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Song Y, Xu K, Xu HY, Guo YK, Xu R, Fu H, Yuan WF, Zhou ZQ, Xu T, Chen XJ, Wang YL, Fu C, Zhou H, Cai XT, Li XS. Longitudinal changes in magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of the gluteal muscle groups and functional ability in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a 12-month cohort study. Pediatr Radiol 2023; 53:2672-2682. [PMID: 37889296 PMCID: PMC10697878 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-023-05791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered an objective biomarker of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but the longitudinal progression of MRI biomarkers in gluteal muscle groups and their predictive value for future motor function have not been described. OBJECTIVE To explore MRI biomarkers of the gluteal muscle groups as predictors of motor function decline in DMD by characterizing the progression over 12 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 112 participants with DMD were enrolled and underwent MRI examination of the gluteal muscles to determine fat fraction and longitudinal relaxation time (T1). Investigations were based on gluteal muscle groups including flexors, extensors, adductors, and abductors. The North Star Ambulatory Assessment and timed functional tests were performed. All participants returned for follow-up at an average of 12 months and were divided into two subgroups (functional stability/decline groups) based on changes in timed functional tests. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with future motor function decline. RESULTS For the functional decline group, all T1 values decreased, while fat fraction values increased significantly over 12 months (P<0.05). For the functional stability group, only the fat fraction of the flexors and abductors increased significantly over 12 months (P<0.05). The baseline T1 value was positively correlated with North Star Ambulatory Assessment and negatively correlated with timed functional tests at the 12-month follow-up (P<0.001), while the baseline fat fraction value was negatively correlated with North Star Ambulatory Assessment and positively correlated with timed functional tests at the 12-month follow-up (P<0.001). Multivariate regression showed that increased fat fraction of the abductors was associated with future motor function decline (model 1: odds ratio [OR]=1.104, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026~1.187, P=0.008; model 2: OR=1.085, 95% CI: 1.013~1.161, P=0.019), with an area under the curve of 0.874. CONCLUSION Fat fraction of the abductors is a powerful predictor of future motor functional decline in DMD patients at 12 months, underscoring the importance of focusing early on this parameter in patients with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Song
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hua-Yan Xu
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ying-Kun Guo
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hang Fu
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wei-Feng Yuan
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zi-Qi Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xi-Jian Chen
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi-Lei Wang
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuan Fu
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Tang Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xue-Sheng Li
- Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Lin Y, McClennan A, Hoffman L. Characterization of the Ang/Tie2 Signaling Pathway in the Diaphragm Muscle of DMD Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2265. [PMID: 37626761 PMCID: PMC10452261 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), angiogenesis appears to be attenuated. Local administration of angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) has been shown to reduce inflammation, ischemia, and fibrosis in DMD mice. Ang1 is a vital vascular stabilizing factor that activates the endothelial cell receptor Tie2, leading to downstream pro-survival PI3K/Akt pathway activation and eNOS phosphorylation. In this study, we aimed to characterize the Ang/Tie2 signaling pathway within the diaphragm muscle of mouse models of DMD. Utilizing ELISA, immunoblots, and RT-qPCR, we demonstrated that Ang1 was downregulated, while the antagonist angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) was upregulated, leading to a decreased Ang1/Ang2 ratio. This correlated with a reduction in the phosphorylated Tie2/total Tie2 ratio. Interestingly, no significant differences in Akt or eNOS phosphorylation were observed, although DMD murine models did have elevated total Akt protein concentrations. These observations suggest that Ang1/Tie2 signaling may be dysregulated in the diaphragm muscle of DMD and further investigations may lead to new therapeutic interventions for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Lin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
- The Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada;
| | - Andrew McClennan
- The Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada;
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Lisa Hoffman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
- The Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada;
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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3
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Sopariwala DH, Hao NTT, Narkar VA. Estrogen-related Receptor Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Fitness. Int J Sports Med 2023; 44:609-617. [PMID: 36787804 PMCID: PMC11168301 DOI: 10.1055/a-2035-8192] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue that can alter its metabolic and contractile features, as well as regenerative potential in response to exercise and other conditions. Multiple signaling factors including metabolites, kinases, receptors, and transcriptional factors have been studied in the regulation of skeletal muscle plasticity. Recently, estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) have emerged as a critical transcriptional hub in control of skeletal muscle homeostasis. ERRα and ERRγ - the two highly expressed ERR sub-types in the muscle respond to various extracellular cues such as exercise, hypoxia, fasting and dietary factors, in turn regulating gene expression in the skeletal muscle. On the other hand, conditions such as diabetes and muscular dystrophy suppress expression of ERRs in the skeletal muscle, likely contributing to disease progression. We highlight key functions of ERRs in the skeletal muscle including the regulation of fiber type, mitochondrial metabolism, vascularization, and regeneration. We also describe how ERRs are regulated in the skeletal muscle, and their interaction with important muscle regulators (e. g. AMPK and PGCs). Finally, we identify critical gaps in our understanding of ERR signaling in the skeletal muscle, and suggest future areas of investigation to advance ERRs as potential targets for function promoting therapeutics in muscle diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danesh H. Sopariwala
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nguyen Thi Thu Hao
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vihang A. Narkar
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
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4
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Thapa S, Elhadidy S, Asakura A. Vascular therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Fac Rev 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 36873982 PMCID: PMC9979239 DOI: 10.12703/r/12-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disease characterized by the wasting of the muscles that eventually lead to difficulty moving and, ultimately, premature death from heart and respiratory complications. DMD deficiency is caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, which prevents skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and other cells from producing the functional protein. Located on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, dystrophin serves as a component of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC), mechanically reinforces the sarcolemma, and stabilizes the DGC, preventing it from contraction-mediated muscle degradation. In DMD muscle, dystrophin deficiency leads to progressive fibrosis, myofiber damage, chronic inflammation, and dysfunction of the mitochondria and muscle stem cells. Currently, DMD is incurable, and treatment involves the administration of glucocorticoids in order to delay disease progression. In the presence of developmental delay, proximal weakness, and elevated serum creatine kinase levels, a definitive diagnosis can usually be made after an extensive review of the patient's history and physical examination, as well as confirmation through muscle biopsy or genetic testing. Current standards of care include the use of corticosteroids to prolong ambulation and delay the onset of secondary complications, including respiratory muscle and cardiac functions. However, different studies have been carried out to show the relationship between vascular density and impaired angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of DMD. Several recent studies on DMD management are vascular targeted and focused on ischemia as a culprit for the pathogenesis of DMD. This review critically discusses approaches-such as modulation of nitric oxide (NO) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related pathways-to attenuate the dystrophic phenotype and enhance angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangharsha Thapa
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
| | - Shaymaa Elhadidy
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
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Preethy S, Yamamoto N, Ozasa S, Raghavan K, Dedeepiya VD, Iwasaki M, Abraham SJK. Re-examination of therapeutic management of muscular dystrophies using a vascular smooth muscle-centered approach. J Smooth Muscle Res 2023; 59:67-80. [PMID: 37673649 PMCID: PMC10482562 DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.59.67] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the long-standing focus on the pathophysiology of skeletal muscles in the hunt for a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), we opine that the malfunctioning of dystrophin produced by vascular smooth muscle is a major contributor to the pathology of the illness. We believe that a biological response modifier glucan (BRMG), which has been shown in clinical studies of DMD to boost the expression of vascular smooth muscle dystrophin and provide anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, may play a key role in reducing the pathogenesis of DMD. According to the evaluation of biomarkers, this BRMG, which is safe and side-effect-free, reduces the pathogenesis of DMD. We describe the possible mechanisms of action by which this BRMG helps in alleviating the symptoms of DMD by targeting smooth muscle dystrophin, in addition to its advantages over other therapeutic modalities, as well as how it can serve as a valuable adjunct to existing therapies. We suggest that using BRMG adjuncts that target smooth muscle dystrophin would be a potential therapeutic approach that prolongs the lifespan and extends the duration of ambulation from the onset of DMD. Further studies are needed to validate this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilkumar Preethy
- Fujio-Eiji Academic Terrain (FEAT), Nichi-In Centre for
Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), B-34, LICET, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034,
India
| | - Naoki Yamamoto
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global
Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1 Chome-7-1 Kounodai, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 272-8516,
Japan
| | - Shiro Ozasa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kumamoto University Hospital, 1
Chome-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kadalraja Raghavan
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Jesuit Antonyraj Memorial
Inter-disciplinary Centre for Advanced Recovery and Education (JAICARE), Mandela Nagar,
Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625022, India
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Sarvee Integra Private
Limited, 61 Bhimasena Garden Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600004, India
| | - Vidyasagar Devaprasad Dedeepiya
- Mary-Yoshio Translational Hexagon (MYTH), Nichi-In Centre for
Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), C-30 LICET, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034,
Chennai, India
| | - Masaru Iwasaki
- Centre for Advancing Clinical Research (CACR), School of
Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Samuel JK Abraham
- Fujio-Eiji Academic Terrain (FEAT), Nichi-In Centre for
Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), B-34, LICET, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034,
India
- Mary-Yoshio Translational Hexagon (MYTH), Nichi-In Centre for
Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), C-30 LICET, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034,
Chennai, India
- Centre for Advancing Clinical Research (CACR), School of
Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
- Antony-Xavier Interdisciplinary Scholastics (AXIS), GN
Corporation Co. Ltd., 3-8 Wakamatsu, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0866, Japan
- R & D, Sophy Inc., 248 Tamura, Niyodogawa, Agawa, Kochi
781-1522, Japan
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6
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Dubuisson N, Versele R, Planchon C, Selvais CM, Noel L, Abou-Samra M, Davis-López de Carrizosa MA. Histological Methods to Assess Skeletal Muscle Degeneration and Regeneration in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:16080. [PMID: 36555721 PMCID: PMC9786356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disease caused by the loss of function of the protein dystrophin. This protein contributes to the stabilisation of striated cells during contraction, as it anchors the cytoskeleton with components of the extracellular matrix through the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC). Moreover, absence of the functional protein affects the expression and function of proteins within the DAPC, leading to molecular events responsible for myofibre damage, muscle weakening, disability and, eventually, premature death. Presently, there is no cure for DMD, but different treatments help manage some of the symptoms. Advances in genetic and exon-skipping therapies are the most promising intervention, the safety and efficiency of which are tested in animal models. In addition to in vivo functional tests, ex vivo molecular evaluation aids assess to what extent the therapy has contributed to the regenerative process. In this regard, the later advances in microscopy and image acquisition systems and the current expansion of antibodies for immunohistological evaluation together with the development of different spectrum fluorescent dyes have made histology a crucial tool. Nevertheless, the complexity of the molecular events that take place in dystrophic muscles, together with the rise of a multitude of markers for each of the phases of the process, makes the histological assessment a challenging task. Therefore, here, we summarise and explain the rationale behind different histological techniques used in the literature to assess degeneration and regeneration in the field of dystrophinopathies, focusing especially on those related to DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dubuisson
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Neuromuscular Reference Center, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc (CUSL), Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romain Versele
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Chloé Planchon
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Camille M. Selvais
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurence Noel
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel Abou-Samra
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - María A. Davis-López de Carrizosa
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Unit, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Medical Sector, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Avenue Hippocrate 55, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
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7
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked, muscle wasting disease that affects 1 in 5000 males. Affected individuals become wheelchair bound by the age of twelve and eventually die in their third decade due to respiratory and cardiac complications. The disease is caused by mutations in the DMD gene that codes for dystrophin. Dystrophin is a structural protein that maintains the integrity of muscle fibres and protects them from contraction-induced damage. The absence of dystrophin compromises the stability and function of the muscle fibres, eventually leading to muscle degeneration. So far, there is no effective treatment for deteriorating muscle function in DMD patients. A promising approach for treating this life-threatening disease is gene transfer to restore dystrophin expression using a safe, non-pathogenic viral vector called adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector. Whilst microdystrophin gene transfer using AAV vectors shows extremely impressive therapeutic success so far in large animal models of DMD, translating this advanced therapy medicinal product from bench to bedside still offers scope for many optimization steps. In this paper, the authors review the current progress of AAV-microdystrophin gene therapy for DMD and other treatment strategies that may apply to a subset of DMD patients depending on the mutations they carry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nertiyan Elangkovan
- Centres for Gene & Cell Therapy and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - George Dickson
- Centres for Gene & Cell Therapy and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
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8
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Bosco J, Zhou Z, Gabriëls S, Verma M, Liu N, Miller BK, Gu S, Lundberg DM, Huang Y, Brown E, Josiah S, Meiyappan M, Traylor MJ, Chen N, Asakura A, De Jonge N, Blanchetot C, de Haard H, Duffy HS, Keefe D. VEGFR-1/Flt-1 inhibition increases angiogenesis and improves muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 21:369-381. [PMID: 33898634 PMCID: PMC8055526 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by structural degeneration of muscle, which is exacerbated by localized functional ischemia due to loss of nitric oxide synthase-induced vasodilation. Treatment strategies aimed at increasing vascular perfusion have been proposed. Toward this end, we have developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and its soluble splice variant isoform (sFlt-1) leading to increased levels of free VEGF and proangiogenic signaling. The lead chimeric mAb, 21B3, had high affinity and specificity for both human and mouse sFlt-1 and inhibited VEGF binding to sFlt-1 in a competitive manner. Proof-of-concept studies in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed that intravenous administration of 21B3 led to elevated VEGF levels, increased vascularization and blood flow to muscles, and decreased fibrosis after 6-12 weeks of treatment. Greater muscle strength was also observed after 4 weeks of treatment. A humanized form of the mAb, 27H6, was engineered and demonstrated a comparable pharmacologic effect. Overall, administration of anti-Flt-1 mAbs in mdx mice inhibited the VEGF:Flt-1 interaction, promoted angiogenesis, and improved muscle function. These studies suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of Flt-1 inhibition for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Bosco
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Zhiwei Zhou
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Mayank Verma
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nan Liu
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Brian K. Miller
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Sheng Gu
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Yan Huang
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Eilish Brown
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Serene Josiah
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Nancy Chen
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Heather S. Duffy
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Keefe
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
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Age-Dependent Dysregulation of Muscle Vasculature and Blood Flow Recovery after Hindlimb Ischemia in the mdx Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050481. [PMID: 33925757 PMCID: PMC8145677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by a lack of functional dystrophin, is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Interestingly, dystrophin is also expressed in endothelial cells (ECs), and insufficient angiogenesis has already been hypothesized to contribute to DMD pathology, however, its status in mdx mice, a model of DMD, is still not fully clear. Our study aimed to reveal angiogenesis-related alterations in skeletal muscles of mdx mice compared to wild-type (WT) counterparts. By investigating 6- and 12-week-old mice, we sought to verify if those changes are age-dependent. We utilized a broad spectrum of methods ranging from gene expression analysis, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence imaging to determine the level of angiogenic markers and to assess muscle blood vessel abundance. Finally, we implemented the hindlimb ischemia (HLI) model, more biologically relevant in the context of functional studies evaluating angiogenesis/arteriogenesis processes. We demonstrated that both 6- and 12-week-old dystrophic mice exhibited dysregulation of several angiogenic factors, including decreased vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) in different muscle types. Nonetheless, in younger, 6-week-old mdx animals, neither the abundance of CD31+α-SMA+ double-positive blood vessels nor basal blood flow and its restoration after HLI was affected. In 12-week-old mdx mice, although a higher number of CD31+α-SMA+ double-positive blood vessels and an increased percentage of skeletal muscle ECs were found, the abundance of pericytes was diminished, and blood flow was reduced. Moreover, impeded perfusion recovery after HLI associated with a blunted inflammatory and regenerative response was evident in 12-week-old dystrophic mice. Hence, our results reinforce the hypothesis of age-dependent angiogenic dysfunction in dystrophic mice. In conclusion, we suggest that older mdx mice constitute an appropriate model for preclinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of vascular-based therapies aimed at the restoration of functional angiogenesis to mitigate DMD severity.
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10
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Starosta A, Konieczny P. Therapeutic aspects of cell signaling and communication in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4867-4891. [PMID: 33825942 PMCID: PMC8233280 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03821-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating chromosome X-linked disease that manifests predominantly in progressive skeletal muscle wasting and dysfunctions in the heart and diaphragm. Approximately 1/5000 boys and 1/50,000,000 girls suffer from DMD, and to date, the disease is incurable and leads to premature death. This phenotypic severity is due to mutations in the DMD gene, which result in the absence of functional dystrophin protein. Initially, dystrophin was thought to be a force transducer; however, it is now considered an essential component of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC), viewed as a multicomponent mechanical scaffold and a signal transduction hub. Modulating signal pathway activation or gene expression through epigenetic modifications has emerged at the forefront of therapeutic approaches as either an adjunct or stand-alone strategy. In this review, we propose a broader perspective by considering DMD to be a disease that affects myofibers and muscle stem (satellite) cells, as well as a disorder in which abrogated communication between different cell types occurs. We believe that by taking this systemic view, we can achieve safe and holistic treatments that can restore correct signal transmission and gene expression in diseased DMD tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Starosta
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Patryk Konieczny
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
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11
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Szabó PL, Ebner J, Koenig X, Hamza O, Watzinger S, Trojanek S, Abraham D, Todt H, Kubista H, Schicker K, Remy S, Anegon I, Kiss A, Podesser BK, Hilber K. Cardiovascular phenotype of the Dmdmdx rat - a suitable animal model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:14/2/dmm047704. [PMID: 33619211 PMCID: PMC7927653 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.047704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides skeletal muscle abnormalities, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients present with dilated cardiomyopathy development, which considerably contributes to morbidity and mortality. Because the mechanisms responsible for the cardiac complications in the context of DMD are largely unknown, evidence-based therapy approaches are still lacking. This has increased the need for basic research efforts into animal models for DMD. Here, we characterized in detail the cardiovascular abnormalities of Dmdmdx rats, with the aim of determining the suitability of this recently established dystrophin-deficient small animal as a model for DMD. Various methods were applied to compare cardiovascular properties between wild-type and Dmdmdx rats, and to characterize the Dmdmdx cardiomyopathy. These methods comprised echocardiography, invasive assessment of left ventricular hemodynamics, examination of adverse remodeling and endothelial cell inflammation, and evaluation of vascular function, employing wire myography. Finally, intracellular Ca2+ transient measurements, and recordings of currents through L-type Ca2+ channels were performed in isolated single ventricular cardiomyocytes. We found that, similar to respective observations in DMD patients, the hearts of Dmdmdx rats show significantly impaired cardiac function, fibrosis and inflammation, consistent with the development of a dilated cardiomyopathy. Moreover, in Dmdmdx rats, vascular endothelial function is impaired, which may relate to inflammation and oxidative stress, and Ca2+ handling in Dmdmdx cardiomyocytes is abnormal. These findings indicate that Dmdmdx rats represent a promising small-animal model to elucidate mechanisms of cardiomyopathy development in the dystrophic heart, and to test mechanism-based therapies aiming to combat cardiovascular complications in DMD. Summary: We characterized the cardiovascular abnormalities of Dmdmdx rats, demonstrating that Dmdmdx rats show similar cardiac and vascular endothelial function impairments to Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, representing a model of the dystrophic heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Lujza Szabó
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Janine Ebner
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Xaver Koenig
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Ouafa Hamza
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Simon Watzinger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Sandra Trojanek
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Dietmar Abraham
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Hannes Todt
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Helmut Kubista
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Klaus Schicker
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Séverine Remy
- INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology, UMR 1064, Nantes Université, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Ignacio Anegon
- INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology, UMR 1064, Nantes Université, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Attila Kiss
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Bruno K Podesser
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research at Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Karlheinz Hilber
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
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12
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Valle-Tenney R, Rebolledo D, Acuña MJ, Brandan E. HIF-hypoxia signaling in skeletal muscle physiology and fibrosis. J Cell Commun Signal 2020; 14:147-158. [PMID: 32088838 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-020-00553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia refers to the decrease in oxygen tension in the tissues, and the central effector of the hypoxic response is the transcription factor Hypoxia-Inducible Factor α (HIF1-α). Transient hypoxia in acute events, such as exercising or regeneration after damage, play an important role in skeletal muscle physiology and homeostasis. However, sustained activation of hypoxic signaling is a feature of skeletal muscle injury and disease, which can be a consequence of chronic damage but can also increase the severity of the pathology and worsen its outcome. Here, we review evidence that supports the idea that hypoxia and HIF-1α can contribute to the establishment of fibrosis in skeletal muscle through its crosstalk with other profibrotic factors, such as Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), the induction of profibrotic cytokines expression, as is the case of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2), or being the target of the Renin-angiotensin system (RAS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Valle-Tenney
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Rebolledo
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.,Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José Acuña
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile.,Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Enrique Brandan
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile. .,Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. .,Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile. .,Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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13
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Bucher F, Friedlander MS, Aguilar E, Kurihara T, Krohne TU, Usui Y, Friedlander M. The long dystrophin gene product Dp427 modulates retinal function and vascular morphology in response to age and retinal ischemia. Neurochem Int 2019; 129:104489. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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14
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15
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Podkalicka P, Mucha O, Dulak J, Loboda A. Targeting angiogenesis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:1507-1528. [PMID: 30770952 PMCID: PMC6439152 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) represents one of the most devastating types of muscular dystrophies which affect boys already at early childhood. Despite the fact that the primary cause of the disease, namely the lack of functional dystrophin is known already for more than 30 years, DMD still remains an incurable disease. Thus, an enormous effort has been made during recent years to reveal novel mechanisms that could provide therapeutic targets for DMD, especially because glucocorticoids treatment acts mostly symptomatic and exerts many side effects, whereas the effectiveness of genetic approaches aiming at the restoration of functional dystrophin is under the constant debate. Taking into account that dystrophin expression is not restricted to muscle cells, but is present also in, e.g., endothelial cells, alterations in angiogenesis process have been proposed to have a significant impact on DMD progression. Indeed, already before the discovery of dystrophin, several abnormalities in blood vessels structure and function have been revealed, suggesting that targeting angiogenesis could be beneficial in DMD. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge about the angiogenesis status both in animal models of DMD as well as in DMD patients, focusing on different organs as well as age- and sex-dependent effects. Moreover, we will critically discuss some approaches such as modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor or nitric oxide related pathways, to enhance angiogenesis and attenuate the dystrophic phenotype. Additionally, we will suggest the potential role of other mediators, such as heme oxygenase-1 or statins in those processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Podkalicka
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Olga Mucha
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jozef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Loboda
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
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16
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van Putten M, Tanganyika-de Winter C, Bosgra S, Aartsma-Rus A. Nonclinical Exon Skipping Studies with 2'-O-Methyl Phosphorothioate Antisense Oligonucleotides in mdx and mdx-utrn-/- Mice Inspired by Clinical Trial Results. Nucleic Acid Ther 2019; 29:92-103. [PMID: 30672725 PMCID: PMC6461150 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2018.0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe, progressive muscle-wasting disease that is caused by mutations that abolish the production of functional dystrophin protein. The exon skipping approach aims to restore the disrupted dystrophin reading frame, to allow the production of partially functional dystrophins, such as found in the less severe Becker muscular dystrophy. Exon skipping is achieved by antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). Several chemical modifications have been tested in nonclinical and clinical trials. The morpholino phosphorodiamidate oligomer eteplirsen has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, whereas clinical development with the 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate (2OMePS) AON drisapersen was recently stopped. In this study, we aimed to study various aspects of 2OMePS AONs in nonclinical animal studies. We show that while efficiency of exon skipping restoration is comparable in young and older C57BL/10ScSn-Dmdmdx/J (mdx/BL10) mice, functional improvement was only observed for younger treated mice. Muscle quality did not affect exon skipping efficiency as exon skip and dystrophin levels were similar between mdx/BL10 and more severely affected, age-matched D2-mdx mice. We further report that treadmill running increases AON uptake and dystrophin levels in mdx/BL10 mice. Finally, we show that even low levels of exon skipping and dystrophin restoration are sufficient to significantly increase the survival of mdx-utrn-/- mice from 70 to 97 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van Putten
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sieto Bosgra
- 2 Biomarin Nederland BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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17
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Gajendran N. The root cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the lack of dystrophin in smooth muscle of blood vessels rather than in skeletal muscle per se. F1000Res 2018. [DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15889.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:The dystrophin protein is part of the dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC) linking the intracellular actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. Mutations in the dystrophin gene cause Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (D/BMD). Neuronal nitric oxide synthase associates with dystrophin in the DAPC to generate the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO). Systemic dystrophin deficiency, such as in D/BMD, results in muscle ischemia, injury and fatigue during exercise as dystrophin is lacking, affecting NO production and hence vasodilation. The role of neuregulin 1 (NRG) signaling through the epidermal growth factor family of receptors ERBB2 and ERBB4 in skeletal muscle has been controversial, but it was shown to phosphorylate α-dystrobrevin 1 (α-DB1), a component of the DAPC. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether NRG signaling had a functional role in muscular dystrophy.Methods:Primary myoblasts (muscle cells) were isolated from conditional knock-out mice containing lox P flanked ERBB2 and ERBB4 receptors, immortalized and exposed to Cre recombinase to obtainErbb2/4double knock-out (dKO) myoblasts where NRG signaling would be eliminated. Myotubes, thein vitroequivalent of muscle fibers, formed by fusion of the lox P flankedErbb2/4myoblasts as well as theErbb2/4dKO myoblasts were then used to identify changes in dystrophin expression.Results:Elimination of NRG signaling resulted in the absence of dystrophin demonstrating that it is essential for dystrophin expression. However, unlike the DMD mouse model mdx, with systemic dystrophin deficiency, lack of dystrophin in skeletal muscles ofErbb2/4dKO mice did not result in muscular dystrophy. In these mice, ERBB2/4, and thus dystrophin, is still expressed in the smooth muscle of blood vessels allowing normal blood flow through vasodilation during exercise.Conclusions:Dystrophin deficiency in smooth muscle of blood vessels, rather than in skeletal muscle, is the main cause of disease progression in DMD.
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18
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Banfi S, D'Antona G, Ruocco C, Meregalli M, Belicchi M, Bella P, Erratico S, Donato E, Rossi F, Bifari F, Lonati C, Campaner S, Nisoli E, Torrente Y. Supplementation with a selective amino acid formula ameliorates muscular dystrophy in mdx mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14659. [PMID: 30279586 PMCID: PMC6168581 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32613-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophy. Oxidative myofibre content, muscle vasculature architecture and exercise tolerance are impaired in DMD. Several studies have demonstrated that nutrient supplements ameliorate dystrophic features, thereby enhancing muscle performance. Here, we report that dietary supplementation with a specific branched-chain amino acid-enriched mixture (BCAAem) increased the abundance of oxidative muscle fibres associated with increased muscle endurance in dystrophic mdx mice. Amelioration of the fatigue index in BCAAem-treated mdx mice was caused by a cascade of events in the muscle tissue, which were promoted by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. VEGF induction led to recruitment of bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitors (EPs), which increased the capillary density of dystrophic skeletal muscle. Functionally, BCAAem mitigated the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice without inducing dystrophin protein expression or replacing the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein (DAG) complex in the membrane, which is typically lost in DMD. BCAAem supplementation could be an effective adjuvant strategy in DMD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Banfi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe D'Antona
- Department of Public Health, Molecular and Forensic Medicine, and Sport Medicine Centre Voghera, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruocco
- Center for Study and Research on Obesity, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, 20129, Italy
| | - Mirella Meregalli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Marzia Belicchi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Pamela Bella
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Donato
- Centre for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, 20139, Italy.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabio Rossi
- Center for Study and Research on Obesity, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, 20129, Italy
| | - Francesco Bifari
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Lonati
- Center for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Stefano Campaner
- Centre for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Enzo Nisoli
- Center for Study and Research on Obesity, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, 20129, Italy.
| | - Yvan Torrente
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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19
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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: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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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20
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Weng WC, Chen JC, Lee CY, Lin CW, Lee WT, Shieh JY, Wang CC, Chuang CC. Cross-section and feasibility study on the non-invasive evaluation of muscle hemodynamic responses in Duchenne muscular dystrophy by using a near-infrared diffuse optical technique. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 9:4767-4780. [PMID: 30319901 PMCID: PMC6179388 DOI: 10.1364/boe.9.004767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked debilitating muscular disease that may decrease nitric oxide (NO) production and lead to functional muscular ischemia. Currently, the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) are the primary outcome measures in clinical trials, but they are severely limited by the subjective consciousness and mood of patients, and can only be used in older and ambulatory boys. This study proposed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to evaluate the dynamic changes in muscle hemodynamic responses (gastrocnemius and forearm muscle) during a 6-MWT and a venous occlusion test (VOT), respectively. Muscle oxygenation of the forearm was evaluated non-invasively before, during and after VOT in all participants (included 30 DMD patients and 30 age-matched healthy controls), while dynamic muscle oxygenation of gastrocnemius muscle during 6-MWT was determined in ambulatory participants (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 30). The results reveal that impaired muscle oxygenation was observed during 6-MWT in DMD patients that may explain why the DMD patients walked shorter distances than healthy controls. Moreover, the results of VOT implied that worsening muscle function was associated with a lower supply of muscle oxygenation and may provide useful information on the relationship between muscular oxygen consumption and supply for the clinical diagnosis of DMD. Therefore, the method of fNIRS with VOT possesses great potential in future evaluations of DMD patients that implies a good feasibility for clinical application such as for monitoring disease severity of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chin Weng
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10041, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital, Taipei 10041, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chih Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Lee
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National United University, Miaoli 36063, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu 30059, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Tso Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10041, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital, Taipei 10041, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Yi Shieh
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10048, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chen Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Cheng Chuang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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21
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Bulaklak K, Xiao B, Qiao C, Li J, Patel T, Jin Q, Li J, Xiao X. MicroRNA-206 Downregulation Improves Therapeutic Gene Expression and Motor Function in mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 12:283-293. [PMID: 30195767 PMCID: PMC6011022 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disorder caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene. Numerous gene therapies have been developed to replace or repair the defective dystrophin gene; however, these treatments cannot restore the full-length protein or completely resolve dystrophic symptoms. Secondary pathological mechanisms, such as functional ischemia and fibrosis, are thought to exacerbate the primary defect and cause the profound muscle degeneration found in dystrophic muscle. Surrogate therapies utilizing alternative therapeutic genes, or “booster genes,” such as VEGFA and utrophin, seek to address these secondary mechanisms and have shown impressive benefit in mdx mice. A skeletal muscle-specific microRNA, miR-206, is particularly overexpressed in dystrophic muscle and inhibits the expression of known booster genes. Thus, we aimed to determine if miR-206 contributes to dystrophic pathology by repressing beneficial gene expression. Here, we show that AAV-mediated expression of a miR-206 decoy target effectively downregulated miR-206 expression and increased endogenous therapeutic gene expression in mature mdx muscle. Furthermore, treatment significantly improved motor function and dystrophic pathology in mdx mice. In summary, we have identified a contributing factor to the dystrophic phenotype and characterized a novel therapeutic avenue for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bulaklak
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bin Xiao
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chunping Qiao
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jianbin Li
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tejash Patel
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Quan Jin
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Juan Li
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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22
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Carlier PG, Marty B, Scheidegger O, Loureiro de Sousa P, Baudin PY, Snezhko E, Vlodavets D. Skeletal Muscle Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy as an Outcome Measure for Clinical Trials. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 3:1-28. [PMID: 27854210 PMCID: PMC5271435 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-160145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have seen tremendous progress towards therapy of many previously incurable neuromuscular diseases. This new context has acted as a driving force for the development of novel non-invasive outcome measures. These can be organized in three main categories: functional tools, fluid biomarkers and imagery. In the latest category, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) offers a considerable range of possibilities for the characterization of skeletal muscle composition, function and metabolism. Nowadays, three NMR outcome measures are frequently integrated in clinical research protocols. They are: 1/ the muscle cross sectional area or volume, 2/ the percentage of intramuscular fat and 3/ the muscle water T2, which quantity muscle trophicity, chronic fatty degenerative changes and oedema (or more broadly, “disease activity”), respectively. A fourth biomarker, the contractile tissue volume is easily derived from the first two ones. The fat fraction maps most often acquired with Dixon sequences have proven their capability to detect small changes in muscle composition and have repeatedly shown superior sensitivity over standard functional evaluation. This outcome measure will more than likely be the first of the series to be validated as an endpoint by regulatory agencies. The versatility of contrast generated by NMR has opened many additional possibilities for characterization of the skeletal muscle and will result in the proposal of more NMR biomarkers. Ultra-short TE (UTE) sequences, late gadolinium enhancement and NMR elastography are being investigated as candidates to evaluate skeletal muscle interstitial fibrosis. Many options exist to measure muscle perfusion and oxygenation by NMR. Diffusion NMR as well as texture analysis algorithms could generate complementary information on muscle organization at microscopic and mesoscopic scales, respectively. 31P NMR spectroscopy is the reference technique to assess muscle energetics non-invasively during and after exercise. In dystrophic muscle, 31P NMR spectrum at rest is profoundly perturbed, and several resonances inform on cell membrane integrity. Considerable efforts are being directed towards acceleration of image acquisitions using a variety of approaches, from the extraction of fat content and water T2 maps from one single acquisition to partial matrices acquisition schemes. Spectacular decreases in examination time are expected in the near future. They will reinforce the attractiveness of NMR outcome measures and will further facilitate their integration in clinical research trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre G Carlier
- Institute of Myology, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Paris, France.,CEA, DSV, I2BM, MIRCen, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France.,National Academy of Sciences, United Institute for Informatics Problems, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Benjamin Marty
- Institute of Myology, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Paris, France.,CEA, DSV, I2BM, MIRCen, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Scheidegger
- Institute of Myology, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Paris, France.,Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Eduard Snezhko
- National Academy of Sciences, United Institute for Informatics Problems, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Dmitry Vlodavets
- N.I. Prirogov Russian National Medical Research University, Clinical Research Institute of Pediatrics, Moscow, Russian Federation
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23
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Song X, Zhang Y, Hou Z, Wu H, Lu S, Tang J, Chen X, Cui H, Li Y, Bi Y, Duan W, Li Z, Li C. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 mediated vascular endothelial growth factor gene overexpression in mdx mice. Exp Ther Med 2017; 15:1825-1830. [PMID: 29434771 PMCID: PMC5776553 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal neuromuscular disease caused by the absence of dystrophin. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-binding dimeric glycoprotein and principal angiogenic factor stimulating the migration, proliferation and expression of various genes in endothelial cells. Recently, VEGF was demonstrated to exhibit an antiapoptotic and direct myogenic effect, as well as to enhance muscle force restoration subsequent to traumatic injury. Therefore, the present study attempted to assess the muscle damage of VEGF overexpression in mdx mice. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-VEGF was administered intravenously to mdx mice. At 4 weeks after injection, VEGF was observed to be upregulated in the tibialis anterior muscle. In addition, the serum creatine kinase levels were significantly reduced and fatigue was slowed down, whereas the limb grip strength and weight of mice were markedly increased compared with the saline-treated mdx mice. Furthermore, significantly reduced inflammation and necrosis areas were observed in the muscle tissues of mice in the AAV9-VEGF group. These results suggested that AAV9-mediated VEGF gene overexpression was able to improve the muscle damage in mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Song
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.,Institute of Cardiocerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.,Neurological Laboratory of Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Ya Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Hou
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Hongran Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.,Neurological Laboratory of Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Jin Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Xuexiao Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Hongying Cui
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Yue Bi
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.,Neurological Laboratory of Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Weisong Duan
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Zhongyao Li
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.,Institute of Cardiocerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China.,Neurological Laboratory of Hebei, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
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24
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Trias E, Ibarburu S, Barreto-Núñez R, Varela V, Moura IC, Dubreuil P, Hermine O, Beckman JS, Barbeito L. Evidence for mast cells contributing to neuromuscular pathology in an inherited model of ALS. JCI Insight 2017; 2:95934. [PMID: 29046475 PMCID: PMC5846907 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.95934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence indicates that neuroinflammation contributes to motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive muscular paralysis. However, it remains elusive whether inflammatory cells can interact with degenerating distal motor axons, influencing the progressive denervation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). By analyzing the muscle extensor digitorum longus (EDL) following paralysis onset in the SOD1G93A rat model, we have observed a massive infiltration and degranulation of mast cells, starting after paralysis onset and correlating with progressive NMJ denervation. Remarkably, mast cells accumulated around degenerating motor axons and NMJs, and were also associated with macrophages. Mast cell accumulation and degranulation in paralytic EDL muscle was prevented by systemic treatment over 15 days with masitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently in clinical trials for ALS exhibiting pharmacological activity affecting mast cells and microglia. Masitinib-induced mast cell reduction resulted in a 35% decrease in NMJ denervation and reduced motor deficits as compared with vehicle-treated rats. Masitinib also normalized macrophage infiltration, as well as regressive changes in Schwann cells and capillary networks observed in advanced paralysis. These findings provide evidence for mast cell contribution to distal axonopathy and paralysis progression in ALS, a mechanism that can be therapeutically targeted by masitinib.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ivan C. Moura
- Imagine Institute, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Hematological Disorders and Therapeutic Implications, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes–Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- CNRS ERL 8254, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
- Equipe Labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le cancer, Parisa, France
| | - Patrice Dubreuil
- Equipe Labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le cancer, Parisa, France
- AB Science, Paris, France
- Signaling, Hematopoiesis and Mechanism of Oncogenesis, Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm U1068, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University UM105, CNRS UMR7258, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Hermine
- Imagine Institute, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Hematological Disorders and Therapeutic Implications, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes–Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- CNRS ERL 8254, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
- Equipe Labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le cancer, Parisa, France
- AB Science, Paris, France
- Department of Hematology, Necker Hospital, Paris, France
- Centre national de référence des mastocytoses (CEREMAST), Paris, France
| | - Joseph S. Beckman
- Linus Pauling Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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25
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Milad N, White Z, Tehrani AY, Sellers S, Rossi FMV, Bernatchez P. Increased plasma lipid levels exacerbate muscle pathology in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2017; 7:19. [PMID: 28899419 PMCID: PMC5596936 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-017-0135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by loss of dystrophin expression and leads to severe ambulatory and cardiac function decline. However, the dystrophin-deficient mdx murine model of DMD only develops a very mild form of the disease. Our group and others have shown vascular abnormalities in animal models of MD, a likely consequence of the fact that blood vessels express the same dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) proteins as skeletal muscles. Methods To test the blood vessel contribution to muscle damage in DMD, mdx4cv mice were given elevated lipid levels via apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene knockout combined with normal chow or lipid-rich Western diets. Ambulatory function and heart function (via echocardiogram) were assessed at 4 and 7 months of age. After sacrifice, muscle histology and aortic staining were used to assess muscle pathology and atherosclerosis development, respectively. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and creatine kinase (CK) were also measured. Results Although there was an increase in left ventricular heart volume in mdx-ApoE mice compared to that in mdx mice, parameters of heart function were not affected. Compared with wild-type and ApoE-null, only mdx-ApoE KO mice showed significant ambulatory dysfunction. Despite no significant difference in plasma CK, histological analyses revealed that elevated plasma lipids in chow- and Western diet-fed mdx-ApoE mice was associated with severe exacerbation of muscle pathology compared to mdx mice: significant increase in myofiber damage and fibrofatty replacement in the gastrocnemius and triceps brachii muscles, more reminiscent of human DMD pathology. Finally, although both ApoE and mdx-ApoE groups displayed increased plasma lipids, mdx-ApoE exhibited atherosclerotic plaque deposition equal to or less than that of ApoE mice. Conclusions Since others have shown that lipid abnormalities correlate with DMD severity, our data suggest that plasma lipids could be primary contributors to human DMD severity and that the notoriously mild phenotype of mdx mice might be attributable in part to their endogenously low plasma lipid profiles. Hence, DMD patients may benefit from lipid-lowering and vascular-targeted therapies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13395-017-0135-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Milad
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zoe White
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arash Y Tehrani
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephanie Sellers
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Biomedical Research, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pascal Bernatchez
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada. .,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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26
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Hirunsai M, Srikuea R. Differential effects of heat stress on fibre capillarisation in tenotomised soleus and plantaris muscles. Int J Hyperthermia 2017; 34:432-441. [DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2017.1350758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Muthita Hirunsai
- Department of Biopharmacy Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
| | - Ratchakrit Srikuea
- Department of Physiology Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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27
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Latroche C, Gitiaux C, Chrétien F, Desguerre I, Mounier R, Chazaud B. Skeletal Muscle Microvasculature: A Highly Dynamic Lifeline. Physiology (Bethesda) 2016; 30:417-27. [PMID: 26525341 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00026.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is highly irrigated by blood vessels. Beyond oxygen and nutrient supply, new vessel functions have been identified. This review presents vessel microanatomy and functions at tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Mechanisms of vessel plasticity are described during skeletal muscle development and acute regeneration, and in physiological and pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Latroche
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Cyril Gitiaux
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Isabelle Desguerre
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Rémi Mounier
- CGPhyMC, CNRS UMR5534, Villeurbanne, France; and Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Bénédicte Chazaud
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France; CNRS 8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; CGPhyMC, CNRS UMR5534, Villeurbanne, France; and Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Villeurbanne, France
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28
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in childhood. It is caused by mutations of the DMD gene, leading to progressive muscle weakness, loss of independent ambulation by early teens, and premature death due to cardiorespiratory complications. The diagnosis can usually be made after careful review of the history and examination of affected boys presenting with developmental delay, proximal weakness, and elevated serum creatine kinase, plus confirmation by muscle biopsy or genetic testing. Precise characterization of the DMD mutation is important for genetic counseling and individualized treatment. Current standard of care includes the use of corticosteroids to prolong ambulation and to delay the onset of secondary complications. Early use of cardioprotective agents, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, and other supportive strategies has improved the life expectancy and health-related quality of life for many young adults with DMD. New emerging treatment includes viral-mediated microdystrophin gene replacement, exon skipping to restore the reading frame, and nonsense suppression therapy to allow translation and production of a modified dystrophin protein. Other potential therapeutic targets involve upregulation of compensatory proteins, reduction of the inflammatory cascade, and enhancement of muscle regeneration. So far, data from DMD clinical trials have shown limited success in delaying disease progression; unforeseen obstacles included immune response against the generated mini-dystrophin, inconsistent evidence of dystrophin production in muscle biopsies, and failure to demonstrate a significant improvement in the primary outcome measure, as defined by the 6-minute walk test in some studies. The long-term safety and efficacy of emerging treatments will depend on the selection of appropriate clinical end points and sensitive biomarkers to detect meaningful changes in disease progression. Correction of the underlying mutations using new gene-editing technologies and corticosteroid analogs with better safety profiles offers renewed hope for many individuals with DMD and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean K Mah
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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29
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Smythe G. Role of Growth Factors in Modulation of the Microvasculature in Adult Skeletal Muscle. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 900:161-83. [PMID: 27003400 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27511-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-natal skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue that has the capacity to regenerate rapidly following injury, and to undergo significant modification in tissue mass (i.e. atrophy/hypertrophy) in response to global metabolic changes. These processes are reliant largely on soluble factors that directly modulate muscle regeneration and mass. However, skeletal muscle function also depends on an adequate blood supply. Thus muscle regeneration and changes in muscle mass, particularly hypertrophy, also demand rapid changes in the microvasculature. Recent evidence clearly demonstrates a critical role for soluble growth factors in the tight regulation of angiogenic expansion of the muscle microvasculature. Furthermore, exogenous modulation of these factors has the capacity to impact directly on angiogenesis and thus, indirectly, on muscle regeneration, growth and performance. This chapter reviews recent developments in understanding the role of growth factors in modulating the skeletal muscle microvasculature, and the potential therapeutic applications of exogenous angiogenic and anti-angiogenic mediators in promoting effective growth and regeneration, and ameliorating certain diseases, of skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayle Smythe
- Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, 789, 2640, Australia.
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30
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Eljaszewicz A, Sienkiewicz D, Grubczak K, Okurowska-Zawada B, Paszko-Patej G, Miklasz P, Singh P, Radzikowska U, Kulak W, Moniuszko M. Effect of Periodic Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Administration on Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Different Monocyte Subsets in Pediatric Patients with Muscular Dystrophies. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:2650849. [PMID: 26770204 PMCID: PMC4684893 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2650849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MD) are heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by progressive muscle dysfunction. There is a large body of evidence indicating that angiogenesis is impaired in muscles of MD patients. Therefore, induction of dystrophic muscle revascularization should become a novel approach aimed at diminishing the extent of myocyte damage. Recently, we and others demonstrated that administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) resulted in clinical improvement of patients with neuromuscular disorders. To date, however, the exact mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects of G-CSF have not been fully understood. Here we used flow cytometry to quantitate numbers of CD34+ cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and different monocyte subsets in peripheral blood of pediatric MD patients treated with repetitive courses of G-CSF administration. We showed that repetitive cycles of G-CSF administration induced efficient mobilization of above-mentioned cells including cells with proangiogenic potential. These findings contribute to better understanding the beneficial clinical effects of G-CSF in pediatric MD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Eljaszewicz
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Dorota Sienkiewicz
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Center of Early Support for Handicapped Children “Give a Chance”, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Kamil Grubczak
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Bożena Okurowska-Zawada
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Center of Early Support for Handicapped Children “Give a Chance”, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Grażyna Paszko-Patej
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Center of Early Support for Handicapped Children “Give a Chance”, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Paula Miklasz
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Paulina Singh
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Urszula Radzikowska
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kulak
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Center of Early Support for Handicapped Children “Give a Chance”, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Marcin Moniuszko
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Immune Regulation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Allergology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
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31
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Latroche C, Matot B, Martins-Bach A, Briand D, Chazaud B, Wary C, Carlier PG, Chrétien F, Jouvion G. Structural and Functional Alterations of Skeletal Muscle Microvasculature in Dystrophin-Deficient mdx Mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2015; 185:2482-94. [PMID: 26193666 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease, caused by an absence of dystrophin, inevitably leading to death. Although muscle lesions are well characterized, blood vessel alterations that may have a major impact on muscle regeneration remain poorly understood. Our aim was to elucidate alterations of the vascular network organization, taking advantage of Flk1(GFP/+) crossed with mdx mice (model for human DMD where all blood vessels express green fluorescent protein) and functional repercussions using in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance, combining arterial spin-labeling imaging of perfusion, and (31)P-spectroscopy of phosphocreatine kinetics. For the first time, our study focused on old (12-month-old) mdx mice, displaying marked chronic muscle lesions, similar to the lesions observed in human DMD, in comparison to young-adult (3-month-old) mdx mice displaying only mild muscle lesions with no fibrosis. By using an original approach combining a specific animal model, state-of-the-art histology/morphometry techniques, and functional nuclear magnetic resonance, we demonstrated that the microvascular system is almost normal in young-adult in contrast to old mdx mice, displaying marked microvessel alterations, and the functional repercussions on muscle perfusion and bioenergetics after a hypoxic stress vary depending on stage of pathology. This original approach clarifies disease evolution and paves the way for setting up new diagnostic markers or therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Latroche
- Infection and Epidemiology Department, Human Histopathology and Animal Models, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; The French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France; The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche 8104, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Pôle de Recherche, Enseignement Supérieur Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Béatrice Matot
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France; Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Institut de Myologie, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Aurea Martins-Bach
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France; Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Institut de Myologie, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France; Laboratory of Muscle Proteins and Comparative Histology, Human Genome Research Center, Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - David Briand
- Infection and Epidemiology Department, Human Histopathology and Animal Models, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Bénédicte Chazaud
- The French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France; The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche 8104, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Pôle de Recherche, Enseignement Supérieur Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Claire Wary
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France; Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Institut de Myologie, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Pierre G Carlier
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France; Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Institut de Myologie, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Chrétien
- Infection and Epidemiology Department, Human Histopathology and Animal Models, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Pôle de Recherche, Enseignement Supérieur Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France; Neuropathology Department, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Paris, France.
| | - Grégory Jouvion
- Infection and Epidemiology Department, Human Histopathology and Animal Models, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Pôle de Recherche, Enseignement Supérieur Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
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Pelosi L, Coggi A, Forcina L, Musarò A. MicroRNAs modulated by local mIGF-1 expression in mdx dystrophic mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2015; 7:69. [PMID: 25999854 PMCID: PMC4419723 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a X-linked genetic disease in which the absence of dystrophin leads to progressive lethal skeletal muscle degeneration. It has been demonstrated that among genes which are important for proper muscle development and function, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role. Moreover, altered levels of miRNAs were found in several muscular disorders, including DMD. A specific group of miRNAs, whose expression depends on dystrophin levels and whose deregulation explains several DMD pathogenetic traits, has been identified. Here, we addressed whether the anabolic activity of mIGF-1 on dystrophic muscle is associated with modulation of microRNAs expression. We demonstrated that some microRNAs are strictly linked to the dystrophin expression and are not modulated by mIGF-1 expression. In contrast, local expression of mIGF-1 promotes the modulation of other microRNAs, such as miR-206 and miR-24, along with the modulation of muscle specific genes, which are associated with maturation of regenerating fibers and with the stabilization of the differentiated muscle phenotype. These data suggest that mIGF-1, modifying the expression of some of the active players of muscle homeostasis, is able, even in absence of dystrophin expression, to activate circuitries that confer robustness to dystrophic muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pelosi
- Institute Pasteur Cenci-Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Coggi
- Institute Pasteur Cenci-Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Forcina
- Institute Pasteur Cenci-Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- Institute Pasteur Cenci-Bolognetti, DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, IIM, Sapienza University of Rome Rome, Italy ; Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rome, Italy
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Hart ML, Izeta A, Herrera-Imbroda B, Amend B, Brinchmann JE. Cell Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2015; 21:365-76. [PMID: 25789845 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2014.0627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the involuntary loss of urine and is a common condition in middle-aged and elderly women and men. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is caused by leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, and exercise, even standing leads to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Other types of UI also exist such as urge incontinence (also called overactive bladder), which is a strong and unexpected sudden urge to urinate, mixed forms of UI that result in symptoms of both urge and stress incontinence, and functional incontinence caused by reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, or neuromuscular limitations that impair mobility or dexterity. However, for many SUI patients, there is significant loss of urethral sphincter muscle due to degeneration of tissue, the strain and trauma of pregnancy and childbirth, or injury acquired during surgery. Hence, for individuals with SUI, a cell-based therapeutic approach to regenerate the sphincter muscle offers the advantage of treating the cause rather than the symptoms. We discuss current clinically relevant cell therapy approaches for regeneration of the external urethral sphincter (striated muscle), internal urethral sphincter (smooth muscle), the neuromuscular synapse, and blood supply. The use of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells is a major step in the right direction, but they may not be enough for regeneration of all components of the urethral sphincter. Inclusion of other cell types or biomaterials may also be necessary to enhance integration and survival of the transplanted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie L Hart
- 1 Clinical Research Group KFO 273, Department of Urology, University of Tübingen , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ander Izeta
- 2 Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Instituto Biodonostia, Hospital Universitario Donostia , San Sebastian, Spain
| | | | - Bastian Amend
- 4 Department of Urology, University of Tübingen , Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jan E Brinchmann
- 5 Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- 6 Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo , Oslo, Norway
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Shimizu-Motohashi Y, Asakura Y, Motohashi N, Belur NR, Baumrucker MG, Asakura A. Pregnancy-induced amelioration of muscular dystrophy phenotype in mdx mice via muscle membrane stabilization effect of glucocorticoid. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120325. [PMID: 25775477 PMCID: PMC4361742 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common and severe type of dystrophinopathy, is an X-linked recessive genetic disease caused by the absence of dystrophin, which leads to fragility and vulnerability of the sarcolemma to mechanical stretching with increased membrane permeability. Currently, glucocorticoids such as prednisolone are the only medication available for DMD. However, molecular pathways responsible for this effect are still unclear. In addition, it remains unclear whether sex-related factors, including pregnancy and the postpartum period, affect the phenotype of dystrophinopathy. Here, we report the amelioration of muscle membrane permeability in the diaphragm muscle of pregnant and postpartum, but not in nulliparous, mdx mice, an animal model for DMD, during the physiological surge of corticosterone, the most abundant glucocorticoid in rodents. Cultures of single muscle fibers and myotubes isolated from mdx mouse diaphragm demonstrate resistance to hypo-osmotic shock when treated with corticosterone but not with estradiol or progesterone. This corticosterone-mediated resistance was diminished by an antagonist of corticosterone, indicating that the glucocorticoid-glucocorticoid receptor axis plays a role in this membrane stabilization effect on muscle. Moreover, subcutaneous injection of corticosterone into mdx mice showed decreased membrane permeability. This is the first report to demonstrate that pregnancy-related resistance to muscle fiber damage in mdx mice due to the membrane stabilization effect of corticosterone. We also propose that this membrane stabilization effect is exerted through annexin A1 up-regulation as the molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid effects on DMD muscle. Furthermore, single muscle fiber culture studies provide a sensitive chemical screening platform for muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Shimizu-Motohashi
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Yoko Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Norio Motohashi
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Nandkishore R. Belur
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Michael G. Baumrucker
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Effects of low-level laser therapy on skeletal muscle repair: a systematic review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2015; 93:1073-85. [PMID: 25122099 DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A review of the literature was performed to demonstrate the most current applicability of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries, addressing different lasers, irradiation parameters, and treatment results in animal models. Searches were performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and SPIE Digital Library databases for studies published from January 2006 to August 2013 on the use of LLLT for the repair of skeletal muscle in any animal model. All selected articles were critically appraised by two independent raters. Seventeen of the 36 original articles on LLLT and muscle injuries met the inclusion criteria and were critically evaluated. The main effects of LLLT were a reduction in the inflammatory process, the modulation of growth factors and myogenic regulatory factors, and increased angiogenesis. The studies analyzed demonstrate the positive effects of LLLT on the muscle repair process, which are dependent on irradiation and treatment parameters. The findings suggest that LLLT is an excellent therapeutic resource for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries in the short-term.
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Manning J, O'Malley D. What has the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy contributed to our understanding of this disease? J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2015; 36:155-67. [PMID: 25669899 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-015-9406-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-chromosome linked recessive disorder caused by the truncation or deletion of the dystrophin gene. The most widely used animal model of this disease is the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse which was first discovered 30 years ago. Despite its extensive use in DMD research, no effective treatment has yet been developed for this devastating disease. This review explores what we have learned from this mouse model regarding the pathophysiology of DMD and asks if it has a future in providing a better more thorough understanding of this disease or if it will bring us any closer to improving the outlook for DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Manning
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, 4.23 Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland
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Qiu S, Mintz JD, Salet CD, Han W, Giannis A, Chen F, Yu Y, Su Y, Fulton DJ, Stepp DW. Increasing muscle mass improves vascular function in obese (db/db) mice. J Am Heart Assoc 2014; 3:e000854. [PMID: 24965025 PMCID: PMC4309080 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.114.000854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background A sedentary lifestyle is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and exercise has been shown to ameliorate this risk. Inactivity is associated with a loss of muscle mass, which is also reversed with isometric exercise training. The relationship between muscle mass and vascular function is poorly defined. The aims of the current study were to determine whether increasing muscle mass by genetic deletion of myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle growth, can influence vascular function in mesenteric arteries from obese db/db mice. Methods and Results Myostatin expression was elevated in skeletal muscle of obese mice and associated with reduced muscle mass (30% to 50%). Myostatin deletion increased muscle mass in lean (40% to 60%) and obese (80% to 115%) mice through increased muscle fiber size (P<0.05). Myostatin deletion decreased adipose tissue in lean mice, but not obese mice. Markers of insulin resistance and glucose tolerance were improved in obese myostatin knockout mice. Obese mice demonstrated an impaired endothelial vasodilation, compared to lean mice. This impairment was improved by superoxide dismutase mimic Tempol. Deletion of myostatin improved endothelial vasodilation in mesenteric arteries in obese, but not in lean, mice. This improvement was blunted by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor l‐NG‐nitroarginine methyl ester (l‐NAME). Prostacyclin (PGI2)‐ and endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)‐mediated vasodilation were preserved in obese mice and unaffected by myostatin deletion. Reactive oxygen species) was elevated in the mesenteric endothelium of obese mice and down‐regulated by deletion of myostatin in obese mice. Impaired vasodilation in obese mice was improved by NADPH oxidase inhibitor (GKT136901). Treatment with sepiapterin, which increases levels of tetrahydrobiopterin, improved vasodilation in obese mice, an improvement blocked by l‐NAME. Conclusions Increasing muscle mass by genetic deletion of myostatin improves NO‐, but not PGI2‐ or EDHF‐mediated vasodilation in obese mice; this vasodilation improvement is mediated by down‐regulation of superoxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiqing Qiu
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
| | - James D Mintz
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
| | - Christina D Salet
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
| | - Weihong Han
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.) Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (W.H., Y.S.)
| | - Athanassios Giannis
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.) Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany (A.G.)
| | - Feng Chen
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
| | - Yanfang Yu
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
| | - Yunchao Su
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.) Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (W.H., Y.S.)
| | - David J Fulton
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
| | - David W Stepp
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, Germany (S.Q., J.D.M., C.D.S., W.H., A.G., F.C., Y.Y., Y.S., D.J.F., D.W.S.)
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Shimizu-Motohashi Y, Asakura A. Angiogenesis as a novel therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy through decreased ischemia and increased satellite cells. Front Physiol 2014; 5:50. [PMID: 24600399 PMCID: PMC3927135 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common hereditary muscular dystrophy caused by mutation in dystrophin, and there is no curative therapy. Dystrophin is a protein which forms the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) at the sarcolemma linking the muscle cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. When dystrophin is absent, muscle fibers become vulnerable to mechanical stretch. In addition to this, accumulating evidence indicates DMD muscle having vascular abnormalities and that the muscles are under an ischemic condition. More recent studies demonstrate decreased vascular densities and impaired angiogenesis in the muscles of murine model of DMD. Therefore, generation of new vasculature can be considered a potentially effective strategy for DMD therapy. The pro-angiogenic approaches also seem to be pro-myogenic and could induce muscle regeneration capacity through expansion of the satellite cell juxtavascular niche in the mouse model. Here, we will focus on angiogenesis, reviewing the background, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor-pathway, effect, and concerns of this strategy in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Shimizu-Motohashi
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis, MN, USA
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