios, of human dystrophin-positive myogenic progenitors and dystrophin-negative myoblasts in a substrate with muscle-like physiological stiffness and cell micropatterns. Results showed that both healthy myoblasts and mesoangioblasts restored dystrophin expression in DMD myotubes. However, mesoangioblasts showed unexpected efficiency with respect to myoblasts in dystrophin production in terms of the amount of protein produced (40% vs. 15%) and length of the dystrophin membrane domain (210-240 µm vs. 40-70 µm). These results show that our microscaled in vitro model of human DMD skeletal muscle validated previous in vivo preclinical work and may be used to predict efficacy of new methods aimed at enhancing dystrophin accumulation and distribution before they are tested in vivo, reducing time, costs, and variability of clinical experimentation. SIGNIFICANCE This study aimed to provide in vitro quantitative evidence of the ability of human mesoangioblasts to restore dystrophin, in terms of protein accumulation and distribution, within myotubes derived from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), using a microengineered model. An ad hoc experimental strategy was designed to miniaturize on a chip the standard process of muscle regeneration independent of variables such as inflammation and fibrosis. This microscaled in vitro model, which validated previous in vivo preclinical work, revealed that mesoangioblasts showed unexpected efficiency as compared with myoblasts in dystrophin production. Consequently, this model may be used to predict efficacy of new drugs or therapies aimed at enhancing dystrophin accumulation and distribution before they are tested in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Serena
- Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Susi Zatti
- Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Zoso
- Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Lo Verso
- Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - F Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giulio Cossu
- Institute of Inflammation and Repair Manchester, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
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21
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Cossu G, Previtali SC, Napolitano S, Cicalese MP, Tedesco FS, Nicastro F, Noviello M, Roostalu U, Natali Sora MG, Scarlato M, De Pellegrin M, Godi C, Giuliani S, Ciotti F, Tonlorenzi R, Lorenzetti I, Rivellini C, Benedetti S, Gatti R, Marktel S, Mazzi B, Tettamanti A, Ragazzi M, Imro MA, Marano G, Ambrosi A, Fiori R, Sormani MP, Bonini C, Venturini M, Politi LS, Torrente Y, Ciceri F. Intra-arterial transplantation of HLA-matched donor mesoangioblasts in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1513-28. [PMID: 26543057 PMCID: PMC4693504 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201505636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra‐arterial transplantation of mesoangioblasts proved safe and partially efficacious in preclinical models of muscular dystrophy. We now report the first‐in‐human, exploratory, non‐randomized open‐label phase I–IIa clinical trial of intra‐arterial HLA‐matched donor cell transplantation in 5 Duchenne patients. We administered escalating doses of donor‐derived mesoangioblasts in limb arteries under immunosuppressive therapy (tacrolimus). Four consecutive infusions were performed at 2‐month intervals, preceded and followed by clinical, laboratory, and muscular MRI analyses. Two months after the last infusion, a muscle biopsy was performed. Safety was the primary endpoint. The study was relatively safe: One patient developed a thalamic stroke with no clinical consequences and whose correlation with mesoangioblast infusion remained unclear. MRI documented the progression of the disease in 4/5 patients. Functional measures were transiently stabilized in 2/3 ambulant patients, but no functional improvements were observed. Low level of donor DNA was detected in muscle biopsies of 4/5 patients and donor‐derived dystrophin in 1. Intra‐arterial transplantation of donor mesoangioblasts in human proved to be feasible and relatively safe. Future implementation of the protocol, together with a younger age of patients, will be needed to approach efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Cossu
- Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stefano C Previtali
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Department of Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Napolitano
- HSR/TIGET Pediatric Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Hematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Cicalese
- HSR/TIGET Pediatric Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Hematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Nicastro
- Laboratory of Analysis and Rehabilitation of Motor Function, Division of Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maddalena Noviello
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Urmas Roostalu
- Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Marina Scarlato
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Godi
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy Neuroradiology Department and Neuroradiology Research Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Giuliani
- Hematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ciotti
- Hematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossana Tonlorenzi
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Lorenzetti
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Rivellini
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (InSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Benedetti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roberto Gatti
- Laboratory of Analysis and Rehabilitation of Motor Function, Division of Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Marktel
- Hematology and BMT Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Benedetta Mazzi
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Tettamanti
- Laboratory of Analysis and Rehabilitation of Motor Function, Division of Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Rossana Fiori
- Unit of Anesthesiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Venturini
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Letterio S Politi
- Neuroradiology Department and Neuroradiology Research Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Yvan Torrente
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- HSR/TIGET Pediatric Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Negroni E, Bigot A, Butler-Browne GS, Trollet C, Mouly V. Cellular Therapies for Muscular Dystrophies: Frustrations and Clinical Successes. Hum Gene Ther 2016; 27:117-26. [PMID: 26652770 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapy for muscular dystrophies was initiated in humans after promising results obtained in murine models. Early trials failed to show substantial clinical benefit, sending researchers back to the bench, which led to the discovery of many hurdles as well as many new venues to optimize this therapeutic strategy. In this review we summarize progress in preclinical cell therapy approaches, with a special emphasis on human cells potentially attractive for human clinical trials. Future perspectives for cell therapy in skeletal muscle are discussed, including the perspective of combined therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Negroni
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Anne Bigot
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Gillian S Butler-Browne
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Capucine Trollet
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
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Pessina P, Muñoz-Cánoves P. Fibrosis-Inducing Strategies in Regenerating Dystrophic and Normal Skeletal Muscle. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1460:73-82. [PMID: 27492167 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3810-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The excessive accumulation of collagens (fibrosis) impairs the function of vital tissues and organs. Fibrosis is a hallmark of severe muscular dystrophies, such as the incurable Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), where skeletal muscle is substituted by scar (fibrotic) tissue as disease advances. One of the major obstacles in increasing our ability to combat fibrosis-driven muscular dystrophy progression is that no optimal in vivo models of muscle fibrosis are currently available, limiting fibrosis research and the development of novel therapies. In this chapter we describe different experimental strategies to accelerate and enhance muscle fibrosis in vivo in the widely used animal model for DMD, the mdx mouse. Since excessive tissue scarring also hampers the normal regeneration process after muscle injury, we have extended these fibrogenic strategies to the muscle of normal (non-diseased) mice. These strategies will allow fibrosis induction and assessment in a wide array of genetically modified mouse lines in physiological and pathological conditions of muscle regeneration. They should eventually improve our ability to combat fibrosis and foster muscle regeneration in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Pessina
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Pura Muñoz-Cánoves
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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24
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Epigenetic Reprogramming of Muscle Progenitors: Inspiration for Clinical Therapies. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:6093601. [PMID: 26839565 PMCID: PMC4709771 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6093601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of regenerative medicine, based on the potential of stem cells to restore diseased tissues, epigenetics is becoming a pivotal area of interest. Therapeutic interventions that promote tissue and organ regeneration have as primary objective the selective control of gene expression in adult stem cells. This requires a deep understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms controlling transcriptional programs in tissue progenitors. This review attempts to elucidate the principle epigenetic regulations responsible of stem cells differentiation. In particular we focus on the current understanding of the epigenetic networks that regulate differentiation of muscle progenitors by the concerted action of chromatin-modifying enzymes and noncoding RNAs. The novel exciting role of exosome-bound microRNA in mediating epigenetic information transfer is also discussed. Finally we show an overview of the epigenetic strategies and therapies that aim to potentiate muscle regeneration and counteract the progression of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
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Loperfido M, Jarmin S, Dastidar S, Di Matteo M, Perini I, Moore M, Nair N, Samara-Kuko E, Athanasopoulos T, Tedesco FS, Dickson G, Sampaolesi M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. piggyBac transposons expressing full-length human dystrophin enable genetic correction of dystrophic mesoangioblasts. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:744-60. [PMID: 26682797 PMCID: PMC4737162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin. We developed a novel gene therapy approach based on the use of the piggyBac (PB) transposon system to deliver the coding DNA sequence (CDS) of either full-length human dystrophin (DYS: 11.1 kb) or truncated microdystrophins (MD1: 3.6 kb; MD2: 4 kb). PB transposons encoding microdystrophins were transfected in C2C12 myoblasts, yielding 65±2% MD1 and 66±2% MD2 expression in differentiated multinucleated myotubes. A hyperactive PB (hyPB) transposase was then deployed to enable transposition of the large-size PB transposon (17 kb) encoding the full-length DYS and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Stable GFP expression attaining 78±3% could be achieved in the C2C12 myoblasts that had undergone transposition. Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of the full-length human DYS protein in myotubes. Subsequently, dystrophic mesoangioblasts from a Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dog were transfected with the large-size PB transposon resulting in 50±5% GFP-expressing cells after stable transposition. This was consistent with correction of the differentiated dystrophic mesoangioblasts following expression of full-length human DYS. These results pave the way toward a novel non-viral gene therapy approach for DMD using PB transposons underscoring their potential to deliver large therapeutic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Loperfido
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Susan Jarmin
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Ilaria Perini
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marc Moore
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | | | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Tedesco FS. Human artificial chromosomes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and beyond: challenges and hopes. Chromosome Res 2015; 23:135-41. [PMID: 25596829 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-014-9460-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Safe and efficacious vectors able to carry large or several transgenes are of key importance for gene therapy. Human artificial chromosomes can fulfil this essential requirement; moreover, they do not integrate into the host genome. However, drawbacks such as the low efficiency of chromosome transfer and their relatively complex engineering still limit their widespread use. In this article, I summarise the key steps that brought human artificial chromosomes into preclinical research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X-linked, monogenic disorder. I will also review possible future pre-clinical and clinical perspectives for this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, 21 University Street, London, WC1E 6DE, UK,
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27
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Sun C, Li S, Li D. Sulforaphane mitigates muscle fibrosis in mdx mice via Nrf2-mediated inhibition of TGF-β/Smad signaling. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2015; 120:377-90. [PMID: 26494449 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00721.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulforaphane (SFN), an activator of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), has been found to have an antifibrotic effect on liver and lung. However, its effects on dystrophic muscle fibrosis remain unknown. This work was undertaken to evaluate the effects of SFN-mediated activation of Nrf2 on dystrophic muscle fibrosis. Male mdx mice (age 3 mo) were treated with SFN by gavage (2 mg/kg body wt per day) for 3 mo. Experimental results demonstrated that SFN remarkably attenuated skeletal and cardiac muscle fibrosis as indicated by reduced Sirius Red staining and immunostaining of the extracellular matrix. Moreover, SFN significantly inhibited the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway and suppressed profibrogenic gene and protein expressions such as those of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, collagen I, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Furthermore, SFN significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines CD45, TNF-α, and IL-6 in mdx mice. In conclusion, these results show that SFN can attenuate dystrophic muscle fibrosis by Nrf2-mediated inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, which indicates that Nrf2 may represent a new target for dystrophic muscle fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcao Sun
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Institute of Global Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; and
| | - Shujun Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Wuhan Hospital for the Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Diseases, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dejia Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Consalvi S, Saccone V, Mozzetta C. Histone deacetylase inhibitors: a potential epigenetic treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Epigenomics 2015; 6:547-60. [PMID: 25431946 DOI: 10.2217/epi.14.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a life-threatening genetic disease that currently has no available cure. A number of pharmacological strategies that aim to target events downstream of the genetic defect are currently under clinical investigation, and some of these are outlined in this report. In particular, we focus on the ability of histone deacetylase inhibitors to promote muscle regeneration and prevent the fibro-adipogenic degeneration of dystrophic mice. We describe the rationale behind the translation of histone deacetylase inhibitors into a clinical approach, which inspired the first clinical trial with an epigenetic drug as a potential therapeutic option for DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Consalvi
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
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29
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Maffioletti SM, Gerli MFM, Ragazzi M, Dastidar S, Benedetti S, Loperfido M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Tedesco FS. Efficient derivation and inducible differentiation of expandable skeletal myogenic cells from human ES and patient-specific iPS cells. Nat Protoc 2015; 10:941-58. [PMID: 26042384 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2015.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is the most abundant human tissue; therefore, an unlimited availability of myogenic cells has applications in regenerative medicine and drug development. Here we detail a protocol to derive myogenic cells from human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and we also provide evidence for its extension to human iPS cells cultured without feeder cells. The procedure, which does not require the generation of embryoid bodies or prospective cell isolation, entails four stages with different culture densities, media and surface coating. Pluripotent stem cells are disaggregated to single cells and then differentiated into expandable cells resembling human mesoangioblasts. Subsequently, transient Myod1 induction efficiently drives myogenic differentiation into multinucleated myotubes. Cells derived from patients with muscular dystrophy and differentiated using this protocol have been genetically corrected, and they were proven to have therapeutic potential in dystrophic mice. Thus, this platform has been demonstrated to be amenable to gene and cell therapy, and it could be extended to muscle tissue engineering and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Maffioletti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mattia F M Gerli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sara Benedetti
- 1] Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK. [2] Present address: Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mariana Loperfido
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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Plantié E, Migocka-Patrzałek M, Daczewska M, Jagla K. Model organisms in the fight against muscular dystrophy: lessons from drosophila and Zebrafish. Molecules 2015; 20:6237-53. [PMID: 25859781 PMCID: PMC6272363 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20046237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders that cause muscle weakness, abnormal contractions and muscle wasting, often leading to premature death. More than 30 types of MD have been described so far; those most thoroughly studied are Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and congenital MDs. Structurally, physiologically and biochemically, MDs affect different types of muscles and cause individual symptoms such that genetic and molecular pathways underlying their pathogenesis thus remain poorly understood. To improve our knowledge of how MD-caused muscle defects arise and to find efficacious therapeutic treatments, different animal models have been generated and applied. Among these, simple non-mammalian Drosophila and zebrafish models have proved most useful. This review discusses how zebrafish and Drosophila MD have helped to identify genetic determinants of MDs and design innovative therapeutic strategies with a special focus on DMD, DM1 and congenital MDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Plantié
- GReD (Genetics, Reproduction and Development laboratory), INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, University of Clermont-Ferrand, 28 place Henri-Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; E-Mail:
| | - Marta Migocka-Patrzałek
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wroclaw, 21 Sienkiewicza Street, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland; E-Mails: (M.M.-P.); (M.D.)
| | - Małgorzata Daczewska
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wroclaw, 21 Sienkiewicza Street, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland; E-Mails: (M.M.-P.); (M.D.)
| | - Krzysztof Jagla
- GReD (Genetics, Reproduction and Development laboratory), INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, University of Clermont-Ferrand, 28 place Henri-Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; E-Mail:
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31
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Virgilio KM, Martin KS, Peirce SM, Blemker SS. Multiscale models of skeletal muscle reveal the complex effects of muscular dystrophy on tissue mechanics and damage susceptibility. Interface Focus 2015; 5:20140080. [PMID: 25844152 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2014.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational models have been increasingly used to study the tissue-level constitutive properties of muscle microstructure; however, these models were not created to study or incorporate the influence of disease-associated modifications in muscle. The purpose of this paper was to develop a novel multiscale muscle modelling framework to elucidate the relationship between microstructural disease adaptations and modifications in both mechanical properties of muscle and strain in the cell membrane. We used an agent-based model to randomly generate new muscle fibre geometries and mapped them into a finite-element model representing a cross section of a muscle fascicle. The framework enabled us to explore variability in the shape and arrangement of fibres, as well as to incorporate disease-related changes. We applied this method to reveal the trade-offs between mechanical properties and damage susceptibility in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a fatal genetic disease caused by a lack of the transmembrane protein dystrophin, leading to muscle wasting and death due to cardiac or pulmonary complications. The most prevalent microstructural variations in DMD include: lack of transmembrane proteins, fibrosis, fatty infiltration and variation in fibre cross-sectional area. A parameter analysis of these variations and case study of DMD revealed that the nature of fibrosis and density of transmembrane proteins strongly affected the stiffness of the muscle and susceptibility to membrane damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley M Virgilio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA 22908 , USA
| | - Kyle S Martin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA 22908 , USA
| | - Shayn M Peirce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA 22908 , USA
| | - Silvia S Blemker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA 22908 , USA ; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA 22908 , USA ; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA 22908 , USA
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Toms M, Bitner-Glindzicz M, Webster A, Moosajee M. Usher syndrome: a review of the clinical phenotype, genes and therapeutic strategies. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1586/17469899.2015.1033403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Kornegay JN, Spurney CF, Nghiem PP, Brinkmeyer-Langford CL, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K. Pharmacologic management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: target identification and preclinical trials. ILAR J 2015; 55:119-49. [PMID: 24936034 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilu011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked human disorder in which absence of the protein dystrophin causes degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle. For the sake of treatment development, over and above definitive genetic and cell-based therapies, there is considerable interest in drugs that target downstream disease mechanisms. Drug candidates have typically been chosen based on the nature of pathologic lesions and presumed underlying mechanisms and then tested in animal models. Mammalian dystrophinopathies have been characterized in mice (mdx mouse) and dogs (golden retriever muscular dystrophy [GRMD]). Despite promising results in the mdx mouse, some therapies have not shown efficacy in DMD. Although the GRMD model offers a higher hurdle for translation, dogs have primarily been used to test genetic and cellular therapies where there is greater risk. Failed translation of animal studies to DMD raises questions about the propriety of methods and models used to identify drug targets and test efficacy of pharmacologic intervention. The mdx mouse and GRMD dog are genetically homologous to DMD but not necessarily analogous. Subcellular species differences are undoubtedly magnified at the whole-body level in clinical trials. This problem is compounded by disparate cultures in clinical trials and preclinical studies, pointing to a need for greater rigor and transparency in animal experiments. Molecular assays such as mRNA arrays and genome-wide association studies allow identification of genetic drug targets more closely tied to disease pathogenesis. Genes in which polymorphisms have been directly linked to DMD disease progression, as with osteopontin, are particularly attractive targets.
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Li X, Zhao L, Zhou S, Hu C, Shi Y, Shi W, Li H, Liu F, Wu B, Wang Y. A comprehensive database of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients (0-18 years old) in East China. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2015; 10:5. [PMID: 25612904 PMCID: PMC4323212 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-014-0220-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). However, clinical trials with new therapeutic strategies are being conducted or considered. A comprehensive database is critical for patient recruitment and efficacy evaluation. China has the largest population, yet, no comprehensive database for DMD/BMD is available. Our study registered the data of the DMD/BMD patients in East China. Methods A modified registry form of Remudy (http://www.remudy.jp/) was applied to Chinese DMD/BMD patients through the outpatient clinic at Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai during the period of August 2011 to December 2013. The data included geographic distribution of patients, age at diagnosis, clinical manifestation, genetic analysis and treatment status. Results 194 DMD and 35 BMD patients were registered. Most patients lived in East China, namely Jiangsu province, Anhui province, Zhejiang province, Jiangxi province, Shanghai, Fujian province and Shandong province. All individuals aged less than 18 years (age limit to a children’s hospital). Diagnosis was made for a majority of patients during the age of 3–4 (16.6%) and 7–8 (14.8%) years old. Exon deletion was the most frequent genetic mutations (65.5% and 74.3%) followed by point mutations (14.4% and 11.4%), duplications (9.8% and 8.6%) and small insertion/deletion (9.3% and 2.9%) for DMD and BMD, respectively. 82.5% of DMD registrants were ambulatory, and all the BMD registrants were able to walk. 26.3% of DMD registrants have been treated with steroids. Cardiac functions were examined for 46.4% DMD boys and 45.7% BMD boys and respiratory functions were examined for 18.6% DMD boys and 14.3% BMD boys. Four boys with abnormal cardiac function were prescribed for treatment with cardiac medicine. 33.2% of DMD patients are eligible for exon skipping therapy, and among them 9.2% and 4.3% patients are eligible for skipping exon 51 and 53, respectively. Conclusions The database is the first linking accurate genetic diagnosis with clinical manifestation and treatment status of dystrophinopathy patients in East China. It provides comprehensive information essential for further patient management, especially for promotion of international cooperation in developing experimental therapies such as exon skipping and read-through of nonsense mutations targeting a subgroup of DMD patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihua Li
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Shuizhen Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Chaoping Hu
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Yiyun Shi
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Wei Shi
- Rehabilitation Department, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hui Li
- Rehabilitation Department, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fang Liu
- Cardiac Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Bingbing Wu
- Translational Research Center for Development and Disease, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China.
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Mathur P, Yang J. Usher syndrome: Hearing loss, retinal degeneration and associated abnormalities. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1852:406-20. [PMID: 25481835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH), clinically and genetically heterogeneous, is the leading genetic cause of combined hearing and vision loss. USH is classified into three types, based on the hearing and vestibular symptoms observed in patients. Sixteen loci have been reported to be involved in the occurrence of USH and atypical USH. Among them, twelve have been identified as causative genes and one as a modifier gene. Studies on the proteins encoded by these USH genes suggest that USH proteins interact among one another and function in multiprotein complexes in vivo. Although their exact functions remain enigmatic in the retina, USH proteins are required for the development, maintenance and function of hair bundles, which are the primary mechanosensitive structure of inner ear hair cells. Despite the unavailability of a cure, progress has been made to develop effective treatments for this disease. In this review, we focus on the most recent discoveries in the field with an emphasis on USH genes, protein complexes and functions in various tissues as well as progress toward therapeutic development for USH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Mathur
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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Pessina P, Cabrera D, Morales MG, Riquelme CA, Gutiérrez J, Serrano AL, Brandan E, Muñoz-Cánoves P. Novel and optimized strategies for inducing fibrosis in vivo: focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2014; 4:7. [PMID: 25157321 PMCID: PMC4142391 DOI: 10.1186/2044-5040-4-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibrosis, an excessive collagen accumulation, results in scar formation, impairing function of vital organs and tissues. Fibrosis is a hallmark of muscular dystrophies, including the lethal Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which remains incurable. Substitution of muscle by fibrotic tissue also complicates gene/cell therapies for DMD. Yet, no optimal models to study muscle fibrosis are available. In the widely used mdx mouse model for DMD, extensive fibrosis develops in the diaphragm only at advanced adulthood, and at about two years of age in the ‘easy-to-access’ limb muscles, thus precluding fibrosis research and the testing of novel therapies. Methods We developed distinct experimental strategies, ranging from chronic exercise to increasing muscle damage on limb muscles of young mdx mice, by myotoxin injection, surgically induced trauma (laceration or denervation) or intramuscular delivery of profibrotic growth factors (such as TGFβ). We also extended these approaches to muscle of normal non-dystrophic mice. Results These strategies resulted in advanced and enhanced muscle fibrosis in young mdx mice, which persisted over time, and correlated with reduced muscle force, thus mimicking the severe DMD phenotype. Furthermore, increased fibrosis was also obtained by combining these procedures in muscles of normal mice, mirroring aberrant repair after severe trauma. Conclusions We have developed new and improved experimental strategies to accelerate and enhance muscle fibrosis in vivo. These strategies will allow rapidly assessing fibrosis in the easily accessible limb muscles of young mdx mice, without necessarily having to use old animals. The extension of these fibrogenic regimes to the muscle of non-dystrophic wild-type mice will allow fibrosis assessment in a wide array of pre-existing transgenic mouse lines, which in turn will facilitate understanding the mechanisms of fibrogenesis. These strategies should improve our ability to combat fibrosis-driven dystrophy progression and aberrant regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Pessina
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, CIBER on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Cabrera
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Gabriela Morales
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cecilia A Riquelme
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Gutiérrez
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio L Serrano
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, CIBER on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique Brandan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Catholic University of Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pura Muñoz-Cánoves
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, CIBER on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain ; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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Stem cell transplantation for muscular dystrophy: the challenge of immune response. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:964010. [PMID: 25054157 PMCID: PMC4098613 DOI: 10.1155/2014/964010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Treating muscle disorders poses several challenges to the rapidly evolving field of regenerative medicine. Considerable progress has been made in isolating, characterizing, and expanding myogenic stem cells and, although we are now envisaging strategies to generate very large numbers of transplantable cells (e.g., by differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells), limitations directly linked to the interaction between transplanted cells and the host will continue to hamper a successful outcome. Among these limitations, host inflammatory and immune responses challenge the critical phases after cell delivery, including engraftment, migration, and differentiation. Therefore, it is key to study the mechanisms and dynamics that impair the efficacy of cell transplants in order to develop strategies that can ultimately improve the outcome of allogeneic and autologous stem cell therapies, in particular for severe disease such as muscular dystrophies. In this review we provide an overview of the main players and issues involved in this process and discuss potential approaches that might be beneficial for future regenerative therapies of skeletal muscle.
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Gene and cell therapy for children--new medicines, new challenges? Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2014; 73:162-9. [PMID: 24583376 PMCID: PMC4074676 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The range of possible gene and cell therapy applications is expanding at an extremely rapid rate and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are currently the hottest topic in novel medicines, particularly for inherited diseases. Paediatric patients stand to gain enormously from these novel therapies as it now seems plausible to develop a gene or cell therapy for a vast number of inherited diseases. There are a wide variety of potential gene and cell therapies in various stages of development. Patients who received first gene therapy treatments for primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) are reaching 10 and 15 years post-treatment, with robust and sustained immune recovery. Cell therapy clinical trials are underway for a variety of tissues including corneal, retinal and muscle repair and islet cell transplantation. Various cell therapy approaches are also being trialled to enhance the safety of bone marrow transplants, which should improve survival rates in childhood cancers and PIDs. Progress in genetic engineering of lymphocyte populations to target and kill cancerous cells is also described. If successful these ATMPs may enhance or replace the existing chemo-ablative therapy for several paediatric cancers. Emerging applications of gene therapy now include skin and neurological disorders such as epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy and leukodystrophy. Gene therapy trials for haemophilia, muscular dystrophy and a range of metabolic disorders are underway. There is a vast array of potential advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), and these are likely to be more cost effective than existing medicines. However, the first clinical trials have not been without setbacks and some of the key adverse events are discussed. Furthermore, the arrival of this novel class of therapies brings many new challenges for the healthcare industry. We present a summary of the key non-clinical factors required for successful delivery of these potential treatments. Technological advances are needed in vector design, raw material manufacture, cell culture and transduction methodology, and particularly in making all these technologies readily scalable.
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In vivo cell reprogramming to pluripotency: exploring a novel tool for cell replenishment and tissue regeneration. Biochem Soc Trans 2014. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20140012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The potential of cell-replacement strategies for the treatment of disorders in which a particular cell type is damaged or degenerated has prompted the search for the perfect cell source. iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) stand out as very advantageous candidates thanks to their self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential, together with the possibility of generating them from autologous somatic cells with minimally invasive techniques. However, their differentiation into the required cell type, precise delivery and successful engraftment and survival in the host are still challenging. We have proposed the transient reprogramming of somatic cells towards a pluripotent state in their in vivo microenvironment as a means to facilitate the regeneration of the tissue. The initial reports of in vivo reprogramming to pluripotency in the literature are reviewed and the potential clinical applications of this strategy are discussed.
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Kharraz Y, Guerra J, Pessina P, Serrano AL, Muñoz-Cánoves P. Understanding the process of fibrosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:965631. [PMID: 24877152 PMCID: PMC4024417 DOI: 10.1155/2014/965631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the aberrant deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components during tissue healing leading to loss of its architecture and function. Fibrotic diseases are often associated with chronic pathologies and occur in a large variety of vital organs and tissues, including skeletal muscle. In human muscle, fibrosis is most readily associated with the severe muscle wasting disorder Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by loss of dystrophin gene function. In DMD, skeletal muscle degenerates and is infiltrated by inflammatory cells and the functions of the muscle stem cells (satellite cells) become impeded and fibrogenic cells hyperproliferate and are overactivated, leading to the substitution of skeletal muscle with nonfunctional fibrotic tissue. Here, we review new developments in our understanding of the mechanisms leading to fibrosis in DMD and several recent advances towards reverting it, as potential treatments to attenuate disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacine Kharraz
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative diseases (CIBERNED), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Doctor Aiguader 83, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Guerra
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative diseases (CIBERNED), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Doctor Aiguader 83, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrizia Pessina
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative diseases (CIBERNED), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Doctor Aiguader 83, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio L. Serrano
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative diseases (CIBERNED), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Doctor Aiguader 83, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pura Muñoz-Cánoves
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), CIBER on Neurodegenerative diseases (CIBERNED), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Doctor Aiguader 83, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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Inflammation converts human mesoangioblasts into targets of alloreactive immune responses: implications for allogeneic cell therapy of DMD. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1342-1352. [PMID: 24736278 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy is a promising approach to regenerate healthy tissues starting from a limited amount of self-renewing cells. Immunological rejection of cell therapy products might represent a major limitation. In this study, we investigated the immunological functional profile of mesoangioblasts, vessel-associated myogenic stem cells, currently tested in a phase 1-2a trial, active in our Institute, for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We report that in resting conditions, human mesoangioblasts are poorly immunogenic, inefficient in promoting the expansion of alloreactive T cells and intrinsically resistant to T-cell killing. However, upon exposure to interferon-γ or differentiation into myotubes, mesoangioblasts acquire the ability to promote the expansion of alloreactive T cells and acquire sensitivity to T-cell killing. Resistance of mesoangioblasts to T-cell killing is largely due to the expression of the intracellular serine protease inhibitor-9 and represents a relevant mechanism of stem cell immune evasion.
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Berardi E, Annibali D, Cassano M, Crippa S, Sampaolesi M. Molecular and cell-based therapies for muscle degenerations: a road under construction. Front Physiol 2014; 5:119. [PMID: 24782779 PMCID: PMC3986550 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the advances achieved in understanding the molecular biology of muscle cells in the past decades, there is still need for effective treatments of muscular degeneration caused by muscular dystrophies and for counteracting the muscle wasting caused by cachexia or sarcopenia. The corticosteroid medications currently in use for dystrophic patients merely help to control the inflammatory state and only slightly delay the progression of the disease. Unfortunately, walkers and wheel chairs are the only options for such patients to maintain independence and walking capabilities until the respiratory muscles become weak and the mechanical ventilation is needed. On the other hand, myostatin inhibition, IL-6 antagonism and synthetic ghrelin administration are examples of promising treatments in cachexia animal models. In both dystrophies and cachectic syndrome the muscular degeneration is extremely relevant and the translational therapeutic attempts to find a possible cure are well defined. In particular, molecular-based therapies are common options to be explored in order to exploit beneficial treatments for cachexia, while gene/cell therapies are mostly used in the attempt to induce a substantial improvement of the dystrophic muscular phenotype. This review focuses on the description of the use of molecular administrations and gene/stem cell therapy to treat muscular degenerations. It reviews previous trials using cell delivery protocols in mice and patients starting with the use of donor myoblasts, outlining the likely causes for their poor results and briefly focusing on satellite cell studies that raise new hope. Then it proceeds to describe recently identified stem/progenitor cells, including pluripotent stem cells and in relationship to their ability to home within a dystrophic muscle and to differentiate into skeletal muscle cells. Different known features of various stem cells are compared in this perspective, and the few available examples of their use in animal models of muscular degeneration are reported. Since non coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), are emerging as prominent players in the regulation of stem cell fates we also provides an outline of the role of microRNAs in the control of myogenic commitment. Finally, based on our current knowledge and the rapid advance in stem cell biology, a prediction of clinical translation for cell therapy protocols combined with molecular treatments is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Berardi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Department of Development and Reproduction, KUL University of Leuven Leuven, Belgium ; Interuniversity Institute of Myology Italy
| | - Daniela Annibali
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Proliferation, Vesalius Research Center, Vlaamse Institute voor Biotechnologie Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marco Cassano
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology Italy ; School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stefania Crippa
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology Italy ; Department of Medicine, University of Lausanne Medical School Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Department of Development and Reproduction, KUL University of Leuven Leuven, Belgium ; Interuniversity Institute of Myology Italy ; Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
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Giannotta M, Benedetti S, Tedesco FS, Corada M, Trani M, D'Antuono R, Millet Q, Orsenigo F, Gálvez BG, Cossu G, Dejana E. Targeting endothelial junctional adhesion molecule-A/ EPAC/ Rap-1 axis as a novel strategy to increase stem cell engraftment in dystrophic muscles. EMBO Mol Med 2013; 6:239-58. [PMID: 24378569 PMCID: PMC3927958 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201302520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are severe genetic diseases for which no efficacious therapies exist. Experimental clinical treatments include intra-arterial administration of vessel-associated stem cells, called mesoangioblasts (MABs). However, one of the limitations of this approach is the relatively low number of cells that engraft the diseased tissue, due, at least in part, to the sub-optimal efficiency of extravasation, whose mechanisms for MAB are unknown. Leukocytes emigrate into the inflamed tissues by crossing endothelial cell-to-cell junctions and junctional proteins direct and control leukocyte diapedesis. Here, we identify the endothelial junctional protein JAM-A as a key regulator of MAB extravasation. We show that JAM-A gene inactivation and JAM-A blocking antibodies strongly enhance MAB engraftment in dystrophic muscle. In the absence of JAM-A, the exchange factors EPAC-1 and 2 are down-regulated, which prevents the activation of the small GTPase Rap-1. As a consequence, junction tightening is reduced, allowing MAB diapedesis. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of Rap-1 increases MAB engraftment in dystrophic muscle, which results into a significant improvement of muscle function offering a novel strategy for stem cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Giannotta
- FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation (IFOM), Milan, Italy
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Nilsson MI, Nissar AA, Al-Sajee D, Tarnopolsky MA, Parise G, Lach B, Fürst DO, van der Ven PFM, Kley RA, Hawke TJ. Xin is a marker of skeletal muscle damage severity in myopathies. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 183:1703-1709. [PMID: 24225086 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Xin is a striated muscle-specific protein that is localized to the myotendinous junction in skeletal muscle. However, in injured mouse muscle, Xin expression is up-regulated and observed throughout skeletal muscle fibers and within satellite cells. In this study, Xin was analyzed by immunofluorescent staining in skeletal muscle samples from 47 subjects with various forms of myopathy, including muscular dystrophies, inflammatory myopathies, mitochondrial/metabolic myopathy, and endocrine myopathy. Results indicate that Xin immunoreactivity is positively and significantly correlated (rs = 0.6175, P = <0.0001) with the severity of muscle damage, regardless of myopathy type. Other muscle damage measures also showed a correlation with severity [Xin actin-binding repeat-containing 2 (rs = -0.7108, P = 0.0006) and collagen (rs = 0.4683, P = 0.0783)]. However, because only Xin lacked immunoreactivity within the healthy muscle belly, any detectable immunoreactivity for Xin was indicative of muscle damage. We also investigated the expression of Xin within the skeletal muscle of healthy individuals subjected to damaging eccentric exercise. Consistent with our previously mentioned results, Xin immunoreactivity was increased 24 hours after exercise in damaged muscle fibers and within the activated muscle satellite cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate Xin as a useful biomarker of muscle damage in healthy individuals and in patients with myopathy. The strong correlation between the degree of muscle damage and Xin immunoreactivity suggests that Xin may be a suitable outcome measure to evaluate disease progression and treatment effects in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats I Nilsson
- Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aliyah A Nissar
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dhuha Al-Sajee
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark A Tarnopolsky
- Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gianni Parise
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Boleslav Lach
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dieter O Fürst
- Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Rudolf A Kley
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Centre Ruhrgebiet, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas J Hawke
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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