1
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Lee ST. Application of Optical Genome Mapping to the Genetic Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy 1. Ann Lab Med 2024; 44:383-384. [PMID: 38845487 PMCID: PMC11169772 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2024.0197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Tae Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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2
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Duranti E, Villa C. Insights into Dysregulated Neurological Biomarkers in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2680. [PMID: 39123408 PMCID: PMC11312413 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The link between neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and cancer has generated greater interest in biomedical research, with decades of global studies investigating neurodegenerative biomarkers in cancer to better understand possible connections. Tau, amyloid-β, α-synuclein, SOD1, TDP-43, and other proteins associated with nervous system diseases have also been identified in various types of solid and malignant tumors, suggesting a potential overlap in pathological processes. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of current evidence on the role of these proteins in cancer, specifically examining their effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemoresistance, and tumor progression. Additionally, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this interconnection, emphasizing the importance of further research to completely comprehend the clinical implications of these proteins in tumors. Finally, we explore the challenges and opportunities in targeting these proteins for the development of new targeted anticancer therapies, providing insight into how to integrate knowledge of NDs in oncology research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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3
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Ma Y, Schwager (Karpukhina) A, Dib C, Gautier C, Hermine O, Allemand E, Vassetzky YS. Exchange of subtelomeric regions between chromosomes 4q and 10q reverts the FSHD genotype and phenotype. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl1922. [PMID: 38691604 PMCID: PMC11062572 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The most common form of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD1) is caused by a partial loss of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array in the subtelomeric region of chromosome 4. Patients with FSHD1 typically carry 1 to 10 D4Z4 repeats, whereas nonaffected individuals have 11 to 150 repeats. The ~150-kilobyte subtelomeric region of the chromosome 10q exhibits a ~99% sequence identity to the 4q, including the D4Z4 array. Nevertheless, contractions of the chr10 array do not cause FSHD or any known disease, as in most people D4Z4 array on chr10 is flanked by the nonfunctional polyadenylation signal, not permitting the DUX4 expression. Here, we attempted to correct the FSHD genotype by a CRISPR-Cas9-induced exchange of the chr4 and chr10 subtelomeric regions. We demonstrated that the induced t(4;10) translocation can generate recombinant genotypes translated into improved FSHD phenotype. FSHD myoblasts with the t(4;10) exhibited reduced expression of the DUX4 targets, restored PAX7 target expression, reduced sensitivity to oxidative stress, and improved differentiation capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinxing Ma
- CNRS UMR9018, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Anna Schwager (Karpukhina)
- CNRS UMR9018, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Carla Dib
- CNRS UMR9018, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Candice Gautier
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, Inserm U1163, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Hermine
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, Inserm U1163, Paris, France
- Department of Hematology, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Eric Allemand
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, Inserm U1163, Paris, France
| | - Yegor S. Vassetzky
- CNRS UMR9018, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Moscow, Russia
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4
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Wong CJ, Friedman SD, Snider L, Bennett SR, Jones TI, Jones PL, Shaw DWW, Blemker SS, Riem L, DuCharme O, Lemmers RJFL, van der Maarel SM, Wang LH, Tawil R, Statland JM, Tapscott SJ. Regional and bilateral MRI and gene signatures in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy: implications for clinical trial design and mechanisms of disease progression. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:698-708. [PMID: 38268317 PMCID: PMC11000661 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying the aberrant expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle as the cause of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) has led to rational therapeutic development and clinical trials. Several studies support the use of MRI characteristics and the expression of DUX4-regulated genes in muscle biopsies as biomarkers of FSHD disease activity and progression. We performed lower-extremity MRI and muscle biopsies in the mid-portion of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles bilaterally in FSHD subjects and validated our prior reports of the strong association between MRI characteristics and expression of genes regulated by DUX4 and other gene categories associated with FSHD disease activity. We further show that measurements of normalized fat content in the entire TA muscle strongly predict molecular signatures in the mid-portion of the TA, indicating that regional biopsies can accurately measure progression in the whole muscle and providing a strong basis for inclusion of MRI and molecular biomarkers in clinical trial design. An unanticipated finding was the strong correlations of molecular signatures in the bilateral comparisons, including markers of B-cells and other immune cell populations, suggesting that a systemic immune cell infiltration of skeletal muscle might have a role in disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Jen Wong
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Seth D Friedman
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4540 Sandpoint Way, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Lauren Snider
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Sean R Bennett
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Takako I Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Peter L Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, United States
| | - Dennis W W Shaw
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4540 Sandpoint Way, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Silvia S Blemker
- Springbok Analytics, 100 W South St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States
| | - Lara Riem
- Springbok Analytics, 100 W South St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States
| | - Olivia DuCharme
- Springbok Analytics, 100 W South St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, United States
| | - Richard J F L Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Silvère M van der Maarel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leo H Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elm St, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KA 66160, United States
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
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5
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Engquist EN, Greco A, Joosten LAB, van Engelen BGM, Zammit PS, Banerji CRS. FSHD muscle shows perturbation in fibroadipogenic progenitor cells, mitochondrial function and alternative splicing independently of inflammation. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:182-197. [PMID: 37856562 PMCID: PMC10772042 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable myopathy. FSHD is highly heterogeneous, with patients following a variety of clinical trajectories, complicating clinical trials. Skeletal muscle in FSHD undergoes fibrosis and fatty replacement that can be accelerated by inflammation, adding to heterogeneity. Well controlled molecular studies are thus essential to both categorize FSHD patients into distinct subtypes and understand pathomechanisms. Here, we further analyzed RNA-sequencing data from 24 FSHD patients, each of whom donated a biopsy from both a non-inflamed (TIRM-) and inflamed (TIRM+) muscle, and 15 FSHD patients who donated peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs), alongside non-affected control individuals. Differential gene expression analysis identified suppression of mitochondrial biogenesis and up-regulation of fibroadipogenic progenitor (FAP) gene expression in FSHD muscle, which was particularly marked on inflamed samples. PBMCs demonstrated suppression of antigen presentation in FSHD. Gene expression deconvolution revealed FAP expansion as a consistent feature of FSHD muscle, via meta-analysis of 7 independent transcriptomic datasets. Clustering of muscle biopsies separated patients in an unbiased manner into clinically mild and severe subtypes, independently of known disease modifiers (age, sex, D4Z4 repeat length). Lastly, the first genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing in FSHD muscle revealed perturbation of autophagy, BMP2 and HMGB1 signalling. Overall, our findings reveal molecular subtypes of FSHD with clinical relevance and identify novel pathomechanisms for this highly heterogeneous condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise N Engquist
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Greco
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS) and Radboud Center of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Leo A B Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS) and Radboud Center of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher R S Banerji
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
- The Alan Turing Institute, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom
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6
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Smith AA, Nip Y, Bennett SR, Hamm DC, Lemmers RJLF, van der Vliet PJ, Setty M, van der Maarel SM, Tapscott SJ. DUX4 expression in cancer induces a metastable early embryonic totipotent program. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113114. [PMID: 37691147 PMCID: PMC10578318 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor DUX4 regulates a portion of the zygotic gene activation (ZGA) program in the early embryo. Many cancers express DUX4 but it is unknown whether this generates cells similar to early embryonic stem cells. Here we identified cancer cell lines that express DUX4 and showed that DUX4 is transiently expressed in a small subset of the cells. DUX4 expression activates the DUX4-regulated ZGA transcriptional program, the subsequent 8C-like program, and markers of early embryonic lineages, while suppressing steady-state and interferon-induced MHC class I expression. Although DUX4 was expressed in a small number of cells under standard culture conditions, DNA damage or changes in growth conditions increased the fraction of cells expressing DUX4 and its downstream programs. Our demonstration that transient expression of endogenous DUX4 in cancer cells induces a metastable early embryonic stem cell program and suppresses antigen presentation has implications for cancer growth, progression, and immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Smith
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yee Nip
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sean R Bennett
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Danielle C Hamm
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Richard J L F Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Manu Setty
- Basic Sciences Division and Translational Science IRC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA.
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7
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Hamm DC, Paatela EM, Bennett SR, Wong CJ, Campbell AE, Wladyka CL, Smith AA, Jagannathan S, Hsieh AC, Tapscott SJ. The transcription factor DUX4 orchestrates translational reprogramming by broadly suppressing translation efficiency and promoting expression of DUX4-induced mRNAs. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002317. [PMID: 37747887 PMCID: PMC10553841 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational control is critical for cell fate transitions during development, lineage specification, and tumorigenesis. Here, we show that the transcription factor double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4), and its previously characterized transcriptional program, broadly regulates translation to change the cellular proteome. DUX4 is a key regulator of zygotic genome activation in human embryos, whereas misexpression of DUX4 causes facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and is associated with MHC-I suppression and immune evasion in cancer. We report that translation initiation and elongation factors are disrupted downstream of DUX4 expression in human myoblasts. Genome-wide translation profiling identified mRNAs susceptible to DUX4-induced translation inhibition, including those encoding antigen presentation factors and muscle lineage proteins, while DUX4-induced mRNAs were robustly translated. Endogenous expression of DUX4 in human FSHD myotubes and cancer cell lines also correlated with reduced protein synthesis and MHC-I presentation. Our findings reveal that DUX4 orchestrates cell state conversion by suppressing the cellular proteome while maintaining translation of DUX4-induced mRNAs to promote an early developmental program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C. Hamm
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Ellen M. Paatela
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Sean R. Bennett
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Chao-Jen Wong
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Amy E. Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Cynthia L. Wladyka
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Andrew A. Smith
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Andrew C. Hsieh
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
- Departments of Medicine and Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
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8
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Campbell AE, Dyle MC, Albanese R, Matheny T, Sudheendran K, Cortázar MA, Forman T, Fu R, Gillen AE, Caruthers MH, Floor SN, Calviello L, Jagannathan S. Compromised nonsense-mediated RNA decay results in truncated RNA-binding protein production upon DUX4 expression. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112642. [PMID: 37314931 PMCID: PMC10592454 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) degrades transcripts carrying premature termination codons. NMD is thought to prevent the synthesis of toxic truncated proteins. However, whether loss of NMD results in widespread production of truncated proteins is unclear. A human genetic disease, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), features acute inhibition of NMD upon expression of the disease-causing transcription factor, DUX4. Using a cell-based model of FSHD, we show production of truncated proteins from physiological NMD targets and find that RNA-binding proteins are enriched for aberrant truncations. The NMD isoform of one RNA-binding protein, SRSF3, is translated to produce a stable truncated protein, which is detected in FSHD patient-derived myotubes. Ectopic expression of truncated SRSF3 confers toxicity, and its downregulation is cytoprotective. Our results delineate the genome-scale impact of NMD loss. This widespread production of potentially deleterious truncated proteins has implications for FSHD biology as well as other genetic diseases where NMD is therapeutically modulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael C Dyle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Roberto Albanese
- Functional Genomics Research Centre, Human Technopole, 20157 Milan, Italy; Computational Biology Research Centre, Human Technopole, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Tyler Matheny
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kavitha Sudheendran
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Michael A Cortázar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Thomas Forman
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rui Fu
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Austin E Gillen
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Marvin H Caruthers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Stephen N Floor
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Lorenzo Calviello
- Functional Genomics Research Centre, Human Technopole, 20157 Milan, Italy; Computational Biology Research Centre, Human Technopole, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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9
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Duranti E, Villa C. Influence of DUX4 Expression in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy and Possible Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119503. [PMID: 37298453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119503] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) represents the third most common form of muscular dystrophy and is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy. FSHD is caused by the altered expression of the transcription factor double homeobox 4 (DUX4), which is involved in several significantly altered pathways required for myogenesis and muscle regeneration. While DUX4 is normally silenced in the majority of somatic tissues in healthy individuals, its epigenetic de-repression has been linked to FSHD, resulting in DUX4 aberrant expression and cytotoxicity in skeletal muscle cells. Understanding how DUX4 is regulated and functions could provide useful information not only to further understand FSHD pathogenesis, but also to develop therapeutic approaches for this disorder. Therefore, this review discusses the role of DUX4 in FSHD by examining the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the disease as well as novel pharmacological strategies targeting DUX4 aberrant expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Duranti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
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10
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Nip Y, Bennett SR, Smith AA, Jones TI, Jones PL, Tapscott SJ. Human DUX4 and porcine DUXC activate similar early embryonic programs in pig muscle cells: implications for preclinical models of FSHD. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:1864-1874. [PMID: 36728804 PMCID: PMC10196675 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human DUX4 and its mouse ortholog Dux are normally expressed in the early embryo-the 4-cell or 2-cell cleavage stage embryo, respectively-and activate a portion of the first wave of zygotic gene expression. DUX4 is epigenetically suppressed in nearly all somatic tissue, whereas facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD)-causing mutations result in its aberrant expression in skeletal muscle, transcriptional activation of the early embryonic program and subsequent muscle pathology. Although DUX4 and Dux both activate an early totipotent transcriptional program, divergence of their DNA binding domains limits the use of DUX4 expressed in mice as a preclinical model for FSHD. In this study, we identify the porcine DUXC messenger ribonucleic acid expressed in early development and show that both pig DUXC and human DUX4 robustly activate a highly similar early embryonic program in pig muscle cells. These results support further investigation of pig preclinical models for FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Nip
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sean R Bennett
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Andrew A Smith
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Takako I Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Peter L Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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11
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Spens AE, Sutliff NA, Bennett SR, Campbell AE, Tapscott SJ. Human DUX4 and mouse Dux interact with STAT1 and broadly inhibit interferon-stimulated gene induction. eLife 2023; 12:e82057. [PMID: 37092726 PMCID: PMC10195082 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DUX4 activates the first wave of zygotic gene expression in the early embryo. Mis-expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle causes facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), whereas expression in cancers suppresses IFNγ induction of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) and contributes to immune evasion. We show that the DUX4 protein interacts with STAT1 and broadly suppresses expression of IFNγ-stimulated genes by decreasing bound STAT1 and Pol-II recruitment. Transcriptional suppression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) requires conserved (L)LxxL(L) motifs in the carboxyterminal region of DUX4 and phosphorylation of STAT1 Y701 enhances interaction with DUX4. Consistent with these findings, expression of endogenous DUX4 in FSHD muscle cells and the CIC-DUX4 fusion containing the DUX4 CTD in a sarcoma cell line inhibit IFNγ induction of ISGs. Mouse Dux similarly interacted with STAT1 and suppressed IFNγ induction of ISGs. These findings identify an evolved role of the DUXC family in modulating immune signaling pathways with implications for development, cancers, and FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Spens
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
| | - Nicholas A Sutliff
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
| | - Sean R Bennett
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
| | - Amy E Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDenverUnited States
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
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12
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Wong CJ, Friedman SD, Snider L, Bennett SR, Jones TI, Jones PL, Shaw DWW, Blemker SS, Riem L, DuCharme O, Lemmers RJFL, van der Maarel SRM, Wang LH, Tawil R, Statland JM, Tapscott SJ. Validation of the association between MRI and gene signatures in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy muscle: implications for clinical trial design. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.20.529303. [PMID: 36865168 PMCID: PMC9980042 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.20.529303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the aberrant expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle as the cause of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) has led to rational therapeutic development and clinical trials. Several studies support the use of MRI characteristics and the expression of DUX4-regulated genes in muscle biopsies as biomarkers of FSHD disease activity and progression, but reproducibility across studies needs further validation. We performed lower-extremity MRI and muscle biopsies in the mid-portion of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles bilaterally in FSHD subjects and validated our prior reports of the strong association between MRI characteristics and expression of genes regulated by DUX4 and other gene categories associated with FSHD disease activity. We further show that measurements of normalized fat content in the entire TA muscle strongly predict molecular signatures in the mid-portion of the TA. Together with moderate-to-strong correlations of gene signatures and MRI characteristics between the TA muscles bilaterally, these results suggest a whole muscle model of disease progression and provide a strong basis for inclusion of MRI and molecular biomarkers in clinical trial design.
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13
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Kurashige T, Morino H, Ueno H, Murao T, Watanabe T, Hinoi T, Nishino I, Torii T, Maruyama H. Gastrointestinal cancer occurs as extramuscular manifestation in FSHD1 patients. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:91-95. [PMID: 36336708 PMCID: PMC9873551 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-022-01095-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy type1 (FSHD1) patients with a shortened D4Z4 repeat containing the DUX4 gene have a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. In addition, high expression of DUX4 protein with an aberrant C terminus is frequently identified in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We investigated clinical manifestations in 31 FSHD1 patients and 30 non-affected individuals. Gastrointestinal cancers (gastric and colorectal cancers) increased after the age of 40 years and were more frequently observed in FSHD1 patients (n = 10) than in non-affected individuals (n = 2, p = 0.0217), though the incidence of cancers occurring in non-gastrointestinal tissues of FSHD1 patients was the same as that of non-affected individuals (p > 0.999). These comorbidities of FSHD1 patients were not associated with D4Z4 repeat number. Our results suggest that gastrointestinal cancers are among the extramuscular manifestations of adult FSHD1 patients, and do not depend on D4Z4 repeat number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kurashige
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Morino
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan ,grid.267335.60000 0001 1092 3579Department of Medical Genetics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ueno
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tomomi Murao
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Watanabe
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan ,grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takao Hinoi
- grid.470097.d0000 0004 0618 7953Division of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ichizo Nishino
- grid.419280.60000 0004 1763 8916Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center for Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Torii
- grid.440118.80000 0004 0569 3483Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Kure, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Maruyama
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
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14
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Colelli G, Barzaghi L, Paoletti M, Monforte M, Bergsland N, Manco G, Deligianni X, Santini F, Ricci E, Tasca G, Mira A, Figini S, Pichiecchio A. Radiomics and machine learning applied to STIR sequence for prediction of quantitative parameters in facioscapulohumeral disease. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1105276. [PMID: 36908599 PMCID: PMC9999017 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1105276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Quantitative Muscle MRI (qMRI) is a valuable and non-invasive tool to assess disease involvement and progression in neuromuscular disorders being able to detect even subtle changes in muscle pathology. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using a conventional short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence to predict fat fraction (FF) and water T2 (wT2) in skeletal muscle introducing a radiomic workflow with standardized feature extraction combined with machine learning algorithms. Methods Twenty-five patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) were scanned at calf level using conventional STIR sequence and qMRI techniques. We applied and compared three different radiomics workflows (WF1, WF2, WF3), combined with seven Machine Learning regression algorithms (linear, ridge and lasso regression, tree, random forest, k-nearest neighbor and support vector machine), on conventional STIR images to predict FF and wT2 for six calf muscles. Results The combination of WF3 and K-nearest neighbor resulted to be the best predictor model of qMRI parameters with a mean absolute error about ± 5 pp for FF and ± 1.8 ms for wT2. Conclusion This pilot study demonstrated the possibility to predict qMRI parameters in a cohort of FSHD subjects starting from conventional STIR sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Colelli
- Department of Mathematics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.,INFN, Group of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Barzaghi
- Department of Mathematics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Paoletti
- Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mauro Monforte
- UOC di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, University of Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States.,IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Manco
- Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Xeni Deligianni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Basel Muscle MRI, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Santini
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Basel Muscle MRI, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Enzo Ricci
- UOC di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- UOC di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Antonietta Mira
- Data Science Lab, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.,Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Como, Italy
| | - Silvia Figini
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,BioData Science Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Pichiecchio
- Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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15
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Whole-muscle fat analysis identifies distal muscle end as disease initiation site in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:155. [PMID: 36450865 PMCID: PMC9712512 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00217-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is a major muscular dystrophy characterized by asymmetric fatty replacement of muscles. We aimed to determine the initiation site and progression profile of the disease in lower extremity muscles of FSHD patients by assessing fat infiltration along their full proximo-distal axis using quantitative MRI. METHODS Nine patients underwent MRI of lower extremities to assess end-to-end muscle fat fractions (FFs) and inflammatory lesions. Seven patients underwent the same MRI ~3.5 years later. Individual muscles (n = 396) were semi-automatically segmented to calculate average FFs over all slices covering whole muscles. To assess disease progression we determined FF changes in 5 adjacent muscle segments. RESULTS We provide evidence that fat replacement commonly starts at the distal end of affected muscles where the highest FFs occur (p < 0.001). It progresses in a wave-like manner in the proximal direction at an increasing rate with the highest value (4.9 ± 2.7%/year) for muscles with baseline FFs of 30-40%. Thereafter it proceeds at a slower pace towards the proximal muscle end. In early phases of disease, inflammatory lesions preferentially occur at the distal muscle end. Compared with whole-muscle analysis, the common FF assessments using only few MR slices centrally placed in muscles are significantly biased (~50% in progression rate). CONCLUSIONS These findings identify the distal end of leg muscles as a prime location for disease initiation in FSHD and demonstrate a wave-like progression towards the proximal end, consistent with proposed disease mechanisms. End-to-end whole-muscle fat assessment is essential to properly diagnose FSHD and its progression.
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16
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ANT1 overexpression models: Some similarities with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Redox Biol 2022; 56:102450. [PMID: 36030628 PMCID: PMC9434167 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Adenine nucleotide translocator 1 (ANT1), the only 4q35 gene involved in mitochondrial function, is strongly expressed in FSHD skeletal muscle biopsies. However, its role in FSHD is unclear. In this study, we evaluated ANT1 overexpression effects in primary myoblasts from healthy controls and during Xenopus laevis organogenesis. We also compared ANT1 overexpression effects with the phenotype of FSHD muscle cells and biopsies. Here, we report that the ANT1 overexpression-induced phenotype presents some similarities with FSHD muscle cells and biopsies. ANT1-overexpressing muscle cells showed disorganized morphology, altered cytoskeletal arrangement, enhanced mitochondrial respiration/glycolysis, ROS production, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation and ultrastructure alteration, as observed in FSHD muscle cells. ANT1 overexpression in Xenopus laevis embryos affected skeletal muscle development, impaired skeletal muscle, altered mitochondrial ultrastructure and led to oxidative stress as observed in FSHD muscle biopsies. Moreover, ANT1 overexpression in X. laevis embryos affected heart structure and mitochondrial ultrastructure leading to cardiac arrhythmia, as described in some patients with FSHD. Overall our data suggest that ANT1 could contribute to mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in FSHD muscle cells by modifying their bioenergetic profile associated with ROS production. Such interplay between energy metabolism and ROS production in FSHD will be of significant interest for future prospects.
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17
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Mariot V, Dumonceaux J. Gene Editing to Tackle Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:937879. [PMID: 35910413 PMCID: PMC9334676 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.937879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is a skeletal muscle disease caused by the aberrant expression of the DUX4 gene in the muscle tissue. To date, different therapeutic approaches have been proposed, targeting DUX4 at the DNA, RNA or protein levels. The recent development of the clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeat (CRISPR) based technology opened new avenues of research, and FSHD is no exception. For the first time, a cure for genetic muscular diseases can be considered. Here, we describe CRISPR-based strategies that are currently being investigated for FSHD. The different approaches include the epigenome editing targeting the DUX4 gene and its promoter, gene editing targeting the polyadenylation of DUX4 using TALEN, CRISPR/cas9 or adenine base editing and the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for SMCHD1. We also discuss challenges facing the development of these gene editing based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Mariot
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Dumonceaux
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Wong CJ, Wang L, Holers VM, Frazer-Abel A, van der Maarel SM, Tawil R, Statland JM, Tapscott SJ. Elevated plasma complement components in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:1821-1829. [PMID: 34919696 PMCID: PMC9169453 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) have led to several therapeutic approaches entering clinical trials and an increased need to develop biomarkers of disease activity and progression. Multiple prior studies have shown early elevation of RNAs encoding components of the complement pathways and relatively widespread activated complement complexes by immunodetection in FSHD muscle. The current study tested plasma from two independent cohorts of FSHD and control subjects and found elevated complement components in both FSHD cohorts. Combining subjects from both cohorts identified complement factors that best distinguished FSHD and controls. Within the FSHD group, a subset of subjects showed elevation in multiple complement components. Together these findings suggest the need for future studies to determine whether measurements of complement activation can be used as a non-invasive measurement of FSHD disease activity, progression and/or response to therapies. In addition, with the ongoing expansion of complement therapeutic approaches, consideration for precision-based targeting of this pathway is appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Jen Wong
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Leo Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - V Michael Holers
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ashley Frazer-Abel
- Exsera BioLabs, Division of Rheumatalogy, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KA 66160, USA
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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19
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Quintero J, Saad NY, Pagnoni SM, Jacquelin DK, Gatica L, Harper SQ, Rosa AL. The DUX4 protein is a co-repressor of the progesterone and glucocorticoid nuclear receptors. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:2644-2658. [PMID: 35662006 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
DUX4 is a transcription factor required during early embryonic development in placental mammals. In this work we provide evidence that DUX4 is a co-repressor of nuclear receptors (NRs) of progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoids (GR). The DUX4 C-ter and N-ter regions, including the nuclear localization signals and homeodomain motifs, contribute to the corepressor activity of DUX4 on PR and GR. Immunoprecipitation studies, using total protein extracts of cells expressing tagged versions of DUX4 and GR, support that these proteins are physically associated. Our studies suggest that DUX4 could modulate gene expression by coregulating the activity of hormone NRs. This is the first report highlighting a potential endocrine role for DUX4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Quintero
- Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular, IRNASUS-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nizar Y Saad
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sabrina M Pagnoni
- Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular, IRNASUS-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Daniela K Jacquelin
- Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular, IRNASUS-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina.,INFIQC-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Gatica
- Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular, IRNASUS-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina.,CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Scott Q Harper
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alberto L Rosa
- Laboratorio de Genética y Biología Molecular, IRNASUS-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina.,Fundación Allende-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
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20
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Kakouri AC, Koutalianos D, Koutsoulidou A, Oulas A, Tomazou M, Nikolenko N, Turner C, Roos A, Lusakowska A, Janiszewska K, Papadimas GK, Papadopoulos C, Kararizou E, Papanicolaou EZ, Gorman G, Lochmüller H, Spyrou GM, Phylactou LA. Circulating small RNA signatures differentiate accurately the subtypes of muscular dystrophies: small-RNA next-generation sequencing analytics and functional insights. RNA Biol 2022; 19:507-518. [PMID: 35388741 PMCID: PMC8993092 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2058817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare and severe inherited disorders mainly affecting the muscle tissue. Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy types 1 and 2, Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy are some of the members of this family of disorders. In addition to the current diagnostic tools, there is an increasing interest for the development of novel non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of these diseases. miRNAs are small RNA molecules characterized by high stability in blood thus making them ideal biomarker candidates for various diseases. In this study, we present the first genome-wide next-generation small RNA sequencing in serum samples of five different types of muscular dystrophy patients and healthy individuals. We identified many small RNAs including miRNAs, lncRNAs, tRNAs, snoRNAs and snRNAs, that differentially discriminate the muscular dystrophy patients from the healthy individuals. Further analysis of the identified miRNAs showed that some miRNAs can distinguish the muscular dystrophy patients from controls and other miRNAs are specific to the type of muscular dystrophy. Bioinformatics analysis of the target genes for the most significant miRNAs and the biological role of these genes revealed different pathways that the dysregulated miRNAs are involved in each type of muscular dystrophy investigated. In conclusion, this study shows unique signatures of small RNAs circulating in five types of muscular dystrophy patients and provides a useful resource for future studies for the development of miRNA biomarkers in muscular dystrophies and for their involvement in the pathogenesis of the disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Kakouri
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Demetris Koutalianos
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function & Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Andrie Koutsoulidou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function & Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Anastasis Oulas
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marios Tomazou
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Neurogenetics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nikoletta Nikolenko
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Chris Turner
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andreas Roos
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Essen, Duisburg-Essen University, Germany.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Lusakowska
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - George K Papadimas
- Department of Neurology, Eginitio hospital, Medical School of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelia Kararizou
- Department of Neurology, Eginitio hospital, Medical School of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Grainne Gorman
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Centro Nacional de AnálisisGenómico, Center for Genomic Regulation (CNAG-CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (Bist), Barcelona, Spain
| | - George M Spyrou
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas A Phylactou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function & Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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21
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Heher P, Ganassi M, Weidinger A, Engquist EN, Pruller J, Nguyen TH, Tassin A, Declèves AE, Mamchaoui K, Grillari J, Kozlov AV, Zammit PS. Interplay between mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress and hypoxic adaptation in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Metabolic stress as potential therapeutic target. Redox Biol 2022; 51:102251. [PMID: 35248827 PMCID: PMC8899416 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterised by descending skeletal muscle weakness and wasting. FSHD is caused by mis-expression of the transcription factor DUX4, which is linked to oxidative stress, a condition especially detrimental to skeletal muscle with its high metabolic activity and energy demands. Oxidative damage characterises FSHD and recent work suggests metabolic dysfunction and perturbed hypoxia signalling as novel pathomechanisms. However, redox biology of FSHD remains poorly understood, and integrating the complex dynamics of DUX4-induced metabolic changes is lacking. Here we pinpoint the kinetic involvement of altered mitochondrial ROS metabolism and impaired mitochondrial function in aetiology of oxidative stress in FSHD. Transcriptomic analysis in FSHD muscle biopsies reveals strong enrichment for pathways involved in mitochondrial complex I assembly, nitrogen metabolism, oxidative stress response and hypoxia signalling. We found elevated mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS) levels correlate with increases in steady-state mitochondrial membrane potential in FSHD myogenic cells. DUX4 triggers mitochondrial membrane polarisation prior to oxidative stress generation and apoptosis through mitoROS, and affects mitochondrial health through lipid peroxidation. We identify complex I as the primary target for DUX4-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, with strong correlation between complex I-linked respiration and cellular oxygenation/hypoxia signalling activity in environmental hypoxia. Thus, FSHD myogenesis is uniquely susceptible to hypoxia-induced oxidative stress as a consequence of metabolic mis-adaptation. Importantly, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants rescue FSHD pathology more effectively than conventional antioxidants, highlighting the central involvement of disturbed mitochondrial ROS metabolism. This work provides a pathomechanistic model by which DUX4-induced changes in oxidative metabolism impair muscle function in FSHD, amplified when metabolic adaptation to varying O2 tension is required. Transcriptomics data from FSHD muscle indicates enrichment for disturbed mitochondrial pathways. Disturbed mitochondrial ROS metabolism correlates with mitochondrial membrane polarisation and myotube hypotrophy. DUX4-induced changes in mitochondrial function precede mitoROS generation and affect hypoxia signalling via complex I. FSHD is sensitive to environmental hypoxia, which increases ROS levels in FSHD myotubes. Hypotrophy in hypoxic FSHD myotubes is efficiently rescued with mitochondria-targeted antioxidants.
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22
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Bouwman LF, den Hamer B, van den Heuvel A, Franken M, Jackson M, Dwyer CA, Tapscott SJ, Rigo F, van der Maarel SM, de Greef JC. Systemic delivery of a DUX4-targeting antisense oligonucleotide to treat facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:813-827. [PMID: 34729250 PMCID: PMC8526479 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most prevalent skeletal muscle dystrophies. Skeletal muscle pathology in individuals with FSHD is caused by inappropriate expression of the transcription factor DUX4, which activates different myotoxic pathways. At the moment there is no molecular therapy that can delay or prevent skeletal muscle wasting in FSHD. In this study, a systemically delivered antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting the DUX4 transcript was tested in vivo in ACTA1-MCM;FLExDUX4 mice that express DUX4 in skeletal muscles. We show that the DUX4 ASO was well tolerated and repressed the DUX4 transcript, DUX4 protein, and mouse DUX4 target gene expression in skeletal muscles. In addition, the DUX4 ASO alleviated the severity of skeletal muscle pathology and partially prevented the dysregulation of inflammatory and extracellular matrix genes. DUX4 ASO-treated ACTA1-MCM;FLExDUX4 mice performed better on a treadmill; however, the hanging grid and four-limb grip strength tests were not improved compared to control ASO-treated ACTA1-MCM;FLExDUX4 mice. This study shows that systemic delivery of ASOs targeting DUX4 is a promising therapeutic strategy for FSHD and strategies that further improve the ASO efficacy in skeletal muscle are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linde F. Bouwman
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca den Hamer
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anita van den Heuvel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marnix Franken
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michaela Jackson
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Chrissa A. Dwyer
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Stephen J. Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Silvère M. van der Maarel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jessica C. de Greef
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author Jessica C. de Greef, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
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23
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Dijkstra JN, Goselink RJM, van Alfen N, de Groot IJM, Pelsma M, van der Stoep N, Theelen T, van Engelen BGM, Voermans NC, Erasmus CE. Natural History of Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy in Children: A 2-Year Follow-up. Neurology 2021; 97:e2103-e2113. [PMID: 34675094 PMCID: PMC8610619 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Data on the natural history of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) in childhood are limited and critical for improved patient care and clinical trial readiness. Our objective was to describe the disease course of FSHD in children. Methods We performed a nationwide, single-center, prospective cohort study of FSHD in childhood assessing muscle functioning, imaging, and quality of life over 2 years of follow-up. Results We included 20 children with genetically confirmed FSHD who were 2 to 17 years of age. Overall, symptoms were slowly progressive, and the mean FSHD clinical score increased from 2.1 to 2.8 (p = 0.003). The rate of progression was highly variable. At baseline, 16 of 20 symptomatic children had facial weakness; after 2 years, facial weakness was observed in 19 of 20 children. Muscle strength did not change between baseline and follow-up. The most frequently and most severely affected muscles were the trapezius and deltoid. The functional exercise capacity, measured with the 6-minute walk test, improved. Systemic features were infrequent and nonprogressive. Weakness-associated complications such as lumbar hyperlordosis and dysarthria were common, and their prevalence increased during follow-up. Pain and fatigue were frequent complaints in children, and their prevalence also increased during follow-up. Muscle ultrasonography revealed a progressive increase in echogenicity. Discussion FSHD in childhood has a slowly progressive but variable course over 2 years of follow-up. The most promising outcome measures to detect progression were the FSHD clinical score and muscle ultrasonography. Despite this disease progression, an improvement on functional capacity may still occur as the child grows up. Pain, fatigue, and a decreased quality of life were common symptoms and need to be addressed in the management of childhood FSHD. Our data can be used to counsel patients and as baseline measures for treatment trials in childhood FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jildou N Dijkstra
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Rianne J M Goselink
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Imelda J M de Groot
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike Pelsma
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Nienke van der Stoep
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Theelen
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Corrie E Erasmus
- From the Departments of Neurology (J.N.D., N.v.A., B.G.M.v.E., N.C.V.) and Rehabilitation (I.J.M.d.G., M.P.), Donders Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Pediatric Neurology (J.N.D., C.E.E.), Amalia Children's Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology (T.T.), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (R.J.M.G.), Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (R.J.M.G.), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Genetics (N.v.d.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
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24
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Greco A, Straasheijm KR, Mul K, van den Heuvel A, van der Maarel SM, Joosten LA, van Engelen BG, Pruijn GJ. Profiling Serum Antibodies Against Muscle Antigens in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Finds No Disease-Specific Autoantibodies. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:801-814. [PMID: 34024774 PMCID: PMC9789485 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-210653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND FSHD is caused by specific genetic mutations resulting in activation of the Double Homeobox 4 gene (DUX4). DUX4 targets hundreds of downstream genes eventually leading to muscle atrophy, oxidative stress, abnormal myogenesis, and muscle inflammation. We hypothesized that DUX4-induced aberrant expression of genes triggers a sustained autoimmune response against skeletal muscle cells. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at the identification of autoantibodies directed against muscle antigens in FSHD. Moreover, a possible relationship between serum antibody reactivity and DUX4 expression was also investigated. METHODS FSHD sera (N = 138, 48±16 years, 48% male) and healthy control sera (N = 20, 47±14 years, 50% male) were analyzed by immunoblotting for antibodies against several skeletal muscle protein extracts: healthy muscle, FSHD muscle, healthy and FSHD myotubes, and inducible DUX4 expressing myoblasts. In addition, DUX4 expressing myoblasts were analyzed by immunofluorescence with FSHD and healthy control sera. RESULTS The results showed that the reactivity of FSHD sera did not significantly differ from that of healthy controls, with all the tested muscle antigen extracts. Besides, the immunofluorescent staining of DUX4-expressing myoblasts was not different when incubated with either FSHD or healthy control sera. CONCLUSION Since the methodology used did not lead to the identification of disease-specific autoantibodies in the FSHD cohort, we suggest that autoantibody-mediated pathology may not be an important disease mechanism in FSHD. Nevertheless, it is crucial to further unravel if and which role the immune system plays in FSHD pathogenesis. Other innate as well as adaptive immune players could be involved in the complex DUX4 cascade of events and could become appealing druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Greco
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,Correspondence to: Anna Greco, MD, Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 68 71 17 452; Fax: +31 24 354 1122; E-mail:
| | - Kirsten R. Straasheijm
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita van den Heuvel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Leo A.B. Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G.M. van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ger J.M. Pruijn
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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25
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Adenine base editing of the DUX4 polyadenylation signal for targeted genetic therapy in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 25:342-354. [PMID: 34484861 PMCID: PMC8399085 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by chromatin relaxation of the D4Z4 repeat resulting in misexpression of the D4Z4-encoded DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle. One of the key genetic requirements for the stable production of full-length DUX4 mRNA in skeletal muscle is a functional polyadenylation signal (ATTAAA) in exon three of DUX4 that is used in somatic cells. Base editors hold great promise to treat DNA lesions underlying genetic diseases through their ability to carry out specific and rapid nucleotide mutagenesis even in postmitotic cells such as skeletal muscle. In this study, we present a simple and straightforward strategy for mutagenesis of the somatic DUX4 polyadenylation signal by adenine base editing in immortalized myoblasts derived from independent FSHD-affected individuals. We show that mutating this critical cis-regulatory element results in downregulation of DUX4 mRNA and its direct transcriptional target genes. Our findings identify the somatic DUX4 polyadenylation signal as a therapeutic target and represent the first step toward clinical application of the CRISPR-Cas9 base editing platform for FSHD gene therapy.
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26
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Banerji CRS. PAX7 target gene repression associates with FSHD progression and pathology over 1 year. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2124-2133. [PMID: 32347924 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, inherited skeletal myopathy linked to hypomethylation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite at chromosome 4q35. This epigenetic de-repression permits expression of the transcription factor DUX4, which may drive pathology by direct activation of target genes or through inhibition of the homologous transcription factor PAX7. We demonstrated that PAX7 target gene repression is a superior biomarker of FSHD status compared with DUX4 target gene expression. However, despite importance for clinical trials, there remains no transcriptomic biomarker for FSHD progression. A recent study by Wong et al. [Longitudinal measures of RNA expression and disease activity in FSHD muscle biopsies. Hum. Mol. Genet., 29, 1030-1043] performed MRI, muscle biopsy transcriptomics and histopathology on a cohort of FSHD patients with 1-year follow-up. No significant changes in any biomarkers were reported over this time period. However, the authors did not consider PAX7 target gene repression as a marker of FSHD progression. Here we demonstrate that PAX7 target gene repression increases in these paired FSHD samples from year 1 to year 2 and is thus a marker of FSHD progression over 1 year. Moreover, we show that three validated DUX4 target gene expression biomarkers are not associated with FSHD progression over 1 year. We further confirm that PAX7 target gene repression associates with clinical correlates of FSHD disease activity, measured by MRI and histopathology. Thus, PAX7 target gene repression is a uniquely sensitive biomarker of FSHD progression and pathology, valid over a 1 year time frame, implicating its use in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R S Banerji
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
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27
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Precise Epigenetic Analysis Using Targeted Bisulfite Genomic Sequencing Distinguishes FSHD1, FSHD2, and Healthy Subjects. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081469. [PMID: 34441403 PMCID: PMC8393475 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The true prevalence of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is unknown due to difficulties with accurate clinical evaluation and the complexities of current genetic diagnostics. Interestingly, all forms of FSHD are linked to epigenetic changes in the chromosome 4q35 D4Z4 macrosatellite, suggesting that epigenetic analysis could provide an avenue for sequence-based FSHD diagnostics. However, studies assessing DNA methylation at the FSHD locus have produced conflicting results; thus, the utility of this technique as an FSHD diagnostic remains controversial. Here, we critically compared two protocols for epigenetic analysis of the FSHD region using bisulfite genomic sequencing: Jones et al., that contends to be individually diagnostic for FSHD1 and FSHD2, and Gaillard et al., that can identify some changes in DNA methylation levels between groups of clinically affected FSHD and healthy subjects, but is not individually diagnostic for any form of FSHD. We performed both sets of assays on the same genetically confirmed samples and showed that this discrepancy was due strictly to differences in amplicon specificity. We propose that the epigenetic status of the FSHD-associated D4Z4 arrays, when accurately assessed, is a diagnostic for genetic FSHD and can readily distinguish between healthy, FSHD1 and FSHD2. Thus, epigenetic diagnosis of FSHD, which can be performed on saliva DNA, will greatly increase accessibility to FSHD diagnostics for populations around the world.
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28
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Banerji CRS, Zammit PS. Pathomechanisms and biomarkers in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: roles of DUX4 and PAX7. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13695. [PMID: 34151531 PMCID: PMC8350899 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterised by progressive skeletal muscle weakness and wasting. FSHD is linked to epigenetic derepression of the subtelomeric D4Z4 macrosatellite at chromosome 4q35. Epigenetic derepression permits the distal-most D4Z4 unit to transcribe DUX4, with transcripts stabilised by splicing to a poly(A) signal on permissive 4qA haplotypes. The pioneer transcription factor DUX4 activates target genes that are proposed to drive FSHD pathology. While this toxic gain-of-function model is a satisfying "bottom-up" genotype-to-phenotype link, DUX4 is rarely detectable in muscle and DUX4 target gene expression is inconsistent in patients. A reliable biomarker for FSHD is suppression of a target gene score of PAX7, a master regulator of myogenesis. However, it is unclear how this "top-down" finding links to genomic changes that characterise FSHD and to DUX4. Here, we explore the roles and interactions of DUX4 and PAX7 in FSHD pathology and how the relationship between these two transcription factors deepens understanding via the immune system and muscle regeneration. Considering how FSHD pathomechanisms are represented by "DUX4opathy" models has implications for developing therapies and current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular BiophysicsKing's College LondonLondonUK
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29
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O'Dowd DN, Bostock EL, Smith D, Morse CI, Orme P, Payton CJ. The effects of 12 weeks' resistance training on psychological parameters and quality of life in adults with Facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and Limb-girdle dystrophies. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:5950-5956. [PMID: 34340613 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1955306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Investigate the impact of 12-weeks' moderate-intensity resistance training on psychological parameters in ambulatory adults with Facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. METHODS Seventeen adults with Facioscapulohumeral (n = 6), Limb-girdle (n = 6; types 2A, 2B, 2L, and 2I), or Becker (n = 5) muscular dystrophy took part. Participants were tested at baseline (PRE), after a 12-week control period (PRE2), and after a 12-week supervised resistance training programme (POST). Training included multi-joint and single-joint resistance exercises. Outcomes from self-report questionnaires were health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, self-esteem, and physical self-worth. RESULTS No difference in outcome measures, except depressive symptoms, was found in the control period (PRE to PRE2). Symptoms of depression were reduced by 9% from PRE to PRE2 (p < 0.05) and by a further 19% from PRE2 to POST (p < 0.05). Other changes from PRE2 to POST were that trait anxiety reduced by 10%, self-esteem increased by 10%, physical self-worth increased by 20%, and quality of life improved in 8 domains (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate the positive impact of moderate-intensity resistance training on psychological health and quality of life in adults with Facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies.Implications for rehabilitationResistance training can have a positive impact on psychological health and quality of life in adults with Facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.Healthcare professionals should consider including moderate-intensity resistance training within the management and treatment programmes of adults with Facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn N O'Dowd
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma L Bostock
- Physiology Research Group, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dave Smith
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Christopher I Morse
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul Orme
- Physiotherapy Department, The Neuromuscular Centre, Winsford, UK
| | - Carl J Payton
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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30
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Wong CJ, Wang LH, Friedman SD, Shaw D, Campbell AE, Budech CB, Lewis LM, Lemmers RJFL, Statland JM, van der Maarel SM, Tawil RN, Tapscott SJ. Longitudinal measures of RNA expression and disease activity in FSHD muscle biopsies. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:1030-1043. [PMID: 32083293 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) have led to the discovery of candidate therapeutics, and it is important to identify markers of disease activity to inform clinical trial design. For drugs that inhibit DUX4 expression, measuring DUX4 or DUX4-target gene expression might be an interim measure of drug activity; however, only a subset of FHSD muscle biopsies shows evidence of DUX4 expression. Our prior study showed that MRI T2-STIR-positive muscles had a higher probability of showing DUX4 expression than muscles with normal MRI characteristics. In the current study, we performed a 1-year follow-up assessment of the same muscle with repeat MRI and muscle biopsy. There was little change in MRI characteristics over the 1-year period and, similar to the initial evaluation, MRI T2-STIR-postive muscles had a higher expression of DUX4-regulated genes, as well as genes associated with inflammation, extracellular matrix and cell cycle. Compared to the initial evaluation, overall the level of expression in these gene categories remained stable over the 1-year period; however, there was some variability for each individual muscle biopsied. The pooled data from both the initial and 1-year follow-up evaluations identified several FSHD subgroups based on gene expression, as well as a set of genes-composed of DUX4-target genes, inflammatory and immune genes and cell cycle control genes-that distinguished all of the FSHD samples from the controls. These candidate markers of disease activity need to be replicated in independent datasets and, if validated, may provide useful measures of disease progression and response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Jen Wong
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Leo H Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Seth D Friedman
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Dennis Shaw
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Amy E Campbell
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Chris B Budech
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Leann M Lewis
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Richard J F L Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KA 66160, USA
| | | | - Rabi N Tawil
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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Abstract
µ-Crystallin is a NADPH-regulated thyroid hormone binding protein encoded by the CRYM gene in humans. It is primarily expressed in the brain, muscle, prostate, and kidney, where it binds thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism and thermogenesis. It also acts as a ketimine reductase in the lysine degradation pathway when it is not bound to thyroid hormone. Mutations in CRYM can result in non-syndromic deafness, while its aberrant expression, predominantly in the brain but also in other tissues, has been associated with psychiatric, neuromuscular, and inflammatory diseases. CRYM expression is highly variable in human skeletal muscle, with 15% of individuals expressing ≥13 fold more CRYM mRNA than the median level. Ablation of the Crym gene in murine models results in the hypertrophy of fast twitch muscle fibers and an increase in fat mass of mice fed a high fat diet. Overexpression of Crym in mice causes a shift in energy utilization away from glycolysis towards an increase in the catabolism of fat via β-oxidation, with commensurate changes of metabolically involved transcripts and proteins. The history, attributes, functions, and diseases associated with CRYM, an important modulator of metabolism, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Kinney
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Robert J Bloch
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201
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O'Dowd DN, Bostock EL, Smith D, Morse CI, Orme P, Payton CJ. Psychological parameters impact health-related quality of life in mental and physical domains in adults with muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:328-335. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Lim KRQ, Yokota T. Genetic Approaches for the Treatment of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:642858. [PMID: 33776777 PMCID: PMC7996372 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.642858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive, asymmetric muscle weakness at the face, shoulders, and upper limbs, which spreads to the lower body with age. It is the third most common inherited muscular disorder worldwide. Around 20% of patients are wheelchair-bound, and some present with extramuscular manifestations. FSHD is caused by aberrant expression of the double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4) gene in muscle. DUX4 codes for a transcription factor which, in skeletal muscle, dysregulates numerous signaling activities that culminate in cytotoxicity. Potential treatments for FSHD therefore aim to reduce the expression of DUX4 or the activity of its toxic protein product. In this article, we review how genetic approaches such as those based on oligonucleotide and genome editing technologies have been developed to achieve these goals. We also outline the challenges these therapies are facing on the road to translation, and discuss possible solutions and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q. Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Kinney CJ, O'Neill A, Noland K, Huang W, Muriel J, Lukyanenko V, Kane MA, Ward CW, Collier AF, Roche JA, McLenithan JC, Reed PW, Bloch RJ. μ-Crystallin in Mouse Skeletal Muscle Promotes a Shift from Glycolytic toward Oxidative Metabolism. Curr Res Physiol 2021; 4:47-59. [PMID: 34746826 PMCID: PMC8562245 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
μ-Crystallin, encoded by the CRYM gene, binds the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. Because T3 and T4 are potent regulators of metabolism and gene expression, and CRYM levels in human skeletal muscle can vary widely, we investigated the effects of overexpression of Crym. We generated transgenic mice, Crym tg, that expressed Crym protein specifically in skeletal muscle at levels 2.6-147.5 fold higher than in controls. Muscular functions, Ca2+ transients, contractile force, fatigue, running on treadmills or wheels, were not significantly altered, although T3 levels in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were elevated ~190-fold and serum T4 was decreased 1.2-fold. Serum T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were unaffected. Crym transgenic mice studied in metabolic chambers showed a significant decrease in the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) corresponding to a 13.7% increase in fat utilization as an energy source compared to controls. Female but not male Crym tg mice gained weight more rapidly than controls when fed high fat or high simple carbohydrate diets. Although labeling for myosin heavy chains showed no fiber type differences in TA or soleus muscles, application of machine learning algorithms revealed small but significant morphological differences between Crym tg and control soleus fibers. RNA-seq and gene ontology enrichment analysis showed a significant shift towards genes associated with slower muscle function and its metabolic correlate, β-oxidation. Protein expression showed a similar shift, though with little overlap. Our study shows that μ-crystallin plays an important role in determining substrate utilization in mammalian muscle and that high levels of μ-crystallin are associated with a shift toward greater fat metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J. Kinney
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Andrea O'Neill
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Kaila Noland
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Joaquin Muriel
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Valeriy Lukyanenko
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Christopher W. Ward
- Department of Orthopedics School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Alyssa F. Collier
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Joseph A. Roche
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - John C. McLenithan
- Department of Medicine School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Patrick W. Reed
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Robert J. Bloch
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Sztretye M, Szabó L, Dobrosi N, Fodor J, Szentesi P, Almássy J, Magyar ZÉ, Dienes B, Csernoch L. From Mice to Humans: An Overview of the Potentials and Limitations of Current Transgenic Mouse Models of Major Muscular Dystrophies and Congenital Myopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238935. [PMID: 33255644 PMCID: PMC7728138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a group of more than 160 different human neuromuscular disorders characterized by a progressive deterioration of muscle mass and strength. The causes, symptoms, age of onset, severity, and progression vary depending on the exact time point of diagnosis and the entity. Congenital myopathies are rare muscle diseases mostly present at birth that result from genetic defects. There are no known cures for congenital myopathies; however, recent advances in gene therapy are promising tools in providing treatment. This review gives an overview of the mouse models used to investigate the most common muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies with emphasis on their potentials and limitations in respect to human applications.
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36
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Bouwman LF, den Hamer B, Verveer EP, Lerink LJS, Krom YD, van der Maarel SM, de Greef JC. Dnmt3b regulates DUX4 expression in a tissue-dependent manner in transgenic D4Z4 mice. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:27. [PMID: 33004076 PMCID: PMC7528343 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00247-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a skeletal muscle disorder that is caused by derepression of the transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle cells. Apart from SMCHD1, DNMT3B was recently identified as a disease gene and disease modifier in FSHD. However, the exact role of DNMT3B at the D4Z4 repeat array remains unknown. METHODS To determine the role of Dnmt3b on DUX4 repression, hemizygous mice with a FSHD-sized D4Z4 repeat array (D4Z4-2.5 mice) were cross-bred with mice carrying an in-frame exon skipping mutation in Dnmt3b (Dnmt3bMommeD14 mice). Additionally, siRNA knockdowns of Dnmt3b were performed in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) derived from the D4Z4-2.5 mouse model. RESULTS In mESCs derived from D4Z4-2.5 mice, Dnmt3b was enriched at the D4Z4 repeat array and DUX4 transcript levels were upregulated after a knockdown of Dnmt3b. In D4Z4-2.5/Dnmt3bMommeD14 mice, Dnmt3b protein levels were reduced; however, DUX4 RNA levels in skeletal muscles were not enhanced and no pathology was observed. Interestingly, D4Z4-2.5/Dnmt3bMommeD14 mice showed a loss of DNA methylation at the D4Z4 repeat array and significantly higher DUX4 transcript levels in secondary lymphoid organs. As these lymphoid organs seem to be more sensitive to epigenetic modifiers of the D4Z4 repeat array, different immune cell populations were quantified in the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes of D4Z4-2.5 mice crossed with Dnmt3bMommeD14 mice or Smchd1MommeD1 mice. Only in D4Z4-2.5/Smchd1MommeD1 mice the immune cell populations were disturbed. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrates that loss of Dnmt3b results in derepression of DUX4 in lymphoid tissues and mESCs but not in myogenic cells of D4Z4-2.5/Dnmt3bMommeD14 mice. In addition, the Smchd1MommeD1 variant seems to have a more potent role in DUX4 derepression. Our studies suggest that the immune system is particularly but differentially sensitive to D4Z4 chromatin modifiers which may provide a molecular basis for the yet underexplored immune involvement in FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linde F Bouwman
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca den Hamer
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elwin P Verveer
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lente J S Lerink
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne D Krom
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Silvère M van der Maarel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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37
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Bouwman LF, van der Maarel SM, de Greef JC. The prospects of targeting DUX4 in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Curr Opin Neurol 2020; 33:635-640. [PMID: 32796277 PMCID: PMC7735392 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a neuromuscular disorder, which is caused by incomplete repression of the transcription factor double homeobox 4 (DUX4) in skeletal muscle. To date, there is no DUX4-targeting treatment to prevent or delay disease progression. In the present review, we summarize developments in therapeutic strategies with the focus on inhibiting DUX4 and DUX4 target gene expression. RECENT FINDINGS Different studies show that DUX4 and its target genes can be repressed with genetic therapies using diverse strategies. Additionally, different small compounds can reduce DUX4 and its target genes in vitro and in vivo. SUMMARY Most studies that show DUX4 repression by genetic therapies have only been tested in vitro. More efforts should be made to test them in vivo for clinical translation. Several compounds have been shown to prevent DUX4 and target gene expression in vitro and in vivo. However, their efficiency and specificity has not yet been shown. With emerging clinical trials, the clinical benefit from DUX4 repression in FSHD will likely soon become apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linde F Bouwman
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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38
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Resnick R, Wong CJ, Hamm DC, Bennett SR, Skene PJ, Hake SB, Henikoff S, van der Maarel SM, Tapscott SJ. DUX4-Induced Histone Variants H3.X and H3.Y Mark DUX4 Target Genes for Expression. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1812-1820.e5. [PMID: 31722199 PMCID: PMC6886682 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The DUX4 transcription factor is briefly expressed in the early cleavage-stage embryo, where it induces an early wave of zygotic gene transcription, whereas its mis-expression in skeletal muscle causes the muscular dystrophy facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Here, we show that DUX4 induces the expression of the histone variants H3.X and H3.Y. We have used a myoblast cell line with doxycycline-inducible DUX4 to show that these histone variants are incorporated throughout the body of DUX4-induced genes. Following a brief pulse of DUX4, these histones contribute to greater perdurance and to enhanced re-activation of DUX4 target gene expression. These findings provide a model for H3.X/Y as a chromatin mechanism that facilitates the expression of DUX4 target genes subsequent to a brief pulse of DUX4 expression. Resnick et al. show that the DUX4-induced histone variants, H3.X and H3.Y, incorporate into the chromatin of DUX4-induced genes, making them more sensitive to subsequent expression. This suggests a mechanism for how the brief expression of DUX4 can establish a memory of its transcriptional network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Resnick
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Chao-Jen Wong
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Danielle C Hamm
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sean R Bennett
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Sandra B Hake
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Hessen, Germany
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Ciszewski L, Lu-Nguyen N, Slater A, Brennan A, Williams HEL, Dickson G, Searle MS, Popplewell L. G-quadruplex ligands mediate downregulation of DUX4 expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:4179-4194. [PMID: 32182342 PMCID: PMC7192601 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal DUX4 expression in skeletal muscles plays a key role in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) pathogenesis, although the molecular mechanisms regulating DUX4 expression are not fully defined. Using bioinformatic analysis of the genomic DUX4 locus, we have identified a number of putative G-quadruplexes (GQs) forming sequences. Their presence was confirmed in synthetic oligonucleotiode sequences derived from the enhancer, promoter and transcript of DUX4 through circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. We further examined the binding affinity of a naturally occurring GQ stabilizing compound, berberine, to these non-canonical genetic structures using UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Subsequent in vitro study in FSHD patient myoblasts indicated that berberine treatment reduced DUX4 expression and also expression of genes normally switched on by DUX4. Further investigation in a mouse model overexpressing exogenous DUX4 confirmed the therapeutic effects of berberine in downregulating DUX4 protein expression, inhibiting muscle fibrosis, and consequently rescuing muscle function. Our data demonstrate for the first time that GQs are present in the DUX4 locus and that the GQ interactive ligand reduces DUX4 expression suggesting potential role of GQs in FSHD pathogenesis. Our work provides the basis of a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Ciszewski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Ngoc Lu-Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Alex Slater
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Andrew Brennan
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Huw E L Williams
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - George Dickson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Mark S Searle
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Linda Popplewell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway-University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
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40
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Rojas LA, Valentine E, Accorsi A, Maglio J, Shen N, Robertson A, Kazmirski S, Rahl P, Tawil R, Cadavid D, Thompson LA, Ronco L, Chang AN, Cacace AM, Wallace O. p38α Regulates Expression of DUX4 in a Model of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 374:489-498. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.264689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Li H, Huang H, Long W, Zuo J, Huang H. Herbal medicine significantly improved muscle function in a patient with type 1 facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A case report. Explore (NY) 2020; 17:247-251. [PMID: 32505519 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common muscular disorder. At present, treatments for FSHD have limited effects on the muscle function of patients. A famous Chinese medicine formula, Buzhong Yiqi (BZYQ), has shown promising effects on several muscular diseases, but evidence regarding its effect on FSHD is lacking. This study aimed to examine the effect of BZYQ on FSHD. CASE PRESENTATION A 15-year-old girl suffered from progressive muscle weakness, with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of FSHD. Except for routine FSHD management, the patient received BZQY every day. The muscle strength of the patient remarkably increased after discharge. CONCLUSIONS This study was novel in reporting a significant improvement in muscle function in a patient with FSHD treated with an integrated approach of BZYQ and routine management. Therefore, BZYQ might be a potential treatment for FSHD, requiring further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Li
- The First Comprehensive Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
| | - Haoming Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510405, China; Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510405, China.
| | - Wenjie Long
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510405, China.
| | - Junling Zuo
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510405, China.
| | - Hongqiang Huang
- The First Comprehensive Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.
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Greco A, Goossens R, van Engelen B, van der Maarel SM. Consequences of epigenetic derepression in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Clin Genet 2020; 97:799-814. [PMID: 32086799 PMCID: PMC7318180 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a common hereditary myopathy, is caused either by the contraction of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat at the distal end of chromosome 4q to a size of 1 to 10 repeat units (FSHD1) or by mutations in D4Z4 chromatin modifiers such as Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes Hinge Domain Containing 1 (FSHD2). These two genotypes share a phenotype characterized by progressive and often asymmetric muscle weakening and atrophy, and common epigenetic alterations of the D4Z4 repeat. All together, these epigenetic changes converge the two genetic forms into one disease and explain the derepression of the DUX4 gene, which is otherwise kept epigenetically silent in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is consistently transcriptionally upregulated in FSHD1 and FSHD2 skeletal muscle cells where it is believed to exercise a toxic effect. Here we provide a review of the recent literature describing the progress in understanding the complex genetic and epigenetic architecture of FSHD, with a focus on one of the consequences that these epigenetic changes inflict, the DUX4-induced immune deregulation cascade. Moreover, we review the latest therapeutic strategies, with particular attention to the potential of epigenetic correction of the FSHD locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Greco
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Internal MedicineRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Remko Goossens
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Baziel van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviourRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
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Jones TI, Chew GL, Barraza-Flores P, Schreier S, Ramirez M, Wuebbles RD, Burkin DJ, Bradley RK, Jones PL. Transgenic mice expressing tunable levels of DUX4 develop characteristic facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy-like pathophysiology ranging in severity. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:8. [PMID: 32278354 PMCID: PMC7149937 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00227-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND All types of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) are caused by the aberrant activation of the somatically silent DUX4 gene, the expression of which initiates a cascade of cellular events ultimately leading to FSHD pathophysiology. Typically, progressive skeletal muscle weakness becomes noticeable in the second or third decade of life, yet there are many individuals who are genetically FSHD but develop symptoms much later in life or remain relatively asymptomatic throughout their lives. Conversely, FSHD may clinically present prior to 5-10 years of age, ultimately manifesting as a severe early-onset form of the disease. These phenotypic differences are thought to be due to the timing and levels of DUX4 misexpression. METHODS FSHD is a dominant gain-of-function disease that is amenable to modeling by DUX4 overexpression. We have recently created a line of conditional DUX4 transgenic mice, FLExDUX4, that develop a myopathy upon induction of human DUX4-fl expression in skeletal muscle. Here, we use the FLExDUX4 mouse crossed with the skeletal muscle-specific and tamoxifen-inducible line ACTA1-MerCreMer to generate a highly versatile bi-transgenic mouse model with chronic, low-level DUX4-fl expression and cumulative mild FSHD-like pathology that can be reproducibly induced to develop more severe pathology via tamoxifen induction of DUX4-fl in skeletal muscles. RESULTS We identified conditions to generate FSHD-like models exhibiting reproducibly mild, moderate, or severe DUX4-dependent pathophysiology and characterized progression of pathology. We assayed DUX4-fl mRNA and protein levels, fitness, strength, global gene expression, and histopathology, all of which are consistent with an FSHD-like myopathic phenotype. Importantly, we identified sex-specific and muscle-specific differences that should be considered when using these models for preclinical studies. CONCLUSIONS The ACTA1-MCM;FLExDUX4 bi-transgenic mouse model has mild FSHD-like pathology and detectable muscle weakness. The onset and progression of more severe DUX4-dependent pathologies can be controlled via tamoxifen injection to increase the levels of mosaic DUX4-fl expression, providing consistent and readily screenable phenotypes for assessing therapies targeting DUX4-fl mRNA and/or protein and are useful to investigate certain conserved downstream FSHD-like pathophysiology. Overall, this model supports that DUX4 expression levels in skeletal muscle directly correlate with FSHD-like pathology by numerous metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako I. Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
| | - Guo-Liang Chew
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
- Current Address: The Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pamela Barraza-Flores
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
| | - Spencer Schreier
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
| | - Monique Ramirez
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
| | - Ryan D. Wuebbles
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
| | - Dean J. Burkin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
| | - Robert K. Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Peter L. Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 USA
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Banerji CRS, Zammit PS. PAX7 target gene repression is a superior FSHD biomarker than DUX4 target gene activation, associating with pathological severity and identifying FSHD at the single-cell level. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:2224-2236. [PMID: 31067297 PMCID: PMC6586142 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable skeletal myopathy. The condition is linked to hypomethylation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat at chromosome 4q35, leading to epigenetic derepression of the transcription factor DUX4; coupled with a permissive 4qA haplotype supplying a poly(A) signal. DUX4 may drive FSHD pathology via both induction of target genes and inhibition of the function of the myogenic master regulator PAX7. Biomarkers for FSHD have focused on DUX4 target gene expression. We have, however, reported that PAX7 target gene repression is a hallmark of FSHD skeletal muscle. Here we demonstrate that PAX7 target gene repression is an equivalent biomarker to DUX4 target gene expression when considering RNA-Sequencing data from magnetic resonance imaging-guided muscle biopsies. Moreover, PAX7 target gene repression correlates with active disease, independent to DUX4 target gene expression. PAX7 target genes are also repressed in RNA-Sequencing data from single cells, representing a significantly better biomarker of FSHD cells than DUX4 target gene expression. Importantly, PAX7 target gene repression is a significant biomarker in the majority of FSHD cells that are DUX4 target gene negative, and on which the DUX4 biomarker is indiscriminate. To facilitate the evaluation of validated biomarkers we provide a simple tool that outputs biomarker values from a normalized expression data matrix. In summary, PAX7 target gene repression in FSHD correlates with disease severity, independently of DUX4 target gene expression. At the single-cell level, PAX7 target gene repression can efficiently discriminate FSHD cells, even when no DUX4 target genes are detectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R S Banerji
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Level, Faculty Building, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Peter S Zammit
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK
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Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1 patients participating in the UK FSHD registry can be subdivided into 4 patterns of self-reported symptoms. Neuromuscul Disord 2020; 30:315-328. [PMID: 32327287 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant incurable skeletal muscle disease. FSHD1 constitutes 95% of cases and is linked to truncation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite at 4q35. In most cases the condition initially presents with facial and proximal weakness of the upper limbs, but over the course of the disease involves lower limb and truncal muscles. Weakness is progressive and frequently asymmetric, which is a hallmark of the disease. Here we performed an analysis of 643 FSHD1 patients in the UK FSHD patient registry, investigating factors affecting rate of onset of 5 major FSHD symptoms: facial, periscapular, foot dorsiflexor, hip girdle weakness, and hearing loss. We found shorter D4Z4 repeat length associated with accelerated onset of each symptom. Furthermore, paternal inheritance of the pathogenic allele was associated with accelerated onset of foot dorsiflexor weakness, while pregnancy and carrying multiple children to term was associated with slower onset of all muscle symptoms. Lastly, we performed clustering analysis on age of onset of the 4 muscle symptoms across 222 patients. We identified 4 clinical presentations of FSHD1. A classical presentation (74%) and 3 facial sparing phenotypes: a mild presentation (5%) with later facial and periscapular involvement, an early shoulder presentation (10%) with accelerated periscapular weakness and an early foot presentation (9%) with accelerated foot dorsiflexor weakness. The mild presentation was associated with longer D4Z4 repeat lengths, while the early foot presentation had a female bias. We note, however that symptom progression differs significantly in these 4 clinical presentations independently of D4Z4 repeat length and gender, motivating investigation of further modifiers of FSHD1 severity.
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Lim KRQ, Nguyen Q, Yokota T. DUX4 Signalling in the Pathogenesis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E729. [PMID: 31979100 PMCID: PMC7037115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a disabling inherited muscular disorder characterized by asymmetric, progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Patients display widely variable disease onset and severity, and sometimes present with extra-muscular symptoms. There is a consensus that FSHD is caused by the aberrant production of the double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4) transcription factor in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is normally expressed during early embryonic development, and is then effectively silenced in all tissues except the testis and thymus. Its reactivation in skeletal muscle disrupts numerous signalling pathways that mostly converge on cell death. Here, we review studies on DUX4-affected pathways in skeletal muscle and provide insights into how understanding these could help explain the unique pathogenesis of FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q. Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.)
| | - Quynh Nguyen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.)
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2H7, Canada; (K.R.Q.L.); (Q.N.)
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB T6G2H7, Canada
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VOET NICOLINEB. Exercise in neuromuscular disorders: a promising intervention. ACTA MYOLOGICA : MYOPATHIES AND CARDIOMYOPATHIES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY OF MYOLOGY 2019; 38:207-214. [PMID: 31970319 PMCID: PMC6955632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Although performing exercise studies in patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) is difficult, the number of randomized controlled trials is steadily increasing. There is growing evidence for a positive effect of aerobic exercise in several NMD, on the other hand, the evidence for the effect of strength training is still scarce. Many NMD patients are captured in a vicious circle of physical inactivity, and it is important to let patients adhere to an active lifestyle, in order to prevent further chronic cardiovascular and muscle deconditioning and increased cardiovascular health risks. Exercise has to be prescribed as if it is medicine, in order to increase the adherence of patients and to optimize the efficacy of the intervention. Exercise in NMD is safe, although for some metabolic myopathies there is a contraindication for strenuous exercise. In NMD known to affect cardiac muscle, it is usually safe to exercise, but the consultation of a cardiologist is advised. Based on recent research, an increase in physical activity of moderate intensity and of sufficient duration, i.e. a physically active lifestyle, could be at least as effective and relevant as physical training. Underlying mechanisms of effect of exercise could be the influence of epigenetic mechanisms and the anti-inflammatory effect of exercise, but further studies are needed to confirm these hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- NICOLINE B.M. VOET
- Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Rehabilitation Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Klimmendaal, Rehabilitation Center, Arnhem, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a progressive myopathy that afflicts individuals of all ages, provides a powerful model of the complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of chromatin regulation. FSHD is caused by dysregulation of a macrosatellite repeat, either by contraction of the repeat or by mutations in silencing proteins. Both cases lead to chromatin relaxation and, in the context of a permissive allele, aberrant expression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is a pioneer transcription factor that activates a program of gene expression during early human development, after which its expression is silenced in most somatic cells. When misexpressed in FSHD skeletal muscle, the DUX4 program leads to accumulated muscle pathology. Epigenetic regulators of the disease locus represent particularly attractive therapeutic targets for FSHD, as many are not global modifiers of the genome, and altering their expression or activity should allow correction of the underlying defect.
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MESH Headings
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Chromatin/chemistry
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/metabolism
- DNA Methylation
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Gene Editing
- Genetic Loci
- Genome, Human
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/classification
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral/pathology
- Mutation
- Severity of Illness Index
- DNA Methyltransferase 3B
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Affiliation(s)
- Charis L Himeda
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA;
| | - Peter L Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA;
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49
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[Innovative therapeutic approaches for hereditary neuromuscular diseases]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 89:1115-1122. [PMID: 30171303 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0599-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms and pathophysiology of neuromuscular diseases have recently led to the development of new, innovative and often mutation-specific therapeutic approaches. Methods used include splicing modification by antisense oligonucleotides, read-through of premature stopcodons, use of viral vectors to introduce genetic information, or optimizing the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapies. The first drugs have already been approved for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. For other diseases, such as myotubular myopathy, myotonic dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease, new promising approaches are in preclinical or clinical development. As these are rare diseases with a broad spectrum of clinical severity, drug approval is often based on a limited amount of evidence. Therefore, systematic follow-up in the postmarketing period is particularly important to assess the safety and efficacy of these new and often high-priced orphan drugs.
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50
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Oliva J, Galasinski S, Richey A, Campbell AE, Meyers MJ, Modi N, Zhong JW, Tawil R, Tapscott SJ, Sverdrup FM. Clinically Advanced p38 Inhibitors Suppress DUX4 Expression in Cellular and Animal Models of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 370:219-230. [PMID: 31189728 PMCID: PMC6652132 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.259663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterized by misexpression of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) developmental transcription factor in mature skeletal muscle, where it is responsible for muscle degeneration. Preventing expression of DUX4 mRNA is a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy with the potential to halt or reverse the course of disease. We previously reported that agonists of the β-2 adrenergic receptor suppress DUX4 expression by activating adenylate cyclase to increase cAMP levels. Efforts to further explore this signaling pathway led to the identification of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as a major regulator of DUX4 expression. In vitro experiments demonstrate that clinically advanced p38 inhibitors suppress DUX4 expression in FSHD type 1 and 2 myoblasts and differentiating myocytes in vitro with exquisite potency. Individual small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of either p38α or p38β suppresses DUX4 expression, demonstrating that each kinase isoform plays a distinct requisite role in activating DUX4 Finally, p38 inhibitors effectively suppress DUX4 expression in a mouse xenograft model of human FSHD gene regulation. These data support the repurposing of existing clinical p38 inhibitors as potential therapeutics for FSHD. The surprise finding that p38α and p38β isoforms each independently contribute to DUX4 expression offers a unique opportunity to explore the utility of p38 isoform-selective inhibitors to balance efficacy and safety in skeletal muscle. We propose p38 inhibition as a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy for FSHD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) currently has no treatment options. This work provides evidence that repurposing a clinically advanced p38 inhibitor may provide the first disease-modifying drug for FSHD by suppressing toxic DUX4 expression, the root cause of muscle degeneration in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Oliva
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Scott Galasinski
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Amelia Richey
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Amy E Campbell
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Marvin J Meyers
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Neal Modi
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Jun Wen Zhong
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
| | - Francis M Sverdrup
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (J.O., A.R., N.M., F.M.S.) and Chemistry (M.J.M.), Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California (S.G.); Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington (A.E.C., J.W.Z., S.J.T.); Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (R.T.); and Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (S.J.T.)
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