1
|
Hart CC, Lee YI, Xie J, Gao G, Lin BL, Hammers DW, Sweeney HL. Potential limitations of microdystrophin gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e165869. [PMID: 38713520 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.165869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials delivering high doses of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) expressing truncated dystrophin molecules (microdystrophins) are underway for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We examined the efficiency and efficacy of this strategy with 4 microdystrophin constructs (3 in clinical trials and a variant of the largest clinical construct), in a severe mouse model of DMD, using AAV doses comparable with those in clinical trials. We achieved high levels of microdystrophin expression in striated muscles with cardiac expression approximately 10-fold higher than that observed in skeletal muscle. Significant, albeit incomplete, correction of skeletal muscle disease was observed. Surprisingly, a lethal acceleration of cardiac disease occurred with 2 of the microdystrophins. The detrimental cardiac effect appears to be caused by variable competition (dependent on microdystrophin design and expression level) between microdystrophin and utrophin at the cardiomyocyte membrane. There may also be a contribution from an overloading of protein degradation. The significance of these observations for patients currently being treated with AAV-microdystrophin therapies is unclear since the levels of expression being achieved in the DMD hearts are unknown. However, these findings suggest that microdystrophin treatments need to avoid excessively high levels of expression in the heart and that cardiac function should be carefully monitored in these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cora C Hart
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Young Il Lee
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian L Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy & Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - David W Hammers
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
George TG, Hanft LM, Krenz M, Domeier TL, McDonald KS. Dystrophic cardiomyopathy: role of the cardiac myofilaments. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1207658. [PMID: 37362434 PMCID: PMC10288979 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1207658] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystrophic cardiomyopathy arises from mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin forms part of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex and is postulated to act as a membrane stabilizer, protecting the sarcolemma from contraction-induced damage. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe dystrophinopathy, caused by a total absence of dystrophin. Patients with DMD present with progressive skeletal muscle weakness and, because of treatment advances, a cardiac component of the disease (i.e., dystrophic cardiomyopathy) has been unmasked later in disease progression. The role that myofilaments play in dystrophic cardiomyopathy is largely unknown and, as such, this study aimed to address cardiac myofilament function in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. To assess the effects of DMD on myofilament function, isolated permeabilized cardiomyocytes of wild-type (WT) littermates and Dmdmdx-4cv mice were attached between a force transducer and motor and subjected to contractile assays. Maximal tension and rates of force development (indexed by the rate constant, k tr) were similar between WT and Dmdmdx-4cv cardiac myocyte preparations. Interestingly, Dmdmdx-4cv cardiac myocytes exhibited greater sarcomere length dependence of peak power output compared to WT myocyte preparations. These results suggest dystrophin mitigates length dependence of activation and, in the absence of dystrophin, augmented sarcomere length dependence of myocyte contractility may accelerate ventricular myocyte contraction-induced damage and contribute to dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Next, we assessed if mavacamten, a small molecule modulator of thick filament activation, would mitigate contractile properties observed in Dmdmdx-4cv permeabilized cardiac myocyte preparations. Mavacamten decreased maximal tension and k tr in both WT and Dmdmdx-4cv cardiac myocytes, while also normalizing the length dependence of peak power between WT and Dmdmdx-4cv cardiac myocyte preparations. These results highlight potential benefits of mavacamten (i.e., reduced contractility while maintaining exquisite sarcomere length dependence of power output) as a treatment for dystrophic cardiomyopathy associated with DMD.
Collapse
|
3
|
Nitahara-Kasahara Y, Nakayama S, Kimura K, Yamaguchi S, Kakiuchi Y, Nito C, Hayashi M, Nakaishi T, Ueda Y, Okada T. Immunomodulatory amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells preserve muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:108. [PMID: 37106393 PMCID: PMC10142496 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03337-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable genetic disease characterized by degeneration and necrosis of myofibers, chronic inflammation, and progressive muscle weakness resulting in premature mortality. Immunosuppressive multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy could be an option for DMD patients. We focused on amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs), a clinically viable cell source owing to their unique characteristics, such as non-invasive isolation, mitotic stability, ethical acceptability, and minimal risk of immune reaction and cancer. We aimed to identify novel immunomodulatory effects of AMSCs on macrophage polarization and their transplantation strategies for the functional recovery of skeletal and cardiac muscles. METHODS We used flow cytometry to analyze the expression of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage markers on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) co-cultured with human AMSCs (hAMSCs). hAMSCs were intravenously injected into DMD model mice (mdx mice) to assess the safety and efficacy of therapeutic interventions. hAMSC-treated and untreated mdx mice were monitored using blood tests, histological examinations, spontaneous wheel-running activities, grip strength, and echocardiography. RESULTS hAMSCs induced M2 macrophage polarization in PBMCs via prostaglandin E2 production. After repeated systemic hAMSC injections, mdx mice exhibited a transient downregulation of serum creatin kinase. Limited mononuclear cell infiltration and a decreased number of centrally nucleated fibers were indicative of regenerated myofibers following degeneration, suggesting an improved histological appearance of the skeletal muscle of hAMSC-treated mdx mice. Upregulated M2 macrophages and altered cytokine/chemokine expressions were observed in the muscles of hAMSC-treated mdx mice. During long-term experiments, a significant decrease in the grip strength in control mdx mice significantly improved in the hAMSC-treated mdx mice. hAMSC-treated mdx mice maintained running activity and enhanced daily running distance. Notably, the treated mice could run longer distances per minute, indicating high running endurance. Left ventricular function in DMD mice improved in hAMSC-treated mdx mice. CONCLUSIONS Early systemic hAMSC administration in mdx mice ameliorated progressive phenotypes, including pathological inflammation and motor dysfunction, resulting in the long-term improvement of skeletal and cardiac muscle function. The therapeutic effects might be associated with the immunosuppressive properties of hAMSCs via M2 macrophage polarization. This treatment strategy could provide therapeutic benefits to DMD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Nitahara-Kasahara
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Soya Nakayama
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Laboratories, Kaneka Corporation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koichi Kimura
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sho Yamaguchi
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Laboratories, Kaneka Corporation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuko Kakiuchi
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Chikako Nito
- Laboratory for Clinical Research, Collaborative Research Center, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hayashi
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Laboratories, Kaneka Corporation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Nakaishi
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Laboratories, Kaneka Corporation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Ueda
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Laboratories, Kaneka Corporation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Piepho AB, Lowe J, Cumby LR, Dorn LE, Lake DM, Rastogi N, Gertzen MD, Sturgill SL, Odom GL, Ziolo MT, Accornero F, Chamberlain JS, Rafael-Fortney JA. Micro-dystrophin gene therapy demonstrates long-term cardiac efficacy in a severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy model. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:344-354. [PMID: 36874243 PMCID: PMC9981810 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Micro-dystrophin gene replacement therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are currently in clinical trials, but have not been thoroughly investigated for their efficacy on cardiomyopathy progression to heart failure. We previously validated Fiona/dystrophin-utrophin-deficient (dko) mice as a DMD cardiomyopathy model that progresses to reduced ejection fraction indicative of heart failure. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector delivery of an early generation micro-dystrophin prevented cardiac pathology and functional decline through 1 year of age in this new model. We now show that gene therapy using a micro-dystrophin optimized for skeletal muscle efficacy (AAV-μDys5), and which is currently in a clinical trial, is able to fully prevent cardiac pathology and cardiac strain abnormalities and maintain normal (>45%) ejection fraction through 18 months of age in Fiona/dko mice. Early treatment with AAV-μDys5 prevents inflammation and fibrosis in Fiona/dko hearts. Collagen in cardiac fibrotic scars becomes more tightly packed from 12 to 18 months in Fiona/dko mice, but the area of fibrosis containing tenascin C does not change. Increased tight collagen correlates with unexpected improvements in Fiona/dko whole-heart function that maintain impaired cardiac strain and strain rate. This study supports micro-dystrophin gene therapy as a promising intervention for preventing DMD cardiomyopathy progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arden B. Piepho
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jeovanna Lowe
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Laurel R. Cumby
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Lisa E. Dorn
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Dana M. Lake
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Megan D. Gertzen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Sarah L. Sturgill
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Guy L. Odom
- Department of Neurology and Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Mark T. Ziolo
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Federica Accornero
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology and Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jill A. Rafael-Fortney
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Himelman E, Nouet J, Lillo MA, Chong A, Zhou D, Wehrens XHT, Rodney GG, Xie LH, Shirokova N, Contreras JE, Fraidenraich D. A microtubule-connexin-43 regulatory link suppresses arrhythmias and cardiac fibrosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H983-H995. [PMID: 36206047 PMCID: PMC9639757 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00179.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an inherited degenerative disease of the cardiac and skeletal muscle caused by absence of the protein dystrophin. We showed one hallmark of DMD cardiomyopathy is the dysregulation of cardiac gap junction channel protein connexin-43 (Cx43). Proper Cx43 localization and function at the cardiac intercalated disc (ID) is regulated by post-translational phosphorylation of Cx43-carboxy-terminus residues S325/S328/S330 (pS-Cx43). Concurrently, Cx43 traffics along microtubules (MTs) for targeted delivery to the ID. In DMD hearts, absence of dystrophin results in a hyperdensified and disorganized MT cytoskeleton, yet the link with pS-Cx43 remains unaddressed. To gain insight into the relationship between MTs and pS-Cx43, DMD mice (mdx) and pS-Cx43-deficient (mdxS3A) mice were treated with an inhibitor of MT polymerization, colchicine (Colch). Colch treatment protected mdx, not mdxS3A mice, against Cx43 remodeling, improved MT directionality, and enhanced pS-Cx43/tubulin interaction. Likewise, severe arrhythmias were prevented in isoproterenol-stressed mdx, not mdxS3A mice. Furthermore, MT directionality was improved in pS-Cx43-mimicking mdx (mdxS3E). Mdxutr+/- and mdxutr+/-S3A mice, lacking one copy of dystrophin homolog utrophin, displayed enhanced cardiac fibrosis and reduced lifespan compared with mdxutr+/-S3E; and Colch treatment corrected cardiac fibrosis in mdxutr+/- but not mdxutr+/-S3A. Collectively, the data suggest that improved MT directionality reduces Cx43 remodeling and that pS-Cx43 is necessary and sufficient to regulate MT organization, which plays crucial role in correcting cardiac dysfunction in DMD mice. Thus, identification of novel organizational mechanisms acting on pS-Cx43-MT will help develop novel cardioprotective therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that colchicine administration to Cx43-phospho-deficient dystrophic mice fails to protect against Cx43 remodeling. Conversely, Cx43-phospho-mimic dystrophic mice display a normalized MT network. We envision a bidirectional regulation whereby correction of the dystrophic MTs leads to correction of Cx43 remodeling, which in turn leads to further correction of the MTs. Our findings suggest a link between phospho-Cx43 and MTs that provides strong foundations for novel therapeutics in DMD cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Himelman
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Julie Nouet
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Mauricio A Lillo
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Alexander Chong
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Delong Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Xander H T Wehrens
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Medicine, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - George G Rodney
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Medicine, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lai-Hua Xie
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Natalia Shirokova
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Jorge E Contreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Diego Fraidenraich
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Saclier M, Angelini G, Bonfanti C, Mura G, Temponi G, Messina G. Selective ablation of Nfix in macrophages attenuates muscular dystrophy by inhibiting fibro-adipogenic progenitor-dependent fibrosis. J Pathol 2022; 257:352-366. [PMID: 35297529 PMCID: PMC9322546 DOI: 10.1002/path.5895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are genetic diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Macrophages are immune cells that sustain muscle regeneration upon acute injury but seem deleterious in the context of chronic muscle injury such as in muscular dystrophies. Here, we observed that the number of macrophages expressing the transcription factor Nfix increases in two distinct mouse models of muscular dystrophies. We showed that the deletion of Nfix in macrophages in dystrophic mice delays the establishment of fibrosis and muscle wasting, and increases grasp force. Macrophages lacking Nfix expressed more TNFα and less TGFβ1, thus promoting apoptosis of fibro‐adipogenic progenitors. Moreover, pharmacological treatment of dystrophic mice with a ROCK inhibitor accelerated fibrosis through the increase of Nfix expression by macrophages. Thus, we have identified Nfix as a macrophage profibrotic factor in muscular dystrophies, whose inhibition could be a therapeutic route to reduce severity of the dystrophic disease. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chiara Bonfanti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giada Mura
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Temponi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Animal models for researching approaches to therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:709-725. [PMID: 34409525 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relatively widespread genetic disease which develops as a result of a mutation in the gene DMD encoding dystrophin. In this review, animal models of DMD are described. These models are used in preclinical studies to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease or to develop effective treatments; each animal model has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and zebrafish (sapje) are suitable for large-scale chemical screening of large numbers of small molecules, but their disease phenotype differs from that of mammals. The use of larger animals is important for understanding of the potential efficacy of various treatments for DMD. While mdx mice have their advantages, they exhibit a milder disease phenotype compared to humans or dogs, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of new treatment for DMD. The disease in dogs and pigs is more severe and progresses faster than in mice, but it is more difficult to breed and obtain sufficient numbers of specimens in order to achieve statistically significant results. Moreover, working with large animals is also more labor-intensive. Therefore, when choosing the optimal animal model for research, it is worth considering all the goals and objectives.
Collapse
|
8
|
Canonico F, Chirivi M, Maiullari F, Milan M, Rizzi R, Arcudi A, Galli M, Pane M, Gowran A, Pompilio G, Mercuri E, Crea F, Bearzi C, D'Amario D. Focus on the road to modelling cardiomyopathy in muscular dystrophy. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:1872-1884. [PMID: 34254111 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the DMD gene, which codes for the protein dystrophin, cause forms of dystrophinopathies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X-linked disease. Cardiomyopathy linked to DMD mutations is becoming the leading cause of death in patients with dystrophinopathy. Since phenotypic pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood, the improvement and development of new disease models, considering their relative advantages and disadvantages, is essential. The application of genetic engineering approaches on induced pluripotent stem cells, such as gene editing technology, enables the development of physiologically relevant human cell models for in vitro dystrophinopathy studies. The combination of induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiovascular cell types and 3 D bioprinting technologies hold great promise for the study of dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy. This combined approach enables the assessment of responses to physical or chemical stimuli, and the influence of pharmaceutical approaches. The critical objective of in vitro microphysiological systems is to more accurately reproduce the microenvironment observed in vivo. Ground-breaking methodology involving the connection of multiple microphysiological systems comprised of different tissues would represent a move toward precision body-on-chip disease modelling could lead to a critical expansion in what is known about inter-organ responses to disease and novel therapies that have the potential to replace animal models. In this review, we will focus on the generation, development, and application of current cellular, animal and potential for bio-printed models, in the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy in the direction of personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Canonico
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Maila Chirivi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Maiullari
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Marika Milan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.,Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Arcudi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Galli
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Pane
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Aoife Gowran
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Crea
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Bearzi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.,Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (IRGB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico D'Amario
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Uryash A, Mijares A, Esteve E, Adams JA, Lopez JR. Cardioprotective Effect of Whole Body Periodic Acceleration in Dystrophic Phenotype mdx Rodent. Front Physiol 2021; 12:658042. [PMID: 34017265 PMCID: PMC8129504 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.658042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and the development of a dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is the leading cause of death in DMD patients. Despite knowing the cause of DMD, there are currently no therapies which can prevent or reverse its inevitable progression. We have used whole body periodic acceleration (WBPA) as a novel tool to enhance intracellular constitutive nitric oxide (NO) production. WBPA adds small pulses to the circulation to increase pulsatile shear stress, thereby upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and subsequently elevating the production of NO. Myocardial cells from dystrophin-deficient 15-month old mdx mice have contractile deficiency, which is associated with elevated concentrations of diastolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]d), Na+ ([Na+]d), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased cell injury, and decreased cell viability. Treating 12-month old mdx mice with WBPA for 3 months reduced cardiomyocyte [Ca2+]d and [Na+]d overload, decreased ROS production, and upregulated expression of the protein utrophin resulting in increased cell viability, reduced cardiomyocyte damage, and improved contractile function compared to untreated mdx mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arkady Uryash
- Division of Neonatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
| | - Alfredo Mijares
- Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Eric Esteve
- UMR 5525 UGA-CNRS-Grenoble INP-VetAgro Sup TIMC, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Jose A Adams
- Division of Neonatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
| | - Jose R Lopez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fazlollahi F, Santini Gonzalez JJ, Repas SJ, Canan BD, Billman GE, Janssen PML. Contraction-relaxation coupling is unaltered by exercise training and infarction in isolated canine myocardium. J Gen Physiol 2021; 153:211978. [PMID: 33847735 PMCID: PMC8047736 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The two main phases of the mammalian cardiac cycle are contraction and relaxation; however, whether there is a connection between them in humans is not well understood. Routine exercise has been shown to improve cardiac function, morphology, and molecular signatures. Likewise, the acute and chronic changes that occur in the heart in response to injury, disease, and stress are well characterized, albeit not fully understood. In this study, we investigated how exercise and myocardial injury affect contraction–relaxation coupling. We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between the maximal speed of contraction and the maximal speed of relaxation of canine myocardium after receiving surgically induced myocardial infarction, followed by either sedentary recovery or exercise training for 10–12 wk. We used isolated right ventricular trabeculae, which were electrically paced at different lengths, frequencies, and with increasing β-adrenoceptor stimulation. In all conditions, contraction and relaxation were linearly correlated, irrespective of injury or training history. Based on these results and the available literature, we posit that contraction–relaxation coupling is a fundamental myocardial property that resides in the structural arrangement of proteins at the level of the sarcomere and that this may be regulated by the actions of cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C) on actin and myosin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farbod Fazlollahi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Jorge J Santini Gonzalez
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Steven J Repas
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Benjamin D Canan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - George E Billman
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Howard ZM, Dorn LE, Lowe J, Gertzen MD, Ciccone P, Rastogi N, Odom GL, Accornero F, Chamberlain JS, Rafael-Fortney JA. Micro-dystrophin gene therapy prevents heart failure in an improved Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy mouse model. JCI Insight 2021; 6:146511. [PMID: 33651713 PMCID: PMC8119181 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene replacement for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with micro-dystrophins has entered clinical trials, but efficacy in preventing heart failure is unknown. Although most patients with DMD die from heart failure, cardiomyopathy is undetectable until the teens, so efficacy from trials in young boys will be unknown for a decade. Available DMD animal models were sufficient to demonstrate micro-dystrophin efficacy on earlier onset skeletal muscle pathology underlying loss of ambulation and respiratory insufficiency in patients. However, no mouse models progressed into heart failure, and dog models showed highly variable progression insufficient to evaluate efficacy of micro-dystrophin or other therapies on DMD heart failure. To overcome this barrier, we have generated the first DMD mouse model to our knowledge that reproducibly progresses into heart failure. This model shows cardiac inflammation and fibrosis occur prior to reduced function. Fibrosis does not continue to accumulate, but inflammation persists after function declines. We used this model to test micro-dystrophin gene therapy efficacy on heart failure prevention for the first time. Micro-dystrophin prevented declines in cardiac function and prohibited onset of inflammation and fibrosis. This model will allow identification of committed pathogenic steps to heart failure and testing of genetic and nongenetic therapies to optimize cardiac care for patients with DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary M. Howard
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa E. Dorn
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jeovanna Lowe
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Megan D. Gertzen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Pierce Ciccone
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Guy L. Odom
- Department of Neurology and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Federica Accornero
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jill A. Rafael-Fortney
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Szabó PL, Ebner J, Koenig X, Hamza O, Watzinger S, Trojanek S, Abraham D, Todt H, Kubista H, Schicker K, Remy S, Anegon I, Kiss A, Podesser BK, Hilber K. Cardiovascular phenotype of the Dmdmdx rat - a suitable animal model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:14/2/dmm047704. [PMID: 33619211 PMCID: PMC7927653 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides skeletal muscle abnormalities, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients present with dilated cardiomyopathy development, which considerably contributes to morbidity and mortality. Because the mechanisms responsible for the cardiac complications in the context of DMD are largely unknown, evidence-based therapy approaches are still lacking. This has increased the need for basic research efforts into animal models for DMD. Here, we characterized in detail the cardiovascular abnormalities of Dmdmdx rats, with the aim of determining the suitability of this recently established dystrophin-deficient small animal as a model for DMD. Various methods were applied to compare cardiovascular properties between wild-type and Dmdmdx rats, and to characterize the Dmdmdx cardiomyopathy. These methods comprised echocardiography, invasive assessment of left ventricular hemodynamics, examination of adverse remodeling and endothelial cell inflammation, and evaluation of vascular function, employing wire myography. Finally, intracellular Ca2+ transient measurements, and recordings of currents through L-type Ca2+ channels were performed in isolated single ventricular cardiomyocytes. We found that, similar to respective observations in DMD patients, the hearts of Dmdmdx rats show significantly impaired cardiac function, fibrosis and inflammation, consistent with the development of a dilated cardiomyopathy. Moreover, in Dmdmdx rats, vascular endothelial function is impaired, which may relate to inflammation and oxidative stress, and Ca2+ handling in Dmdmdx cardiomyocytes is abnormal. These findings indicate that Dmdmdx rats represent a promising small-animal model to elucidate mechanisms of cardiomyopathy development in the dystrophic heart, and to test mechanism-based therapies aiming to combat cardiovascular complications in DMD. Summary: We characterized the cardiovascular abnormalities of Dmdmdx rats, demonstrating that Dmdmdx rats show similar cardiac and vascular endothelial function impairments to Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, representing a model of the dystrophic heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Lujza Szabó
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Janine Ebner
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Xaver Koenig
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Ouafa Hamza
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Simon Watzinger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Sandra Trojanek
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Dietmar Abraham
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Hannes Todt
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Helmut Kubista
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Klaus Schicker
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Séverine Remy
- INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology, UMR 1064, Nantes Université, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Ignacio Anegon
- INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology, UMR 1064, Nantes Université, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Attila Kiss
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Bruno K Podesser
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Karlheinz Hilber
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Leng L, Dong X, Gao X, Ran N, Geng M, Zuo B, Wu Y, Li W, Yan H, Han G, Yin H. Exosome-mediated improvement in membrane integrity and muscle function in dystrophic mice. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1459-1470. [PMID: 33333294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic disorder that leads to compromised cellular membranes, caused by the absence of membrane-bound dystrophin protein. Muscle membrane leakage results in disrupted intracellular homeostasis, protein degradation, and muscle wasting. Improving muscle membrane integrity may delay disease progression and extend the lifespan of DMD patients. Here, we demonstrate that exosomes, membranous extracellular vesicles, can elicit functional improvements in dystrophic mice by improving muscle membrane integrity. Systemic administration of exosomes from different sources induced phenotypic rescue and mitigated pathological progression in dystrophic mice without detectable toxicity. Improved membrane integrity conferred by exosomes inhibited intracellular calcium influx and calcium-dependent activation of calpain proteases, preventing the degradation of the destabilized dystrophin-associated protein complex. We show that exosomes, particularly myotube-derived exosomes, induced functional improvements and alleviated muscle deterioration by stabilizing damaged muscle membrane in dystrophic mice. Our findings suggest that exosomes may have therapeutic implications for DMD and other diseases with compromised membranes.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Calcium/metabolism
- Calpain/genetics
- Cell Membrane/genetics
- Cell Membrane/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dystrophin/genetics
- Exosomes/genetics
- Exosomes/metabolism
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Peptide Hydrolases/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Leng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xue Dong
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xianjun Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Ning Ran
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Mengyuan Geng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Bingfeng Zuo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yingjie Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Technology, Tianjin Ever Union Biotechnology, Tianjin 301900, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Gang Han
- School of Medical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin 300203, China.
| | - HaiFang Yin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China; School of Medical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin 300203, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wong TWY, Ahmed A, Yang G, Maino E, Steiman S, Hyatt E, Chan P, Lindsay K, Wong N, Golebiowski D, Schneider J, Delgado-Olguín P, Ivakine EA, Cohn RD. A novel mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy carrying a multi-exonic Dmd deletion exhibits progressive muscular dystrophy and early-onset cardiomyopathy. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:13/9/dmm045369. [PMID: 32988972 PMCID: PMC7522028 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.045369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a life-threatening neuromuscular disease caused by the lack of dystrophin, resulting in progressive muscle wasting and locomotor dysfunctions. By adulthood, almost all patients also develop cardiomyopathy, which is the primary cause of death in DMD. Although there has been extensive effort in creating animal models to study treatment strategies for DMD, most fail to recapitulate the complete skeletal and cardiac disease manifestations that are presented in affected patients. Here, we generated a mouse model mirroring a patient deletion mutation of exons 52-54 (Dmd Δ52-54). The Dmd Δ52-54 mutation led to the absence of dystrophin, resulting in progressive muscle deterioration with weakened muscle strength. Moreover, Dmd Δ52-54 mice present with early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is absent in current pre-clinical dystrophin-deficient mouse models. Therefore, Dmd Δ52-54 presents itself as an excellent pre-clinical model to evaluate the impact on skeletal and cardiac muscles for both mutation-dependent and -independent approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatianna Wai Ying Wong
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Abdalla Ahmed
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Grace Yang
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Eleonora Maino
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sydney Steiman
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Elzbieta Hyatt
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Parry Chan
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Kyle Lindsay
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Nicole Wong
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | | | | | - Paul Delgado-Olguín
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Program in Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Evgueni A Ivakine
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Physiology, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ronald D Cohn
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Park SS, Ponce-Balbuena D, Kuick R, Guerrero-Serna G, Yoon J, Mellacheruvu D, Conlon KP, Basrur V, Nesvizhskii AI, Jalife J, Rual JF. Kir2.1 Interactome Mapping Uncovers PKP4 as a Modulator of the Kir2.1-Regulated Inward Rectifier Potassium Currents. Mol Cell Proteomics 2020; 19:1436-1449. [PMID: 32541000 PMCID: PMC8143648 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra120.002071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Kir2.1, a strong inward rectifier potassium channel encoded by the KCNJ2 gene, is a key regulator of the resting membrane potential of the cardiomyocyte and plays an important role in controlling ventricular excitation and action potential duration in the human heart. Mutations in KCNJ2 result in inheritable cardiac diseases in humans, e.g. the type-1 Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS1). Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the regulation of inward rectifier potassium currents by Kir2.1 in both normal and disease contexts should help uncover novel targets for therapeutic intervention in ATS1 and other Kir2.1-associated channelopathies. The information available to date on protein-protein interactions involving Kir2.1 channels remains limited. Additional efforts are necessary to provide a comprehensive map of the Kir2.1 interactome. Here we describe the generation of a comprehensive map of the Kir2.1 interactome using the proximity-labeling approach BioID. Most of the 218 high-confidence Kir2.1 channel interactions we identified are novel and encompass various molecular mechanisms of Kir2.1 function, ranging from intracellular trafficking to cross-talk with the insulin-like growth factor receptor signaling pathway, as well as lysosomal degradation. Our map also explores the variations in the interactome profiles of Kir2.1WTversus Kir2.1Δ314-315, a trafficking deficient ATS1 mutant, thus uncovering molecular mechanisms whose malfunctions may underlie ATS1 disease. Finally, using patch-clamp analysis, we validate the functional relevance of PKP4, one of our top BioID interactors, to the modulation of Kir2.1-controlled inward rectifier potassium currents. Our results validate the power of our BioID approach in identifying functionally relevant Kir2.1 interactors and underline the value of our Kir2.1 interactome as a repository for numerous novel biological hypotheses on Kir2.1 and Kir2.1-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Soo Park
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniela Ponce-Balbuena
- Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rork Kuick
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Guadalupe Guerrero-Serna
- Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Justin Yoon
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Kevin P Conlon
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Venkatesha Basrur
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - José Jalife
- Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jean-François Rual
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lim KRQ, Nguyen Q, Dzierlega K, Huang Y, Yokota T. CRISPR-Generated Animal Models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11030342. [PMID: 32213923 PMCID: PMC7141101 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder most commonly caused by mutations disrupting the reading frame of the dystrophin (DMD) gene. DMD codes for dystrophin, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of muscle cell membranes. Without dystrophin, muscle cells receive heightened mechanical stress, becoming more susceptible to damage. An active body of research continues to explore therapeutic treatments for DMD as well as to further our understanding of the disease. These efforts rely on having reliable animal models that accurately recapitulate disease presentation in humans. While current animal models of DMD have served this purpose well to some extent, each has its own limitations. To help overcome this, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based technology has been extremely useful in creating novel animal models for DMD. This review focuses on animal models developed for DMD that have been created using CRISPR, their advantages and disadvantages as well as their applications in the DMD field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q. Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.); (K.D.); (Y.H.)
| | - Quynh Nguyen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.); (K.D.); (Y.H.)
| | - Kasia Dzierlega
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.); (K.D.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yiqing Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.); (K.D.); (Y.H.)
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.); (K.D.); (Y.H.)
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-780-492-1102
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Law ML, Cohen H, Martin AA, Angulski ABB, Metzger JM. Dysregulation of Calcium Handling in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Mechanisms and Experimental Therapeutic Strategies. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020520. [PMID: 32075145 PMCID: PMC7074327 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disease resulting in the loss of dystrophin, a key cytoskeletal protein in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Dystrophin connects the extracellular matrix with the cytoskeleton and stabilizes the sarcolemma. Cardiomyopathy is prominent in adolescents and young adults with DMD, manifesting as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in the later stages of disease. Sarcolemmal instability, leading to calcium mishandling and overload in the cardiac myocyte, is a key mechanistic contributor to muscle cell death, fibrosis, and diminished cardiac contractile function in DMD patients. Current therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy can slow disease progression, but they do not directly target aberrant calcium handling and calcium overload. Experimental therapeutic targets that address calcium mishandling and overload include membrane stabilization, inhibition of stretch-activated channels, ryanodine receptor stabilization, and augmentation of calcium cycling via modulation of the Serca2a/phospholamban (PLN) complex or cytosolic calcium buffering. This paper addresses what is known about the mechanistic basis of calcium mishandling in DCM, with a focus on DMD cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we discuss currently utilized therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy, and review experimental therapeutic strategies targeting the calcium handling defects in DCM and DMD cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L. Law
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA;
| | - Houda Cohen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (H.C.); (A.A.M.); (A.B.B.A.)
| | - Ashley A. Martin
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (H.C.); (A.A.M.); (A.B.B.A.)
| | - Addeli Bez Batti Angulski
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (H.C.); (A.A.M.); (A.B.B.A.)
| | - Joseph M. Metzger
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (H.C.); (A.A.M.); (A.B.B.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-625-5902; Fax: +1-612-625-5149
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Parvatiyar MS, Brownstein AJ, Kanashiro-Takeuchi RM, Collado JR, Dieseldorff Jones KM, Gopal J, Hammond KG, Marshall JL, Ferrel A, Beedle AM, Chamberlain JS, Renato Pinto J, Crosbie RH. Stabilization of the cardiac sarcolemma by sarcospan rescues DMD-associated cardiomyopathy. JCI Insight 2019; 5:123855. [PMID: 31039133 PMCID: PMC6629091 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.123855] [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] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current preclinical study, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of sarcospan (SSPN) overexpression to alleviate cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) utilizing dystrophin-deficient mdx mice with utrophin haploinsufficiency that more accurately represent the severe disease course of human DMD. SSPN interacts with dystrophin, the DMD disease gene product, and its autosomal paralog utrophin, which is upregulated in DMD as a partial compensatory mechanism. SSPN transgenic mice have enhanced abundance of fully glycosylated α-dystroglycan, which may further protect dystrophin-deficient cardiac membranes. Baseline echocardiography reveals SSPN improves systolic function and hypertrophic indices in mdx and mdx:utr-heterozygous mice. Assessment of SSPN transgenic mdx mice by hemodynamic pressure-volume methods highlights enhanced systolic performance compared to mdx controls. SSPN restores cardiac sarcolemma stability, the primary defect in DMD disease, reduces fibrotic response and improves contractile function. We demonstrate that SSPN ameliorates more advanced cardiac disease in the context of diminished sarcolemma expression of utrophin and β1D integrin that mitigate disease severity and partially restores responsiveness to β-adrenergic stimulation. Overall, our current and previous findings suggest SSPN overexpression in DMD mouse models positively impacts skeletal, pulmonary and cardiac performance by addressing the stability of proteins at the sarcolemma that protect the heart from injury, supporting SSPN and membrane stabilization as a therapeutic target for DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S. Parvatiyar
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexandra J. Brownstein
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rosemeire M. Kanashiro-Takeuchi
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | | | - Jay Gopal
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
| | - Katherine G. Hammond
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jamie L. Marshall
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Abel Ferrel
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
| | - Aaron M. Beedle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University State University of New York, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | | | - Jose Renato Pinto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Rachelle H. Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Savoji H, Mohammadi MH, Rafatian N, Toroghi MK, Wang EY, Zhao Y, Korolj A, Ahadian S, Radisic M. Cardiovascular disease models: A game changing paradigm in drug discovery and screening. Biomaterials 2019; 198:3-26. [PMID: 30343824 PMCID: PMC6397087 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Although investment in drug discovery and development has been sky-rocketing, the number of approved drugs has been declining. Cardiovascular toxicity due to therapeutic drug use claims the highest incidence and severity of adverse drug reactions in late-stage clinical development. Therefore, to address this issue, new, additional, replacement and combinatorial approaches are needed to fill the gap in effective drug discovery and screening. The motivation for developing accurate, predictive models is twofold: first, to study and discover new treatments for cardiac pathologies which are leading in worldwide morbidity and mortality rates; and second, to screen for adverse drug reactions on the heart, a primary risk in drug development. In addition to in vivo animal models, in vitro and in silico models have been recently proposed to mimic the physiological conditions of heart and vasculature. Here, we describe current in vitro, in vivo, and in silico platforms for modelling healthy and pathological cardiac tissues and their advantages and disadvantages for drug screening and discovery applications. We review the pathophysiology and the underlying pathways of different cardiac diseases, as well as the new tools being developed to facilitate their study. We finally suggest a roadmap for employing these non-animal platforms in assessing drug cardiotoxicity and safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houman Savoji
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada; Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada; Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Naimeh Rafatian
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Masood Khaksar Toroghi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Erika Yan Wang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Yimu Zhao
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Anastasia Korolj
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 170 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G9, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada; Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Janssen PML, Elnakish MT. Modeling heart failure in animal models for novel drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:355-363. [PMID: 30861352 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1582636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION When investigating drugs that treat heart diseases, it is critical when choosing an animal model for the said model to produce data that is translatable to the human patient population, while keeping in mind the principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement of the animal model in the research. Areas covered: In this review, the authors focus on mammalian models developed to study the impact of drug treatments on human heart failure. Furthermore, the authors address human patient variability and animal model invariability as well as the considerations that need to be made regarding choice of species. Finally, the authors discuss some of the most common models for the two most prominent human heart failure etiologies; increased load on the heart and myocardial ischemia. Expert opinion: In the authors' opinion, the data generated by drug studies is often heavily impacted by the choice of species and the physiologically relevant conditions under which the data are collected. Approaches that use multiple models and are not restricted to small rodents but involve some verification on larger mammals or on human myocardium, are needed to advance drug discovery for the very large patient population that suffers from heart failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M L Janssen
- a Department of Physiology and Cell Biology , The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center , Columbus, OH, USA.,b Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute , The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center , Columbus, OH, USA.,c Department of Internal Medicine , The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center , Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mohammad T Elnakish
- a Department of Physiology and Cell Biology , The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center , Columbus, OH, USA.,b Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute , The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center , Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Xu R, Jia Y, Zygmunt DA, Martin PT. rAAVrh74.MCK.GALGT2 Protects against Loss of Hemodynamic Function in the Aging mdx Mouse Heart. Mol Ther 2019; 27:636-649. [PMID: 30711447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Gene therapies for DMD must, therefore, have a therapeutic impact in cardiac as well as skeletal muscles. Our previous studies have shown that GALGT2 overexpression in mdx skeletal muscles can prevent muscle damage. Here we have tested whether rAAVrh74.MCK.GALGT2 gene therapy in mdx cardiac muscle can prevent the loss of heart function. Treatment of mdx hearts with rAAVrh74.MCK.GALGT2 1 day after birth did not negatively alter hemodynamic function, tested at 3 months of age, and it prevented early left ventricular remodeling and expression of fibrotic gene markers. Intravenous treatment of mdx mice with rAAVrh74.MCK.GALGT2 at 2 months of age significantly improved stroke volume and cardiac output compared to mock-treated mice analyzed at 17 months, both at rest and after stimulation with dobutamine. rAAVrh74.MCK.GALGT2 treatment of mdx heart correlated with increased glycosylation of α-dystroglycan with the CT glycan and increased utrophin protein expression. These data provide the first demonstration that GALGT2 overexpression can inhibit the loss of cardiac function in the dystrophin-deficient heart and, thus, may benefit both cardiac and skeletal muscles in DMD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Ying Jia
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Deborah A Zygmunt
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Paul T Martin
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Peterson JM, Wang DJ, Shettigar V, Roof SR, Canan BD, Bakkar N, Shintaku J, Gu JM, Little SC, Ratnam NM, Londhe P, Lu L, Gaw CE, Petrosino JM, Liyanarachchi S, Wang H, Janssen PML, Davis JP, Ziolo MT, Sharma SM, Guttridge DC. NF-κB inhibition rescues cardiac function by remodeling calcium genes in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy model. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3431. [PMID: 30143619 PMCID: PMC6109146 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disorder causing progressive muscle degeneration. Although cardiomyopathy is a leading mortality cause in DMD patients, the mechanisms underlying heart failure are not well understood. Previously, we showed that NF-κB exacerbates DMD skeletal muscle pathology by promoting inflammation and impairing new muscle growth. Here, we show that NF-κB is activated in murine dystrophic (mdx) hearts, and that cardiomyocyte ablation of NF-κB rescues cardiac function. This physiological improvement is associated with a signature of upregulated calcium genes, coinciding with global enrichment of permissive H3K27 acetylation chromatin marks and depletion of the transcriptional repressors CCCTC-binding factor, SIN3 transcription regulator family member A, and histone deacetylase 1. In this respect, in DMD hearts, NF-κB acts differently from its established role as a transcriptional activator, instead promoting global changes in the chromatin landscape to regulate calcium genes and cardiac function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Peterson
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, SUNY Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - David J Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, USA
| | - Vikram Shettigar
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA
| | - Steve R Roof
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA.,Q Test Labs, Columbus, OH, 43235, USA
| | - Benjamin D Canan
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA
| | - Nadine Bakkar
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center-Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Jonathan Shintaku
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jin-Mo Gu
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Pediatrics, Emory University, Decatur, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Sean C Little
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA.,Bristol-Myers Squibb, Wallingford, CT, 06492, USA
| | - Nivedita M Ratnam
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Priya Londhe
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Leina Lu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Christopher E Gaw
- The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer M Petrosino
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Sandya Liyanarachchi
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Huating Wang
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA
| | - Jonathan P Davis
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA
| | - Mark T Ziolo
- Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA
| | - Sudarshana M Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Denis C Guttridge
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Center for Muscle Health and Neuromuscular Disorders, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lowe J, Floyd KT, Rastogi N, Schultz EJ, Chadwick JA, Swager SA, Zins JG, Kadakia FK, Smart S, Gomez-Sanchez EP, Gomez-Sanchez CE, Raman SV, Janssen PML, Rafael-Fortney JA. Similar efficacy from specific and non-specific mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist treatment of muscular dystrophy mice. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 3:395-404. [PMID: 27822449 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-160173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combined treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist improved cardiac and skeletal muscle function and pathology in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. MR is present in limb and respiratory skeletal muscles and functions as a steroid hormone receptor. OBJECTIVE The goals of the current study were to compare the efficacy of the specific MR antagonist eplerenone with the non-specific MR antagonist spironolactone, both in combination with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril. METHODS Three groups of n=18 dystrophin-deficient, utrophin-haploinsufficient male mice were given chow containing: lisinopril plus spironolactone, lisinopril plus eplerenone, or no drug, from four to 20 weeks-of-age. Eighteen C57BL/10 male mice were used as wild-type controls. In vivo measurements included cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, conscious electrocardiography, and grip strength. From each mouse in the study, diaphragm, extensor digitorum longus, and cardiac papillary muscle force was measured ex vivo, followed by histological quantification of muscle damage in heart, diaphragm, quadriceps, and abdominal muscles. MR protein levels were also verified in treated muscles. RESULTS Treatment with specific and non-specific MR antagonists did not result in any adverse effects to dystrophic skeletal muscles or heart. Both treatments resulted in similar functional and pathological improvements across a wide array of parameters. MR protein levels were not reduced by treatment. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that spironolactone and eplerenone show similar effects in dystrophic mice and support the clinical development of MR antagonists for treating skeletal muscles in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeovanna Lowe
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kyle T Floyd
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Eric J Schultz
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jessica A Chadwick
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sarah A Swager
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan G Zins
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Feni K Kadakia
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Suzanne Smart
- Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Elise P Gomez-Sanchez
- Dept. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Celso E Gomez-Sanchez
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Subha V Raman
- Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jill A Rafael-Fortney
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mu X, Tang Y, Takayama K, Chen W, Lu A, Wang B, Weiss K, Huard J. RhoA/ROCK inhibition improves the beneficial effects of glucocorticoid treatment in dystrophic muscle: implications for stem cell depletion. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:2813-2824. [PMID: 28549178 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid treatment represents a standard palliative treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, but various adverse effects have limited this treatment. In an effort to understand the mechanism(s) by which glucocorticoids impart their effects on the dystrophic muscle, and potentially reduce the adverse effects, we have studied the effect of prednisolone treatment in dystrophin/utrophin double knockout (dKO) mice, which exhibit a severe dystrophic phenotype due to rapid muscle stem cell depletion. Our results indicate that muscle stem cell depletion in dKO muscle is related to upregulation of mTOR, and that prednisolone treatment reduces the expression of mTOR and other pro-inflammatory mediators, consequently slowing down muscle stem cell depletion. However, prednisolone treatment was unable to improve the myogenesis of stem cells and reduce fibrosis in dKO muscle. We then studied whether glucocorticoid treatment can be improved by co-administration of an inhibitor of RhoA/ROCK signaling, which can be activated by glucocorticoids and was found in our previous work to be over-activated in dystrophic muscle. Our results indicate that the combination of RhoA/ROCK inhibition and glucocorticoid treatment in dystrophic muscle have a synergistic effect in alleviating the dystrophic phenotype. Taken together, our study not only shed light on the mechanism by which glucocorticoid imparts its beneficial effect on dystrophic muscle, but also revealed the synergistic effect of RhoA/ROCK inhibition and glucocorticoid treatment, which could lead to the development of more efficient therapeutic approaches for treating DMD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Mu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.,Center for Regenerative Sports Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO 81657, USA
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Koji Takayama
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Wanqun Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangdong, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.,Center for Regenerative Sports Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO 81657, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Kurt Weiss
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Johnny Huard
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA.,Center for Regenerative Sports Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO 81657, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tsuda T, Fitzgerald KK. Dystrophic Cardiomyopathy: Complex Pathobiological Processes to Generate Clinical Phenotype. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2017; 4:jcdd4030014. [PMID: 29367543 PMCID: PMC5715712 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd4030014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy (XL-DCM) consist of a unique clinical entity, the dystrophinopathies, which are due to variable mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common complication of dystrophinopathies, but the onset, progression, and severity of heart disease differ among these subgroups. Extensive molecular genetic studies have been conducted to assess genotype-phenotype correlation in DMD, BMD, and XL-DCM to understand the underlying mechanisms of these diseases, but the results are not always conclusive, suggesting the involvement of complex multi-layers of pathological processes that generate the final clinical phenotype. Dystrophin protein is a part of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) that is localized in skeletal muscles, myocardium, smooth muscles, and neuronal tissues. Diversity of cardiac phenotype in dystrophinopathies suggests multiple layers of pathogenetic mechanisms in forming dystrophic cardiomyopathy. In this review article, we review the complex molecular interactions involving the pathogenesis of dystrophic cardiomyopathy, including primary gene mutations and loss of structural integrity, secondary cellular responses, and certain epigenetic and other factors that modulate gene expressions. Involvement of epigenetic gene regulation appears to lead to specific cardiac phenotypes in dystrophic hearts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Tsuda
- Nemours Cardiac Center, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, 1600 Rockland Rd, DE 19803, USA.
| | - Kristi K Fitzgerald
- Nemours Cardiac Center, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, 1600 Rockland Rd, DE 19803, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Milani-Nejad N, Schultz EJ, Slabaugh JL, Janssen PML, Rafael-Fortney JA. Myocardial Contractile Dysfunction Is Present without Histopathology in a Mouse Model of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy-2F and Is Prevented after Claudin-5 Virotherapy. Front Physiol 2016; 7:539. [PMID: 27999547 PMCID: PMC5138189 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in several members of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex lead to skeletal and cardiomyopathies. Cardiac care for these muscular dystrophies consists of management of symptoms with standard heart medications after detection of reduced whole heart function. Recent evidence from both Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and animal models suggests that myocardial dysfunction is present before myocardial damage or deficiencies in whole heart function, and that treatment prior to heart failure symptoms may be beneficial. To determine whether this same early myocardial dysfunction is present in other muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathies, we conducted a physiological assessment of cardiac function at the tissue level in the δ-sarcoglycan null mouse model (Sgcd−/−) of Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2F. Baseline cardiac contractile force measurements using ex vivo intact linear muscle preparations, were severely depressed in these mice without the presence of histopathology. Virotherapy withclaudin-5 prevents the onset of cardiomyopathy in another muscular dystrophy model. After virotherapy with claudin-5, the cardiac contractile force deficits in Sgcd−/− mice are no longer significant. These studies suggest that screening Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy patients using methods that detect earlier functional changes may provide a longer therapeutic window for cardiac care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nima Milani-Nejad
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA
| | - Eric J Schultz
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA
| | - Jessica L Slabaugh
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA
| | - Jill A Rafael-Fortney
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rubi L, Koenig X, Kubista H, Todt H, Hilber K. Decreased inward rectifier potassium current I K1 in dystrophin-deficient ventricular cardiomyocytes. Channels (Austin) 2016; 11:101-108. [PMID: 27560040 PMCID: PMC5398571 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2016.1228498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Kir2.x channels in ventricular cardiomyocytes (most prominently Kir2.1) account for the inward rectifier potassium current IK1, which controls the resting membrane potential and the final phase of action potential repolarization. Recently it was hypothesized that the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) is important in the regulation of Kir2.x channels. To test this hypothesis, we investigated potential IK1 abnormalities in dystrophin-deficient ventricular cardiomyocytes derived from the hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models. We found that IK1 was substantially diminished in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes when compared to wild type myocytes. This finding represents the first functional evidence for a significant role of the DAPC in the regulation of Kir2.x channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Rubi
- a Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Xaver Koenig
- a Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Helmut Kubista
- a Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Hannes Todt
- a Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Karlheinz Hilber
- a Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rafael-Fortney JA, Chadwick JA, Raman SV. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mice and Men: Can Understanding a Genetic Cardiomyopathy Inform Treatment of Other Myocardial Diseases? Circ Res 2016; 118:1059-61. [PMID: 27034274 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.308402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jill A Rafael-Fortney
- From the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology (J.A.R.-F., J.A.C.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (S.V.R.), College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus.
| | - Jessica A Chadwick
- From the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology (J.A.R.-F., J.A.C.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (S.V.R.), College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - Subha V Raman
- From the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology (J.A.R.-F., J.A.C.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (S.V.R.), College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Xu R, Singhal N, Serinagaoglu Y, Chandrasekharan K, Joshi M, Bauer JA, Janssen PML, Martin PT. Deletion of Galgt2 (B4Galnt2) reduces muscle growth in response to acute injury and increases muscle inflammation and pathology in dystrophin-deficient mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 185:2668-84. [PMID: 26435413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic overexpression of Galgt2 (official name B4Galnt2) in skeletal muscle stimulates the glycosylation of α dystroglycan (αDG) and the up-regulation of laminin α2 and dystrophin surrogates known to inhibit muscle pathology in mouse models of congenital muscular dystrophy 1A and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skeletal muscle Galgt2 gene expression is also normally increased in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy compared with the wild-type mice. To assess whether this increased endogenous Galgt2 expression could affect disease, we quantified muscular dystrophy measures in mdx mice deleted for Galgt2 (Galgt2(-/-)mdx). Galgt2(-/-) mdx mice had increased heart and skeletal muscle pathology and inflammation, and also worsened cardiac function, relative to age-matched mdx mice. Deletion of Galgt2 in wild-type mice also slowed skeletal muscle growth in response to acute muscle injury. In each instance where Galgt2 expression was elevated (developing muscle, regenerating muscle, and dystrophic muscle), Galgt2-dependent glycosylation of αDG was also increased. Overexpression of Galgt2 failed to inhibit skeletal muscle pathology in dystroglycan-deficient muscles, in contrast to previous studies in dystrophin-deficient mdx muscles. This study demonstrates that Galgt2 gene expression and glycosylation of αDG are dynamically regulated in muscle and that endogenous Galgt2 gene expression can ameliorate the extent of muscle pathology, inflammation, and dysfunction in mdx mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Neha Singhal
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Yelda Serinagaoglu
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kumaran Chandrasekharan
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Mandar Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Kentucky Children's Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - John A Bauer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Kentucky Children's Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Paulus M L Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Paul T Martin
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Melka J, Rienzo M, Bizé A, Jozwiak M, Sambin L, Hittinger L, Su JB, Berdeaux A, Ghaleh B. Improvement of left ventricular filling by ivabradine during chronic hypertension: involvement of contraction-relaxation coupling. Basic Res Cardiol 2016; 111:30. [PMID: 27040115 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-016-0550-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hypertension is associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and LV diastolic dysfunction with impaired isovolumic relaxation and abnormal LV filling. Increased heart rate (HR) worsens these alterations. We investigated whether the I f channel blocker ivabradine exerts beneficial effects on LV filling dynamic. In this setting, we also evaluated the relationship between LV filling and isovolumic contraction as a consequence of contraction-relaxation coupling. Therefore, hypertension was induced by a continuous infusion of angiotensin II during 28 days in 10 chronically instrumented pigs. LV function was investigated after stopping angiotensin II infusion to offset the changes in loading conditions. In the normal heart, LV relaxation filling, LV early filling, LV peak early filling rate were positively correlated to HR. In contrast, these parameters were significantly reduced at day 28 vs. day 0 (18, 42, and 26 %, respectively) despite the increase in HR (108 ± 6 beats/min vs. 73 ± 2 beats/min, respectively). These abnormalities were corrected by acute administration of ivabradine (1 mg/kg, iv). Ivabradine still exerted these effects when HR was controlled at 150 beats/min by atrial pacing. Interestingly, LV relaxation filling, LV early filling and LV peak early filling were strongly correlated with both isovolumic contraction and relaxation. In conclusion, ivabradine improves LV filling during chronic hypertension. The mechanism involves LV contraction-relaxation coupling through normalization of isovolumic contraction and relaxation as well as HR-independent mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Melka
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Mario Rienzo
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service d'Anesthésie-Réanimation Chirurgicale, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Alain Bizé
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Mathieu Jozwiak
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lucien Sambin
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Luc Hittinger
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor, Fédération de Cardiologie, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Jin Bo Su
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alain Berdeaux
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor, Fédération de Cardiologie, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Bijan Ghaleh
- Faculté de Médecine, Inserm, U955, Equipe 03, 8 rue du Général Sarrail, 94000, Créteil, France.
- Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, DHU A-TVB, UPEC, 94000, Créteil, France.
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94000, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gonzalez JP, Ramachandran J, Xie LH, Contreras JE, Fraidenraich D. Selective Connexin43 Inhibition Prevents Isoproterenol-Induced Arrhythmias and Lethality in Muscular Dystrophy Mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13490. [PMID: 26311238 PMCID: PMC4550874 DOI: 10.1038/srep13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by an X-linked mutation that leads to the absence of dystrophin, resulting in life-threatening arrhythmogenesis and associated heart failure. We targeted the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) responsible for maintaining cardiac conduction. In mild mdx and severe mdx:utr mouse models of DMD, and human DMD tissues, Cx43 was found to be pathologically mislocalized to lateral sides of cardiomyocytes. In addition, overall Cx43 protein levels were markedly increased in mouse and human DMD heart tissues examined. Electrocardiography on isoproterenol challenged mice showed that both models developed arrhythmias and died within 24 hours, while wild-type mice were free of pathology. Administering peptide mimetics to inhibit lateralized Cx43 function prior to challenge protected mdx mice from arrhythmogenesis and death, while mdx:utr mice displayed markedly improved ECG scores. These findings suggest that Cx43 lateralization contributes significantly to DMD arrhythmogenesis and that selective inhibition may provide substantial benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Patrick Gonzalez
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Jayalakshmi Ramachandran
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Lai-Hua Xie
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Jorge E Contreras
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Diego Fraidenraich
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Cui W, Jang A, Zhang P, Thompson B, Townsend D, Metzger JM, Zhang J. Early Detection of Myocardial Bioenergetic Deficits: A 9.4 Tesla Complete Non Invasive 31P MR Spectroscopy Study in Mice with Muscular Dystrophy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135000. [PMID: 26262993 PMCID: PMC4532426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common fatal form of muscular dystrophy characterized by striated muscle wasting and dysfunction. Patients with DMD have a very high incidence of heart failure, which is increasingly the cause of death in DMD patients. We hypothesize that in the in vivo system, the dystrophic cardiac muscle displays bioenergetic deficits prior to any functional or structural deficits. To address this we developed a complete non invasive 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) approach to measure myocardial bioenergetics in the heart in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS Six control and nine mdx mice at 5 months of age were used for the study. A standard 3D -Image Selected In vivo Spectroscopy (3D-ISIS) sequence was used to provide complete gradient controlled three-dimensional localization for heart 31P MRS. These studies demonstrated dystrophic hearts have a significant reduction in PCr/ATP ratio compare to normal (1.59±0.13 vs 2.37±0.25, p<0.05). CONCLUSION Our present study provides the direct evidence of significant cardiac bioenergetic deficits in the in vivo dystrophic mouse. These data suggest that energetic defects precede the development of significant hemodynamic or structural changes. The methods provide a clinically relevant approach to use myocardial energetics as an early marker of disease in the dystrophic heart. The new method in detecting the in vivo bioenergetics abnormality as an early non-invasive marker of emerging dystrophic cardiomyopathy is critical in management of patients with DMD, and optimized therapies aimed at slowing or reversing the cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weina Cui
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Albert Jang
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Pengyuan Zhang
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Brian Thompson
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - DeWayne Townsend
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Joseph M Metzger
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jianyi Zhang
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Elnakish MT, Schultz EJ, Gearinger RL, Saad NS, Rastogi N, Ahmed AAE, Mohler PJ, Janssen PML. Differential involvement of various sources of reactive oxygen species in thyroxin-induced hemodynamic changes and contractile dysfunction of the heart and diaphragm muscles. Free Radic Biol Med 2015; 83:252-61. [PMID: 25795514 PMCID: PMC4441845 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are key regulators of basal metabolic state and oxidative metabolism. Hyperthyroidism has been reported to cause significant alterations in hemodynamics, and in cardiac and diaphragm muscle functions, all of which have been linked to increased oxidative stress. However, the definite source of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in each of these phenotypes is still unknown. The goal of the current study was to test the hypothesis that thyroxin (T4) may produce distinct hemodynamic, cardiac, and diaphragm muscle abnormalities by differentially affecting various sources of ROS. Wild-type and T4 mice with and without 2-week treatments with allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor), apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor), L-NIO (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), or MitoTEMPO (mitochondria-targeted antioxidant) were studied. Blood pressure and echocardiography were noninvasively evaluated, followed by ex vivo assessments of isolated heart and diaphragm muscle functions. Treatment with L-NIO attenuated the T4-induced hypertension in mice. However, apocynin improved the left-ventricular (LV) dysfunction without preventing the cardiac hypertrophy in these mice. Both allopurinol and MitoTEMPO reduced the T4-induced fatigability of the diaphragm muscles. In conclusion, we show here for the first time that T4 exerts differential effects on various sources of ROS to induce distinct cardiovascular and skeletal muscle phenotypes. Additionally, we find that T4-induced LV dysfunction is independent of cardiac hypertrophy and NADPH oxidase is a key player in this process. Furthermore, we prove the significance of both xanthine oxidase and mitochondrial ROS pathways in T4-induced fatigability of diaphragm muscles. Finally, we confirm the importance of the nitric oxide pathway in T4-induced hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad T Elnakish
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eric J Schultz
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Rachel L Gearinger
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Nancy S Saad
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Amany A E Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Peter J Mohler
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, and; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
McDonald AA, Hebert SL, Kunz MD, Ralles SJ, McLoon LK. Disease course in mdx:utrophin+/- mice: comparison of three mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Physiol Rep 2015; 3:3/4/e12391. [PMID: 25921779 PMCID: PMC4425985 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is used to study disease mechanisms and potential treatments, but its pathology is less severe than DMD patients. Other mouse models were developed to more closely mimic the human disease based on knowledge that upregulation of utrophin has a protective effect in mdx muscle. An mdx:utrophin−/− (dko) mouse was created, which had a severe disease phenotype and a shortened life span. An mdx:utrophin+/− mouse was also created, which had an intermediate disease phenotype compared to the mdx and dko mice. To determine the usefulness of mdx:utrophin+/− mice for long-term DMD studies, limb muscle pathology and function were assessed across the life span of wild-type, mdx, mdx:utrophin+/−, and dko mice. Muscle function assessment, specifically grip duration and rotarod performance, demonstrated that mdx:utrophin+/− mice were weaker for a longer time than mdx mice. Mean myofiber area was smaller in mdx:utrophin+/− mice compared to mdx mice at 12 months. Mdx:utrophin+/− mice had a higher percentage of centrally nucleated myofibers compared to mdx mice at 6 and 12 months. Collagen I and IV density was significantly higher in mdx:utrophin+/− muscle compared to mdx at most ages examined. Generally, mdx:utrophin+/− mice showed an intermediate disease phenotype over a longer time course compared to the mdx and dko mice. While they do not genetically mirror human DMD, mdx:utrophin+/− mice may be a more useful animal model than mdx or dko mice for investigating long-term efficacy of potential treatments when fibrosis or muscle function is the focus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abby A McDonald
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Graduate Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Minnesota
| | - Sadie L Hebert
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Matthew D Kunz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Steven J Ralles
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Linda K McLoon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota Graduate Program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Minnesota Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Mu X, Tang Y, Lu A, Takayama K, Usas A, Wang B, Weiss K, Huard J. The role of Notch signaling in muscle progenitor cell depletion and the rapid onset of histopathology in muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:2923-37. [PMID: 25678553 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although it has been speculated that stem cell depletion plays a role in the rapid progression of the muscle histopathology associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for stem cell depletion remain poorly understood. The rapid depletion of muscle stem cells has not been observed in the dystrophin-deficient model of DMD (mdx mouse), which may explain the relatively mild dystrophic phenotype observed in this animal model. In contrast, we have observed a rapid occurrence of stem cell depletion in the dystrophin/utrophin double knockout (dKO) mouse model, which exhibits histopathological features that more closely recapitulate the phenotype observed in DMD patients compared with the mdx mouse. Notch signaling has been found to be a key regulator of stem cell self-renewal and myogenesis in normal skeletal muscle; however, little is known about the role that Notch plays in the development of the dystrophic histopathology associated with DMD. Our results revealed an over-activation of Notch in the skeletal muscles of dKO mice, which correlated with sustained inflammation, impaired muscle regeneration and the rapid depletion and senescence of the muscle progenitor cells (MPCs, i.e. Pax7+ cells). Consequently, the repression of Notch in the skeletal muscle of dKO mice delayed/reduced the depletion and senescence of MPCs, and restored the myogenesis capacity while reducing inflammation and fibrosis. We suggest that the down-regulation of Notch could represent a viable approach to reduce the dystrophic histopathologies associated with DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Mu
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Ying Tang
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Aiping Lu
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Koji Takayama
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Arvydas Usas
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Kurt Weiss
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Johnny Huard
- Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Blain AM, Greally E, Laval SH, Blamire AM, MacGowan GA, Straub VW. Assessment of ventricular function in mouse models of muscular dystrophy: A comparison of MRI with conductance catheter. Neuromuscul Disord 2015; 25:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
37
|
Bondoc AB, Detombe S, Dunmore-Buyze J, Gutpell KM, Liu L, Kaszuba A, Han S, McGirr R, Hadway J, Drangova M, Hoffman LM. Application of 3-d echocardiography and gated micro-computed tomography to assess cardiomyopathy in a mouse model of duchenne muscular dystrophy. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2014; 40:2857-2867. [PMID: 25308942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure changes in cardiac function as cardiomyopathy progresses in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy using 3-D ECG-gated echocardiography. This study is the first to correlate cardiac volumes acquired using 3-D echocardiography with those acquired using retrospectively gated micro-computed tomography (CT). Both were further compared with standard M-mode echocardiography and histologic analyses. We found that although each modality measures a decrease in cardiac function as disease progresses in mdx/utrn(-/-) mice (n = 5) compared with healthy C57BL/6 mice (n = 8), 3-D echocardiography has higher agreement with gold-standard measurements acquired by gated micro-CT, with little standard deviation between measurements. M-Mode echocardiography measurements, in comparison, exhibit considerably greater variability and user bias. Given the radiation dose associated with micro-CT and the geometric assumptions made in M-mode echocardiography to calculate ventricular volume, we suggest that use of 3-D echocardiography has important advantages that may allow for the measurement of early disease changes that occur before overt cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Bondoc
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Detombe
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joy Dunmore-Buyze
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly M Gutpell
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linshan Liu
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Kaszuba
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seongryoung Han
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca McGirr
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Hadway
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Drangova
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa M Hoffman
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Swager SA, Delfín DA, Rastogi N, Wang H, Canan BD, Fedorov VV, Mohler PJ, Kilic A, Higgins RSD, Ziolo MT, Janssen PML, Rafael-Fortney JA. Claudin-5 levels are reduced from multiple cell types in human failing hearts and are associated with mislocalization of ephrin-B1. Cardiovasc Pathol 2014; 24:160-167. [PMID: 25440958 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Claudin-5 is transcriptionally downregulated resulting in dramatically reduced protein levels in human heart failure. Studies in mice have demonstrated that reduced claudin-5 levels occur prior to cardiac damage and far before reduced whole heart function. Therefore, claudin-5 may be a useful early therapeutic target for human heart failure. However, the cell types in which claudin-5 is localized in human heart and from which claudin-5 is reduced in heart failure is not known. The recent identification of claudin-5's interaction with ephrin-B1 in mouse hearts has also not been investigated in non-failing or failing human hearts. In this study we collected human left ventricular mid-myocardium histological samples from 7 non-failing hearts and 16 end-stage failing hearts. Immunoblots demonstrate severe reductions of claudin-5 protein in 14 of 16 failing hearts compared to non-failing controls. Claudin-5 was observed to localize to cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and a subset of fibroblasts in non-failing human heart sections. In isolated cardiomyocytes, the transmembrane claudin-5 protein localized in longitudinal striations in lateral membranes. In failing heart, both cardiomyocyte and endothelial claudin-5 localization was severely reduced, but claudin-5 remained in fibroblasts. Absence of claudin-5 staining also correlated with the reduction of the endothelial cell marker CD31. Ephrin-B1 localization, but not protein levels, was altered in failing hearts supporting that claudin-5 is required for ephrin-B1 localization. These data support that loss of claudin-5 in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells is prevalent in human heart failure. Investigating claudin-5/ephrin-B1 protein complexes and gene regulation may lead to novel therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Swager
- Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Dawn A Delfín
- Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Honglan Wang
- Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Benjamin D Canan
- Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Vadim V Fedorov
- Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Peter J Mohler
- Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Ahmet Kilic
- Dept. of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Robert S D Higgins
- Dept. of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Mark T Ziolo
- Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jill A Rafael-Fortney
- Dept. of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Dept. of Physiology & Cell Biology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Milani-Nejad N, Janssen PML. Small and large animal models in cardiac contraction research: advantages and disadvantages. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 141:235-49. [PMID: 24140081 PMCID: PMC3947198 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian heart is responsible for not only pumping blood throughout the body but also adjusting this pumping activity quickly depending upon sudden changes in the metabolic demands of the body. For the most part, the human heart is capable of performing its duties without complications; however, throughout many decades of use, at some point this system encounters problems. Research into the heart's activities during healthy states and during adverse impacts that occur in disease states is necessary in order to strategize novel treatment options to ultimately prolong and improve patients' lives. Animal models are an important aspect of cardiac research where a variety of cardiac processes and therapeutic targets can be studied. However, there are differences between the heart of a human being and an animal and depending on the specific animal, these differences can become more pronounced and in certain cases limiting. There is no ideal animal model available for cardiac research, the use of each animal model is accompanied with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this review, we will discuss these advantages and disadvantages of commonly used laboratory animals including mouse, rat, rabbit, canine, swine, and sheep. Since the goal of cardiac research is to enhance our understanding of human health and disease and help improve clinical outcomes, we will also discuss the role of human cardiac tissue in cardiac research. This review will focus on the cardiac ventricular contractile and relaxation kinetics of humans and animal models in order to illustrate these differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nima Milani-Nejad
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and D. Davis Heart Lung Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, OH, USA
| | - Paul M L Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and D. Davis Heart Lung Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Janssen PML, Murray JD, Schill KE, Rastogi N, Schultz EJ, Tran T, Raman SV, Rafael-Fortney JA. Prednisolone attenuates improvement of cardiac and skeletal contractile function and histopathology by lisinopril and spironolactone in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88360. [PMID: 24551095 PMCID: PMC3923790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited disease that causes striated muscle weakness. Recently, we showed therapeutic effects of the combination of lisinopril (L), an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and spironolactone (S), an aldosterone antagonist, in mice lacking dystrophin and haploinsufficient for utrophin (utrn(+/-);mdx, het mice); both cardiac and skeletal muscle function and histology were improved when these mice were treated early with LS. It was unknown to what extent LS treatment is effective in the most commonly used DMD murine model, the mdx mouse. In addition, current standard-of-care treatment for DMD is limited to corticosteroids. Therefore, potentially useful alternative or additive drugs need to be both compared directly to corticosteroids and tested in presence of corticosteroids. We evaluated the effectiveness of this LS combination in the mdx mouse model both compared with corticosteroid treatment (prednisolone, P) or in combination (LSP). We tested the additional combinatorial treatment containing the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan (T), which is widely used to halt and treat the developing cardiac dysfunction in DMD patients as an alternative to an ACE inhibitor. Peak myocardial strain rate, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, showed a negative impact of P, whereas in both diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle contractile function was not significantly impaired by P. Histologically, P generally increased cardiac damage, estimated by percentage area infiltrated by IgG as well as by collagen staining. In general, groups that only differed in the presence or absence of P (i.e. mdx vs. P, LS vs. LSP, and TS vs. TSP) demonstrated a significant detrimental impact of P on many assessed parameters, with the most profound impact on cardiac pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M. L. Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail: (PJ); (JR-F)
| | - Jason D. Murray
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kevin E. Schill
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Schultz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Tam Tran
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Subha V. Raman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jill A. Rafael-Fortney
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail: (PJ); (JR-F)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wagner S, Knipp S, Weber C, Hein S, Schinkel S, Walther A, Bekeredjian R, Müller OJ, Friedrich O. The heart in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: early detection of contractile performance alteration. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 16:3028-36. [PMID: 22970922 PMCID: PMC4393731 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01630.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive cardiomyopathy is a major cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Coupling between Ca(2+) handling and contractile properties in dystrophic hearts is poorly understood. It is also not clear whether developing cardiac failure is dominated by alterations in Ca(2+) pathways or more related to the contractile apparatus. We simultaneously recorded force and Ca(2+) transients in field-stimulated papillary muscles from young (10-14 weeks) wild-type (wt) and dystrophic mdx mice. Force amplitudes were fivefold reduced in mdx muscles despite only 30% reduction in fura-2 ratio amplitudes. This indicated mechanisms other than systolic Ca(2+) to additionally account for force decrements in mdx muscles. pCa-force relations revealed decreased mdx myofibrillar Ca(2+) sensitivity. 'In vitro' motility assays, studied in mdx hearts here for the first time, showed significantly slower sliding velocities. mdx MLC/MHC isoforms were not grossly altered. Dystrophic hearts showed echocardiography signs of early ventricular wall hypertrophy with a significantly enlarged end-diastolic diameter 'in vivo'. However, fractional shortening was still comparable to wt mice. Changes in the contractile apparatus satisfactorily explained force drop in mdx hearts. We give first evidence of early hypertrophy in mdx mice and possible mechanisms for already functional impairment of cardiac muscle in DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sören Wagner
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Chan MC, Rowe GC, Raghuram S, Patten IS, Farrell C, Arany Z. Post-natal induction of PGC-1α protects against severe muscle dystrophy independently of utrophin. Skelet Muscle 2014; 4:2. [PMID: 24447845 PMCID: PMC3914847 DOI: 10.1186/2044-5040-4-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscle dystrophy (DMD) afflicts 1 million boys in the US and has few effective treatments. Constitutive transgenic expression of the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α improves skeletal muscle function in the murine “mdx” model of DMD, but how this occurs, or whether it can occur post-natally, is not known. The leading mechanistic hypotheses for the benefits conferred by PGC-1α include the induction of utrophin, a dystrophin homolog, and/or induction and stabilization of the neuromuscular junction. Methods The effects of transgenic overexpression of PGC-1β, a homolog of PGC-1α in mdx mice was examined using different assays of skeletal muscle structure and function. To formally test the hypothesis that PGC-1α confers benefit in mdx mice by induction of utrophin and stabilization of neuromuscular junction, PGC-1α transgenic animals were crossed with the dystrophin utrophin double knock out (mdx/utrn-/-) mice, a more severe dystrophic model. Finally, we also examined the effect of post-natal induction of skeletal muscle-specific PGC-1α overexpression on muscle structure and function in mdx mice. Results We show here that PGC-1β does not induce utrophin or other neuromuscular genes when transgenically expressed in mouse skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, however, PGC-1β transgenesis protects as efficaciously as PGC-1α against muscle degeneration in dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice, suggesting that alternate mechanisms of protection exist. When PGC-1α is overexpressed in mdx/utrn-/- mice, we find that PGC-1α dramatically ameliorates muscle damage even in the absence of utrophin. Finally, we also used inducible skeletal muscle-specific PGC-1α overexpression to show that PGC-1α can protect against dystrophy even if activated post-natally, a more plausible therapeutic option. Conclusions These data demonstrate that PGC-1α can improve muscle dystrophy post-natally, highlighting its therapeutic potential. The data also show that PGC-1α is equally protective in the more severely affected mdx/utrn-/- mice, which more closely recapitulates the aggressive progression of muscle damage seen in DMD patients. The data also identify PGC-1β as a novel potential target, equally efficacious in protecting against muscle dystrophy. Finally, the data also show that PGC-1α and PGC-1β protect against dystrophy independently of utrophin or of induction of the neuromuscular junction, indicating the existence of other mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zolt Arany
- Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, 02215 Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Townsend D, Yasuda S, Metzger J. Cardiomyopathy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: pathogenesis and prospect of membrane sealants as a new therapeutic approach. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2014; 5:99-109. [PMID: 17187461 DOI: 10.1586/14779072.5.1.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating progressive disease of striated muscle deterioration. This fatal X-linked disorder results from the loss of the protein dystrophin, which in turn causes striated muscle membrane instability. Cardiac dysfunction is a growing problem in patients with DMD, but relatively little is known about the pathophysiology of the dystrophic heart. At present, there is no effective treatment for DMD and the current clinical approaches are primarily supportive in nature. This review will discuss the pathogenesis of DMD in the heart and discuss how these pathogenic processes have led to a new class of agents directed specifically at restoring membrane integrity to dystrophic myocardium. The tri-block poloxamers, specifically poloxamer 188 (P188), are able to stabilize the membranes of dystrophic myocardium in animal models and may offer a new therapeutic approach for cardiac disease in DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- DeWayne Townsend
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Complete restoration of multiple dystrophin isoforms in genetically corrected Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient-derived cardiomyocytes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:1. [PMID: 26015941 PMCID: PMC4365821 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2013.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)–associated cardiac diseases are emerging as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in DMD patients, and many therapies for treatment of skeletal muscle failed to improve cardiac function. The reprogramming of patients’ somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, combined with technologies for correcting the genetic defect, possesses great potential for the development of new treatments for genetic diseases. In this study, we obtained human cardiomyocytes from DMD patient–derived, induced pluripotent stem cells genetically corrected with a human artificial chromosome carrying the whole dystrophin genomic sequence. Stimulation by cytokines was combined with cell culturing on hydrogel with physiological stiffness, allowing an adhesion-dependent maturation and a proper dystrophin expression. The obtained cardiomyocytes showed remarkable sarcomeric organization of cardiac troponin T and α-actinin, expressed cardiac-specific markers, and displayed electrically induced calcium transients lasting less than 1 second. We demonstrated that the human artificial chromosome carrying the whole dystrophin genomic sequence is stably maintained throughout the cardiac differentiation process and that multiple promoters of the dystrophin gene are properly activated, driving expression of different isoforms. These dystrophic cardiomyocytes can be a valuable source for in vitro modeling of DMD-associated cardiac disease. Furthermore, the derivation of genetically corrected, patient-specific cardiomyocytes represents a step toward the development of innovative cell and gene therapy approaches for DMD.
Collapse
|
45
|
Koenig X, Rubi L, Obermair GJ, Cervenka R, Dang XB, Lukacs P, Kummer S, Bittner RE, Kubista H, Todt H, Hilber K. Enhanced currents through L-type calcium channels in cardiomyocytes disturb the electrophysiology of the dystrophic heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2013; 306:H564-H573. [PMID: 24337461 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00441.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), induced by mutations in the gene encoding for the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin, is an inherited disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Besides the relatively well characterized skeletal muscle degenerative processes, DMD is also associated with cardiac complications. These include cardiomyopathy development and cardiac arrhythmias. The current understanding of the pathomechanisms in the heart is very limited, but recent research indicates that dysfunctional ion channels in dystrophic cardiomyocytes play a role. The aim of the present study was to characterize abnormalities in L-type calcium channel function in adult dystrophic ventricular cardiomyocytes. By using the whole cell patch-clamp technique, the properties of currents through calcium channels in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from the hearts of normal and dystrophic adult mice were compared. Besides the commonly used dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse model for human DMD, we also used mdx-utr mice, which are both dystrophin- and utrophin-deficient. We found that calcium channel currents were significantly increased, and channel inactivation was reduced in dystrophic cardiomyocytes. Both effects enhance the calcium influx during an action potential (AP). Whereas the AP in dystrophic mouse cardiomyocytes was nearly normal, implementation of the enhanced dystrophic calcium conductance in a computer model of a human ventricular cardiomyocyte considerably prolonged the AP. Finally, the described dystrophic calcium channel abnormalities entailed alterations in the electrocardiograms of dystrophic mice. We conclude that gain of function in cardiac L-type calcium channels may disturb the electrophysiology of the dystrophic heart and thereby cause arrhythmias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xaver Koenig
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lena Rubi
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald J Obermair
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rene Cervenka
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Xuan B Dang
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Lukacs
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kummer
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reginald E Bittner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Kubista
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Todt
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karlheinz Hilber
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Myocardial Rac1 exhibits partial involvement in thyroxin-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and its inhibition is not sufficient to improve cardiac dysfunction or contractile abnormalities in mouse papillary muscles. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2013; 61:536-44. [PMID: 23429587 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0b013e31828d4b9d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
: Development of cardiac hypertrophy after thyroxin (T4) treatment is well recognized. Recently, we observed that T4-induced cardiac hypertrophy is associated with increased cardiac Rac1 expression and activity. Whether this Rac1 increase has a role in inducing this cardiac phenotype is, however, still unknown. Here, we showed that T4 treatment (500 µg/kg/d) for 2 weeks resulted in increased myocardial Rac1 activity with subsequent hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in vivo. Isolated right ventricular papillary muscles of T4-treated mice maintained their peak isometric active developed tension but exhibited significant decreases in their corresponding time to peak and in relaxation times. Positive inotropic responses to increasing pacing rate and β-adrenergic stimulation were also depressed in these muscles. Pravastatin (10 mg/kg/d), a Rac1 inhibitor, significantly decreased myocardial Rac1 activity, hypertension, and cardiomyocyte size in T4-treated mice but could not attenuate gross heart weight or functional cardiac changes in these mice. Our data showed that T4 could activate different signaling pathways with distinct cardiovascular outcomes. We also provide the first mechanistic evidence for the partial involvement of Rac1 activation in T4-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and reveal a putative role for Rac1 in the development of T4-induced hypertension.
Collapse
|
47
|
Sharpe KM, Premsukh MD, Townsend D. Alterations of dystrophin-associated glycoproteins in the heart lacking dystrophin or dystrophin and utrophin. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2013; 34:395-405. [PMID: 24096570 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-013-9362-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Patients with DMD lack the protein dystrophin, which is widely expressed in striated muscle. In skeletal muscle, the loss of dystrophin results in dramatically decreased expression of the dystrophin associated glycoprotein complex (DGC). Interestingly, in the heart the DGC is normally expressed without dystrophin; this has been attributed to presence of the dystrophin homologue utrophin. We demonstrate here that neither utrophin nor dystrophin are required for the expression of the cardiac DGC. However, alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG), a major component of the DGC, is differentially glycosylated in dystrophin-(mdx) and dystrophin-/utrophin-(dko) deficient mouse hearts. In both models the altered α-DG retains laminin binding activity, but has an altered localization at the sarcolemma. In hearts lacking both dystrophin and utrophin, the alterations in α-DG glycosylation are even more dramatic with changes in gel migration equivalent to 24 ± 3 kDa. These data show that the absence of dystrophin and utrophin alters the processing of α-DG; however it is not clear if these alterations are a consequence of the loss of a direct interaction with dystrophin/utrophin or results from an indirect response to the presence of severe pathology. Recently there have been great advances in our understanding of the glycosylation of α-DG regarding its role as a laminin receptor. Here we present data that alterations in glycosylation occur in the hearts of animal models of DMD, but these changes do not affect laminin binding. The physiological consequences of these alterations remain unknown, but may have significant implications for the development of therapies for DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Sharpe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hourdé C, Joanne P, Medja F, Mougenot N, Jacquet A, Mouisel E, Pannerec A, Hatem S, Butler-Browne G, Agbulut O, Ferry A. Voluntary physical activity protects from susceptibility to skeletal muscle contraction-induced injury but worsens heart function in mdx mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:1509-18. [PMID: 23465861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that inactivity/activity influences skeletal muscle physiological characteristics. However, the effects of inactivity/activity on muscle weakness and increased susceptibility to muscle contraction-induced injury have not been extensively studied in mdx mice, a murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with dystrophin deficiency. In the present study, we demonstrate that inactivity (ie, leg immobilization) worsened the muscle weakness and the susceptibility to contraction-induced injury in mdx mice. Inactivity also mimicked these two dystrophic features in wild-type mice. In contrast, we demonstrate that these parameters can be improved by activity (ie, voluntary wheel running) in mdx mice. Biochemical analyses indicate that the changes induced by inactivity/activity were not related to fiber-type transition but were associated with altered expression of different genes involved in fiber growth (GDF8), structure (Actg1), and calcium homeostasis (Stim1 and Jph1). However, activity reduced left ventricular function (ie, ejection and shortening fractions) in mdx, but not C57, mice. Altogether, our study suggests that muscle weakness and susceptibility to contraction-induced injury in dystrophic muscle could be attributable, at least in part, to inactivity. It also suggests that activity exerts a beneficial effect on dystrophic skeletal muscle but not on the heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Hourdé
- Institute of Myology, INSERM U974, CNRS UMR7215, UPMC UM76, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Sorbonne Universities, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Shirokova N, Niggli E. Cardiac phenotype of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: insights from cellular studies. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2012; 58:217-24. [PMID: 23261966 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2012.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious and almost inevitable complication of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a devastating and fatal disease of skeletal muscle resulting from the lack of functional dystrophin, a protein linking the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. Ultimately, it leads to congestive heart failure and arrhythmias resulting from both cardiac muscle fibrosis and impaired function of the remaining cardiomyocytes. Here we summarize findings obtained in several laboratories, focusing on cellular mechanisms that result in degradation of cardiac functions in dystrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Shirokova
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Medicine and Dentistry - NJMS, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Vascular Remodeling–Associated Hypertension Leads to Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Contractile Dysfunction in Profilin-1 Transgenic Mice. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2012; 60:544-52. [DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0b013e318271225d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|