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Haque B, Guirguis G, Curtis M, Mohsin H, Walker S, Morrow MM, Costain G. A comparative medical genomics approach may facilitate the interpretation of rare missense variation. J Med Genet 2024; 61:817-821. [PMID: 38508706 PMCID: PMC11287553 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the degree to which likely causal missense variants of single-locus traits in domesticated species have features suggestive of pathogenicity in a human genomic context. METHODS We extracted missense variants from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals database for nine animals (cat, cattle, chicken, dog, goat, horse, pig, rabbit and sheep), mapped coordinates to the human reference genome and annotated variants using genome analysis tools. We also searched a private commercial laboratory database of genetic testing results from >400 000 individuals with suspected rare disorders. RESULTS Of 339 variants that were mappable to the same residue and gene in the human genome, 56 had been previously classified with respect to pathogenicity: 31 (55.4%) pathogenic/likely pathogenic, 1 (1.8%) benign/likely benign and 24 (42.9%) uncertain/other. The odds ratio for a pathogenic/likely pathogenic classification in ClinVar was 7.0 (95% CI 4.1 to 12.0, p<0.0001), compared with all other germline missense variants in these same 220 genes. The remaining 283 variants disproportionately had allele frequencies and REVEL scores that supported pathogenicity. CONCLUSION Cross-species comparisons could facilitate the interpretation of rare missense variation. These results provide further support for comparative medical genomics approaches that connect big data initiatives in human and veterinary genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Haque
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - George Guirguis
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meredith Curtis
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hera Mohsin
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan Walker
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Gregory Costain
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Kamiya Y, Aihara N, Shiga T, Horiuchi N, Kamiie J. Diversity of mutations in the dystrophin gene and details of muscular lesions in porcine dystrophinopathies. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:432-441. [PMID: 38006213 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231214028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
During meat inspections in pigs, dystrophinopathies are among the muscle lesions targeted for disposal. In this study, the authors examined the lesions and the distribution of dystrophin expression in 25 pigs with dystrophinopathy. In addition, complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) sequencing and western blotting were performed in 6 of the 25 cases, all of which were characterized by degeneration, necrosis, and fat replacement of muscle fibers. Comparing the results of immunohistochemistry with anti-dystrophin antibodies that recognized at different sites in the protein, the authors noted that the loss of dystrophin expression was most pronounced in the C-terminus-recognizing antibody (19/25 cases). The authors detected 5 missense mutations and 3 types of shortened transcripts generated by the skipping of exons in the cDNA, which were associated with the pathogenesis. One missense mutation had been reported previously, whereas the remaining mutations identified had not been previously documented in pigs. In the cases with shortened transcripts, normal-sized transcripts were detected together with the defective transcripts, suggesting that these mutations were caused by splicing abnormalities. In addition, they were in-frame mutations, all of which have similar pathogeneses of Becker muscular dystrophy in humans. These cases were 6 months of age and exhibited macroscopic discoloration, fatty replacement, and muscle degeneration, suggesting that the effect of these mutations on skeletal muscle was significant.
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3
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Gharibi S, Vaillend C, Lindsay A. The unconditioned fear response in vertebrates deficient in dystrophin. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 235:102590. [PMID: 38484964 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102590] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Dystrophin loss due to mutations in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene is associated with a wide spectrum of neurocognitive comorbidities, including an aberrant unconditioned fear response to stressful/threat stimuli. Dystrophin-deficient animal models of DMD demonstrate enhanced stress reactivity that manifests as sustained periods of immobility. When the threat is repetitive or severe in nature, dystrophinopathy phenotypes can be exacerbated and even cause sudden death. Thus, it is apparent that enhanced sensitivity to stressful/threat stimuli in dystrophin-deficient vertebrates is a legitimate cause of concern for patients with DMD that could impact neurocognition and pathophysiology. This review discusses our current understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of the hypersensitive fear response in preclinical models of DMD and the potential challenges facing clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Gharibi
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, Saclay 91400, France.
| | - Angus Lindsay
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand.
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4
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Dystrophin ( DMD) Missense Variant in Cats with Becker-Type Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043192. [PMID: 36834603 PMCID: PMC9964367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophy due to dystrophin deficiency in humans is phenotypically divided into a severe Duchenne and milder Becker type. Dystrophin deficiency has also been described in a few animal species, and few DMD gene variants have been identified in animals. Here, we characterize the clinical, histopathological, and molecular genetic aspects of a family of Maine Coon crossbred cats with clinically mild and slowly progressive muscular dystrophy. Two young adult male littermate cats exhibited abnormal gait and muscular hypertrophy with macroglossia. Serum creatine kinase activities were highly increased. Histopathologically, dystrophic skeletal muscle exhibited marked structural changes including atrophic, hypertrophic, and necrotic muscle fibers. Immunohistochemistry showed irregularly reduced expression of dystrophin but the staining of other muscle proteins such as β- and γ-sarcoglycans as well as desmin was also diminished. Whole genome sequencing of one affected cat and genotyping of the littermate found both to be hemizygous mutant at a single DMD missense variant (c.4186C>T). No other protein-changing variants in candidate genes for muscular dystrophy were detected. In addition, one clinically healthy male littermate was hemizygous wildtype, while the queen and one female littermate were clinically healthy, but heterozygous. The predicted amino acid exchange (p.His1396Tyr) resides in a conserved central rod spectrin domain of dystrophin. Various protein modeling programs did not predict major disruption of the dystrophin protein by this substitution, but the altered charge of the region may still affect protein function. This study represents the first genotype-to-phenotype correlation of Becker-type dystrophin deficiency in companion animals.
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5
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Brain Dp140 alters glutamatergic transmission and social behaviour in the mdx52 mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 216:102288. [PMID: 35654209 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscle disorder caused by DMD mutations and is characterized by neurobehavioural comorbidities due to dystrophin deficiency in the brain. The lack of Dp140, a dystrophin short isoform, is clinically associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but its postnatal functional role is not well understood. To investigate synaptic function in the presence or absence of brain Dp140, we utilized two DMD mouse models, mdx23 and mdx52 mice, in which Dp140 is preserved or lacking, respectively. ASD-like behaviours were observed in pups and 8-week-old mdx52 mice lacking Dp140. Paired-pulse ratio of excitatory postsynaptic currents, glutamatergic vesicle number in basolateral amygdala neurons, and glutamatergic transmission in medial prefrontal cortex-basolateral amygdala projections were significantly reduced in mdx52 mice compared to those in wild-type and mdx23 mice. ASD-like behaviour and electrophysiological findings in mdx52 mice were ameliorated by restoration of Dp140 following intra-cerebroventricular injection of antisense oligonucleotide drug-induced exon 53 skipping or intra-basolateral amygdala administration of Dp140 mRNA-based drug. Our results implicate Dp140 in ASD-like behaviour via altered glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala of mdx52 mice.
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6
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Stirm M, Fonteyne LM, Shashikadze B, Stöckl JB, Kurome M, Keßler B, Zakhartchenko V, Kemter E, Blum H, Arnold GJ, Matiasek K, Wanke R, Wurst W, Nagashima H, Knieling F, Walter MC, Kupatt C, Fröhlich T, Klymiuk N, Blutke A, Wolf E. Pig models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy – from disease mechanisms to validation of new diagnostic and therapeutic concepts. Neuromuscul Disord 2022; 32:543-556. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Aihara N, Kuroki S, Inamuro R, Kamiya Y, Shiga T, Kikuchihara Y, Ohmori E, Noguchi M, Kamiie J. Macroglossia in a pig diagnosed as Becker muscular dystrophy due to dystrophin pseudoexon insertion derived from intron 26. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:455-458. [DOI: 10.1177/03009858221079669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of Becker muscular dystrophy in a 6-month-old, mixed-breed, castrated male pig detected with macroglossia at a meat inspection center. The pig presented a severely enlarged tongue extending outside its mouth. The tongue was firm and pale with discolored muscles. Histologically, there was severe fibrosis, fatty replacement, and myofiber necrosis, degeneration, and regeneration. Immunofluorescence showed focal and severely weak labeling for dystrophin at the sarcolemma of myocytes in the tongue. Analysis of dystrophin mRNA showed a 62 base pair insertion between exons 26 and 27. The insertion was derived from intron 26. Based on these findings, we diagnosed the case as Becker muscular dystrophy—the first known muscular dystrophy case induced by pseudoexon insertion in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emiko Ohmori
- Kanagawa Prefectural Meat Inspection Station, Japan
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8
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Saoudi A, Zarrouki F, Sebrié C, Izabelle C, Goyenvalle A, Vaillend C. Emotional behavior and brain anatomy of the mdx52 mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm049028. [PMID: 34546327 PMCID: PMC8476816 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The exon-52-deleted mdx52 mouse is a critical model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), as it features a deletion in a hotspot region of the DMD gene, frequently mutated in patients. Deletion of exon 52 impedes expression of several brain dystrophins (Dp427, Dp260 and Dp140), thus providing a key model for studying the cognitive impairment associated with DMD and testing rescuing strategies. Here, using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and neurohistology, we found no gross brain abnormalities in mdx52 mice, suggesting that the neural dysfunctions in this model are likely at the level of brain cellular functionalities. Then, we investigated emotional behavior and fear learning performance of mdx52 mice compared to mdx mice that only lack Dp427 to focus on behavioral phenotypes that could be used in future comparative preclinical studies. mdx52 mice displayed enhanced anxiety and a severe impairment in learning an amygdala-dependent Pavlovian association. These replicable behavioral outcome measures are reminiscent of the internalizing problems reported in a quarter of DMD patients, and will be useful for preclinical estimation of the efficacy of treatments targeting brain dysfunctions in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Saoudi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Faouzi Zarrouki
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Catherine Sebrié
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Inserm, BioMaps, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, 4 place du général Leclerc, 91401 Orsay, France
| | - Charlotte Izabelle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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9
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Investigations on the occurrence of a muscular disorder in Austrian slaughter pigs. Porcine Health Manag 2021; 7:51. [PMID: 34465383 PMCID: PMC8406747 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-021-00230-1] [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: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In slaughterhouse, veterinarians responsible for meat inspection are often confronted with abnormalities in carcasses, not only in pigs but in all livestock species. In 2017, a veterinarian responsible for meat inspection in a slaughterhouse in Styria, Austria, observed gluteal muscles infiltrated by fat and muscle tissue obviously being replaced by fat in two different slaughter pigs. These muscles were sent for further diagnostics to the University Clinic for Swine. RESULTS The two muscle samples were investigated histopathologically and diagnosed with fatty muscular dystrophy. The results of routine histopathology were confirmed by dystrophin-specific immunohistochemistry. Sex of the two affected animals was determined retrospectively using a PCR-based protocol and resulted in one male and one female pig. A survey to determine the prevalence of fatty muscular disorders of pork revealed that this phenomenon gets frequently observed in Styria, but also occurs in Upper Austria and Lower Austria. Mostly gluteal and lumbal muscles were affected and approximately 20-40% of the affected muscles were replaced by fat. CONCLUSIONS Fatty muscular dystrophy or muscular steatosis, as it was sometimes called in early literature, seems not to be an uncommon and rare event and is known to have several different causes. As it was detected in both sexes, our observations are different to the described case in Japan, where only one male individual was affected. To avoid further increase of such cases (fatty muscular dystrophy), it would be useful to clarify the cause. First, whether the cause is environmental or genetic, and in case it is genetic it would be key to disentangle the underlying genomic architecture. Having causal variants described-one could think about integrating this information (depending on the mode of inheritance and the number of loci involved) in the breeding program of pigs. Furthermore, the proportion of non-Austrian pig genetics used for commercial pig production in Austria should be reviewed in order to be able to make reliable statements about the spread of the disease not only in Austrian pig breeds, but also in pig breeds worldwide.
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10
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Skydsgaard M, Dincer Z, Haschek WM, Helke K, Jacob B, Jacobsen B, Jeppesen G, Kato A, Kawaguchi H, McKeag S, Nelson K, Rittinghausen S, Schaudien D, Vemireddi V, Wojcinski ZW. International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND): Nonproliferative and Proliferative Lesions of the Minipig. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 49:110-228. [PMID: 33393872 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320975373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions) Project (www.toxpath.org/inhand.asp) is a joint initiative of the Societies of Toxicologic Pathology from Europe (ESTP), Great Britain (BSTP), Japan (JSTP), and North America (STP) to develop an internationally accepted nomenclature for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions in laboratory animals. The purpose of this publication is to provide a standardized nomenclature for classifying microscopic lesions observed in most tissues and organs from the minipig used in nonclinical safety studies. Some of the lesions are illustrated by color photomicrographs. The standardized nomenclature presented in this document is also available electronically on the internet (http://www.goreni.org/). Sources of material included histopathology databases from government, academia, and industrial laboratories throughout the world. Content includes spontaneous lesions as well as lesions induced by exposure to test materials. Relevant infectious and parasitic lesions are included as well. A widely accepted and utilized international harmonization of nomenclature for lesions in laboratory animals will provide a common language among regulatory and scientific research organizations in different countries and increase and enrich international exchanges of information among toxicologists and pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zuhal Dincer
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
| | - Wanda M Haschek
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kris Helke
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Bjoern Jacobsen
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gitte Jeppesen
- Charles River Laboratories Copenhagen, Lille Skensved, Denmark
| | - Atsuhiko Kato
- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd Research Division, Shizuoka, Japan
| | | | - Sean McKeag
- Pathology Department, Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, United Kingdom
| | | | - Susanne Rittinghausen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
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Gaina G, Popa (Gruianu) A. Muscular dystrophy: Experimental animal models and therapeutic approaches (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:610. [PMID: 33936267 PMCID: PMC8082581 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetically inherited diseases characterized by muscle weakness and progressive wasting, which can cause premature death in severe forms. Although >30 years have passed since the identification of the first protein involved in a type of muscular dystrophy, there is no effective treatment for these disabling disorders. In the last decade, several novel therapeutic approaches have been developed and investigated as promising therapeutic approaches aimed to ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype either by restoring dystrophin expression or by compensating for dystrophin deficiency. Concurrently, with the development of therapeutic approaches, in addition to naturally occurring animal models, a wide range of genetically engineered animal models has been generated. The use of animals as models of muscular dystrophies has greatly improved the understanding of the pathogenicity of these diseases and has proven useful in gene therapy studies. In this review, we summarize these latest innovative therapeutic approaches to muscular dystrophies and the usefulness of the various most common experimental animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Gaina
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Popa (Gruianu)
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Animal Production and Public Health, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 050097 Bucharest, Romania
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12
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Helke KL, Meyerholz DK, Beck AP, Burrough ER, Derscheid RJ, Löhr C, McInnes EF, Scudamore CL, Brayton CF. Research Relevant Background Lesions and Conditions: Ferrets, Dogs, Swine, Sheep, and Goats. ILAR J 2021; 62:133-168. [PMID: 33712827 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models provide a valuable tool and resource for biomedical researchers as they investigate biological processes, disease pathogenesis, novel therapies, and toxicologic studies. Interpretation of animal model data requires knowledge not only of the processes/diseases being studied but also awareness of spontaneous conditions and background lesions in the model that can influence or even confound the study results. Species, breed/stock, sex, age, anatomy, physiology, diseases (noninfectious and infectious), and neoplastic processes are model features that can impact the results as well as study interpretation. Here, we review these features in several common laboratory animal species, including ferret, dog (beagle), pig, sheep, and goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L Helke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - David K Meyerholz
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Amanda P Beck
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Eric R Burrough
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Rachel J Derscheid
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Christiane Löhr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Elizabeth F McInnes
- Toxicologic Pathology, Toxicology Section, Human Safety at Syngenta, in Jealott's Hill, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl L Scudamore
- ExePathology, Pathologist at ExePathology, Exmouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Cory F Brayton
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Lassche G, Frenzel T, Mignot MH, Jonker MA, van der Hoeven JG, van Herpen CML, Scheffer GJ. Thermal distribution, physiological effects and toxicities of extracorporeally induced whole-body hyperthermia in a pig model. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14366. [PMID: 32097540 PMCID: PMC7058172 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Extracorporeally induced whole‐body hyperthermia (eWBH) might be a beneficial treatment in cancer patients. Objectives of this pig study were to assess thermal distribution, (patho‐)physiological effects, and safety of eWBH with a new WBH device. Methods Fourteen healthy adult pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and cannulated; 12 were included in the analysis. Blood was heated in 11 pigs (one pig served as control) using a WBH device (Vithèr Hyperthermia B.V.) containing two separate fluidic circuits and a heat exchanger. Temperature was monitored on nine different sites, including the brain. Core temperature (average of 4 deep probes) was elevated to 42°C for 2 hr. Results Elevation of core body temperature to 42°C took on average (± standard deviation) 38 ± 8 min. Initially observed temperature spikes diminished after lowering maximal blood temperature to 45°C. Hereafter, brain temperature spikes never exceeded 42.5°C, mean brain temperature was at highest 41.9°C during maintenance. WBH resulted in increased heart rates and decreased mean arterial pressures. The vast amounts of fluids required to counter hypotension tended to be smaller after corticosteroid administration. Hemodialysis was started in three animals (potassium increase prevention in two and hyperkalemia treatment in one). Severe rhabdomyolysis was observed in all pigs (including the control). All animals survived the procedure until planned euthanasia 1, 6, or 24 hr post procedure. Conclusion Fast induction of eWBH with homogenous thermal distribution is feasible in pigs using the Vithèr WBH device. Severe hemodynamic disturbances, rhabdomyolysis, and hyperkalemia were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerben Lassche
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Frenzel
- Department of Intensive Care medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marianne A Jonker
- Department of Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carla M L van Herpen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Jan Scheffer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Rodrigues M, Echigoya Y, Fukada SI, Yokota T. Current Translational Research and Murine Models For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 3:29-48. [PMID: 27854202 PMCID: PMC5271422 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-150113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Mutations in the DMD gene result in the absence of dystrophin, a protein required for muscle strength and stability. Currently, there is no cure for DMD. Since murine models are relatively easy to genetically manipulate, cost effective, and easily reproducible due to their short generation time, they have helped to elucidate the pathobiology of dystrophin deficiency and to assess therapies for treating DMD. Recently, several murine models have been developed by our group and others to be more representative of the human DMD mutation types and phenotypes. For instance, mdx mice on a DBA/2 genetic background, developed by Fukada et al., have lower regenerative capacity and exhibit very severe phenotype. Cmah-deficient mdx mice display an accelerated disease onset and severe cardiac phenotype due to differences in glycosylation between humans and mice. Other novel murine models include mdx52, which harbors a deletion mutation in exon 52, a hot spot region in humans, and dystrophin/utrophin double-deficient (dko), which displays a severe dystrophic phenotype due the absence of utrophin, a dystrophin homolog. This paper reviews the pathological manifestations and recent therapeutic developments in murine models of DMD such as standard mdx (C57BL/10), mdx on C57BL/6 background (C57BL/6-mdx), mdx52, dystrophin/utrophin double-deficient (dko), mdxβgeo, Dmd-null, humanized DMD (hDMD), mdx on DBA/2 background (DBA/2-mdx), Cmah-mdx, and mdx/mTRKO murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merryl Rodrigues
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yusuke Echigoya
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - So-Ichiro Fukada
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Muscular Dystrophy Canada Research Chair, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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15
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Villadsen J, Hansen HD, Jørgensen LM, Keller SH, Andersen FL, Petersen IN, Knudsen GM, Svarer C. Automatic delineation of brain regions on MRI and PET images from the pig. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 294:51-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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16
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive, fatal, X-linked disease caused by a failure to accumulate the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. This disease has been studied using a variety of animal models including fish, mice, rats, and dogs. While these models have contributed substantially to our mechanistic understanding of the disease and disease progression, limitations inherent to each model have slowed the clinical advancement of therapies, which necessitates the development of novel large-animal models. Several porcine dystrophin-deficient models have been identified, although disease severity may be so severe as to limit their potential contributions to the field. We have recently identified and completed the initial characterization of a natural porcine model of dystrophin insufficiency. Muscles from these animals display characteristic focal necrosis concomitant with decreased abundance and localization of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex components. These pigs recapitulate many of the cardinal features of muscular dystrophy, have elevated serum creatine kinase activity, and preliminarily appear to display altered locomotion. They also suffer from sudden death preceded by EKG abnormalities. Pig dystrophinopathy models could allow refinement of dosing strategies in human-sized animals in preparation for clinical trials. From an animal handling perspective, these pigs can generally be treated normally, with the understanding that acute stress can lead to sudden death. In summary, the ability to create genetically modified pig models and the serendipitous discovery of genetic disease in the swine industry has resulted in the emergence of new animal tools to facilitate the critical objective of improving the quality and length of life for boys afflicted with such a devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Selsby
- Joshua T. Selsby, PhD, and Jason W. Ross, PhD are associate professors of Animal Science at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Dan Nonneman, PhD, is a research molecular biologist at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933. Katrin Hollinger, PhD, was a graduate student in Genetics at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Jason W Ross
- Joshua T. Selsby, PhD, and Jason W. Ross, PhD are associate professors of Animal Science at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Dan Nonneman, PhD, is a research molecular biologist at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933. Katrin Hollinger, PhD, was a graduate student in Genetics at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Dan Nonneman
- Joshua T. Selsby, PhD, and Jason W. Ross, PhD are associate professors of Animal Science at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Dan Nonneman, PhD, is a research molecular biologist at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933. Katrin Hollinger, PhD, was a graduate student in Genetics at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Katrin Hollinger
- Joshua T. Selsby, PhD, and Jason W. Ross, PhD are associate professors of Animal Science at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Dan Nonneman, PhD, is a research molecular biologist at the USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933. Katrin Hollinger, PhD, was a graduate student in Genetics at Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
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17
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McGreevy JW, Hakim CH, McIntosh MA, Duan D. Animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: from basic mechanisms to gene therapy. Dis Model Mech 2015; 8:195-213. [PMID: 25740330 PMCID: PMC4348559 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.018424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting disorder. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene. Currently, there is no cure. A highly promising therapeutic strategy is to replace or repair the defective dystrophin gene by gene therapy. Numerous animal models of DMD have been developed over the last 30 years, ranging from invertebrate to large mammalian models. mdx mice are the most commonly employed models in DMD research and have been used to lay the groundwork for DMD gene therapy. After ~30 years of development, the field has reached the stage at which the results in mdx mice can be validated and scaled-up in symptomatic large animals. The canine DMD (cDMD) model will be excellent for these studies. In this article, we review the animal models for DMD, the pros and cons of each model system, and the history and progress of preclinical DMD gene therapy research in the animal models. We also discuss the current and emerging challenges in this field and ways to address these challenges using animal models, in particular cDMD dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe W McGreevy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Mark A McIntosh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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18
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Helke KL, Nelson KN, Sargeant AM, Jacob B, McKeag S, Haruna J, Vemireddi V, Greeley M, Brocksmith D, Navratil N, Stricker-Krongrad A, Hollinger C. Background Pathological Changes in Minipigs. Toxicol Pathol 2015; 44:325-37. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623315611762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Swine, especially the miniature swine or minipigs, are increasingly being used in preclinical safety assessment of small molecules, biopharmaceutical agents, and medical devices as an alternate nonrodent species. Although swine have been used extensively in biomedical research, there is a paucity of information in the current literature detailing the incidence of background lesions and differences in incidence between commonly used breeds. This article is a collaborative effort between multiple organizations to define and document lesions found in the common breeds of minipigs used for toxicological risk assessment in North America (NA) and the European Union (EU). We retrospectively assessed 10 years of historical control data from several institutions located in NA and EU, covering the period of 2004–2015. Here we report the background lesions with consideration of breed and geographical location. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting spontaneous background lesions in commonly used breeds of swine in both NA and EU. This report serves as a resource to pathologists and will aid in interpretation of findings and differentiation of background from test article–related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L. Helke
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Binod Jacob
- Charles River Laboratories, Spencerville, Ohio, USA
| | - Sean McKeag
- Covance Laboratories Limited, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
| | | | | | | | - Derek Brocksmith
- Sinclair Research Center and Sinclair Bio Resources, Auxvasse, Missouri, USA
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19
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Yu X, Bao B, Echigoya Y, Yokota T. Dystrophin-deficient large animal models: translational research and exon skipping. Am J Transl Res 2015; 7:1314-1331. [PMID: 26396664 PMCID: PMC4568789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Affecting approximately 1 in 3,600-9337 boys, DMD patients exhibit progressive muscle degeneration leading to fatality as a result of heart or respiratory failure. Despite the severity and prevalence of the disease, there is no cure available. While murine models have been successfully used in illustrating the mechanisms of DMD, their utility in DMD research is limited due to their mild disease phenotypes such as lack of severe skeletal muscle and cardiac symptoms. To address the discrepancy between the severity of disease displayed by murine models and human DMD patients, dystrophin-deficient dog models with a splice site mutation in intron 6 were established. Examples of these are Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy and beagle-based Canine X-linked muscular dystrophy. These large animal models are widely employed in therapeutic DMD research due to their close resemblance to the severity of human patient symptoms. Recently, genetically tailored porcine models of DMD with deleted exon 52 were developed by our group and others, and can potentially act as a new large animal model. While therapeutic outcomes derived from these large animal models can be more reliably extrapolated to DMD patients, a comprehensive understanding of these models is still needed. This paper will discuss recent progress and future directions of DMD studies with large animal models such as canine and porcine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Yu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Human Development, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7
| | - Bo Bao
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Human Development, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7
| | - Yusuke Echigoya
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Human Development, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Human Development, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7
- Muscular Dystrophy Canada Research Chair, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7
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20
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Kornegay JN, Spurney CF, Nghiem PP, Brinkmeyer-Langford CL, Hoffman EP, Nagaraju K. Pharmacologic management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: target identification and preclinical trials. ILAR J 2015; 55:119-49. [PMID: 24936034 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilu011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked human disorder in which absence of the protein dystrophin causes degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle. For the sake of treatment development, over and above definitive genetic and cell-based therapies, there is considerable interest in drugs that target downstream disease mechanisms. Drug candidates have typically been chosen based on the nature of pathologic lesions and presumed underlying mechanisms and then tested in animal models. Mammalian dystrophinopathies have been characterized in mice (mdx mouse) and dogs (golden retriever muscular dystrophy [GRMD]). Despite promising results in the mdx mouse, some therapies have not shown efficacy in DMD. Although the GRMD model offers a higher hurdle for translation, dogs have primarily been used to test genetic and cellular therapies where there is greater risk. Failed translation of animal studies to DMD raises questions about the propriety of methods and models used to identify drug targets and test efficacy of pharmacologic intervention. The mdx mouse and GRMD dog are genetically homologous to DMD but not necessarily analogous. Subcellular species differences are undoubtedly magnified at the whole-body level in clinical trials. This problem is compounded by disparate cultures in clinical trials and preclinical studies, pointing to a need for greater rigor and transparency in animal experiments. Molecular assays such as mRNA arrays and genome-wide association studies allow identification of genetic drug targets more closely tied to disease pathogenesis. Genes in which polymorphisms have been directly linked to DMD disease progression, as with osteopontin, are particularly attractive targets.
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21
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Abstract
Swine are used in biomedical research as models for biomedical research and for teaching. This chapter covers normative biology and behavior along with common and emerging swine diseases. Xenotransplantation is discussed along with similarities and differences of swine immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L. Helke
- Departments of Comparative Medicine and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Raimon Duran-Struuck
- Columbia Center of Translational Immunology, Department of Surgery; Institute of Comparative Medicine; Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - M. Michael Swindle
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Comparative Medicine and Department of Surgery, Charleston, SC, USA
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22
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Fortunato MJ, Ball CE, Hollinger K, Patel NB, Modi JN, Rajasekaran V, Nonneman DJ, Ross JW, Kennedy EJ, Selsby JT, Beedle AM. Development of rabbit monoclonal antibodies for detection of alpha-dystroglycan in normal and dystrophic tissue. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97567. [PMID: 24824861 PMCID: PMC4019581 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-dystroglycan requires a rare O-mannose glycan modification to form its binding epitope for extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin. This functional glycan is disrupted in a cohort of muscular dystrophies, the secondary dystroglycanopathies, and is abnormal in some metastatic cancers. The most commonly used reagent for detection of alpha-dystroglycan is mouse monoclonal antibody IIH6, but it requires the functional O-mannose structure for recognition. Therefore, the ability to detect alpha-dystroglycan protein in disease states where it lacks the full O-mannose glycan has been limited. To overcome this hurdle, rabbit monoclonal antibodies against the alpha-dystroglycan C-terminus were generated. The new antibodies, named 5–2, 29–5, and 45–3, detect alpha-dystroglycan from mouse, rat and pig skeletal muscle by Western blot and immunofluorescence. In a mouse model of fukutin-deficient dystroglycanopathy, all antibodies detected low molecular weight alpha-dystroglycan in disease samples demonstrating a loss of functional glycosylation. Alternately, in a porcine model of Becker muscular dystrophy, relative abundance of alpha-dystroglycan was decreased, consistent with a reduction in expression of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in affected muscle. Therefore, these new rabbit monoclonal antibodies are suitable reagents for alpha-dystroglycan core protein detection and will enhance dystroglycan-related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa J. Fortunato
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Charlotte E. Ball
- Center for Undergraduate Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Katrin Hollinger
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Niraj B. Patel
- Center for Undergraduate Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jill N. Modi
- Center for Undergraduate Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Vedika Rajasekaran
- Center for Undergraduate Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Dan J. Nonneman
- United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, United States Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jason W. Ross
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Eileen J. Kennedy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Joshua T. Selsby
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Aaron M. Beedle
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Zhang L, Zhou X, Michal JJ, Ding B, Li R, Jiang Z. Genome wide screening of candidate genes for improving piglet birth weight using high and low estimated breeding value populations. Int J Biol Sci 2014; 10:236-44. [PMID: 24644423 PMCID: PMC3957079 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Birth weight is an economically important trait in pig production because it directly impacts piglet growth and survival rate. In the present study, we performed a genome wide survey of candidate genes and pathways associated with individual birth weight (IBW) using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip on 24 high (HEBV) and 24 low estimated breeding value (LEBV) animals. These animals were selected from a reference population of 522 individuals produced by three sires and six dam lines, which were crossbreds with multiple breeds. After quality-control, 43,257 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), including 42,243 autosomal SNPs and 1,014 SNPs on chromosome X, were used in the data analysis. A total of 27 differentially selected regions (DSRs), including 1 on Sus scrofa chromosome 1 (SSC1), 1 on SSC4, 2 on SSC5, 4 on SSC6, 2 on SSC7, 5 on SSC8, 3 on SSC9, 1 on SSC14, 3 on SSC18, and 5 on SSCX, were identified to show the genome wide separations between the HEBV and LEBV groups for IBW in piglets. A DSR with the most number of significant SNPs (including 7 top 0.1% and 31 top 5% SNPs) was located on SSC6, while another DSR with the largest genetic differences in FST was found on SSC18. These regions harbor known functionally important genes involved in growth and development, such as TNFRSF9 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9), CA6 (carbonic anhydrase VI) and MDFIC (MyoD family inhibitor domain containing). A DSR rich in imprinting genes appeared on SSC9, which included PEG10 (paternally expressed 10), SGCE (sarcoglycan, epsilon), PPP1R9A (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 9A) and ASB4 (ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 4). More importantly, our present study provided evidence to support six quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions for pig birth weight, six QTL regions for average birth weight (ABW) and three QTL regions for litter birth weight (LBW) reported previously by other groups. Furthermore, gene ontology analysis with 183 genes harbored in these 27 DSRs suggested that protein, metal, ion and ATP binding, viral process and innate immune response present important pathways for deciphering their roles in fetal growth or development. Overall, our study provides useful information on candidate genes and pathways for regulating birth weight in piglets, thus improving our understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in porcine embryonic or fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifan Zhang
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA. ; 2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
| | - Jennifer J Michal
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
| | - Bo Ding
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
| | - Rui Li
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA. ; 2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhihua Jiang
- 1. Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6351, USA
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24
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Brinkmeyer-Langford C, Kornegay JN. Comparative Genomics of X-linked Muscular Dystrophies: The Golden Retriever Model. Curr Genomics 2014; 14:330-42. [PMID: 24403852 PMCID: PMC3763684 DOI: 10.2174/13892029113149990004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating disease that dramatically decreases the lifespan and abilities of affected young people. The primary molecular cause of the disease is the absence of functional dystrophin protein, which is critical to proper muscle function. Those with DMD vary in disease presentation and dystrophin mutation; the same causal mutation may be associated with drastically different levels of disease severity. Also contributing to this variation are the influences of additional modifying genes and/or changes in functional elements governing such modifiers. This genetic heterogeneity complicates the efficacy of treatment methods and to date medical interventions are limited to treating symptoms. Animal models of DMD have been instrumental in teasing out the intricacies of DMD disease and hold great promise for advancing knowledge of its variable presentation and treatment. This review addresses the utility of comparative genomics in elucidating the complex background behind phenotypic variation in a canine model of DMD, Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD). This knowledge can be exploited in the development of improved, more personalized treatments for DMD patients, such as therapies that can be tailor-matched to the disease course and genomic background of individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Brinkmeyer-Langford
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences - Mailstop 4458, College Station, Texas, U.S.A. 77843-4458
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences - Mailstop 4458, College Station, Texas, U.S.A. 77843-4458
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25
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Hollinger K, Yang CX, Montz RE, Nonneman D, Ross JW, Selsby JT. Dystrophin insufficiency causes selective muscle histopathology and loss of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex assembly in pig skeletal muscle. FASEB J 2013; 28:1600-9. [PMID: 24347611 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-241141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which dystrophin insufficiency caused histomorphological changes in a novel pig model of Becker muscular dystrophy. In our procedures, we used a combination of biochemical approaches, including quantitative PCR and Western blots, along with a histological analysis using standard and immunohistological measures. We found that 8-wk-old male affected pigs had a 70% reduction in dystrophin protein abundance in the diaphragm, psoas major, and longissimus lumborum and a 5-fold increase in serum creatine kinase activity compared with healthy male littermates. Dystrophin insufficiency in the diaphragm and the longissimus resulted in muscle histopathology with disorganized fibrosis that often colocalized with fatty infiltration but not the psoas. Affected animals also had an 80-85% reduction in α-sarcoglycan localization in these muscles, indicating compromised assembly of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex. Controls used in this study were 4 healthy male littermates, as they are most closely related to the affected animals. We concluded that pigs with insufficient dystrophin protein expression have a phenotype consistent with human dystrophinopathy patients. Given that and their similarity in body size and physiology to humans, we further conclude that this pig line is an appropriate translational model for dystrophinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hollinger
- 1Iowa State University, Department of Animal Science, 2356 Kildee Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
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