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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.
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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
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Naarding KJ, Stimpson G, Ward SJ, Goemans N, McDonald C, Mercuri E, Muntoni F. 269th ENMC international workshop: 10 years of clinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy - What have we learned? 9-11 December 2022, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:897-910. [PMID: 37926638 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.10.003] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
There are multiple avenues for therapeutic development in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which are highlighted in the first section of this report for the "10 years of Clinical trials in DMD - What have we learned?" workshop. This report then provides an overview of the presentations made at the workshop grouped into the following core themes: trial outcomes, disease heterogeneity, meaningfulness of outcomes and the utility of real-world data in trials. Finally, we present the consensus that was achieved at the workshop on the learning points from 10 years of clinical trials in DMD, and possible action points from these. This includes further work in expanding the scope and range of trial outcomes and assessing the efficacy of new trial structures for DMD. We also highlight several points which should be addressed during future interactions with regulators, such as clinical meaningfulness and the use of real-world data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin J Naarding
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Duchenne Center Netherlands, the Netherlands
| | - Georgia Stimpson
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, London, UK
| | - Susan J Ward
- Collaborative Trajectory Analysis Project (cTAP), United States
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- University Hospitals Leuven, Dept of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Craig McDonald
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Sacramento, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Centro Clinico Nemo, U.O.C. Neuropsichiatria Infantile Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK.
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Rawls A, Diviak BK, Smith CI, Severson GW, Acosta SA, Wilson-Rawls J. Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches to Treatment of Muscular Dystrophies. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1536. [PMID: 37892218 PMCID: PMC10605463 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetic muscle-wasting disorders that are subdivided based on the region of the body impacted by muscle weakness as well as the functional activity of the underlying genetic mutations. A common feature of the pathophysiology of muscular dystrophies is chronic inflammation associated with the replacement of muscle mass with fibrotic scarring. With the progression of these disorders, many patients suffer cardiomyopathies with fibrosis of the cardiac tissue. Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids represent the standard of care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common muscular dystrophy worldwide; however, long-term exposure to glucocorticoids results in highly adverse side effects, limiting their use. Thus, it is important to develop new pharmacotherapeutic approaches to limit inflammation and fibrosis to reduce muscle damage and promote repair. Here, we examine the pathophysiology, genetic background, and emerging therapeutic strategies for muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA; (B.K.D.); (C.I.S.); (G.W.S.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Bridget K. Diviak
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA; (B.K.D.); (C.I.S.); (G.W.S.); (S.A.A.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA
| | - Cameron I. Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA; (B.K.D.); (C.I.S.); (G.W.S.); (S.A.A.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA
| | - Grant W. Severson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA; (B.K.D.); (C.I.S.); (G.W.S.); (S.A.A.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA
| | - Sofia A. Acosta
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA; (B.K.D.); (C.I.S.); (G.W.S.); (S.A.A.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, AZ 85287 4501, USA
| | - Jeanne Wilson-Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA; (B.K.D.); (C.I.S.); (G.W.S.); (S.A.A.)
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Ion Channels of the Sarcolemma and Intracellular Organelles in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Role in the Dysregulation of Ion Homeostasis and a Possible Target for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032229. [PMID: 36768550 PMCID: PMC9917149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of the dystrophin protein and a properly functioning dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) in muscle cells. DAPC components act as molecular scaffolds coordinating the assembly of various signaling molecules including ion channels. DMD shows a significant change in the functioning of the ion channels of the sarcolemma and intracellular organelles and, above all, the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria regulating ion homeostasis, which is necessary for the correct excitation and relaxation of muscles. This review is devoted to the analysis of current data on changes in the structure, functioning, and regulation of the activity of ion channels in striated muscles in DMD and their contribution to the disruption of muscle function and the development of pathology. We note the prospects of therapy based on targeting the channels of the sarcolemma and organelles for the correction and alleviation of pathology, and the problems that arise in the interpretation of data obtained on model dystrophin-deficient objects.
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Samidurai A, Xi L, Das A, Kukreja RC. Beyond Erectile Dysfunction: cGMP-Specific Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors for Other Clinical Disorders. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:585-615. [PMID: 36206989 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-040122-034745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), an important intracellular second messenger, mediates cellular functional responses in all vital organs. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is one of the 11 members of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) family that specifically targets cGMP generated by nitric oxide-driven activation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase. PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil and tadalafil, are widely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and certain urological disorders. Preclinical studies have shown promising effects of PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, cancer and anticancer-drug-associated cardiotoxicity, diabetes, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's disease, and other aging-related conditions. Many clinical trials with PDE5 inhibitors have focused on the potential cardiovascular, anticancer, and neurological benefits. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on PDE5 inhibitors and their potential therapeutic indications for various clinical disorders beyond erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Samidurai
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
| | - Lei Xi
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
| | - Anindita Das
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
| | - Rakesh C Kukreja
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
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Lin BL, Shin JY, Jeffreys WP, Wang N, Lukban CA, Moorer MC, Velarde E, Hanselman OA, Kwon S, Kannan S, Riddle RC, Ward CW, Pullen SS, Filareto A, Kass DA. Pharmacological TRPC6 inhibition improves survival and muscle function in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e158906. [PMID: 36099033 PMCID: PMC9675567 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene mutations causing loss of dystrophin result in the severe muscle disease known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Despite efforts at genetic repair, DMD therapy remains largely palliative. Loss of dystrophin destabilizes the sarcolemmal membrane, inducing mechanosensitive cation channels to increase calcium entry and promote cell damage and, eventually, muscle dysfunction. One putative channel is transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6); we have shown that TRPC6 contributed to abnormal force and calcium stress-responses in cardiomyocytes from mice lacking dystrophin that were haplodeficient for utrophin (mdx/utrn+/- [HET] mice). Here, we show in both the HET mouse and the far more severe homozygous mdx/utrn-/- mouse that TRPC6 gene deletion or its selective pharmacologic inhibition (by BI 749327) prolonged survival 2- to 3-fold, improving skeletal and cardiac muscle and bone defects. Gene pathways reduced by BI 749327 treatment most prominently regulated fat metabolism and TGF-β1 signaling. These results support the testing of TRPC6 inhibitors in human trials for other diseases as a novel DMD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Esteban Velarde
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antonio Filareto
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - David A. Kass
- Department of Cardiology
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Hart CC, Lee YI, Hammers DW, Sweeney HL. Evaluation of the DBA/2J mouse as a potential background strain for genetic models of cardiomyopathy. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY PLUS 2022; 1:100012. [PMID: 37206988 PMCID: PMC10195103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2022.100012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The potential use of the D2.mdx mouse (the mdx mutation on the DBA/2J genetic background) as a preclinical model of the cardiac aspects of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been criticized based on speculation that the DBA/2J genetic background displays an inherent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) phenotype. Accordingly, the goal of the current study was to further examine the cardiac status of this mouse strain over a 12-month period to determine if observable signs of HCM develop, including histopathology and pathological enlargement of the myocardium. Previous reports have documented heightened TGFβ signaling in the DBA2/J striated muscles, as compared to the C57 background, which, as expected, is manifested as increased cardiomyocyte size, wall thickness, and heart mass as compared to the C57 background. While normalized heart mass is larger in the DBA/2J mice, compared to age-matched C57/BL10 mice, both strains similarly increase in size from 4 to 12 months of age. We also report that DBA/2J mice contain equivalent amounts of left ventricular collagen as healthy canine and human samples. In a longitudinal echocardiography study, neither sedentary nor exercised DBA/2J mice demonstrated left ventricular wall thickening or cardiac functional deficits. In summary, we find no evidence of HCM, nor any other cardiac pathology, and thus propose that it is an appropriate background strain for genetic modeling of cardiac diseases, including the cardiomyopathy associated with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - H. Lee Sweeney
- Corresponding author at: 1200 Newell, Dr. ARB R5-216, Gainesville, FL 32610-0267, United States of America. (H.L. Sweeney)
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Shrinkage Properties and Their Relationship with Degradation of Proteins Linking the Endomysium and Myofibril in Lamb Meat Submitted to Heating or Air Drying. Foods 2022; 11:foods11152242. [PMID: 35954013 PMCID: PMC9368109 DOI: 10.3390/foods11152242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The shrinkage of the connective tissue and myofiber of lamb meat submitted to heat treatment or air drying at different storage stages (1, 5 and 7 days) was evaluated herein. The longitudinal and transverse shrinkage of heated lamb meat was significantly influenced by storage time and water bath heating temperature (50 °C, 70 °C and 90 °C) (p < 0.001). In contrast, the shrinkage of air-dried lamb meat was not influenced by storage time (p > 0.05). The microstructure of heated lamb meat, namely, the distance between muscle fascicles, the distance between myofibril networks, the area of myofibril networks, and the endomysium circumference, was significantly influenced by storage time (p < 0.05). During storage, the proportion of muscle fibers completely detached from endomysium increased, which could be due to the progressive degradation of proteins linking the endomysium and myofibril, including β-dystroglycan, α-dystroglycan, integrin-β1, and dystrophin. However, degradation of such proteins did not influence the shrinkage of lamb meat stored for five days or longer, since the decreased distance between myofibril networks indicated a higher shrinkage ratio of the endomysium compared to myofibers in samples air-dried at 35 °C or heated at 90 °C. The effect of these proteins on the shrinkage of heated lamb meat (raw meat stored for 1 day or less time) requires further elucidation.
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Deng J, Zhang J, Shi K, Liu Z. Drug development progress in duchenne muscular dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:950651. [PMID: 35935842 PMCID: PMC9353054 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.950651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive, and incurable X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Patients with DMD have an absence of functional dystrophin protein, which results in chronic damage of muscle fibers during contraction, thus leading to deterioration of muscle quality and loss of muscle mass over time. Although there is currently no cure for DMD, improvements in treatment care and management could delay disease progression and improve quality of life, thereby prolonging life expectancy for these patients. Furthermore, active research efforts are ongoing to develop therapeutic strategies that target dystrophin deficiency, such as gene replacement therapies, exon skipping, and readthrough therapy, as well as strategies that target secondary pathology of DMD, such as novel anti-inflammatory compounds, myostatin inhibitors, and cardioprotective compounds. Furthermore, longitudinal modeling approaches have been used to characterize the progression of MRI and functional endpoints for predictive purposes to inform Go/No Go decisions in drug development. This review showcases approved drugs or drug candidates along their development paths and also provides information on primary endpoints and enrollment size of Ph2/3 and Ph3 trials in the DMD space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexin Deng
- School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Jiexin Deng, ; Zhigang Liu,
| | - Junshi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Keli Shi
- School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Jiexin Deng, ; Zhigang Liu,
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Assessing the Use of the sGC Stimulator BAY-747, as a Potential Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158016. [PMID: 34360780 PMCID: PMC8347633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle wasting disorder, affecting one in 3500 to 5000 boys worldwide. The NO-sGC-cGMP pathway plays an important role in skeletal muscle function, primarily by improving blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles during exercise. In fact, PDE5 inhibitors have previously been investigated as a potential therapy for DMD, however, a large-scale Phase III clinical trial did not meet its primary endpoint. Since the efficacy of PDE5i is dependent on sufficient endogenous NO production, which might be impaired in DMD, we investigated if NO-independent sGC stimulators, could have therapeutic benefits in a mouse model of DMD. Male mdx/mTRG2 mice aged six weeks were given food supplemented with the sGC stimulator, BAY-747 (150 mg/kg of food) or food alone (untreated) ad libitum for 16 weeks. Untreated C57BL6/J mice were used as wild type (WT) controls. Assessments of the four-limb hang, grip strength, running wheel and serum creatine kinase (CK) levels showed that mdx/mTRG2 mice had significantly reduced skeletal muscle function and severe muscle damage compared to WT mice. Treatment with BAY-747 improved grip strength and running speed, and these mice also had reduced CK levels compared to untreated mdx/mTRG2 mice. We also observed increased inflammation and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mdx/mTRG2 mice compared to WT. While gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and some pro-fibrotic markers in the skeletal muscle was reduced following BAY-747 treatment, there was no reduction in infiltration of myeloid immune cells nor collagen deposition. In conclusion, treatment with BAY-747 significantly improves several functional and pathological parameters of the skeletal muscle in mdx/mTRG2 mice. However, the effect size was moderate and therefore, more studies are needed to fully understand the potential treatment benefit of sGC stimulators in DMD.
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Rodriguez-Gonzalez M, Lubian-Gutierrez M, Cascales-Poyatos HM, Perez-Reviriego AA, Castellano-Martinez A. Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Dystrophin-Deficient Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010356. [PMID: 33396334 PMCID: PMC7796305 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin-deficient cardiomyopathy (DDC) is currently the leading cause of death in patients with dystrophinopathies. Targeting myocardial fibrosis (MF) has become a major therapeutic goal in order to prevent the occurrence of DDC. We aimed to review and summarize the current evidence about the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the development and perpetuation of MF in DCC. We conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed English literature on PubMed about this subject. We found increasing preclinical evidence from studies in animal models during the last 20 years pointing out a central role of RAAS in the development of MF in DDC. Local tissue RAAS acts directly mainly through its main fibrotic component angiotensin II (ANG2) and its transducer receptor (AT1R) and downstream TGF-b pathway. Additionally, it modulates the actions of most of the remaining pro-fibrotic factors involved in DDC. Despite limited clinical evidence, RAAS blockade constitutes the most studied, available and promising therapeutic strategy against MF and DDC. Conclusion: Based on the evidence reviewed, it would be recommendable to start RAAS blockade therapy through angiotensin converter enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or AT1R blockers (ARBs) alone or in combination with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRa) at the youngest age after the diagnosis of dystrophinopathies, in order to delay the occurrence or slow the progression of MF, even before the detection of any cardiovascular alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moises Rodriguez-Gonzalez
- Pediatric Cardiology Division of Puerta del Mar University Hospital, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-956002700
| | - Manuel Lubian-Gutierrez
- Pediatric Neurology Division of Puerta del Mar University Hospital, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain;
- Pediatric Division of Doctor Cayetano Roldan Primary Care Center, 11100 San Fernando, Spain
| | | | | | - Ana Castellano-Martinez
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain;
- Pediatric Nephrology Division of Puerta del Mar University Hospital, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain
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Lambert MR, Spinazzola JM, Widrick JJ, Pakula A, Conner JR, Chin JE, Owens JM, Kunkel LM. PDE10A Inhibition Reduces the Manifestation of Pathology in DMD Zebrafish and Represses the Genetic Modifier PITPNA. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1086-1101. [PMID: 33221436 PMCID: PMC7934586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene. Absence of dystrophin protein leads to progressive degradation of skeletal and cardiac function and leads to premature death. Over the years, zebrafish have been increasingly used for studying DMD and are a powerful tool for drug discovery and therapeutic development. In our study, a birefringence screening assay led to identification of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors that reduced the manifestation of dystrophic muscle phenotype in dystrophin-deficient sapje-like zebrafish larvae. PDE10A has been validated as a therapeutic target by pde10a morpholino-mediated reduction in muscle pathology and improvement in locomotion, muscle, and vascular function as well as long-term survival in sapje-like larvae. PDE10A inhibition in zebrafish and DMD patient-derived myoblasts were also associated with reduction of PITPNA expression that has been previously identified as a protective genetic modifier in two exceptional dystrophin-deficient golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs that escaped the dystrophic phenotype. The combination of a phenotypic assay and relevant functional assessments in the sapje-like zebrafish enhances the potential for the prospective discovery of DMD therapeutics. Indeed, our results suggest a new application for a PDE10A inhibitor as a potential DMD therapeutic to be investigated in a mouse model of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias R Lambert
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Janelle M Spinazzola
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Widrick
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anna Pakula
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James R Conner
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Janice E Chin
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jane M Owens
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Louis M Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Ghaleh B, Barthélemy I, Wojcik J, Sambin L, Bizé A, Hittinger L, Tran TD, Thomé FP, Blot S, Su JB. Protective effects of rimeporide on left ventricular function in golden retriever muscular dystrophy dogs. Int J Cardiol 2020; 312:89-95. [PMID: 32199683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ have been observed in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in animal models of DMD, and inhibition of Na+-H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) by rimeporide has previously demonstrated cardioprotective effects in animal models of myocardial ischemia and heart failure. Since heart failure is becoming a predominant cause of death in DMD patients, this study aimed to demonstrate a cardioprotective effect of chronic administration of rimeporide in a canine model of DMD. METHODS Golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs were randomized to orally receive rimeporide (10 mg/kg, twice a day) or placebo from 2 months to 1 year of age. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by conventional and advanced echocardiography. RESULTS Compared with placebo-treated GRMD, LV function deterioration with age was limited in rimeporide-treated GRMD dogs as indicated by the preservation of LV ejection fraction as well as overall cardiac parameters different from placebo-treated dogs, as revealed by composite cardiac scores and principal component analysis. In addition, principal component analysis clustered rimeporide-treated GRMD dogs close to healthy control dogs. CONCLUSIONS Chronic administration of the NHE1 inhibitor rimeporide exerted a protective effect against LV function decline in GRMD dogs. This study provides proof of concept to explore the cardiac effects of rimeporide in DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijan Ghaleh
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 03, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Inès Barthélemy
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 10, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jérôme Wojcik
- Translational Informatics & Biometrics Europe, Precision for Medicine, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lucien Sambin
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 03, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alain Bizé
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 03, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Luc Hittinger
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 10, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France; AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Fédération de Cardiologie, F-94000 Créteil, France
| | - Thien Duc Tran
- EspeRare, Campus Biotech Innovation Park, Avenue de Secheron 15, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florence Porte Thomé
- EspeRare, Campus Biotech Innovation Park, Avenue de Secheron 15, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Blot
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 10, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jin Bo Su
- U955-IMRB, Equipe 03, Inserm, UPEC, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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14
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Łoboda A, Dulak J. Muscle and cardiac therapeutic strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: past, present, and future. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 72:1227-1263. [PMID: 32691346 PMCID: PMC7550322 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular childhood disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration and results in functional decline, loss of ambulation and early death of young men due to cardiac or respiratory failure. Although the major cause of the disease has been known for many years-namely mutation in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin, one of the largest human genes-DMD is still incurable, and its treatment is challenging. METHODS A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on the gene, cell, and pharmacological experimental therapies aimed at restoring functional dystrophin or to counteract the associated processes contributing to disease progression like inflammation, fibrosis, calcium signaling or angiogenesis was carried out. RESULTS Although some therapies lead to satisfying effects in skeletal muscle, they are highly ineffective in the heart; therefore, targeting defective cardiac and respiratory systems is vital in DMD patients. Unfortunately, most of the pharmacological compounds treat only the symptoms of the disease. Some drugs addressing the underlying cause, like eteplirsen, golodirsen, and ataluren, have recently been conditionally approved; however, they can correct only specific mutations in the DMD gene and are therefore suitable for small sub-populations of affected individuals. CONCLUSION In this review, we summarize the possible therapeutic options and describe the current status of various, still imperfect, strategies used for attenuating the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Łoboda
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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15
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Barthélémy I, Hitte C, Tiret L. The Dog Model in the Spotlight: Legacy of a Trustful Cooperation. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 6:421-451. [PMID: 31450509 PMCID: PMC6918919 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dogs have long been used as a biomedical model system and in particular as a preclinical proof of concept for innovative therapies before translation to humans. A recent example of the utility of this animal model is the promising myotubularin gene delivery in boys affected by X-linked centronuclear myopathy after successful systemic, long-term efficient gene therapy in Labrador retrievers. Mostly, this is due to unique features that make dogs an optimal system. The continuous emergence of spontaneous inherited disorders enables the identification of reliable complementary molecular models for human neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Dogs’ characteristics including size, lifespan and unprecedented medical care level allow a comprehensive longitudinal description of diseases. Moreover, the highly similar pathogenic mechanisms with human patients yield to translational robustness. Finally, interindividual phenotypic heterogeneity between dogs helps identifying modifiers and anticipates precision medicine issues. This review article summarizes the present list of molecularly characterized dog models for NMDs and provides an exhaustive list of the clinical and paraclinical assays that have been developed. This toolbox offers scientists a sensitive and reliable system to thoroughly evaluate neuromuscular function, as well as efficiency and safety of innovative therapies targeting these NMDs. This review also contextualizes the model by highlighting its unique genetic value, shaped by the long-term coevolution of humans and domesticated dogs. Because the dog is one of the most protected research animal models, there is considerable opposition to include it in preclinical projects, posing a threat to the use of this model. We thus discuss ethical issues, emphasizing that unlike many other models, the dog also benefits from its contribution to comparative biomedical research with a drastic reduction in the prevalence of morbid alleles in the breeding stock and an improvement in medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Barthélémy
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christophe Hitte
- CNRS, University of Rennes 1, UMR 6290, IGDR, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Biosit, Rennes, France
| | - Laurent Tiret
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
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16
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Widrick JJ, Kawahara G, Alexander MS, Beggs AH, Kunkel LM. Discovery of Novel Therapeutics for Muscular Dystrophies using Zebrafish Phenotypic Screens. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 6:271-287. [PMID: 31282429 PMCID: PMC6961982 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The recent availability and development of mutant and transgenic zebrafish strains that model human muscular dystrophies has created new research opportunities for therapeutic development. Not only do these models mimic many pathological aspects of human dystrophies, but their small size, large clutch sizes, rapid ex utero development, body transparency, and genetic tractability enable research approaches that would be inconceivable with mammalian model systems. Here we discuss the use of zebrafish models of muscular dystrophy to rapidly screen hundreds to thousands of bioactive compounds in order to identify novel therapeutic candidates that modulate pathologic phenotypes. We review the justification and rationale behind this unbiased approach, including how zebrafish screens have identified FDA-approved drugs that are candidates for treating Duchenne and limb girdle muscular dystrophies. Not only can these drugs be re-purposed for treating dystrophies in a fraction of the time and cost of new drug development, but their identification has revealed novel, unexpected directions for future therapy development. Phenotype-driven zebrafish drug screens are an important compliment to the more established mammalian, target-based approaches for rapidly developing and validating therapeutics for muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Widrick
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Genri Kawahara
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Matthew S Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama; University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Exercise Medicine; University of Alabama at Birmingham Civitan International Research Center; University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Genetics; Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Alan H Beggs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Louis M Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Post-Translational Modification and Natural Mutation of TRPC Channels. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010135. [PMID: 31936014 PMCID: PMC7016788 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) channels are homologues of Drosophila TRP channel first cloned in mammalian cells. TRPC family consists of seven members which are nonselective cation channels with a high Ca2+ permeability and are activated by a wide spectrum of stimuli. These channels are ubiquitously expressed in different tissues and organs in mammals and exert a variety of physiological functions. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) including phosphorylation, N-glycosylation, disulfide bond formation, ubiquitination, S-nitrosylation, S-glutathionylation, and acetylation play important roles in the modulation of channel gating, subcellular trafficking, protein-protein interaction, recycling, and protein architecture. PTMs also contribute to the polymodal activation of TRPCs and their subtle regulation in diverse physiological contexts and in pathological situations. Owing to their roles in the motor coordination and regulation of kidney podocyte structure, mutations of TRPCs have been implicated in diseases like cerebellar ataxia (moonwalker mice) and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The aim of this review is to comprehensively integrate all reported PTMs of TRPCs, to discuss their physiological/pathophysiological roles if available, and to summarize diseases linked to the natural mutations of TRPCs.
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18
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Vitiello L, Tibaudo L, Pegoraro E, Bello L, Canton M. Teaching an Old Molecule New Tricks: Drug Repositioning for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E6053. [PMID: 31801292 PMCID: PMC6929176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most severe forms of inherited muscular dystrophies. The disease is caused by the lack of dystrophin, a structurally essential protein; hence, a definitive cure would necessarily have to pass through some form of gene and/or cell therapy. Cell- and genetic-based therapeutics for DMD have been explored since the 1990s and recently, two of the latter have been approved for clinical use, but their efficacy is still very low. In parallel, there have been great ongoing efforts aimed at targeting the downstream pathogenic effects of dystrophin deficiency using classical pharmacological approaches, with synthetic or biological molecules. However, as it is always the case with rare diseases, R&D costs for new drugs can represent a major hurdle for researchers and patients alike. This problem can be greatly alleviated by experimenting the use of molecules that had originally been developed for different conditions, a process known as drug repurposing or drug repositioning. In this review, we will describe the state of the art of such an approach for DMD, both in the context of clinical trials and pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libero Vitiello
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Administrative headquarters University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy;
| | - Lucia Tibaudo
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Administrative headquarters University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 5-35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Luca Bello
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 5-35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Marcella Canton
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Administrative headquarters University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza-IRP, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
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19
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Batra A, Vohra RS, Chrzanowski SM, Hammers DW, Lott DJ, Vandenborne K, Walter GA, Forbes SC. Effects of PDE5 inhibition on dystrophic muscle following an acute bout of downhill running and endurance training. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 126:1737-1745. [PMID: 30946638 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00664.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of sarcolemma-localized neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSμ) contributes to muscle damage and fatigue in dystrophic muscle. In this study, we examined the effects of compensating for lack of nNOSμ with a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor in mdx mice following downhill running and endurance training. Dystrophic mice (mdx) were treated with sildenafil citrate and compared with untreated mdx and wild-type mice after an acute bout of downhill running and during a progressive low-intensity treadmill running program (5 days/wk, 4 wk). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) transverse relaxation time constant (T2) of hindlimb and forelimb muscles were measured as a marker of muscle damage after downhill running and throughout training. The MRI blood oxygenation level dependence (BOLD) response and 31phosphorus MRS (31P-MRS) data were acquired after stimulated muscle contractions. After downhill running, the increase in T2 was attenuated (P < 0.05) in treated mdx and wild-type mice compared with untreated mdx. During training, resting T2 values did not change in wild-type and mdx mice from baseline values; however, the running distance completed during training was greater (P < 0.05) in treated mdx (>90% of target distance) and wild-type (100%) than untreated mdx (60%). The post-contractile BOLD response was greater (P < 0.05) in treated mdx that trained than untreated mdx, with no differences in muscle oxidative capacity, as measured by 31P-MRS. Our findings indicate that PDE5 inhibition reduces muscle damage after a single bout of downhill running and improves performance during endurance training in dystrophic mice, possibly because of enhanced microvascular function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examined the combined effects of PDE5 inhibition and exercise in dystrophic muscle using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Our findings demonstrated that sildenafil citrate reduces muscle damage after a single bout of downhill running, improves endurance-training performance, and enhances microvascular function in dystrophic muscle. Collectively, the results support the combination of exercise and PDE5 inhibition as a therapeutic approach in muscular dystrophies lacking nNOSμ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinandan Batra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ravneet S Vohra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Steve M Chrzanowski
- Department of Physiology and Therapeutics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - David W Hammers
- Department of Pharmacology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Donovan J Lott
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Department of Physiology and Therapeutics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
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20
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Kennedy TL, Guiraud S, Edwards B, Squire S, Moir L, Babbs A, Odom G, Golebiowski D, Schneider J, Chamberlain JS, Davies KE. Micro-utrophin Improves Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Function of Severely Affected D2/ mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 11:92-105. [PMID: 30417024 PMCID: PMC6216100 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle-wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. DMD boys are wheelchair-bound around 12 years and generally survive into their twenties. There is currently no effective treatment except palliative care, although personalized treatments such as exon skipping, stop codon read-through, and viral-based gene therapies are making progress. Patients present with skeletal muscle pathology, but most also show cardiomyopathy by the age of 10. A systemic therapeutic approach is needed that treats the heart and skeletal muscle defects in all patients. The dystrophin-related protein utrophin has been shown to compensate for the lack of dystrophin in the mildly affected BL10/mdx mouse. The purpose of this investigation was to demonstrate that AAV9-mediated micro-utrophin transgene delivery can not only functionally replace dystrophin in the heart, but also attenuate the skeletal muscle phenotype in severely affected D2/mdx mice. The data presented here show that utrophin can indeed alleviate the pathology in skeletal and cardiac muscle in D2/mdx mice. These results endorse the view that utrophin modulation has the potential to increase the quality life of all DMD patients whatever their mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahnee L Kennedy
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Simon Guiraud
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Ben Edwards
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Sarah Squire
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Lee Moir
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Arran Babbs
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Guy Odom
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kay E Davies
- Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at the University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
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21
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Boulanger Piette A, Hamoudi D, Marcadet L, Morin F, Argaw A, Ward L, Frenette J. Targeting the Muscle-Bone Unit: Filling Two Needs with One Deed in the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2018; 16:541-553. [PMID: 30225627 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-018-0468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the progressive skeletal and cardiac muscle dysfunction and degeneration is accompanied by low bone mineral density and bone fragility. Glucocorticoids, which remain the standard of care for patients with DMD, increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. The scope of this review emphasizes the mutual cohesion and common signaling pathways between bone and skeletal muscle in DMD. RECENT FINDINGS The muscle-bone interactions involve bone-derived osteokines, muscle-derived myokines, and dual-origin cytokines that trigger common signaling pathways leading to fibrosis, inflammation, or protein synthesis/degradation. In particular, the triad RANK/RANKL/OPG including receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK), its ligand (RANKL), along with osteoprotegerin (OPG), regulates bone matrix modeling and remodeling pathways and contributes to muscle pathophysiology in DMD. This review discusses the importance of the muscle-bone unit in DMD and covers recent research aimed at determining the muscle-bone interactions that may eventually lead to the development of multifunctional and effective drugs for treating muscle and bone disorders regardless of the underlying genetic mutations in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Boulanger Piette
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUQ-CHUL), Axe Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Dounia Hamoudi
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUQ-CHUL), Axe Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Laetitia Marcadet
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUQ-CHUL), Axe Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Françoise Morin
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUQ-CHUL), Axe Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Anteneh Argaw
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUQ-CHUL), Axe Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Leanne Ward
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Jérôme Frenette
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUQ-CHUL), Axe Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
- Département de Réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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22
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Dombernowsky NW, Ölmestig JNE, Witting N, Kruuse C. Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies - Still a possible treatment modality? Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:914-926. [PMID: 30352768 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is involved in nitric oxide (NO) production and suggested to play a crucial role in blood flow regulation of skeletal muscle. During activation of the muscle, NO helps attenuate the sympathetic vasoconstriction to accommodate increased metabolic demands, a phenomenon known as functional sympatholysis. In inherited myopathies such as the dystrophinopathies Duchenne and Becker muscle dystrophies (DMD and BMD), nNOS is lost from the sarcolemma. The loss of nNOS may cause functional ischemia contributing to skeletal and cardiac muscle cell injury. Effects of NO is augmented by inhibiting degradation of the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) using sildenafil and tadalafil, both of which inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). In animal models of DMD, PDE5-inhibitors prevent functional ischemia, reduce post-exercise skeletal muscle pathology and fatigue, show amelioration of cardiac muscle cell damage and increase cardiac performance. However, effect on clinical outcomes in DMD and BMD patients have been disappointing with minor effects on upper limb performance and none on ambulation. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of nNOS function related to functional sympatholysis in skeletal muscle and studies on PDE5-inhibitor treatment in nNOS-deficient animal models and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna W Dombernowsky
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joakim N E Ölmestig
- Department of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nanna Witting
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Kruuse
- Department of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; PDE Research Group, Lundbeck Foundation Center for Neurovascular Research (LUCENS), Denmark.
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23
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Cardiac Phosphodiesterases and Their Modulation for Treating Heart Disease. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2017; 243:249-269. [PMID: 27787716 DOI: 10.1007/164_2016_82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
An important hallmark of cardiac failure is abnormal second messenger signaling due to impaired synthesis and catabolism of cyclic adenosine 3',5'- monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3',5'- monophosphate (cGMP). Their dysregulation, altered intracellular targeting, and blunted responsiveness to stimulating pathways all contribute to pathological remodeling, muscle dysfunction, reduced cell survival and metabolism, and other abnormalities. Therapeutic enhancement of either cyclic nucleotides can be achieved by stimulating their synthesis and/or by suppressing members of the family of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The heart expresses seven of the eleven major PDE subtypes - PDE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9. Their differential control over cAMP and cGMP signaling in various cell types, including cardiomyocytes, provides intriguing therapeutic opportunities to counter heart disease. This review examines the roles of these PDEs in the failing and hypertrophied heart and summarizes experimental and clinical data that have explored the utility of targeted PDE inhibition.
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24
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Victor RG, Sweeney HL, Finkel R, McDonald CM, Byrne B, Eagle M, Goemans N, Vandenborne K, Dubrovsky AL, Topaloglu H, Miceli MC, Furlong P, Landry J, Elashoff R, Cox D. A phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial of tadalafil for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurology 2017; 89:1811-1820. [PMID: 28972192 PMCID: PMC5664308 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000004570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a randomized trial to test the primary hypothesis that once-daily tadalafil, administered orally for 48 weeks, lessens the decline in ambulatory ability in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS Three hundred thirty-one participants with DMD 7 to 14 years of age taking glucocorticoids were randomized to tadalafil 0.3 mg·kg-1·d-1, tadalafil 0.6 mg·kg-1·d-1, or placebo. The primary efficacy measure was 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) after 48 weeks. Secondary efficacy measures included North Star Ambulatory Assessment and timed function tests. Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) was a prespecified exploratory outcome. RESULTS Tadalafil had no effect on the primary outcome: 48-week declines in 6MWD were 51.0 ± 9.3 m with placebo, 64.7 ± 9.8 m with low-dose tadalafil (p = 0.307 vs placebo), and 59.1 ± 9.4 m with high-dose tadalafil (p = 0.538 vs placebo). Tadalafil also had no effect on secondary outcomes. In boys >10 years of age, total PUL score and shoulder subscore declined less with low-dose tadalafil than placebo. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of tadalafil and the DMD disease state. CONCLUSIONS Tadalafil did not lessen the decline in ambulatory ability in boys with DMD. Further studies should be considered to confirm the hypothesis-generating upper limb data and to determine whether ambulatory decline can be slowed by initiation of tadalafil before 7 years of age. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT01865084. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class I evidence that tadalafil does not slow ambulatory decline in 7- to 14-year-old boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald G Victor
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN.
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Richard Finkel
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Craig M McDonald
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Barry Byrne
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Michelle Eagle
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Alberto L Dubrovsky
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Haluk Topaloglu
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Pat Furlong
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - John Landry
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Robert Elashoff
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - David Cox
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
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25
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Pharmacological advances for treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2017; 34:36-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Timpani CA, Hayes A, Rybalka E. Therapeutic strategies to address neuronal nitric oxide synthase deficiency and the loss of nitric oxide bioavailability in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:100. [PMID: 28545481 PMCID: PMC5445371 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-017-0652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease in which the absence of dystrophin from the muscle membrane induces a secondary loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and the muscles capacity for endogenous nitric oxide synthesis. Since nitric oxide is a potent regulator of skeletal muscle metabolism, mass, function and regeneration, the loss of nitric oxide bioavailability is likely a key contributor to the chronic pathological wasting evident in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As such, various therapeutic interventions to re-establish either the neuronal nitric oxide synthase protein deficit or the consequential loss of nitric oxide synthesis and bioavailability have been investigated in both animal models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and in human clinical trials. Notably, the efficacy of these interventions are varied and not always translatable from animal model to human patients, highlighting a complex interplay of factors which determine the downstream modulatory effects of nitric oxide. We review these studies herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara A Timpani
- College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8001.,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Alan Hayes
- College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8001.,Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 8001, Australia.,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Emma Rybalka
- College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8001. .,Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 8001, Australia. .,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia.
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27
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Reinig AM, Mirzaei S, Berlau DJ. Advances in the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: New and Emerging Pharmacotherapies. Pharmacotherapy 2017; 37:492-499. [DOI: 10.1002/phar.1909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Reinig
- School of Pharmacy; Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; Denver Colorado
| | - Sara Mirzaei
- School of Pharmacy; Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; Denver Colorado
| | - Daniel J. Berlau
- School of Pharmacy; Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; Denver Colorado
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28
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Hammers DW, Sleeper MM, Forbes SC, Coker CC, Jirousek MR, Zimmer M, Walter GA, Sweeney HL. Disease-modifying effects of orally bioavailable NF- κB inhibitors in dystrophin-deficient muscle. JCI Insight 2016; 1:e90341. [PMID: 28018975 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.90341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle disease characterized by progressive muscle deterioration and replacement with an aberrant fatty, fibrous matrix. Chronic upregulation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is implicated as a driver of the dystrophic pathogenesis. Herein, 2 members of a novel class of NF-κB inhibitors, edasalonexent (formerly CAT-1004) and CAT-1041, were evaluated in both mdx mouse and golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog models of DMD. These orally bioavailable compounds consist of a polyunsaturated fatty acid conjugated to salicylic acid and potently suppress the pathogenic NF-κB subunit p65/RelA in vitro. In vivo, CAT-1041 effectively improved the phenotype of mdx mice undergoing voluntary wheel running, in terms of activity, muscle mass and function, damage, inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiac pathology. We identified significant increases in dysferlin as a possible contributor to the protective effect of CAT-1041 to sarcolemmal damage. Furthermore, CAT-1041 improved the more severe GRMD phenotype in a canine case study, where muscle mass and diaphragm function were maintained in a treated GRMD dog. These results demonstrate that NF-κB modulation by edasalonexent and CAT-1041 is effective in ameliorating the dystrophic process and these compounds are candidates for new treatments for DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Hammers
- Department of Physiology and.,Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Myology Institute and
| | - Margaret M Sleeper
- Myology Institute and.,Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Myology Institute and.,Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Cora C Coker
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Myology Institute and
| | | | - Michael Zimmer
- Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Myology Institute and.,Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.,Myology Institute and
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Spinazzola JM, Kunkel LM. Pharmacological therapeutics targeting the secondary defects and downstream pathology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2016; 4:1179-1194. [PMID: 28670506 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2016.1240613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the identification of the dystrophin gene in 1986, a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has yet to be discovered. Presently, there are a number of genetic-based therapies in development aimed at restoration and/or repair of the primary defect. However, growing understanding of the pathophysiological consequences of dystrophin absence has revealed several promising downstream targets for the development of therapeutics. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss various strategies for DMD therapy targeting downstream consequences of dystrophin absence including loss of muscle mass, inflammation, fibrosis, calcium overload, oxidative stress, and ischemia. The rationale of each approach and the efficacy of drugs in preclinical and clinical studies are discussed. EXPERT OPINION For the last 30 years, effective DMD drug therapy has been limited to corticosteroids, which are associated with a number of negative side effects. Our knowledge of the consequences of dystrophin absence that contribute to DMD pathology has revealed several potential therapeutic targets. Some of these approaches may have potential to improve or slow disease progression independently or in combination with genetic-based approaches. The applicability of these pharmacological therapies to DMD patients irrespective of their genetic mutation, as well as the potential benefits even for advanced stage patients warrants their continued investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle M Spinazzola
- Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston, MA 02115.,Harvard Medical School, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Louis M Kunkel
- Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston, MA 02115.,Harvard Medical School, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Boston, MA 02115.,The Stem Cell Program at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.,The Manton Center for Orphan Diseases, Boston, MA 02115.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
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