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Attarian S, Beloribi-Djefaflia S, Bernard R, Nguyen K, Cances C, Gavazza C, Echaniz-Laguna A, Espil C, Evangelista T, Feasson L, Audic F, Zagorda B, Milhe De Bovis V, Stojkovic T, Sole G, Salort-Campana E, Sacconi S. French National Protocol for diagnosis and care of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). J Neurol 2024; 271:5778-5803. [PMID: 38955828 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12538-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common genetically inherited myopathies in adults. It is characterized by incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. Typically, FSHD patients display asymmetric weakness of facial, scapular, and humeral muscles that may progress to other muscle groups, particularly the abdominal and lower limb muscles. Early-onset patients display more severe muscle weakness and atrophy, resulting in a higher frequency of associated skeletal abnormalities. In these patients, multisystem involvement, including respiratory, ocular, and auditory, is more frequent and severe and may include the central nervous system. Adult-onset FSHD patients may also display some degree of multisystem involvement which mainly remains subclinical. In 95% of cases, FSHD patients carry a pathogenic contraction of the D4Z4 repeat units (RUs) in the subtelomeric region of chromosome 4 (4q35), which leads to the expression of DUX4 retrogene, toxic for muscles (FSHD1). Five percent of patients display the same clinical phenotype in association with a mutation in the SMCHD1 gene located in chromosome 18, inducing epigenetic modifications of the 4q D4Z4 repeated region and expression of DUX4 retrogene. This review highlights the complexities and challenges of diagnosing and managing FSHD, underscoring the importance of standardized approaches for optimal patient outcomes. It emphasizes the critical role of multidisciplinary care in addressing the diverse manifestations of FSHD across different age groups, from skeletal abnormalities in early-onset cases to the often-subclinical multisystem involvement in adults. With no current cure, the focus on alleviating symptoms and slowing disease progression through coordinated care is paramount.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Attarian
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.
- FILNEMUS, European Reference Network for Rare Diseases (ERN-NMD), Marseille, France.
- Marseille Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université-Inserm UMR_1251, 13005, Marseille, France.
| | - Sadia Beloribi-Djefaflia
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Rafaelle Bernard
- Marseille Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université-Inserm UMR_1251, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Karine Nguyen
- Marseille Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université-Inserm UMR_1251, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Claude Cances
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Toulouse Children's Hospital, Toulouse, France
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Toulouse Children's Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Carole Gavazza
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Andoni Echaniz-Laguna
- Department of Neurology, APHP, CHU de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
- French National Reference Center for Rare Neuropathies (NNERF), Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
- Inserm U1195, University Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Caroline Espil
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders AOC, Children's Hospital, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Teresinha Evangelista
- Institute of Myology, Nord/Est/Ile-de-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Léonard Feasson
- Department of Clinical and Exercise Physiology, University Hospital Center of Saint-Etienne, 42000, Saint-Etienne, France
- Inter-University Laboratory of Human Movement Biology, EA 7424, Jean Monnet University, 42000, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Frédérique Audic
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases in Children PACARARE, Neuropediatrics Department, Timone University Children's Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Berenice Zagorda
- Department of Clinical and Exercise Physiology, University Hospital Center of Saint-Etienne, 42000, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Virginie Milhe De Bovis
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- Institute of Myology, Nord/Est/Ile-de-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Guilhem Sole
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires AOC, FILNEMUS, Hôpital Pellegrin, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Emmanuelle Salort-Campana
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Peripheral Nervous System and Muscle Department, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, Pasteur 2, Nice Hospital, France.
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Schätzl T, Todorow V, Kaiser L, Weinschrott H, Schoser B, Deigner HP, Meinke P, Kohl M. Meta-analysis towards FSHD reveals misregulation of neuromuscular junction, nuclear envelope, and spliceosome. Commun Biol 2024; 7:640. [PMID: 38796645 PMCID: PMC11127974 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06325-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common autosomal dominant muscle disorders, yet no cure or amelioration exists. The clinical presentation is diverse, making it difficult to identify the actual driving pathomechanism among many downstream events. To unravel this complexity, we performed a meta-analysis of 13 original omics datasets (in total 171 FSHD and 129 control samples). Our approach confirmed previous findings about the disease pathology and specified them further. We confirmed increased expression of former proposed DUX4 biomarkers, and furthermore impairment of the respiratory chain. Notably, the meta-analysis provides insights about so far not reported pathways, including misregulation of neuromuscular junction protein encoding genes, downregulation of the spliceosome, and extensive alterations of nuclear envelope protein expression. Finally, we developed a publicly available shiny app to provide a platform for researchers who want to search our analysis for genes of interest in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Schätzl
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Todorow
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Kaiser
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Helga Weinschrott
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Deigner
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
- Faculty of Science, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- EXIM Department, Fraunhofer Institute IZI (Leipzig), Rostock, Germany
| | - Peter Meinke
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Kohl
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany.
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Strafella C, Colantoni L, Megalizzi D, Trastulli G, Piorgo EP, Primiano G, Sancricca C, Ricci G, Siciliano G, Caltagirone C, Filosto M, Tasca G, Ricci E, Cascella R, Giardina E. Characterization of D4Z4 alleles and assessment of de novo cases in Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) in a cohort of Italian families. Clin Genet 2024; 105:335-339. [PMID: 38041579 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disease, although 10%-30% of cases are sporadic. However, this percentage may include truly de novo patients (carrying a reduced D4Z4 allele that is not present in either of the parents) and patients with apparently sporadic disease resulting from mosaicism, non-penetrance, or complex genetic situations in either patients or parents. In this study, we characterized the D4Z4 Reduced Alleles (DRA) and evaluated the frequency of truly de novo cases in FSHD1 in a cohort of DNA samples received consecutively for FSHD-diagnostic from 100 Italian families. The D4Z4 testing revealed that 60 families reported a DRA compatible with FSHD1 (1-10 RU). The DRA co-segregated with the disease in most cases. Five families with truly de novo cases were identified, suggesting that this condition may be slightly lower (8%) than previously reported. In addition, D4Z4 characterization in the investigated families showed 4% of mosaic cases and 2% with translocations. This study further highlighted the importance of performing family studies for clarifying apparently sporadic FSHD cases, with significant implications for genetic counseling, diagnosis, clinical management, and procreative choices for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Strafella
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Colantoni
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Megalizzi
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Trastulli
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Guido Primiano
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Sancricca
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Department of Clinical and Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Enzo Ricci
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Cascella
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tirana, Albania
| | - Emiliano Giardina
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Medical Genetics Laboratory, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
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Jiang J, Cai X, Qu H, Yao Q, He T, Yang M, Zhou H, Zhang X. Case report: Identification of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1 in two siblings with normal phenotypic parents using optical genome mapping. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1258831. [PMID: 38361638 PMCID: PMC10867183 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1258831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) is one of the most common forms of autosomal-dominant muscular dystrophies characterized by variable disease penetrance due to shortened D4Z4 repeat units on 4q35. The molecular diagnosis of FSHD1 is usually made by Southern blotting, which is complex, time-consuming, and lacks clinical practicality. Therefore, in this study, optical genome mapping (OGM) is employed for the genetic diagnosis of FSHD1. Furthermore, epigenetic heterogeneity is determined from methylation analysis. Methods Genomic DNA samples from four members of the same family were subjected to whole-exome sequencing. OGM was used to identify structural variations in D4Z4, while sodium bisulfite sequencing helped identify the methylation levels of CpG sites in a region located distally to the D4Z4 array. A multidisciplinary team collected the clinical data, and comprehensive family analyses aided in the assessment of phenotypes and genotypes. Results Whole-exome sequencing did not reveal variants related to clinical phenotypes in the patients. OGM showed that the proband was a compound heterozygote for the 4qA allele with four and eight D4Z4 repeat units, whereas the affected younger brother had only one 4qA allele with four D4Z4 repeat units. Both the proband and her younger brother were found to display asymmetric weakness predominantly involving the facial, shoulder girdle, and upper arm muscles, whereas the younger brother had more severe clinical symptoms. The proband's father, who was found to be normal after a neurological examination, also carried the 4qA allele with eight D4Z4 repeat units. The unaffected mother exhibited 49 D4Z4 repeat units of the 4qA allele and a minor mosaic pattern with four D4Z4 repeat units of the 4qA allele. Consequently, the presence of the 4qA allele in the four D4Z4 repeat units strongly pointed to the occurrence of maternal germline mosaicism. The CpG6 methylation levels were lower in symptomatic patients compared to those in the asymptomatic parents. The older sister had lower clinical scores and ACSS and higher CpG6 methylation levels than that of her younger brother. Conclusions In this study, two siblings with FSHD1 with phenotypically normal parents were identified by OGM. Our findings suggest that the 4qA allele of four D4Z4 repeats was inherited through maternal germline mosaicism. The clinical phenotype heterogeneity is influenced by the CpG6 methylation levels. The results of this study greatly aid in the molecular diagnosis of FSHD1 and in also understanding the clinical phenotypic variability underlying the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieni Jiang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaotang Cai
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Department of Rehabilitation, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haibo Qu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Tiantian He
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Department of Rehabilitation, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
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Salsi V, Vattemi GNA, Tupler RG. The FSHD jigsaw: are we placing the tiles in the right position? Curr Opin Neurol 2023; 36:455-463. [PMID: 37338810 PMCID: PMC10487374 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common myopathies, involving over 870,000 people worldwide and over 20 FSHD national registries. Our purpose was to summarize the main objectives of the scientific community on this topic and the moving trajectories of research from the past to the present. RECENT FINDINGS To date, research is mainly oriented toward deciphering the molecular and pathogenetic basis of the disease by investigating DUX4-mediated muscle alterations. Accordingly, FSHD drug development has been escalating in the last years in an attempt to silence DUX4 or to block its downstream effectors. Breakthroughs in the field include the awareness that new biomarkers and outcome measures are required for tracking disease progression and patient stratification. The need to develop personalized therapeutic strategies is also crucial according to the phenotypic variability observed in FSHD subjects. SUMMARY We analysed 121 literature reports published between 2021 and 2023 to assess the most recent advances in FSHD clinical and molecular research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Salsi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - Gaetano Nicola Alfio Vattemi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Neurology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rossella Ginevra Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
- Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
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Çalışkan E, Gedik CC, Eren İ. Letter to the Editor: Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Patient With Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy. Arthroplast Today 2023; 22:101173. [PMID: 37521738 PMCID: PMC10374855 DOI: 10.1016/j.artd.2023.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cemil Cihad Gedik
- Corresponding author. Koc University School of Medicine, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Istanbul 34450, Turkey. Tel.: +90 5075348511.
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Tihaya MS, Mul K, Balog J, de Greef JC, Tapscott SJ, Tawil R, Statland JM, van der Maarel SM. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: the road to targeted therapies. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:91-108. [PMID: 36627512 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00762-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the molecular understanding of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) have revealed that FSHD results from epigenetic de-repression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle, which encodes a transcription factor that is active in early embryonic development but is normally silenced in almost all somatic tissues. These advances also led to the identification of targets for disease-altering therapies for FSHD, as well as an improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of the disease and factors that influence its progression. Together, these developments led the FSHD research community to shift its focus towards the development of disease-modifying treatments for FSHD. This Review presents advances in the molecular and clinical understanding of FSHD, discusses the potential targeted therapies that are currently being explored, some of which are already in clinical trials, and describes progress in the development of FSHD-specific outcome measures and assessment tools for use in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara S Tihaya
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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Correlation between whole body muscle MRI and functional measures in paediatric patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:15-23. [PMID: 36522253 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.11.006] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Symptoms and severity of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) can vary greatly, even within the same family. Clinical trial readiness requires accurate and reliable methods of assessing disease stage and progression. MRI has not previously been assessed as a disease biomarker in paediatric FSHD. Eleven patients with FSHD1 underwent whole body muscle MRI. Pre-selected muscles were analysed by a paediatric radiologist using the semi-quantitative Mercuri/Kim method. Within each domain (oedema, fat replacement, atrophy) scores for each muscle were then summated to give each participant three cumulative domain scores. The same participants had functional measures scored: FSHD-CSS (Ricci), FSHD-CS (Lamperti), FSHD-COM, PUL2.0, MFM-32, 6MWT, myometry and manual muscle testing. Pearson coefficient was calculated to determine strength of correlation. The scores for atrophy and fat replacement showed strong correlation with functional outcome measures, particularly FSHD-CSS, FSHD-CS and FSHD-COM. In contrast, muscle oedema correlated poorly with all functional outcome measures, with no relationship seen to the 6MWT. This study of eleven children suggests that semi-quantitative visual Mercuri score utilising fat replacement or atrophy on whole body muscle MRI correlates strongly with disease-specific functional measures and may be a useful measure of disease severity in paediatric FSHD.
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Kurashige T, Morino H, Ueno H, Murao T, Watanabe T, Hinoi T, Nishino I, Torii T, Maruyama H. Gastrointestinal cancer occurs as extramuscular manifestation in FSHD1 patients. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:91-95. [PMID: 36336708 PMCID: PMC9873551 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-022-01095-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy type1 (FSHD1) patients with a shortened D4Z4 repeat containing the DUX4 gene have a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. In addition, high expression of DUX4 protein with an aberrant C terminus is frequently identified in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We investigated clinical manifestations in 31 FSHD1 patients and 30 non-affected individuals. Gastrointestinal cancers (gastric and colorectal cancers) increased after the age of 40 years and were more frequently observed in FSHD1 patients (n = 10) than in non-affected individuals (n = 2, p = 0.0217), though the incidence of cancers occurring in non-gastrointestinal tissues of FSHD1 patients was the same as that of non-affected individuals (p > 0.999). These comorbidities of FSHD1 patients were not associated with D4Z4 repeat number. Our results suggest that gastrointestinal cancers are among the extramuscular manifestations of adult FSHD1 patients, and do not depend on D4Z4 repeat number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kurashige
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Morino
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan ,grid.267335.60000 0001 1092 3579Department of Medical Genetics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ueno
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tomomi Murao
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Watanabe
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takao Hinoi
- grid.470097.d0000 0004 0618 7953Division of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ichizo Nishino
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center for Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Torii
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Maruyama
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
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Mul K. Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2022; 28:1735-1751. [PMID: 36537978 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the current knowledge on the clinical characteristics and disease mechanism of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), as well as advances in targeted therapy development. RECENT FINDINGS FSHD has a wide range of severity, yet a distinct phenotype characterized by weakness of the facial, shoulder, and upper arm muscles, followed by weakness of the trunk and leg muscles. It can be caused by two genetic mechanisms that share a common downstream pathway, namely, the epigenetic derepression and subsequent misexpression of the myotoxic DUX4 transcription factor. Treatment is currently supportive and outlined in evidence-based guidelines. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of FSHD are paving the way for targeted therapy development. Approaches for targeted therapies to reduce DUX4 expression that are currently being explored include small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, vector-based RNA interference, and gene therapy. In anticipation of more clinical trials, "clinical trial preparedness," including the development of sensitive biomarkers and clinical outcome measures, are needed. SUMMARY The cornerstones of the diagnosis of FSHD are clinical observation and genetic testing. Management is currently supportive, but progress in the understanding of the disease mechanism has shifted the field of FSHD toward targeted therapy development.
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Chen TH, Tseng YH, Wu YZ. The "wrench-head" appearance of thigh muscle CT in infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Acta Neurol Belg 2022; 122:861-863. [PMID: 34050500 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-021-01713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Heng Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Emergency, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Yung-Hao Tseng
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Zhang Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
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12
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Di Feo MF, Bettio C, Salsi V, Bertucci E, Tupler R. Counseling and prenatal diagnosis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A retrospective study on a 13‐year multidisciplinary approach. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e614. [PMID: 35509380 PMCID: PMC9059202 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Francesca Di Feo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, and Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI) University of Genoa Genova Italy
- IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Genova Italy
| | - Cinzia Bettio
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Valentina Salsi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children, and Adults University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Modena Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Massachusetts USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Massachusetts USA
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13
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Triantafyllidou O, Stavridis K, Kastora SL, Vlahos N. Road to conception and successful delivery for a facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patient. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2022; 10:2050313X221081359. [PMID: 35251661 PMCID: PMC8891829 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x221081359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is a muscular dystrophy affecting all ages, primarily people in the second decade. The disease is initially presented with face, shoulder girdle, and upper arm involvement, followed by lower extremity muscle weakness. Disease progression is usually slow, although about one-fifth of patients will require a wheelchair to accommodate mobility. Women with this muscular dystrophy could rarely have poor birth outcomes, with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy symptom deterioration post-partum. In this study, we present a case of a woman with a genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1 who underwent cesarean section with epidural anesthesia with favorable outcomes following the procedure. Eight months post cesarean section, the patient reported no facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy symptom deterioration. We reviewed the literature with emphasis on large studies concerning facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and birth outcomes and concluded that the hereby presented approach is important for the comprehensive obstetric care and future risk assessment and management in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Triantafyllidou
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Stavridis
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Lila Kastora
- Acute Medicine, Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust, Aberdeen, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Nikolaos Vlahos
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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14
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Vincenten SCC, Van Der Stoep N, Paulussen ADC, Mul K, Badrising UA, Kriek M, Van Der Heijden OWH, Van Engelen BGM, Voermans NC, De Die‐Smulders CEM, Lassche S. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy-Reproductive counseling, pregnancy, and delivery in a complex multigenetic disease. Clin Genet 2022; 101:149-160. [PMID: 34297364 PMCID: PMC9291192 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive counseling in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) can be challenging due to the complexity of its underlying genetic mechanisms and due to incomplete penetrance of the disease. Full understanding of the genetic causes and potential inheritance patterns of both distinct FSHD types is essential: FSHD1 is an autosomal dominantly inherited repeat disorder, whereas FSHD2 is a digenic disorder. This has become even more relevant now that prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic diagnosis options are available for FSHD1. Pregnancy and delivery outcomes in FSHD are usually favorable, but clinicians should be aware of the risks. We aim to provide clinicians with case-based strategies for reproductive counseling in FSHD, as well as recommendations for pregnancy and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne C. C. Vincenten
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Centre NijmegenRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Nienke Van Der Stoep
- Department of Clinical GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Aimée D. C. Paulussen
- Department of Clinical GeneticsMaastricht University Medical Centre+Maastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Centre NijmegenRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Umesh A. Badrising
- Department of NeurologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Kriek
- Department of Clinical GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | | | - Baziel G. M. Van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Centre NijmegenRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Nicol C. Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Centre NijmegenRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Saskia Lassche
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Centre NijmegenRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of NeurologyZuyderland Medical CentreHeerlenthe Netherlands
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15
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Konstantonis D, Kekou K, Papaefthymiou P, Vastardis H, Konstantoni N, Athanasiou M, Svingou M, Margariti A, Panousopoulou A. Orofacial Muscle Weakening in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Patients. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:96. [PMID: 35053721 PMCID: PMC8774153 DOI: 10.3390/children9010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the third most commonly found type of muscular dystrophy. The aim of this study was to correlate the D4Z4 repeat array fragment size to the orofacial muscle weakening exhibited in a group of patients with a genetically supported diagnosis of FSHD. METHODS Molecular genetic analysis was performed for 52 patients (27 female and 25 male) from a group that consisted of 36 patients with autosomal dominant pedigrees and 16 patients with either sporadic or unknown family status. The patients were tested with the southern blotting technique, using EcoRI/Avrll double digestion, and fragments were detected by a p13E-11 telomeric probe. Spearman's correlation was used to compare the fragment size with the degree of muscle weakening found in the forehead, periocular and perioral muscles. RESULTS A positive non-significant correlation between the DNA fragment size and severity of muscle weakness was found for the forehead (r = 0.27; p = 0187), the periocular (r = 0.24; p = 0.232) and the left and right perioral (r = 0.29; p = 0.122), (r = 0.32; p = 0.085) muscles. CONCLUSIONS Although FSHD patients exhibited a decrease in muscular activity related to the forehead, perioral, and periocular muscles the genotype-phenotype associations confirmed a weak to moderate non-significant correlation between repeat size and the severity of muscle weakness. Orofacial muscle weakening and its association with a D4Z4 contraction alone may not have the significance to serve as a prognostic biomarker, due to the weak to moderate association. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the degree of genetic involvement in the facial growth in FSHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Konstantonis
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece;
- Clinic of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kyriaki Kekou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Children’s Hospital Agia Sophia, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece; (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Petros Papaefthymiou
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul 34854, Turkey;
| | - Heleni Vastardis
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Nikoleta Konstantoni
- ATX Braces & Smile Aligners, In Private Practice of Orthodontics, 1601 E Pflugerville Pkwy Building 2, Pflugerville, TX 78660, USA;
| | - Maria Athanasiou
- Athensbestsmiles, In Private Practice of Orthodontics, 49 Alopekis, GR-106 76 Athens, Greece;
| | - Maria Svingou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Children’s Hospital Agia Sophia, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece; (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Anastasia Margariti
- Department of Elderly Medicine, University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, St. Richard’s Hospital, Spitalfield Ln, Chichester PO19 6SE, UK;
| | - Angeliki Panousopoulou
- Department of Neurology, Korgialenio-Benakio Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, GR-115 26 Athens, Greece;
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16
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Bettio C, Salsi V, Orsini M, Calanchi E, Magnotta L, Gagliardelli L, Kinoshita J, Bergamaschi S, Tupler R. The Italian National Registry for FSHD: an enhanced data integration and an analytics framework towards Smart Health Care and Precision Medicine for a rare disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:470. [PMID: 34736505 PMCID: PMC8567605 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Italian Clinical network for FSHD (ICNF) has established the Italian National Registry for FSHD (INRF), collecting data from patients affected by Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and their relatives. The INRF has gathered data from molecular analysis, clinical evaluation, anamnestic information, and family history from more than 3500 participants. Methods A data management framework, called Mediator Environment for Multiple Information Sources (MOMIS) FSHD Web Platform, has been developed to provide charts, maps and search tools customized for specific needs. Patients’ samples and their clinical information derives from the Italian Clinical network for FSHD (ICNF), a consortium consisting of fourteen neuromuscular clinics distributed across Italy. The tools used to collect, integrate, and visualize clinical, molecular and natural history information about patients affected by FSHD and their relatives are described. Results The INRF collected the molecular data regarding FSHD diagnosis conducted on 7197 subjects and identified 3362 individuals carrying a D4Z4 Reduced Allele (DRA): 1634 were unrelated index cases. In 1032 cases the molecular testing has been extended to 3747 relatives, 1728 carrying a DRA. Since 2009 molecular analysis has been accompanied by clinical evaluation based standardized evaluation protocols. In the period 2009–2020, 3577 clinical forms have been collected, 2059 follow the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation form (CCEF). The integration of standardized clinical information and molecular data has made possible to demonstrate the wide phenotypic variability of FSHD. The MOMIS (Mediator Environment for Multiple Information Sources) data integration framework allowed performing genotype–phenotype correlation studies, and generated information of medical importance either for clinical practice or genetic counseling. Conclusion The platform implemented for the FSHD Registry data collection based on OpenClinica meets the requirement to integrate patient/disease information, as well as the need to adapt dynamically to security and privacy concerns. Our results indicate that the quality of data collection in a multi-integrated approach is fundamental for clinical and epidemiological research in a rare disease and may have great value in allowing us to redefine diagnostic criteria and disease markers for FSHD. By extending the use of the MOMIS data integration framework to other countries and the longitudinal systematic collection of standardized clinical data will facilitate the understanding of disease natural history and offer valuable inputs towards trial readiness. This approach is of high significance to FSHD medical community and also to rare disease research in general. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-02100-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Bettio
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Salsi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Luca Gagliardelli
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Sonia Bergamaschi
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. .,Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
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17
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Banerji CRS, Panamarova M, Zammit PS. DUX4 expressing immortalized FSHD lymphoblastoid cells express genes elevated in FSHD muscle biopsies, correlating with the early stages of inflammation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2285-2299. [PMID: 32242220 PMCID: PMC7424723 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an incurable disorder linked to ectopic expression of DUX4. However, DUX4 is notoriously difficult to detect in FSHD muscle cells, while DUX4 target gene expression is an inconsistent biomarker for FSHD skeletal muscle biopsies, displaying efficacy only on pathologically inflamed samples. Immune gene misregulation occurs in FSHD muscle, with DUX4 target genes enriched for those associated with inflammatory processes. However, there lacks an assessment of the FSHD immune cell transcriptome, and its contribution to gene expression in FSHD muscle biopsies. Here, we show that EBV-immortalized FSHD lymphoblastoid cell lines express DUX4 and both early and late DUX4 target genes. Moreover, a biomarker of 237 up-regulated genes derived from FSHD lymphoblastoid cell lines is elevated in FSHD muscle biopsies compared to controls. The FSHD Lymphoblast score is unaltered between FSHD myoblasts/myotubes and their controls however, implying a non-myogenic cell source in muscle biopsies. Indeed, the FSHD Lymphoblast score correlates with the early stages of muscle inflammation identified by histological analysis on muscle biopsies, while our two late DUX4 target gene expression biomarkers associate with macroscopic inflammation detectable via MRI. Thus, FSHD lymphoblastoid cell lines express DUX4 and early and late DUX4 target genes, therefore, muscle-infiltrated immune cells may contribute the molecular landscape of FSHD muscle biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R S Banerji
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Maryna Panamarova
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Peter S Zammit
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
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18
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Banerji CRS, Zammit PS. Pathomechanisms and biomarkers in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: roles of DUX4 and PAX7. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13695. [PMID: 34151531 PMCID: PMC8350899 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterised by progressive skeletal muscle weakness and wasting. FSHD is linked to epigenetic derepression of the subtelomeric D4Z4 macrosatellite at chromosome 4q35. Epigenetic derepression permits the distal-most D4Z4 unit to transcribe DUX4, with transcripts stabilised by splicing to a poly(A) signal on permissive 4qA haplotypes. The pioneer transcription factor DUX4 activates target genes that are proposed to drive FSHD pathology. While this toxic gain-of-function model is a satisfying "bottom-up" genotype-to-phenotype link, DUX4 is rarely detectable in muscle and DUX4 target gene expression is inconsistent in patients. A reliable biomarker for FSHD is suppression of a target gene score of PAX7, a master regulator of myogenesis. However, it is unclear how this "top-down" finding links to genomic changes that characterise FSHD and to DUX4. Here, we explore the roles and interactions of DUX4 and PAX7 in FSHD pathology and how the relationship between these two transcription factors deepens understanding via the immune system and muscle regeneration. Considering how FSHD pathomechanisms are represented by "DUX4opathy" models has implications for developing therapies and current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular BiophysicsKing's College LondonLondonUK
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19
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Lim KRQ, Yokota T. Genetic Approaches for the Treatment of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:642858. [PMID: 33776777 PMCID: PMC7996372 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.642858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive, asymmetric muscle weakness at the face, shoulders, and upper limbs, which spreads to the lower body with age. It is the third most common inherited muscular disorder worldwide. Around 20% of patients are wheelchair-bound, and some present with extramuscular manifestations. FSHD is caused by aberrant expression of the double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4) gene in muscle. DUX4 codes for a transcription factor which, in skeletal muscle, dysregulates numerous signaling activities that culminate in cytotoxicity. Potential treatments for FSHD therefore aim to reduce the expression of DUX4 or the activity of its toxic protein product. In this article, we review how genetic approaches such as those based on oligonucleotide and genome editing technologies have been developed to achieve these goals. We also outline the challenges these therapies are facing on the road to translation, and discuss possible solutions and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q. Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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20
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Vercelli L, Mele F, Ruggiero L, Sera F, Tripodi S, Ricci G, Vallarola A, Villa L, Govi M, Maranda L, Di Muzio A, Scarlato M, Bucci E, Maggi L, Rodolico C, Moggio M, Filosto M, Antonini G, Previtali S, Angelini C, Berardinelli A, Pegoraro E, Siciliano G, Tomelleri G, Santoro L, Mongini T, Tupler R. A 5-year clinical follow-up study from the Italian National Registry for FSHD. J Neurol 2021; 268:356-366. [PMID: 32813049 PMCID: PMC7815626 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The natural history of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is undefined. METHODS An observational cohort study was conducted in 246 FSHD1 patients. We split the analysis between index cases and carrier relatives and we classified all patients using the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF). The disease progression was measured as a variation of the FSHD score performed at baseline and at the end of 5-year follow-up (ΔFSHD score). FINDINGS Disease worsened in 79.4% (112/141) of index cases versus 38.1% (40/105) of carrier relatives and advanced more rapidly in index cases (ΔFSHD score 2.3 versus 1.2). The 79.1% (38/48) of asymptomatic carriers remained asymptomatic. The highest ΔFSHD score (1.7) was found in subject with facial and scapular weakness at baseline (category A), whereas in subjects with incomplete phenotype (facial or scapular weakness, category B) had lower ΔFSHD score (0.6) p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS The progression of disease is different between index cases and carrier relatives and the assessment of the CCEF categories has strong prognostic effect in FSHD1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Vercelli
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Sera
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Silvia Tripodi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Vallarola
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luisa Villa
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Govi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Louise Maranda
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Marina Scarlato
- INSPE and Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico "G. Martino", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Previtali
- INSPE and Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Angela Berardinelli
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS "C. Mondino" Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy.
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
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21
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Hangül C, Karaüzüm SB, Akkol EK, Demir-Dora D, Çetin Z, Saygılı Eİ, Evcili G, Sobarzo-Sánchez E. Promising Perspective to Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Treatment: Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:2276-2295. [PMID: 34315378 PMCID: PMC9185762 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210726151924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) is in the top three list of all dystrophies with an approximate 1:8000 incidence. It is not a life-threatening disease; however, the progression of the disease extends over being wheelchair bound. Despite some drug trials continuing, including DUX4 inhibition, TGF-ß inhibition and resokine which promote healthier muscle, there is not an applicable treatment option for FSHD today. Still, there is a need for new agents to heal, stop or at least slow down muscle wasting. Current FSHD studies involving nutraceuticals as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, zinc, selenium, and phytochemicals as curcumin or genistein, daidzein flavonoids provide promising treatment strategies. In this review, we present the clinical and molecular nature of FSHD and focus on nutraceuticals and phytochemicals that may alleviate FSHD. In the light of the association of impaired pathophysiological FSHD pathways with nutraceuticals and phytochemicals according to the literature, we present both studied and novel approaches that can contribute to FSHD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Esra Küpeli Akkol
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330, Ankara, Turkey; E-mail:
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Ricci G, Mele F, Govi M, Ruggiero L, Sera F, Vercelli L, Bettio C, Santoro L, Mongini T, Villa L, Moggio M, Filosto M, Scarlato M, Previtali SC, Tripodi SM, Pegoraro E, Telese R, Di Muzio A, Rodolico C, Bucci E, Antonini G, D'Angelo MG, Berardinelli A, Maggi L, Piras R, Maioli MA, Siciliano G, Tomelleri G, Angelini C, Tupler R. Large genotype-phenotype study in carriers of D4Z4 borderline alleles provides guidance for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy diagnosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21648. [PMID: 33303865 PMCID: PMC7730397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78578-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a myopathy with prevalence of 1 in 20,000. Almost all patients affected by FSHD carry deletions of an integral number of tandem 3.3 kilobase repeats, termed D4Z4, located on chromosome 4q35. Assessment of size of D4Z4 alleles is commonly used for FSHD diagnosis. However, the extended molecular testing has expanded the spectrum of clinical phenotypes. In particular, D4Z4 alleles with 9-10 repeat have been found in healthy individuals, in subjects with FSHD or affected by other myopathies. These findings weakened the strict relationship between observed phenotypes and their underlying genotypes, complicating the interpretation of molecular findings for diagnosis and genetic counseling. In light of the wide clinical variability detected in carriers of D4Z4 alleles with 9-10 repeats, we applied a standardized methodology, the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF), to describe and characterize the phenotype of 244 individuals carrying D4Z4 alleles with 9-10 repeats (134 index cases and 110 relatives). The study shows that 54.5% of index cases display a classical FSHD phenotype with typical facial and scapular muscle weakness, whereas 20.1% present incomplete phenotype with facial weakness or scapular girdle weakness, 6.7% display minor signs such as winged scapula or hyperCKemia, without functional motor impairment, and 18.7% of index cases show more complex phenotypes with atypical clinical features. Family studies revealed that 70.9% of relatives carrying 9-10 D4Z4 reduced alleles has no motor impairment, whereas a few relatives (10.0%) display a classical FSHD phenotype. Importantly all relatives of index cases with no FSHD phenotype were healthy carriers. These data establish the low penetrance of D4Z4 alleles with 9-10 repeats. We recommend the use of CCEF for the standardized clinical assessment integrated by family studies and further molecular investigation for appropriate diagnosis and genetic counseling. Especially in presence of atypical phenotypes and/or sporadic cases with all healthy relatives is not possible to perform conclusive diagnosis of FSHD, but all these cases need further studies for a proper diagnosis, to search novel causative genetic defects or investigate environmental factors or co-morbidities that may trigger the pathogenic process. These evidences are also fundamental for the stratification of patients eligible for clinical trials. Our work reinforces the value of large genotype-phenotype studies to define criteria for clinical practice and genetic counseling in rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ricci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Monica Govi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Sera
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Liliana Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cinzia Bettio
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa Villa
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marina Scarlato
- INSPE and Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano C Previtali
- INSPE and Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberta Telese
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, CeSI, University "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico "G. Martino", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Angela Berardinelli
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS "C. Mondino" Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy.
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
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Chen TH, Wu YZ, Tseng YH. Early-Onset Infantile Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: A Timely Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7783. [PMID: 33096728 PMCID: PMC7589635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)-the worldwide third most common inherited muscular dystrophy caused by the heterozygous contraction of a 3.3 kb tandem repeat (D4Z4) on a chromosome with a 4q35 haplotype-is a progressive genetic myopathy with variable onset of symptoms, distribution of muscle weakness, and clinical severity. While much is known about the clinical course of adult FSHD, data on the early-onset infantile phenotype, especially on the progression of the disease, are relatively scarce. Contrary to the classical form, patients with infantile FSHD more often have a rapid decline in muscle wasting and systemic features with multiple extramuscular involvements. A rough correlation between the phenotypic severity of FSHD and the D4Z4 repeat size has been reported, and the majority of patients with infantile FSHD obtain a very short D4Z4 repeat length (one to three copies, EcoRI size 10-14 kb), in contrast to the classical, slowly progressive, form of FSHD (15-38 kb). With the increasing identifications of case reports and the advance in genetic diagnostics, recent studies have suggested that the infantile variant of FSHD is not a genetically separate entity but a part of the FSHD spectrum. Nevertheless, many questions about the clinical phenotype and natural history of infantile FSHD remain unanswered, limiting evidence-based clinical management. In this review, we summarize the updated research to gain insight into the clinical spectrum of infantile FSHD and raise views to improve recognition and understanding of its underlying pathomechanism, and further, to advance novel treatments and standard care methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Heng Chen
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-Z.W.); (Y.-H.T.)
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Zhang Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-Z.W.); (Y.-H.T.)
| | - Yung-Hao Tseng
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-Z.W.); (Y.-H.T.)
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24
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Cochlear Dysfunction Is a Frequent Feature of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Type 1 (FSHD1). Otol Neurotol 2020; 42:18-23. [PMID: 32976345 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000002877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD) represents one of the most common forms of muscular hereditary diseases and it is characterized by a great clinical variability with the typical muscular symptoms and other clinical features, including hearing impairment. However, etiopathogenetic mechanisms of auditory dysfunction are still not completely understood and it has been suggested that it could be assigned to a cochlear alteration that is present even in those subjects with a normal pure tonal audiometry (PTA) examination. METHODS We found out the cochlear function in 26 patients with molecular diagnosis of FSHD1 and in healthy controls. All patients underwent complete neurological and audiological examinations, including FSHD clinical score, pure-tone audiometry (PTA), and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), in particular transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and distortion product evoked otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). RESULTS All FSHD1 patients showed significantly reduced DPOAEs and TEOAEs, bilaterally and at all frequencies, even when considering only subjects with a normal PTA or a mild muscular involvement (FSHD score ≤ 2). No correlation between OAEs and FSHD clinical score was found. DISCUSSION Cochlear echoes represent a sensitive tool in detecting subclinical cochlear dysfunction in FSHD1 even in subjects with normal hearing and/or subtle muscle involvement. Our study is focused on the importance of evaluating the cochlear alteration through OAEs and, in particular, by performing TEOAEs and DPOAEs sequentially, to evaluate more frequent specificities of cochlear dysfunction with a wider spectrum of analysis.
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Wallace B, Smith KT, Thomas S, Conway KM, Westfield C, Andrews JG, Weinert RO, Do TQN, Street N. Characterization of individuals with selected muscular dystrophies from the expanded pilot of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network (MD STARnet) in the United States. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:560-569. [PMID: 32710484 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Data on muscular dystrophies (MDs), a heterogeneous group of heritable diseases hallmarked by progressive muscle deterioration, are scarce. OBJECTIVE We describe cross-sectional sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with congenital, distal, Emery-Dreifuss, facioscapulohumeral, limb-girdle, myotonic, or oculopharyngeal MD. METHODS The study was conducted in four sites (Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, and 12 western New York counties) as a pilot expansion of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MDs were detected in healthcare facilities and administrative data sources using International Classification of Disease codes. Our sample contains 1,723 individuals with a MD diagnosis and a healthcare encounter between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Individuals were mostly non-Hispanic and white. Median ages ranged from 9.2 to 66.0 years. Most (98%) had health insurance. The proportion of individuals who were disabled or unable to work increased with age (range: 8.6-46.4%). People with limb-girdle MD aged ≥18 years were more likely to be nonambulatory (range: 24.5-44.7%). The percentages of individuals with documented clinical interventions during the surveillance period were low. The most common cause of death was respiratory causes (46.3-57.1%); an ICD-10 code for MD (G71.1 or G71.0) was reported for nearly one-half. Our findings show wide variability in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics across MDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Wallace
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - K Tiffany Smith
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Carter Consulting, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shiny Thomas
- New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Kristin M Conway
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | | | - Richard O Weinert
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Thuy Quynh N Do
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Bristol Meyers Squibb, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | - Natalie Street
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Deletion of the Williams Beuren syndrome critical region unmasks facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2020; 27:25-29. [PMID: 32553920 PMCID: PMC7427329 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Among 1339 unrelated cases accrued by the Italian National Registry for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), we found three unrelated cases who presented signs of Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) in early childhood and later developed FSHD. All three cases carry the molecular defects associated with the two disorders. The rarity of WBS and FSHD, 1 in 7500 and 1 in 20,000 respectively, makes a random association of the two diseases unlikely. These cases open novel and unexpected interpretation of genetic findings. The nonrandom association of both FSHD and WBS points at a gene co-expression network providing hints for the identification of modules and functionally enriched pathways in the two conditions.
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Greco A, Goossens R, van Engelen B, van der Maarel SM. Consequences of epigenetic derepression in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Clin Genet 2020; 97:799-814. [PMID: 32086799 PMCID: PMC7318180 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a common hereditary myopathy, is caused either by the contraction of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat at the distal end of chromosome 4q to a size of 1 to 10 repeat units (FSHD1) or by mutations in D4Z4 chromatin modifiers such as Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Hinge Domain Containing 1 (FSHD2). These two genotypes share a phenotype characterized by progressive and often asymmetric muscle weakening and atrophy, and common epigenetic alterations of the D4Z4 repeat. All together, these epigenetic changes converge the two genetic forms into one disease and explain the derepression of the DUX4 gene, which is otherwise kept epigenetically silent in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is consistently transcriptionally upregulated in FSHD1 and FSHD2 skeletal muscle cells where it is believed to exercise a toxic effect. Here we provide a review of the recent literature describing the progress in understanding the complex genetic and epigenetic architecture of FSHD, with a focus on one of the consequences that these epigenetic changes inflict, the DUX4-induced immune deregulation cascade. Moreover, we review the latest therapeutic strategies, with particular attention to the potential of epigenetic correction of the FSHD locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Greco
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Internal MedicineRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Remko Goossens
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Baziel van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
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Ruggiero L, Mele F, Manganelli F, Bruzzese D, Ricci G, Vercelli L, Govi M, Vallarola A, Tripodi S, Villa L, Di Muzio A, Scarlato M, Bucci E, Antonini G, Maggi L, Rodolico C, Tomelleri G, Filosto M, Previtali S, Angelini C, Berardinelli A, Pegoraro E, Moggio M, Mongini T, Siciliano G, Santoro L, Tupler R. Phenotypic Variability Among Patients With D4Z4 Reduced Allele Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e204040. [PMID: 32356886 PMCID: PMC7195625 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.4040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is considered an autosomal dominant disorder, associated with the deletion of tandemly arrayed D4Z4 repetitive elements. The extensive use of molecular analysis of the D4Z4 locus for FSHD diagnosis has revealed wide clinical variability, suggesting that subgroups of patients exist among carriers of the D4Z4 reduced allele (DRA). OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical expression of FSHD in the genetic subgroup of carriers of a DRA with 7 to 8 repeat units (RUs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter cross-sectional study included 422 carriers of DRA with 7 to 8 RUs (187 unrelated probands and 235 relatives) from a consecutive sample of 280 probands and 306 relatives from the Italian National Registry for FSHD collected between 2008 and 2016. Participants were evaluated by the Italian Clinical Network for FSHD, and all clinical and molecular data were collected in the Italian National Registry for FSHD database. Data analysis was conducted from January 2017 to June 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The phenotypic classification of probands and relatives was obtained by applying the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form which classifies patients in the 4 following categories: (1) participants presenting facial and scapular girdle muscle weakness typical of FSHD (category A, subcategories A1-A3), (2) participants with muscle weakness limited to scapular girdle or facial muscles (category B, subcategories B1 and B2), (3) asymptomatic or healthy participants (category C, subcategories C1 and C2), and (4) participants with myopathic phenotypes presenting clinical features not consistent with FSHD canonical phenotype (category D, subcategories D1 and D2). RESULTS A total of 187 probands (mean [SD] age at last neurological examination, 53.5 [15.2] years; 103 [55.1%] men) and 235 relatives (mean [SD] age at last neurologic examination, 45.1 [17.0] years; 104 [44.7%] men) with a DRA with 7 to 8 RUs and a molecular diagnosis of FSHD were evaluated. Of 187 probands, 99 (52.9%; 95% CI, 45.7%-60.1%) displayed the classic FSHD phenotype, whereas 86 (47.1%; 95% CI, 39.8%-54.3%) presented incomplete or atypical phenotypes. Of 235 carrier relatives from 106 unrelated families, 124 (52.8%; 95% CI, 46.4%-59.7%) had no motor impairment, whereas a small number (38 [16.2%; 95% CI, 9.8%-23.1%]) displayed the classic FSHD phenotype, and 73 (31.0%; 95% CI, 24.7%-38.0%) presented with incomplete or atypical phenotypes. In 37 of 106 families (34.9%; 95% CI, 25.9%-44.8%), the proband was the only participant presenting with a myopathic phenotype, while only 20 families (18.9%; 95% CI, 11.9%-27.6%) had a member with autosomal dominant FSHD. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found large phenotypic variability associated with individuals carrying a DRA with 7 to 8 RUs, in contrast to the indication that a positive molecular test is the only determining aspect for FSHD diagnosis. These findings suggest that carriers of a DRA with 7 to 8 RUs constitute a genetic subgroup different from classic FSHD. Based on these results, it is recommended that clinicians use the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form for clinical classification and, whenever possible, study the extended family to provide the most adequate clinical management and genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiano Mele
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Bruzzese
- Department of Preventive Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Vercelli
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Monica Govi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Vallarola
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Tripodi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Villa
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Center for Excellence on Aging, Gabrile D’Annunzio University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marina Scarlato
- Neuromuscular Repair Unit, Inspe and Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- IRCCS Foundation, C. Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuliano Tomelleri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Previtali
- Neuromuscular Repair Unit, Inspe and Division of Neuroscience, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Angela Berardinelli
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS, Casimiro Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- Neuromuscular Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
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29
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Salort-Campana E, Fatehi F, Beloribi-Djefaflia S, Roche S, Nguyen K, Bernard R, Cintas P, Solé G, Bouhour F, Ollagnon E, Sacconi S, Echaniz-Laguna A, Kuntzer T, Levy N, Magdinier F, Attarian S. Type 1 FSHD with 6-10 Repeated Units: Factors Underlying Severity in Index Cases and Disease Penetrance in Their Relatives Attention. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2221. [PMID: 32210100 PMCID: PMC7139460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular defects in type 1 facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) are caused by a heterozygous contraction of the D4Z4 repeat array from 1 to 10 repeat units (RUs) on 4q35. This study compared (1) the phenotype and severity of FSHD1 between patients carrying 6-8 vs. 9-10 RUs, (2) the amount of methylation in different D4Z4 regions between patients with FSHD1 with different clinical severity scores (CSS). This cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted to measure functional scales and for genetic analysis. Patients were classified into two categories according to RUs: Group 1, 6-8; Group 2, 9-10. Methylation analysis was performed in 27 patients. A total of 99 carriers of a contracted D4Z4 array were examined. No significant correlations between RUs and CSS (r = 0.04, p = 0.73) and any of the clinical outcome scales were observed between the two groups. Hypomethylation was significantly more pronounced in patients with high CSS (>3.5) than those with low CSS (<1.5) (in DR1 and 5P), indicating that the extent of hypomethylation might modulate disease severity. In Group 1, the disease severity is not strongly correlated with the allele size and is mostly correlated with the methylation of D4Z4 regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Salort-Campana
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Cedex 05 13385 Marseille, France; (E.S.-C.); (F.F.); (S.B.-D.)
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Cedex 05 13385 Marseille, France; (E.S.-C.); (F.F.); (S.B.-D.)
| | - Sadia Beloribi-Djefaflia
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Cedex 05 13385 Marseille, France; (E.S.-C.); (F.F.); (S.B.-D.)
| | - Stéphane Roche
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
| | - Karine Nguyen
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
| | - Rafaelle Bernard
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
| | - Pascal Cintas
- Service de Neurologie et d’explorations fonctionnelles, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France;
| | - Guilhem Solé
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disorders AOC, Bordeaux University Hospitals, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Françoise Bouhour
- Electroneuromyography and Neuromuscular Department, GHE Neurologic Hospital, Cedex 69677 Lyon-Bron, France;
| | | | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Neuromuscular Disease Specialized Center, Nice University Hospital, 06000 Nice, France;
| | - Andoni Echaniz-Laguna
- Neurology Department, APHP, CHU de Bicêtre, 78 rue du Général Leclerc, Cedex 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
| | - Thierry Kuntzer
- Nerve-Muscle Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University, Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne 1002, Switzerland;
| | - Nicolas Levy
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
| | - Frédérique Magdinier
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
| | - Shahram Attarian
- Reference Center of Neuromuscular disorders and ALS, Timone University Hospital, AP-HM, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Cedex 05 13385 Marseille, France; (E.S.-C.); (F.F.); (S.B.-D.)
- Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille Université—Inserm UMR_1251, 13005 Marseille, France; (S.R.); (K.N.); (R.B.); (N.L.); (F.M.)
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Iodice R, Ugga L, Aruta F, Iovino A, Ruggiero L. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and multiple sclerosis: a case report. ACTA MYOLOGICA : MYOPATHIES AND CARDIOMYOPATHIES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY OF MYOLOGY 2020; 39:29-31. [PMID: 32607477 PMCID: PMC7315893 DOI: 10.36185/2532-1900-005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1 (FSHD1) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder, associated with reduction of tandemly arrayed repetitive DNA elements D4Z4 (DRA), at 4q35. Few cases, especially carriers of 1-3 DRA show a syndromic form. Anecdotally the association of FSHD with multiple sclerosis (MS) is reported. Herein we report a 33 years old Caucasian with a molecular diagnosis of FSHD1 with classical phenotype (clinical category A2) and concomitant white matter lesions suggestive of MS. White matter lesions in patients with FSHD have often been described but rarely investigated in order to evaluate a possible diagnosis of MS. We think that MS and FSHD remain clearly distinct diseases, but growing evidences show a widespread and variable activation of the immune system in patients suffering from FSHD probably an hypotheses on a potential common pathogenetic mechanism between these two disorders could should be better investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neurosciences, Odontostomatology and Reproductive Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ugga
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Aruta
- Department of Neurosciences, Odontostomatology and Reproductive Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Iovino
- Department of Neurosciences, Odontostomatology and Reproductive Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Odontostomatology and Reproductive Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Salsi V, Magdinier F, Tupler R. Does DNA Methylation Matter in FSHD? Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E258. [PMID: 32121044 PMCID: PMC7140823 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) has been associated with the genetic and epigenetic molecular features of the CpG-rich D4Z4 repeat tandem array at 4q35. Reduced DNA methylation of D4Z4 repeats is considered part of the FSHD mechanism and has been proposed as a reliable marker in the FSHD diagnostic procedure. We considered the assessment of D4Z4 DNA methylation status conducted on distinct cohorts using different methodologies. On the basis of the reported results we conclude that the percentage of DNA methylation detected at D4Z4 does not correlate with the disease status. Overall, data suggest that in the case of FSHD1, D4Z4 hypomethylation is a consequence of the chromatin structure present in the contracted allele, rather than a proxy of its function. Besides, CpG methylation at D4Z4 DNA is reduced in patients presenting diseases unrelated to muscle progressive wasting, like Bosma Arhinia and Microphthalmia syndrome, a developmental disorder, as well as ICF syndrome. Consistent with these observations, the analysis of epigenetic reprogramming at the D4Z4 locus in human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells indicate that other mechanisms, independent from the repeat number, are involved in the control of the epigenetic structure at D4Z4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Salsi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 4, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 4, 41121 Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 4, 41121 Modena, Italy
- Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01003, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01003, USA
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32
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Rudnik-Schöneborn S, Huemer M, Weis J, Sauer E, Meng G. Early onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy - Long-term follow-up of a patient with total facial diplegia. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 29:973-976. [PMID: 31708336 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We report a patient with early onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) who was not diagnosed until 48 years of age. She developed progressive facial diplegia from the age of 4-5 years followed by limb muscle weakness. Motor nerve conduction was normal, myopathic changes were seen electromyographically. Creatine kinase activity was mildly increased at the beginning. Muscle biopsy at 8 years suggested a neurogenic pattern, a second biopsy at age 30 was chronic myopathic with fibre calibre variation. The patient lost the ability to walk at age 44. When last seen she had total facial diplegia, no active movements in her limbs, mild kyphoscoliosis and a rigid thoracic spine. Molecular studies revealed a shortened D4Z4 fragment confirming the diagnosis FSHD1. Her family history was unremarkable, suggesting a de novo mutation. This report is to illustrate the evolving phenotype of early onset FSHD1 with predominating facial palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Rudnik-Schöneborn
- Division of Human Genetics, Medical University Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Str. 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | | | - Joachim Weis
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Elizabeta Sauer
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Meng
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Germany
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Goselink RJM, Schreur V, van Kernebeek CR, Padberg GW, van der Maarel SM, van Engelen BGM, Erasmus CE, Theelen T. Ophthalmological findings in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Brain Commun 2019; 1:fcz023. [PMID: 32954265 PMCID: PMC7425335 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcz023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ophthalmological abnormalities in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy may lead to treatable vision loss, facilitate diagnostics, could help unravelling the pathophysiology and serve as biomarkers. In this study, we provide a detailed description of the ophthalmological findings in a well-defined cohort of patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy using state of the art retina imaging techniques. Thirty-three genetically confirmed patients (aged 7-80 years) and 24 unrelated healthy controls (aged 6-68 years) underwent clinical ophthalmological examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography/angiography, genotyping and neurological examination. All patients had normal corrected visual acuity and normal intraocular pressure. In 27 of the 33 patients, weakness of the orbicularis oculi was observed. Central retinal pathology, only seen in patients and not in healthy controls, included twisting (tortuosity) of the retinal arteries in 25 of the 33 patients and retinal pigment epithelium defects in 4 of the 33 patients. Asymmetrical foveal hypoplasia was present in three patients, and exudative abnormalities were observed in one patient. There was a correlation between the severity of retinal tortuosity and the D4Z4 repeat array size (R 2 = 0.44, P < 0.005). Follow-up examination in a subgroup of six patients did not show any changes after 2 years. To conclude, retinal abnormalities were frequent but almost always subclinical in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy and consisted primarily of arterial tortuosity and foveal abnormalities. Retinal tortuosity was seen in the retinal arterioles and correlated with the D4Z4 repeat array size, thereby providing clinical evidence for an underlying genetic linkage between the retina and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne J M Goselink
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
| | - Vivian Schreur
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline R van Kernebeek
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
| | - George W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
| | | | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie E Erasmus
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Theelen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen HB, The Netherlands
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Ricci G, Cammish P, Siciliano G, Tupler R, Lochmuller H, Evangelista T. Phenotype may predict the clinical course of facioscapolohumeral muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2019; 59:711-713. [PMID: 30895627 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The correct phenotypic classification of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is crucial for directing genetic diagnosis and for the definition of outcome measures in clinical trials. METHODS Our objective was to ascertain the utility of the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF), the clinical classification proposed by the Italian Clinical Network for FSHD, in an independent FSHD patient population from the UK FSHD Patient Registry. We subdivided the patients into group 1, classic FSHD phenotype/category A of CCEF, and group 2, facial sparing phenotypes/category B1 of CCEF. RESULTS Among 642 patients with FSHD1, 68.1% reported facial and shoulder weakness, whereas 24.1% reported shoulder weakness without facial impairment. The phenotype in group 2 was milder, with a higher mean age at onset (P < 0.0001) and less severe motor disability. DISCUSSION Patients with different FSHD phenotypes may have different disease courses. Muscle Nerve 59:711-713, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ricci
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Roma 67 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Philip Cammish
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Roma 67 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Roma 67 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Hanns Lochmuller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Teresinha Evangelista
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Roma 67 56126, Pisa, Italy
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PAPADOPOULOS CONSTANTINOS, ZOUVELOU VASILIKI, PAPADIMAS GEORGEKONSTANTINOS. Facio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy with early joint contractures and rigid spine. ACTA MYOLOGICA : MYOPATHIES AND CARDIOMYOPATHIES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY OF MYOLOGY 2019; 38:25-28. [PMID: 31309179 PMCID: PMC6598404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Early joint contractures in childhood or adolescence irrespective of muscle weakness are usually found in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and collagen-VI related diseases and only rarely in the early stages of other progressive muscular dystrophies. We report a patient presenting severe elbow contractures and a rigid-spine since his early childhood without any evident muscle weakness, who was diagnosed with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy later in life. This case is interesting since there has been no report, to date, of patients with a phenotype resembling facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy also in association with early and prominent elbow contractures and spinal rigidity, since childhood, resembling Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Our case further confirmed the phenotypic variability often observed in carriers of D4Z4 reduce allele, and highlights the complexity of a definitive diagnosis in these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- CONSTANTINOS PAPADOPOULOS
- Address for correspondence: Constantinos Papadopoulos; 1st Department of Neurology, University of Athens, Medical School, Eginition Hospital, 72 Vas. Sophias Avenue, 11528, Athens, Greece. E-mail:
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Wong DG, Arevalo MK, Passoni NM, Iqbal NS, Jascur T, Kern AJ, Sanchez EJ, Satyanarayan A, Gattineni J, Baker LA. Phenotypic severity scoring system and categorisation for prune belly syndrome: application to a pilot cohort of 50 living patients. BJU Int 2019; 123:130-139. [PMID: 30113772 PMCID: PMC7368761 DOI: 10.1111/bju.14524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To design a novel system of scoring prune belly syndrome (PBS) phenotypic severity at any presenting age and apply it to a large pilot cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 2000 to 2017, patients with PBS were recruited to our prospective PBS study and medical records were cross-sectionally analysed, generating individualised RUBACE scores. We designed the pragmatic RUBACE-scoring system based on six sub-scores (R: renal, U: ureter, B: bladder/outlet, A: abdominal wall, C: cryptorchidism, E: extra-genitourinary, generating the acronym RUBACE), yielding a potential summed score of 0-31. The 'E' score was used to segregate syndromic PBS and PBS-plus variants. The cohort was scored per classic Woodard criteria and RUBACE scores compared to Woodard category. RESULTS In all, 48 males and two females had a mean (range) RUBACE score of 13.8 (8-25) at a mean age of 7.3 years. Segregated by phenotypic categories, there were 39 isolated PBS (76%), six syndromic PBS (12%) and five PBS-plus (10%) cases. The mean RUBACE scores for Woodard categories 1, 2, and 3 were 20.5 (eight patients), 13.8 (25), and 10.6 (17), respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS RUBACE is a practical, organ/system level, phenotyping tool designed to grade PBS severity and categorise patients into isolated PBS, syndromic PBS, and PBS-plus groups. This standardised system will facilitate genotype-phenotype correlations and future prospective multicentre studies assessing medical and surgical treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- DG Wong
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - MK Arevalo
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - NM Passoni
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Pediatric Urology, Children’s Health Dallas, 2350 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite F4300, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
| | - NS Iqbal
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - T Jascur
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - AJ Kern
- Pediatric Urology, Anne Arundel Medical Center, 2001 Medical Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
| | - EJ Sanchez
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Pediatric Urology, Children’s Health Dallas, 2350 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite F4300, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
| | - A Satyanarayan
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Pediatric Urology, Children’s Health Dallas, 2350 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite F4300, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
| | - J Gattineni
- Pediatric Nephrology, Children’s Health Dallas, 1935 Medical District Dr, Suite B5238, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - LA Baker
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Pediatric Urology, Children’s Health Dallas, 2350 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite F4300, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
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Guien C, Blandin G, Lahaut P, Sanson B, Nehal K, Rabarimeriarijaona S, Bernard R, Lévy N, Sacconi S, Béroud C. The French National Registry of patients with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2018; 13:218. [PMID: 30514324 PMCID: PMC6280451 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-018-0960-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is a rare inherited neuromuscular disease with an estimated prevalence of 1/20,000 and France therefore harbors about 3000 FSHD patients. With research progress and the development of targeted therapies, patients’ identification through registries can facilitate and improve recruitment in clinical trials and studies. Results The French National Registry of FSHD patients was designed as a mixed model registry involving both patients and physicians, through self-report and clinical evaluation questionnaires respectively, to collect molecular and clinical data. Because of the limited number of patients, data quality is a major goal of the registry and various automatic data control features have been implemented in the bioinformatics system. In parallel, data are manually validated by molecular and clinical curators. Since its creation in 2013, data from 638 FSHD patients have been collected, representing about 21% of the French FSHD population. The mixed model strategy allowed to collect 59.1% of data from both patients and clinicians; 26 and 14.9% from respectively patients and clinicians only. With the identification of the FSHD1 and FSHD2 forms, specific questionnaires have been designed. Though FSHD2 patients are progressively included, FSHD1 patients still account for the majority (94.9%). The registry is compatible with the FAIR principles as data are Findable, Accessible and Interoperable. We thus used molecular standards and standardized clinical terms used by the FILNEMUS French network of reference centers for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients suffering from a rare neuromuscular disease. The implemented clinical terms mostly map to dictionaries and terminology systems such as SNOMED-CT (75% of terms), CTV3 (61.7%) and NCIt (53.3%). Because of the sensitive nature of data, they are not directly reusable and can only be accessed as aggregated data after evaluation and approval by the registry oversight committee. Conclusions The French National Registry of FSHD patients belongs to a national effort to develop databases, which should now interact with other initiatives to build a European and/or an international FSHD virtual registry for the benefits of patients. It is accessible at www.fshd.fr and various useful information, links, and documents, including a video, are available for patients and professionals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-018-0960-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Guien
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Bioinformatics & Genetics, Marseille, France
| | - Gaëlle Blandin
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Bioinformatics & Genetics, Marseille, France
| | - Pauline Lahaut
- Université Côte d'Azur, Service Système Nerveux Périphérique, Muscle et SLA, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Benoît Sanson
- Université Côte d'Azur, Service Système Nerveux Périphérique, Muscle et SLA, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Katia Nehal
- APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Marseille, France
| | | | - Rafaëlle Bernard
- APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Lévy
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Bioinformatics & Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Marseille, France
| | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Université Côte d'Azur, Service Système Nerveux Périphérique, Muscle et SLA, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France.,Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), INSERM U1081, CNRS UMR 7284, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Faculté de Médecine, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Béroud
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Bioinformatics & Genetics, Marseille, France. .,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Marseille, France.
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Goselink RJ, Schreuder TH, van Alfen N, de Groot IJ, Jansen M, Lemmers RJ, van der Vliet PJ, van der Stoep N, Theelen T, Voermans NC, van der Maarel SM, van Engelen BG, Erasmus CE. Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy in Childhood: A Nationwide Natural History Study. Ann Neurol 2018; 84:627-637. [PMID: 30179273 PMCID: PMC6282793 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most frequent heritable muscular dystrophies, with a large variety in age at onset and disease severity. The natural history and molecular characteristics of FSHD in childhood are incompletely understood. Our objective is to clinically and genetically characterize FSHD in childhood. METHODS We performed a nationwide, single-investigator, natural history study on FSHD in childhood. RESULTS Multiple-source recruitment resulted in 32 patients with FSHD (0-17 years), leading to an estimated prevalence of 1 in 100,000 children in The Netherlands. This series of 32 children with FSHD revealed a heterogeneous phenotype and genotype in childhood. The phenotypic hallmarks of FSHD in childhood are: facial weakness with normal or only mildly affected motor performance, decreased functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test), lumbar hyperlordosis, and increased echo intensity on muscle ultrasonography. In addition, pain and fatigue were frequent and patients experienced a lower quality of life compared to healthy peers. In contrast to the literature on early-onset FSHD, systemic features such as hearing loss and retinal and cardiac abnormalities were infrequent and subclinical, and epilepsy and intellectual disability were absent. Genotypically, patients had a mean D4Z4 repeat array of 5 units (range, 2-9), and 14% of the mutations were de novo. INTERPRETATION FSHD in childhood is more prevalent than previously known and the genotype resembles classic FSHD. Importantly, FSHD mainly affects functional exercise capacity and quality of life in children. As such, these results are paramount for counseling, clinical management, and stratification in clinical research. Ann Neurol 2018;84:635-645.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne J.M. Goselink
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Tim H.A. Schreuder
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Imelda J.M. de Groot
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Merel Jansen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Nienke van der Stoep
- Department of Clinical GeneticsLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Thomas Theelen
- Department of OphthalmologyRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Nicol C. Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Baziel G.M. van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Corrie E. Erasmus
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
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Mul K, Voermans NC, Lemmers RJLF, Jonker MA, van der Vliet PJ, Padberg GW, van Engelen BGM, van der Maarel SM, Horlings CGC. Phenotype-genotype relations in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1. Clin Genet 2018; 94:521-527. [PMID: 30211448 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To determine how much of the clinical variability in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) can be explained by the D4Z4 repeat array size, D4Z4 methylation and familial factors, we included 152 carriers of an FSHD1 allele (23 single cases, 129 familial cases from 37 families) and performed state-of-the-art genetic testing, extensive clinical evaluation and quantitative muscle MRI. Familial factors accounted for 50% of the variance in disease severity (FSHD clinical score). The explained variance by the D4Z4 repeat array size for disease severity was limited (approximately 10%), and varied per body region (facial muscles, upper and lower extremities approximately 30%, 15% and 3%, respectively). Unaffected gene carriers had longer repeat array sizes compared to symptomatic individuals (7.3 vs 6.0 units, P = 0.000) and slightly higher Delta1 methylation levels (D4Z4 methylation corrected for repeat size, 0.96 vs -2.46, P = 0.048). The D4Z4 repeat array size and D4Z4 methylation contribute to variability in disease severity and penetrance, but other disease modifying factors must be involved as well. The larger effect of the D4Z4 repeat array on facial muscle involvement suggests that these muscles are more sensitive to the influence of the FSHD1 locus itself, whereas leg muscle involvement seems highly dependent on modifying factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J L F Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne A Jonker
- Department of Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - George W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Corinne G C Horlings
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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40
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Genotype-phenotype correlation: The ultimate challenge in facioscapolohumeral muscular dystrophy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2018; 22:737. [PMID: 30213505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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41
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Mah JK, Chen YW. A Pediatric Review of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2018; 16:222-231. [PMID: 30923442 PMCID: PMC6435288 DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophies worldwide. It is a complex and heterogeneous disease secondary to insufficient epigenetic repression of D4Z4 repeats and aberrant expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscles. Type 1 facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by contraction of D4Z4 repeats on 4q35, whereas type 2 FSHD is associated with mutations of the SMCHD1 or DNMT3B gene in the presence of a disease-permissive 4qA haplotype. Classical FSHD is a slowly progressive disorder with gradual-onset of muscle atrophy and a descending pattern of muscle weakness. In contrast, early-onset FSHD is associated with a large deletion of D4Z4 repeats and a more severe disease phenotype, including early loss of independent ambulation as well as extramuscular manifestations, such as retinal vasculopathy, hearing loss, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. However, the correlation between D4Z4 repeats and disease severity remains imprecise. The current standard of care guidelines offers comprehensive assessment and symptomatic management of secondary complications. Several clinical trials are currently underway for FSHD. New and emerging treatments focus on correcting the transcriptional misregulation of D4Z4 and reversing the cytotoxic effects of DUX4. Other potential therapeutic targets include reduction of inflammation, improving muscle mass, and activating compensatory molecular pathways. The utility of disease-modifying treatments will depend on selection of sensitive clinical endpoints as well as validation of muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other biomarkers to detect meaningful changes in disease progression. Correction of the epigenetic defects using new gene editing as well as other DUX4 silencing technologies offers potential treatment options for many individuals with FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean K. Mah
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
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42
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Mah JK, Feng J, Jacobs MB, Duong T, Carroll K, de Valle K, Carty CL, Morgenroth LP, Guglieri M, Ryan MM, Clemens PR, Thangarajh M, Webster R, Smith E, Connolly AM, McDonald CM, Karachunski P, Tulinius M, Harper A, Cnaan A, Chen YW. A multinational study on motor function in early-onset FSHD. Neurology 2018. [PMID: 29540582 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000005297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate motor function associations with age, sex, and D4Z4 repeats among participants with early-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) type 1 as defined by weakness onset before 10 years of age. METHODS We collected standardized motor assessments, including manual muscle testing (MMT), quantitative muscle testing, functional motor evaluations, and clinical severity scores (CSSs), at 12 Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group centers. To measure associations, we used linear regression models adjusted for sex, evaluation age, age at onset of weakness, and D4Z4 repeats. RESULTS Among 52 participants (60% female, mean age 22.9 ± 14.7 years), weakness was most pronounced in the shoulder and abdominal musculature. Older enrollment age was associated with greater CSSs (p = 0.003). When adjusted for enrollment age, sex, and D4Z4 repeats, younger age at onset of facial weakness was associated with greater CSSs, slower velocities in timed function tests, and lower MMT scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Significant clinical variability was observed in early-onset FSHD. Earlier age at onset of facial weakness was associated with greater disease severity. Longitudinal assessments are needed to determine the rate of disease progression in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean K Mah
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD.
| | - Jia Feng
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Marni B Jacobs
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Tina Duong
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Kate Carroll
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Katy de Valle
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Cara L Carty
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Lauren P Morgenroth
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Michela Guglieri
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Monique M Ryan
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Paula R Clemens
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Mathula Thangarajh
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Richard Webster
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Edward Smith
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Anne M Connolly
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Craig M McDonald
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Peter Karachunski
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Mar Tulinius
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Amy Harper
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Avital Cnaan
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- From the University of Calgary (J.K.M.), Alberta Children's Hospital, Canada; Children's National Medical Center (J.F., M.B.J., C.L.C., L.M., M.T., A.C., Y.-W.C.), Washington, DC; Stanford University (T.D.), CA; Royal Children's Hospital (K.C., K.d.V., M.M.R.), Melbourne, Australia; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (M.G.), UK; University of Pittsburgh (P.R.C.) and the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, PA; Children's Hospital at Westmead (R.W.), Sydney, Australia; Duke Medical Center (E.S.), Durham, NC; Washington University (A.M.C.), St. Louis, MO; University of California at Davis Medical Center (C.M.M.), Sacramento; University of Minnesota (P.K.), Minneapolis; Gothenburg University (M.T.), Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sweden; Carolinas Medical Center (A.H.), Charlotte, NC; and Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (L.P.M.), LLC, Kensington, MD
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Integrating clinical and genetic observations in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Curr Opin Neurol 2018; 29:606-13. [PMID: 27389814 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review gives an overview of the currently known key clinical and (epi)genetic aspects of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and provides perspectives to facilitate future research. RECENT FINDINGS Clinically, imaging studies have contributed to a detailed characterization of the FSHD phenotype, and a model is proposed with five stages of disease progression. A number of clinical trials have been conducted regarding exercise and diet aiming to reduce symptoms. Genetically, at least two different mechanisms (FSHD1 and FSHD2) lead to double homeobox 4 (DUX4) expression in skeletal myocytes, which is expected to be necessary for the disease. Disease severity is most likely determined by a combination of the D4Z4 repeat size and its epigenetic state. SUMMARY FSHD is one of the most common muscular dystrophies and is characterized by a typical distribution of muscle weakness. Progress has been made on clinical as well as on (epi)genetic aspects of the disease. Currently, there is no cure available for FSHD. For successful development of new treatments targeting the disease process, integration of clinical and pathogenetic knowledge is essential. A clinical trial toolbox that consists of patient registries, biomarkers and clinical outcome measures will be required to effectively conduct future clinical trials.
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Goselink RJM, Voermans NC, Okkersen K, Brouwer OF, Padberg GW, Nikolic A, Tupler R, Dorobek M, Mah JK, van Engelen BGM, Schreuder THA, Erasmus CE. Early onset facioscapulohumeral dystrophy - a systematic review using individual patient data. Neuromuscul Disord 2017; 27:1077-1083. [PMID: 29102079 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Infantile or early onset is estimated to occur in around 10% of all facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) patients. Although small series of early onset FSHD patients have been reported, comprehensive data on the clinical phenotype is missing. We performed a systematic literature search on the clinical features of early onset FSHD comprising a total of 43 articles with individual data on 227 patients. Additional data from four cohorts was provided by the authors. Mean age at reporting was 18.8 years, and 40% of patients were wheelchair-dependent at that age. Half of the patients had systemic features, including hearing loss (40%), retinal abnormalities (37%) and developmental delay (8%). We found an inverse correlation between repeat size and disease severity, similar to adult-onset FSHD. De novo FSHD1 mutations were more prevalent than in adult-onset FSHD. Compared to adult FSHD, our findings indicate that early onset FSHD is overall characterized by a more severe muscle phenotype and a higher prevalence of systemic features. However, similar as in adults, a significant clinical heterogeneity was observed. Based on this, we consider early onset FSHD to be on the severe end of the FSHD disease spectrum. We found natural history studies and treatment studies to be very scarce in early onset FSHD, therefore longitudinal studies are needed to improve prognostication, clinical management and trial-readiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne J M Goselink
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kees Okkersen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Oebele F Brouwer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - George W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Nikolic
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Malgorzata Dorobek
- Department of Neurology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jean K Mah
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim H A Schreuder
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie E Erasmus
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Medical Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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DeSimone AM, Pakula A, Lek A, Emerson CP. Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Compr Physiol 2017; 7:1229-1279. [PMID: 28915324 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c160039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy is a common form of muscular dystrophy that presents clinically with progressive weakness of the facial, scapular, and humeral muscles, with later involvement of the trunk and lower extremities. While typically inherited as autosomal dominant, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) has a complex genetic and epigenetic etiology that has only recently been well described. The most prevalent form of the disease, FSHD1, is associated with the contraction of the D4Z4 microsatellite repeat array located on a permissive 4qA chromosome. D4Z4 contraction allows epigenetic derepression of the array, and possibly the surrounding 4q35 region, allowing misexpression of the toxic DUX4 transcription factor encoded within the terminal D4Z4 repeat in skeletal muscles. The less common form of the disease, FSHD2, results from haploinsufficiency of the SMCHD1 gene in individuals carrying a permissive 4qA allele, also leading to the derepression of DUX4, further supporting a central role for DUX4. How DUX4 misexpression contributes to FSHD muscle pathology is a major focus of current investigation. Misexpression of other genes at the 4q35 locus, including FRG1 and FAT1, and unlinked genes, such as SMCHD1, has also been implicated as disease modifiers, leading to several competing disease models. In this review, we describe recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of FSHD, including the application of MRI as a research and diagnostic tool, the genetic and epigenetic disruptions associated with the disease, and the molecular basis of FSHD. We discuss how these advances are leading to the emergence of new approaches to enable development of FSHD therapeutics. © 2017 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 7:1229-1279, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec M DeSimone
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Pakula
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles P Emerson
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Chagarlamudi H, Corbett A, Stoll M, Bibat G, Grosmann C, Matichak Stock C, Stinson N, Shapiro J, Wagner KR. Bone health in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A cross-sectional study. Muscle Nerve 2017; 56:1108-1113. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.25619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hema Chagarlamudi
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
| | | | - Marion Stoll
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory; Concord Hospital; Concord New South Wales Australia
| | - Genila Bibat
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Carla Grosmann
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
- Rady Children's Hospital and Department of Neurosciences; University of California San Diego School of Medicine; San Diego California USA
| | - Carly Matichak Stock
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Nikia Stinson
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Jay Shapiro
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta Department; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Kathryn R. Wagner
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders; Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore Maryland USA
- Department of Neurology; The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Baltimore Maryland USA
- Department of Neuroscience; The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Baltimore Maryland USA
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225th ENMC international workshop:: A global FSHD registry framework, 18-20 November 2016, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2017. [PMID: 28625604 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Palladino A, D'Ambrosio P, Papa AA, Petillo R, Orsini C, Scutifero M, Nigro G, Politano L. Management of cardiac involvement in muscular dystrophies: paediatric versus adult forms. ACTA MYOLOGICA : MYOPATHIES AND CARDIOMYOPATHIES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY OF MYOLOGY 2016; 35:128-134. [PMID: 28484313 PMCID: PMC5416740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a group of genetic disorders characterized by muscle degeneration and consequent substitution by fat and fibrous tissue. Cardiac involvement is an almost constant feature in a great part of these diseases, as both primary myocardial involvement and secondary involvement due to respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension or reduced mobility. Primary myocardial involvement usually begins more precociously compared to the secondary involvement. In fact the first signs of cardiomyopathy can be observed in the first decade of life in muscular dystrophies with childhood onset and later in adult form of muscular dystrophies as myotonic dystrophy type 1. At least an annual cardiac follow-up is recommended in these patients including clinical and instrumental examination (ECG, 24h Holter monitoring, ECHO), to detect cardiac involvement. A more frequent monitoring may be required according to the type of cardiomyopathy and the patient's needs. In this short review practical guide-lines are shown for physicians routinely involved in the management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Palladino
- Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine
| | - Paola D'Ambrosio
- Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine
| | - Andrea Antonio Papa
- Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine
- Arrhythmologic Unit, Department of Cardiology. University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Petillo
- Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine
| | - Chiara Orsini
- Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine
| | | | - Gerardo Nigro
- Arrhythmologic Unit, Department of Cardiology. University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Luisa Politano
- Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine
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Gatica LV, Rosa AL. A complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic events leads to abnormal expression of the DUX4 gene in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2016; 26:844-852. [PMID: 27816329 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a prevalent inherited human myopathy, develops following a complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic events. FSHD1, the more frequent genetic form, is associated with: (1) deletion of an integral number of 3.3 Kb (D4Z4) repeated elements at the chromosomal region 4q35, (2) a specific 4q35 subtelomeric haplotype denominated 4qA, and (3) decreased methylation of cytosines at the 4q35-linked D4Z4 units. FSHD2 is most often caused by mutations at the SMCHD1 (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Hinge Domain 1) gene, on chromosome 18p11.32. FSHD2 individuals also carry the 4qA haplotype and decreased methylation of D4Z4 cytosines. Each D4Z4 unit contains a copy of the retrotransposed gene DUX4 (double homeobox containing protein 4). DUX4 gene functionality was questioned in the past because of its pseudogene-like structure, its location on repetitive telomeric DNA sequences (i.e. junk DNA), and the elusive nature of both the DUX4 transcript and the encoded protein, DUX4. It is now known that DUX4 is a nuclear-located transcription factor, which is normally expressed in germinal tissues. Aberrant DUX4 expression triggers a deregulation cascade inhibiting muscle differentiation, sensitizing cells to oxidative stress, and inducing muscle atrophy. A unifying pathogenic model for FSHD emerged with the recognition that the FSHD-permissive 4qA haplotype corresponds to a polyadenylation signal that stabilizes the DUX4 mRNA, allowing the toxic protein DUX4 to be expressed. This working hypothesis for FSHD pathogenesis highlights the intrinsic epigenetic nature of the molecular mechanism underlying FSHD as well as the pathogenic pathway connecting FSHD1 and FSHD2. Pharmacological control of either DUX4 gene expression or the activity of the DUX4 protein constitutes current potential rational therapeutic approaches to treat FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Luis Rosa
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular, Fundación Allende, Argentina; Servicio de Genética Médica y Laboratorio Diagnóstico Biología Molecular, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina; Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina.
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Trucco F, Pedemonte M, Fiorillo C, Tacchetti P, Brisca G, Bruno C, Minetti C. Respiratory pattern in a FSHD pediatric population. Respir Med 2016; 119:78-80. [PMID: 27692152 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by selective weakness of face and upper arms and girdle. Respiratory involvement in FSHD has been described mainly in the most severely affected patients. In this work we tested the respiratory function by spirometry in 12 patients affected by FSHD with onset before 18 years. Spirometry results were correlated with motor involvement and compared to aged matched group of Becker patients. Of note FSHD patients present a peculiar pattern characterized by a flat shape in flow-volume loop. Respiratory volumes correlate with clinical severity and expiratory phase is specifically affected in comparison to other muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Trucco
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.
| | - Marina Pedemonte
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Tacchetti
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Giacomo Brisca
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Myology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Minetti
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disease Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Pediatrics, University of Genova, Italy
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