1
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Dar A, Li A, Petrigliano FA. Lineage tracing reveals a novel PDGFRβ + satellite cell subset that contributes to myo-regeneration of chronically injured rotator cuff muscle. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9668. [PMID: 38671006 PMCID: PMC11053018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58926-7] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Massive rotator cuff (RC) tendon tears are associated with progressive fibro-adipogenesis and muscle atrophy that altogether cause shoulder muscle wasting. Platelet derived growth factor β (PDGFRβ) lineage cells, that co-express PDGFRα have previously been shown to directly contribute to scar formation and fat accumulation in a mouse model of irreversible tendon and nerve transection (TTDN). Conversely, PDGFRβ+ lineage cells have also been shown to be myogenic in cultures and in other models of skeletal muscle injury. We therefore hypothesized that PDGFRβ demarcates two distinct RC residing subpopulations, fibro-adipogenic and myogenic, and aimed to elucidate the identity of the PDGFRβ myogenic precursors and evaluate their contribution, if any, to RC myo-regeneration. Lineage tracing revealed increasing contribution of PDGFRβ+ myo-progenitors to the formation of GFP+ myofibers, which were the most abundant myofiber type in regenerated muscle at 2 weeks post-TTDN. Muscle regeneration preceded muscle atrophy and both advanced from the lateral site of tendon transection to the farthest medial region. GFP+/PDGFRβ+Sca-1-lin-CXCR4+Integrin-β1+ marked a novel subset of satellite cells with confirmed myogenic properties. Further studies are warranted to identify the existence of PDGFRβ+ satellite cells in human and other mouse muscles and to define their myo-regenerative potential following acute and chronic muscle injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Dar
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Angela Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Frank A Petrigliano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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2
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O’Neill A, Martinez AL, Mueller AL, Huang W, Accorsi A, Kane MA, Eyerman D, Bloch RJ. Optimization of Xenografting Methods for Generating Human Skeletal Muscle in Mice. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241242624. [PMID: 38600801 PMCID: PMC11010746 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241242624] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Xenografts of human skeletal muscle generated in mice can be used to study muscle pathology and to test drugs designed to treat myopathies and muscular dystrophies for their efficacy and specificity in human tissue. We previously developed methods to generate mature human skeletal muscles in immunocompromised mice starting with human myogenic precursor cells (hMPCs) from healthy individuals and individuals with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Here, we examine a series of alternative treatments at each stage in order to optimize engraftment. We show that (i) X-irradiation at 25Gy is optimal in preventing regeneration of murine muscle while supporting robust engraftment and the formation of human fibers without significant murine contamination; (ii) hMPC lines differ in their capacity to engraft; (iii) some hMPC lines yield grafts that respond better to intermittent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (iNMES) than others; (iv) some lines engraft better in male than in female mice; (v) coinjection of hMPCs with laminin, gelatin, Matrigel, or Growdex does not improve engraftment; (vi) BaCl2 is an acceptable replacement for cardiotoxin, but other snake venom preparations and toxins, including the major component of cardiotoxin, cytotoxin 5, are not; and (vii) generating grafts in both hindlimbs followed by iNMES of each limb yields more robust grafts than housing mice in cages with running wheels. Our results suggest that replacing cardiotoxin with BaCl2 and engrafting both tibialis anterior muscles generates robust grafts of adult human muscle tissue in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea O’Neill
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anna Llach Martinez
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amber L. Mueller
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cell Metabolism, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anthony Accorsi
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Blackbird Laboratories, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Eyerman
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Robert J. Bloch
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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3
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F AR, Quadrilatero J. Emerging role of mitophagy in myoblast differentiation and skeletal muscle remodeling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 143:54-65. [PMID: 34924331 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial turnover in the form of mitophagy is emerging as a central process in maintaining cellular function. The degradation of damaged mitochondria through mitophagy is particularly important in cells/tissues that exhibit high energy demands. Skeletal muscle is one such tissue that requires precise turnover of mitochondria in several conditions in order to optimize energy production and prevent bioenergetic crisis. For instance, the formation of skeletal muscle (i.e., myogenesis) is accompanied by robust turnover of low-functioning mitochondria to eventually allow the formation of high-functioning mitochondria. In mature skeletal muscle, alterations in mitophagy-related signaling occur during exercise, aging, and various disease states. Nonetheless, several questions regarding the direct role of mitophagy in various skeletal muscle conditions remain unknown. Furthermore, given the heterogenous nature of skeletal muscle with respect to various cellular and molecular properties, and the plasticity in these properties in various conditions, the involvement and characterization of mitophagy requires more careful consideration in this tissue. Therefore, this review will highlight the known mechanisms of mitophagy in skeletal muscle, and discuss their involvement during myogenesis and various skeletal muscle conditions. This review also provides important considerations for the accurate measurement of mitophagy and interpretation of data in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Rahman F
- Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Joe Quadrilatero
- Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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4
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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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5
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Montagnese F, de Valle K, Lemmers RJLF, Mul K, Dumonceaux J, Voermans N. 268th ENMC workshop - Genetic diagnosis, clinical classification, outcome measures, and biomarkers in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD): Relevance for clinical trials. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:447-462. [PMID: 37099914 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Montagnese
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Germany
| | - Katy de Valle
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard J L F Lemmers
- Department Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julie Dumonceaux
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicol Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Hekmatnejad B, Rudnicki MA. Transplantation to study satellite cell heterogeneity in skeletal muscle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:902225. [PMID: 36092722 PMCID: PMC9448869 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.902225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle has a remarkable capacity to regenerate throughout life, which is mediated by its resident muscle stem cells, also called satellite cells. Satellite cells, located periphery to the muscle fibers and underneath the basal lamina, are an indispensable cellular source for muscle regeneration. Satellite cell transplantation into regenerating muscle contributes robustly to muscle repair, thereby indicating that satellite cells indeed function as adult muscle stem cells. Moreover, satellite cells are a heterogenous population in adult tissue, with subpopulations that can be distinguished based on gene expression, cell-cycle progression, ability to self-renew, and bi-potential ability. Transplantation assays provide a powerful tool to better understand satellite cell function in vivo enabling the separation of functionally distinct satellite cell subpopulations. In this review, we focus on transplantation strategies to explore satellite cells’ functional heterogeneity, approaches targeting the recipient tissue to improve transplantation efficiency, and common strategies to monitor the behaviour of the transplanted cells. Lastly, we discuss some recent approaches to overcome challenges to enhance the transplantation potential of muscle stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Hekmatnejad
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael A. Rudnicki
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael A. Rudnicki,
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7
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Himeda CL, Jones PL. FSHD Therapeutic Strategies: What Will It Take to Get to Clinic? J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060865. [PMID: 35743650 PMCID: PMC9225474 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is arguably one of the most challenging genetic diseases to understand and treat. The disease is caused by epigenetic 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, pathogenic misexpression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle. The complex nature of the locus and the fact that FSHD is a toxic, gain-of-function disease present unique challenges for the design of therapeutic strategies. There are three major DUX4-targeting avenues of therapy for FSHD: small molecules, oligonucleotide therapeutics, and CRISPR-based approaches. Here, we evaluate the preclinical progress of each avenue, and discuss efforts being made to overcome major hurdles to translation.
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8
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Muriel J, Lukyanenko V, Kwiatkowski T, Bhattacharya S, Garman D, Weisleder N, Bloch RJ. The C2 domains of dysferlin: roles in membrane localization, Ca 2+ signalling and sarcolemmal repair. J Physiol 2022; 600:1953-1968. [PMID: 35156706 PMCID: PMC9285653 DOI: 10.1113/jp282648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysferlin is an integral membrane protein of the transverse tubules of skeletal muscle that is mutated or absent in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi myopathy. Here we examine the role of dysferlin's seven C2 domains, C2A through C2G, in membrane repair and Ca2+ release, as well as in targeting dysferlin to the transverse tubules of skeletal muscle. We report that deletion of either domain C2A or C2B inhibits membrane repair completely, whereas deletion of C2C, C2D, C2E, C2F or C2G causes partial loss of membrane repair that is exacerbated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ . Deletion of C2C, C2D, C2E, C2F or C2G also causes significant changes in Ca2+ release, measured as the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient before or after hypo-osmotic shock and the appearance of Ca2+ waves. Most deletants accumulate in endoplasmic reticulum. Only the C2A domain can be deleted without affecting dysferlin trafficking to transverse tubules, but Dysf-ΔC2A fails to support normal Ca2+ signalling after hypo-osmotic shock. Our data suggest that (i) every C2 domain contributes to repair; (ii) all C2 domains except C2B regulate Ca2+ signalling; (iii) transverse tubule localization is insufficient for normal Ca2+ signalling; and (iv) Ca2+ dependence of repair is mediated by C2C through C2G. Thus, dysferlin's C2 domains have distinct functions in Ca2+ signalling and sarcolemmal membrane repair and may play distinct roles in skeletal muscle. KEY POINTS: Dysferlin, a transmembrane protein containing seven C2 domains, C2A through C2G, concentrates in transverse tubules of skeletal muscle, where it stabilizes voltage-induced Ca2+ transients and participates in sarcolemmal membrane repair. Each of dysferlin's C2 domains except C2B regulate Ca2+ signalling. Localization of dysferlin variants to the transverse tubules is not sufficient to support normal Ca2+ signalling or membrane repair. Each of dysferlin's C2 domains contributes to sarcolemmal membrane repair. The Ca2+ dependence of membrane repair is mediated by C2C through C2G. Dysferlin's C2 domains therefore have distinct functions in Ca2+ signalling and sarcolemmal membrane repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin Muriel
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Valeriy Lukyanenko
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tom Kwiatkowski
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sayak Bhattacharya
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Daniel Garman
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Noah Weisleder
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Robert J Bloch
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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9
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Mocciaro E, Runfola V, Ghezzi P, Pannese M, Gabellini D. DUX4 Role in Normal Physiology and in FSHD Muscular Dystrophy. Cells 2021; 10:3322. [PMID: 34943834 PMCID: PMC8699294 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the sequence-specific transcription factor double homeobox 4 (DUX4) has gone from being an obscure entity to being a key factor in important physiological and pathological processes. We now know that expression of DUX4 is highly regulated and restricted to the early steps of embryonic development, where DUX4 is involved in transcriptional activation of the zygotic genome. While DUX4 is epigenetically silenced in most somatic tissues of healthy humans, its aberrant reactivation is associated with several diseases, including cancer, viral infection and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). DUX4 is also translocated, giving rise to chimeric oncogenic proteins at the basis of sarcoma and leukemia forms. Hence, understanding how DUX4 is regulated and performs its activity could provide relevant information, not only to further our knowledge of human embryonic development regulation, but also to develop therapeutic approaches for the diseases associated with DUX4. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the cellular and molecular processes regulated by DUX4 with a special emphasis on FSHD muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Davide Gabellini
- Gene Expression and Muscular Dystrophy Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milano, Italy; (E.M.); (V.R.); (P.G.); (M.P.)
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10
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Himeda CL, Jones TI, Jones PL. Targeted epigenetic repression by CRISPR/dSaCas9 suppresses pathogenic DUX4-fl expression in FSHD. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 20:298-311. [PMID: 33511244 PMCID: PMC7806950 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by incomplete silencing of the disease locus, leading to pathogenic misexpression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle. Previously, we showed that CRISPR inhibition could successfully target and repress DUX4 in FSHD myocytes. However, an effective therapy will require both efficient delivery of therapeutic components to skeletal muscles and long-term repression of the disease locus. Thus, we re-engineered our platform to allow in vivo delivery of more potent epigenetic repressors. We designed an FSHD-optimized regulatory cassette to drive skeletal muscle-specific expression of dCas9 from Staphylococcus aureus fused to HP1α, HP1γ, the MeCP2 transcriptional repression domain, or the SUV39H1 SET domain. Targeting each regulator to the DUX4 promoter/exon 1 increased chromatin repression at the locus, specifically suppressing DUX4 and its target genes in FSHD myocytes and in a mouse model of the disease. Importantly, minimizing the regulatory cassette and using the smaller Cas9 ortholog allowed our therapeutic cassettes to be effectively packaged into adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for in vivo delivery. By engineering a muscle-specific epigenetic CRISPR platform compatible with AAV vectors for gene therapy, we have laid the groundwork for clinical use of dCas9-based chromatin effectors in skeletal muscle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charis L. Himeda
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, 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
- Corresponding author Peter L. Jones, Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine/MS-0318, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89557, USA.
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11
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DeSimone AM, Cohen J, Lek M, Lek A. Cellular and animal models for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm046904. [PMID: 33174531 PMCID: PMC7648604 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy and presents with weakness of the facial, scapular and humeral muscles, which frequently progresses to the lower limbs and truncal areas, causing profound disability. Myopathy results from epigenetic de-repression of the D4Z4 microsatellite repeat array on chromosome 4, which allows misexpression of the developmentally regulated DUX4 gene. DUX4 is toxic when misexpressed in skeletal muscle and disrupts several cellular pathways, including myogenic differentiation and fusion, which likely underpins pathology. DUX4 and the D4Z4 array are strongly conserved only in primates, making FSHD modeling in non-primate animals difficult. Additionally, its cytotoxicity and unusual mosaic expression pattern further complicate the generation of in vitro and in vivo models of FSHD. However, the pressing need to develop systems to test therapeutic approaches has led to the creation of multiple engineered FSHD models. Owing to the complex genetic, epigenetic and molecular factors underlying FSHD, it is difficult to engineer a system that accurately recapitulates every aspect of the human disease. Nevertheless, the past several years have seen the development of many new disease models, each with their own associated strengths that emphasize different aspects of the disease. Here, we review the wide range of FSHD models, including several in vitro cellular models, and an array of transgenic and xenograft in vivo models, with particular attention to newly developed systems and how they are being used to deepen our understanding of FSHD pathology and to test the efficacy of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec M DeSimone
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Justin Cohen
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Monkol Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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12
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Le Gall L, Sidlauskaite E, Mariot V, Dumonceaux J. Therapeutic Strategies Targeting DUX4 in FSHD. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E2886. [PMID: 32906621 PMCID: PMC7564105 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common muscle dystrophy typically affecting patients within their second decade. Patients initially exhibit asymmetric facial and humeral muscle damage, followed by lower body muscle involvement. FSHD is associated with a derepression of DUX4 gene encoded by the D4Z4 macrosatellite located on the subtelomeric part of chromosome 4. DUX4 is a highly regulated transcription factor and its expression in skeletal muscle contributes to multiple cellular toxicities and pathologies ultimately leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. Since the discovery of the FSHD candidate gene DUX4, many cell and animal models have been designed for therapeutic approaches and clinical trials. Today there is no treatment available for FSHD patients and therapeutic strategies targeting DUX4 toxicity in skeletal muscle are being actively investigated. In this review, we will discuss different research areas that are currently being considered to alter DUX4 expression and toxicity in muscle tissue and the cell and animal models designed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Le Gall
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London WC1N 1EH, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.S.); (V.M.)
| | - Eva Sidlauskaite
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London WC1N 1EH, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.S.); (V.M.)
| | - Virginie Mariot
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London WC1N 1EH, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.S.); (V.M.)
| | - Julie Dumonceaux
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London WC1N 1EH, UK; (L.L.G.); (E.S.); (V.M.)
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified/Personalised Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland BT47 6SB, UK
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13
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van Putten M, Lloyd EM, de Greef JC, Raz V, Willmann R, Grounds MD. Mouse models for muscular dystrophies: an overview. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm043562. [PMID: 32224495 PMCID: PMC7044454 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) encompass a wide variety of inherited disorders that are characterized by loss of muscle tissue associated with a progressive reduction in muscle function. With a cure lacking for MDs, preclinical developments of therapeutic approaches depend on well-characterized animal models that recapitulate the specific pathology in patients. The mouse is the most widely and extensively used model for MDs, and it has played a key role in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying MD pathogenesis. This has enabled the development of therapeutic strategies. Owing to advancements in genetic engineering, a wide variety of mouse models are available for the majority of MDs. Here, we summarize the characteristics of the most commonly used mouse models for a subset of highly studied MDs, collated into a table. Together with references to key publications describing these models, this brief but detailed overview would be useful for those interested in, or working with, mouse models of MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van Putten
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Erin M Lloyd
- The University of Western Australia, School of Human Sciences, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Vered Raz
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Miranda D Grounds
- The University of Western Australia, School of Human Sciences, Perth 6009, Australia
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14
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Roche JA, Begam M, Eaton AK, Elkins CJ, Johnson JP, Rosinski MM, Galen SS. Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding Generates Donor-Cell-Derived Muscle Fibers that Express Desmin and Dystrophin. Mil Med 2020; 185:423-429. [PMID: 32074337 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to quantify the extent of donor-cell-derived myogenesis achieved by a novel surgical technique known as Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding (MIME). MATERIALS AND METHODS Through MIME, we implanted a single extensor digitorum longus muscle from donor mice (N = 2) that expressed a red fluorescent protein (RFP), into the left tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of immunodeficient host mice (N = 4) that expressed a green fluorescent protein (GFP). Soon after MIME, we injected a myotoxin (barium chloride), into the host TA muscle, to trigger concerted muscle degeneration and regeneration. In lieu of MIME, we performed a SHAM procedure on the right TA muscle of the same set of animals. RESULTS In MIME-treated muscles, 22% ± 7% and 78% ± 7% muscle fibers were RFP+ and GFP+, respectively (mean ± standard deviation); and all RFP+ fibers were positive for desmin and dystrophin. Conclusion. We conclude that MIME helps generate muscle fibers of donor origin, in host muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Roche
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave. Rm 4440. Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Morium Begam
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave. Rm 4440. Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Andrea K Eaton
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave. Rm 4440. Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Collin J Elkins
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave. Rm 4440. Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Jaclyn P Johnson
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave. Rm 4440. Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Mattina M Rosinski
- Physical Therapy Program, Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave. Rm 4440. Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Sujay S Galen
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Nursing & Health Professions, Georgia State University, 140 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
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15
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Rovira Gonzalez YI, Moyer AL, LeTexier NJ, Bratti AD, Feng S, Sun C, Liu T, Mula J, Jha P, Iyer SR, Lovering R, O’Rourke B, Noh HL, Suk S, Kim JK, Essien Umanah GK, Wagner KR. Mss51 deletion enhances muscle metabolism and glucose homeostasis in mice. JCI Insight 2019; 4:122247. [PMID: 31527314 PMCID: PMC6824300 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and metabolism and its inhibition in mice improves insulin sensitivity, increases glucose uptake into skeletal muscle, and decreases total body fat. A recently described mammalian protein called MSS51 is significantly downregulated with myostatin inhibition. In vitro disruption of Mss51 results in increased levels of ATP, β-oxidation, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation. To determine the in vivo biological function of Mss51 in mice, we disrupted the Mss51 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 and found that Mss51-KO mice have normal muscle weights and fiber-type distribution but reduced fat pads. Myofibers isolated from Mss51-KO mice showed an increased oxygen consumption rate compared with WT controls, indicating an accelerated rate of skeletal muscle metabolism. The expression of genes related to oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid β-oxidation were enhanced in skeletal muscle of Mss51-KO mice compared with that of WT mice. We found that mice lacking Mss51 and challenged with a high-fat diet were resistant to diet-induced weight gain, had increased whole-body glucose turnover and glycolysis rate, and increased systemic insulin sensitivity and fatty acid β-oxidation. These findings demonstrate that MSS51 modulates skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and regulates whole-body glucose and fatty acid metabolism, making it a potential target for obesity and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazmin I. Rovira Gonzalez
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
| | - Adam L. Moyer
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
| | - Nicolas J. LeTexier
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - August D. Bratti
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Siyuan Feng
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Congshan Sun
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology
- Department of Neuroscience, and
| | - Ting Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jyothi Mula
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Pankhuri Jha
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shama R. Iyer
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Lovering
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian O’Rourke
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hye Lim Noh
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sujin Suk
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason K. Kim
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Kathryn R. Wagner
- The Hugo W. Moser Research Institute, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology
- Department of Neuroscience, and
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16
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Mueller AL, Bloch RJ. Skeletal muscle cell transplantation: models and methods. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2019; 41:297-311. [PMID: 31392564 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-019-09550-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Xenografts of skeletal muscle are used to study muscle repair and regeneration, mechanisms of muscular dystrophies, and potential cell therapies for musculoskeletal disorders. Typically, xenografting involves using an immunodeficient host that is pre-injured to create a niche for human cell engraftment. Cell type and method of delivery to muscle depend on the specific application, but can include myoblasts, satellite cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesangioblasts, immortalized muscle precursor cells, and other multipotent cell lines delivered locally or systemically. Some studies follow cell engraftment with interventions to enhance cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into mature muscle fibers. Recently, several advances in xenografting human-derived muscle cells have been applied to study and treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Here, we review the vast array of techniques available to aid researchers in designing future experiments aimed at creating robust muscle xenografts in rodent hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Mueller
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Robert J Bloch
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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17
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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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18
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Mueller AL, O'Neill A, Jones TI, Llach A, Rojas LA, Sakellariou P, Stadler G, Wright WE, Eyerman D, Jones PL, Bloch RJ. Muscle xenografts reproduce key molecular features of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Exp Neurol 2019; 320:113011. [PMID: 31306642 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of DUX4, a gene unique to humans and primates, causes Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy-1 (FSHD), yet the pathogenic mechanism is unknown. As transgenic overexpression models have largely failed to replicate the genetic changes seen in FSHD, many studies of endogenously expressed DUX4 have been limited to patient biopsies and myogenic cell cultures, which never fully differentiate into mature muscle fibers. We have developed a method to xenograft immortalized human muscle precursor cells from patients with FSHD and first-degree relative controls into the tibialis anterior muscle compartment of immunodeficient mice, generating human muscle xenografts. We report that FSHD cells mature into organized and innervated human muscle fibers with minimal contamination of murine myonuclei. They also reconstitute the satellite cell niche within the xenografts. FSHD xenografts express DUX4 and DUX4 downstream targets, retain the 4q35 epigenetic signature of their original donors, and express a novel protein biomarker of FSHD, SLC34A2. Ours is the first scalable, mature in vivo human model of FSHD. It should be useful for studies of the pathogenic mechanism of the disease as well as for testing therapeutic strategies targeting DUX4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Mueller
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 655 W, Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Andrea O'Neill
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 655 W, Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Takako I Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, United States of America
| | - Anna Llach
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 655 W, Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Luis Alejandro Rojas
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, 26 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Paraskevi Sakellariou
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 655 W, Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; FAME Laboratory Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Karies, Trikala 42100, Greece
| | - Guido Stadler
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX 75390, United States of America
| | - Woodring E Wright
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX 75390, United States of America
| | - David Eyerman
- Fulcrum Therapeutics, 26 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Peter L Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, United States of America
| | - Robert J Bloch
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 655 W, Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America.
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19
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Giesige CR, Wallace LM, Heller KN, Eidahl JO, Saad NY, Fowler AM, Pyne NK, Al-Kharsan M, Rashnonejad A, Chermahini GA, Domire JS, Mukweyi D, Garwick-Coppens SE, Guckes SM, McLaughlin KJ, Meyer K, Rodino-Klapac LR, Harper SQ. AAV-mediated follistatin gene therapy improves functional outcomes in the TIC-DUX4 mouse model of FSHD. JCI Insight 2018; 3:123538. [PMID: 30429376 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.123538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant or digenic disorder linked to derepression of the toxic DUX4 gene in muscle. There is currently no pharmacological treatment. The emergence of DUX4 enabled development of cell and animal models that could be used for basic and translational research. Since DUX4 is toxic, animal model development has been challenging, but progress has been made, revealing that tight regulation of DUX4 expression is critical for creating viable animals that develop myopathy. Here, we report such a model - the tamoxifen-inducible FSHD mouse model called TIC-DUX4. Uninduced animals are viable, born in Mendelian ratios, and overtly indistinguishable from WT animals. Induced animals display significant DUX4-dependent myopathic phenotypes at the molecular, histological, and functional levels. To demonstrate the utility of TIC-DUX4 mice for therapeutic development, we tested a gene therapy approach aimed at improving muscle strength in DUX4-expressing muscles using adeno-associated virus serotype 1.Follistatin (AAV1.Follistatin), a natural myostatin antagonist. This strategy was not designed to modulate DUX4 but could offer a mechanism to improve muscle weakness caused by DUX4-induced damage. AAV1.Follistatin significantly increased TIC-DUX4 muscle mass and strength even in the presence of DUX4 expression, suggesting that myostatin inhibition may be a promising approach to treat FSHD-associated weakness. We conclude that TIC-DUX4 mice are a relevant model to study DUX4 toxicity and, importantly, are useful in therapeutic development studies for FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlee R Giesige
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lindsay M Wallace
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kristin N Heller
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jocelyn O Eidahl
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nizar Y Saad
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Allison M Fowler
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nettie K Pyne
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Mustafa Al-Kharsan
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Afrooz Rashnonejad
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Jacqueline S Domire
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Diana Mukweyi
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sara E Garwick-Coppens
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Susan M Guckes
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - K John McLaughlin
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Louise R Rodino-Klapac
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Scott Q Harper
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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20
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Roche JA, Begam M, Galen SS. Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding (MIME) - A Novel Experimental Technique to Facilitate Donor-Cell-Mediated Myogenesis. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28872121 PMCID: PMC5614364 DOI: 10.3791/55731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle possesses regenerative capacity due to tissue-resident, muscle-fiber-generating (myogenic) satellite cells (SCs), which can form new muscle fibers under the right conditions. Although SCs can be harvested from muscle tissue and cultured in vitro, the resulting myoblast cells are not very effective in promoting myogenesis when transplanted into host muscle. Surgically exposing the host muscle and grafting segments of donor muscle tissue, or the isolated muscle fibers with their SCs onto host muscle, promotes better myogenesis compared to myoblast transplantation. We have developed a novel technique that we call Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding (MIME). MIME involves passing a surgical needle through the host muscle, drawing a piece of donor muscle tissue through the needle track, and then leaving the donor tissue embedded in the host muscle so that it may act as a source of SCs for the host muscle. Here we describe in detail the steps involved in performing MIME in an immunodeficient mouse model that expresses a green fluorescent protein (GFP) in all of its cells. Immunodeficiency in the host mouse reduces the risk of immune rejection of the donor tissue, and GFP expression enables easy identification of the host muscle fibers (GFP+) and donor-cell-derived muscle fibers (GFP-). Our pilot data suggest that MIME can be used to implant an extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle from a donor mouse into the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of a host mouse. Our data also suggest that when a myotoxin (barium chloride, BaCl2) is injected into the host muscle after MIME, there is evidence of donor-cell-derived myogenesis in the host muscle, with approximately 5%, 26%, 26% and 43% of the fibers in a single host TA muscle showing no host contribution, minimal host contribution, moderate host contribution, and maximal host contribution, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Roche
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Physical Therapy Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University;
| | - Morium Begam
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Physical Therapy Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University
| | - Sujay S Galen
- Department of Health Care Sciences, Physical Therapy Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University
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21
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Shadrin IY, Khodabukus A, Bursac N. Striated muscle function, regeneration, and repair. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4175-4202. [PMID: 27271751 PMCID: PMC5056123 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
As the only striated muscle tissues in the body, skeletal and cardiac muscle share numerous structural and functional characteristics, while exhibiting vastly different size and regenerative potential. Healthy skeletal muscle harbors a robust regenerative response that becomes inadequate after large muscle loss or in degenerative pathologies and aging. In contrast, the mammalian heart loses its regenerative capacity shortly after birth, leaving it susceptible to permanent damage by acute injury or chronic disease. In this review, we compare and contrast the physiology and regenerative potential of native skeletal and cardiac muscles, mechanisms underlying striated muscle dysfunction, and bioengineering strategies to treat muscle disorders. We focus on different sources for cellular therapy, biomaterials to augment the endogenous regenerative response, and progress in engineering and application of mature striated muscle tissues in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we discuss the challenges and perspectives in translating muscle bioengineering strategies to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Y Shadrin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 3000 Science Drive, Hudson Hall 136, Durham, NC, 27708-90281, USA
| | - A Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 3000 Science Drive, Hudson Hall 136, Durham, NC, 27708-90281, USA
| | - N Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 3000 Science Drive, Hudson Hall 136, Durham, NC, 27708-90281, USA.
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22
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Geist J, Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos A. MYBPC1, an Emerging Myopathic Gene: What We Know and What We Need to Learn. Front Physiol 2016; 7:410. [PMID: 27683561 PMCID: PMC5021714 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myosin Binding Protein-C (MyBP-C) comprises a family of accessory proteins that includes the cardiac, slow skeletal, and fast skeletal isoforms. The three isoforms share structural and sequence homology, and localize at the C-zone of the sarcomeric A-band where they interact with thick and thin filaments to regulate the cycling of actomyosin crossbridges. The cardiac isoform, encoded by MYBPC3, has been extensively studied over the last several decades due to its high mutational rate in congenital hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy. It is only recently, however, that the MYBPC1 gene encoding the slow skeletal isoform (sMyBP-C) has gained attention. Accordingly, during the last 5 years it has been shown that MYBPC1 undergoes extensive exon shuffling resulting in the generation of multiple slow variants, which are co-expressed in different combinations and amounts in both slow and fast skeletal muscles. The sMyBP-C variants are subjected to PKA- and PKC-mediated phosphorylation in constitutive and alternatively spliced sites. More importantly, missense, and nonsense mutations in MYBPC1 have been directly linked with the development of severe and lethal forms of distal arthrogryposis myopathy and muscle tremors. Currently, there is no mammalian animal model of sMyBP-C, but new technologies including CRISPR/Cas9 and xenografting of human biopsies into immunodeficient mice could provide unique ways to study the regulation and roles of sMyBP-C in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle Geist
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA
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