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Shim Y, Seo J, Lee ST, Choi JR, Choi YC, Shin S, Park HJ. Clinical Application of Optical Genome Mapping for Molecular Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Ann Lab Med 2024; 44:437-445. [PMID: 38724225 PMCID: PMC11169776 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2023.0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common form of muscular dystrophy that mainly affects skeletal muscle. FSHD1 accounts for 95% of all FSHD cases and can be diagnosed based on the pathogenic contraction of the D4Z4-repeat array on chromosome 4q35. Genetic diagnosis of FSHD1 is challenging because of the large size and repetitive nature of the D4Z4 region. We evaluated the clinical applicability of optical genome mapping (OGM) for the genetic diagnosis of FSHD1. Methods We included 25 individuals with clinically confirmed or suspected/probable FSHD and their families. Ultra-high-molecular-weight DNA from peripheral blood was labeled, stained, and imaged using a single-molecule OGM platform (Bionano Genomics Saphyr system). D4Z4 repeat size and haplotype information were analyzed using the manufacturer's dedicated pipeline. We also compared the workflow and test time between Southern blot analysis and OGM. Results We obtained concordant OGM and Southern blot results with 10 samples from patients with clinically confirmed FSHD. The D4Z4 repeat size differed within 1 unit between the Southern blot analysis and OGM. Among nine patients with clinically suspected or probable FSHD, six patients were confirmed to have pathogenic contractions by OGM. In our cohort, one de novo mosaic FSHD1 patient was successfully diagnosed with OGM. Moreover, OGM has a more straightforward and less time-consuming workflow than Southern blot analysis. Conclusions OGM enables accurate and reliable detection of pathogenic contraction of the D4Z4-repeat array and is a valuable tool for the genetic diagnosis of FSHD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeeun Shim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- MDxK (Molecular Diagnostics Korea), Inc., Gwacheon, Korea
| | - Jieun Seo
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Seung-Tae Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Dxome Co. Ltd., Seongnam, Korea
| | - Jong Rak Choi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Dxome Co. Ltd., Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young-Chul Choi
- Department of Neurology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Saeam Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung Jun Park
- Department of Neurology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Zhang Y, Zou Y, Tan W, Lv C. Value of radiomics-based automatic grading of muscle edema in polymyositis/dermatomyositis based on MRI fat-suppressed T2-weighted images. Acta Radiol 2024; 65:632-640. [PMID: 38591947 DOI: 10.1177/02841851241244507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The precise and objective assessment of thigh muscle edema is pivotal in diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM). PURPOSE Radiomic features are extracted from fat-suppressed (FS) T2-weighted (T2W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of thigh muscles to enable automatic grading of muscle edema in cases of polymyositis and dermatomyositis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 241 MR images were analyzed and classified into five levels using the Stramare criteria. The correlation between muscle edema grading and T2-mapping values was assessed using Spearman's correlation. The dataset was divided into a 7:3 ratio of training (168 samples) and testing (73 samples). Thigh muscle boundaries in FS T2W images were manually delineated with 3D-Slicer. Radiomics features were extracted using Python 3.7, applying Z-score normalization, Pearson correlation analysis, and recursive feature elimination for reduction. A Naive Bayes classifier was trained, and diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and comparing sensitivity and specificity with senior doctors. RESULTS A total of 1198 radiomics parameters were extracted and reduced to 18 features for Naive Bayes modeling. In the testing set, the model achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.97, sensitivity of 0.85, specificity of 0.98, and accuracy of 0.91. The Naive Bayes classifier demonstrated grading performance comparable to senior doctors. A significant correlation (r = 0.82, P <0.05) was observed between Stramare edema grading and T2-mapping values. CONCLUSION The Naive Bayes model, utilizing radiomics features extracted from thigh FS T2W images, accurately assesses the severity of muscle edema in cases of PM/DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuefen Zou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Wenfeng Tan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chengyin Lv
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
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Elafros MA, Seth A. Recognizing Myopathy in Patients with Muscle Weakness or Pain. Prim Care 2024; 51:311-326. [PMID: 38692777 DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Muscle weakness and pain can be seen in orthopedic, rheumatologic, cardiac, and musculoskeletal conditions in addition to neurologic disorders. Myopathy, which describes a heterogenous group of hereditary and acquired disorders that affect muscle channels, structure, and metabolism, is one possible cause. This review focuses on essential information to support primary care providers as they assess patients with muscle weakness and pain for myopathy. As with most neurologic disorders, a thorough clinical history and physical examination are essential first steps. These findings will then guide diagnostic testing and facilitate appropriate management or referral for further neuromuscular care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Elafros
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 5015 AAT-BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Arjun Seth
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall, 11th floor, Office #1112, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Schätzl T, Todorow V, Kaiser L, Weinschrott H, Schoser B, Deigner HP, Meinke P, Kohl M. Meta-analysis towards FSHD reveals misregulation of neuromuscular junction, nuclear envelope, and spliceosome. Commun Biol 2024; 7:640. [PMID: 38796645 PMCID: PMC11127974 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06325-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common autosomal dominant muscle disorders, yet no cure or amelioration exists. The clinical presentation is diverse, making it difficult to identify the actual driving pathomechanism among many downstream events. To unravel this complexity, we performed a meta-analysis of 13 original omics datasets (in total 171 FSHD and 129 control samples). Our approach confirmed previous findings about the disease pathology and specified them further. We confirmed increased expression of former proposed DUX4 biomarkers, and furthermore impairment of the respiratory chain. Notably, the meta-analysis provides insights about so far not reported pathways, including misregulation of neuromuscular junction protein encoding genes, downregulation of the spliceosome, and extensive alterations of nuclear envelope protein expression. Finally, we developed a publicly available shiny app to provide a platform for researchers who want to search our analysis for genes of interest in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Schätzl
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Todorow
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Kaiser
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Helga Weinschrott
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Deigner
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
- Faculty of Science, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- EXIM Department, Fraunhofer Institute IZI (Leipzig), Rostock, Germany
| | - Peter Meinke
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Kohl
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany.
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Lee CL, Chuang CK, Chiu HC, Chang YH, Tu YR, Lo YT, Lin HY, Lin SP. Application of whole exome sequencing in the diagnosis of muscular disorders: a study of Taiwanese pediatric patients. Front Genet 2024; 15:1365729. [PMID: 38818036 PMCID: PMC11137626 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1365729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies encompass various inherited muscular disorders that present diagnostic challenges due to clinical complexity and genetic heterogeneity. Methods This study aimed to investigate the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) in diagnosing muscular disorders in pediatric patients in Taiwan. Out of 161 pediatric patients suspected to have genetic/inherited myopathies, 115 received a molecular diagnosis through conventional tests, single gene testing, and gene panels. The remaining 46 patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification-negative Duchenne muscular dystrophy) with three patients (6.5%), Group 2 (various forms of muscular dystrophies) with 21 patients (45.7%), and Group 3 (congenital myopathies) with 22 patients (47.8%). Results WES analysis of these groups found pathogenic variants in 100.0% (3/3), 57.1% (12/21), and 68.2% (15/22) of patients in Groups 1 to 3, respectively. WES had a diagnostic yield of 65.2% (30 patients out of 46), detecting 30 pathogenic or potentially pathogenic variants across 28 genes. Conclusion WES enables the diagnosis of rare diseases with symptoms and characteristics similar to congenital myopathies and muscular dystrophies, such as muscle weakness. Consequently, this approach facilitates targeted therapy implementation and appropriate genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Lin Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Rare Disease Center, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan
- Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Chuang
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Ching Chiu
- Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Rare Disease Center, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Rong Tu
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ting Lo
- Department of Rare Disease Center, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Yu Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Rare Disease Center, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan
- Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shuan-Pei Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Rare Disease Center, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Infant and Child Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
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Fujino H, Takahashi MP, Nakamura H, Heatwole CR, Takada H, Kuru S, Ogata K, Enomoto K, Hayashi Y, Imura O, Matsumura T. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy Health Index: Japanese translation and validation study. Disabil Rehabil 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38555736 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2322035] [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: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Health Index (FSHD-HI) is a patient-reported outcome measure developed for patients with FSHD. This study aimed to translate the FSHD-HI into Japanese (FSHD-HI-J), evaluate cultural adaptation, and examine its psychometric properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS We created two forward translations, integrated them into a single Japanese version, and evaluated the back-translated version of the FSHD-HI. After finalizing the translation and cultural adaptation, we conducted a survey of 66 patients with FSHD to examine the reliability and validity of the FSHD-HI-J. For psychometric evaluations, we used Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability, and assessed validity based on the associations between FSHD-HI-J, clinical variables, and quality of life measures. RESULTS The FSHD-HI-J was found to be clinically relevant, indicating high internal consistency and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.92 [95% confidence interval: 0.86-0.95] for the total score), as well as significant associations with clinical variables (D4Z4 repeats and functional impairment) and other quality of life measures (|rho| = 0.25-0.73). CONCLUSIONS The FSHD-HI-J is a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure for Japanese patients with FSHD. This validated, disease-specific patient-reported outcome is essential for future clinical practice and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Fujino
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masanori P Takahashi
- Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Harumasa Nakamura
- Department of Clinical Research Support, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chad R Heatwole
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Health and Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Hiroto Takada
- Department of Neurology, NHO Aomori National Hospital, Aomori, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuru
- Department of Neurology, NHO Suzuka National Hospital, Suzuka, Mie, Japan
| | - Katsuhisa Ogata
- Department of Neurology, NHO Higashisaitama National Hospital, Hasuda, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kiyoka Enomoto
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Pain Management Clinic, Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Yuto Hayashi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Osamu Imura
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Nara University, Nara, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Matsumura
- Department of Neurology, NHO Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
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Cole MR, Cooper CS, Hanna EM, Zimmerman MB, Kinoshita J, Mathews KD. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary symptoms in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Prevalence and impact. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:325-333. [PMID: 38158588 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28028] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Anecdotally, patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) describe gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) symptoms. We explored the prevalence of GI and GU symptoms and their impact on quality of life (QOL) in people with FSHD compared to healthy household controls. METHODS In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we emailed a survey exploring GI and GU symptoms to all FSHD Society patient contacts (n = 3507). We invited those with FSHD and unaffected household controls to respond. Non-parametric statistics were used to compare symptom frequency and impact of symptoms between respondents with FSHD and household controls. Within the FSHD group, symptom frequency was assessed relative to measures of disease progression (need for ambulatory or respiratory support). RESULTS Surveys from 701 respondents (652 with FSHD) ≥18 years old were included in analysis. Those with FSHD had symptoms affecting both GI and GU systems more frequently than controls using ordinal rating of symptom frequency. Within the FSHD group, more advanced disease was associated with increased symptom frequency. QOL was negatively impacted by the GI and GU symptoms. There was no difference between groups in use of medications to treat these symptoms. DISCUSSION Recognition and treatment of GI and GU symptoms in people with FSHD, particularly those with more advanced disease, could improve QOL. Additional investigation is required to confirm these findings and understand the physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Cole
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Christopher S Cooper
- Department of Urology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Eyad M Hanna
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - M Bridget Zimmerman
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Katherine D Mathews
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Murray R, Donnelly CM, Drescher KD, Graham CD. The lived experience of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative literature. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:7-17. [PMID: 37691606 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this review we sought to characterize the lived experience of people living with FSHD (pwFSHD) to help clinicians to orient their services to the needs of these individuals. METHODS Five electronic databases were systematically searched for qualitative research studies containing quotations from pwFSHD. ENhancing Transparency in REporting the Synthesis of Qualitative research and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines informed the methodology. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklist tool, which measures the methodological quality of qualitative research. Data extracted from included studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis. RESULTS Ninety-nine pwFSHD took part in the six studies included in this review - from research teams based in two countries. Five descriptive themes emerged: "Engaging with life as symptoms progress"; "The emotional journey"; "A family burden to bear"; "Social connection and disconnection"; and "Tension between visibility and invisibility." From these, two analytical themes were derived: "The emotional challenge of continuing and intensifying adaptation" and "The relational burden of rare disease." DISCUSSION The lived experience of pwFSHD is characterized by physical, emotional, and social challenges that impact on engagement with life, particularly as symptoms progress. Further research is needed to provide a fuller understanding of the experience of pain in FSHD and of the lived experience of FSHD across cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roisin Murray
- Psychology Service for Older People, Western Health and Social Care Trust, Londonderry, UK
| | - Clare M Donnelly
- Psychological Therapies Service, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim, UK
| | - Kent D Drescher
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Christopher D Graham
- Psychology Service for Older People, Western Health and Social Care Trust, Londonderry, UK
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Kools J, Deenen JC, Blokhuis AM, Verbeek AL, Voermans NC, van Engelen BG. The Dutch registry for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Cohort profile and longitudinal patient reported outcomes. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:964-971. [PMID: 38016873 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is the second most prevalent inherited muscular disorder and currently lacks a pharmaceutical treatment. The Dutch FSHD Registry was initiated in 2015 as a result of an international collaboration on trial readiness. This paper presents the cohort profile and six years of follow-up data of the registered FSHD patients. At the time of self-registration and every six months thereafter, participants were invited to complete a digital survey of patient and disease characteristics and the Dutch versions of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS20R), the Individualised Neuromuscular Quality of Life Questionnaire (INQoL), the Beck Depression Index - Primary Care and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. From March 2015 to March 2021, 373 participants completed at least one survey. At baseline, fatigue and muscle weakness were the most frequently reported symptoms (median CIS20R sumscore 77 [IQR 60-92], median INQoL Fatigue score 58 [IQR 42-68] and median INQoL weakness score 58 [IQR 42-68]). Pain was experienced most often in the head and shoulder region (193, 52%). Nineteen of the 23 (sub)sections of questionnaires showed no significant changes over time. We conclude that the Dutch FSHD Registry was successfully set up, enabling collection of longitudinal data and facilitating recruitment in several studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Kools
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Cw Deenen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Blokhuis
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - André Lm Verbeek
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Baziel Gm van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Kovanda A, Lovrečić L, Rudolf G, Babic Bozovic I, Jaklič H, Leonardis L, Peterlin B. Evaluation of Optical Genome Mapping in Clinical Genetic Testing of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2166. [PMID: 38136988 PMCID: PMC10743191 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122166] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most common hereditary muscular dystrophy, caused by the contraction of the D4Z4 repeats on the permissive 4qA haplotype on chromosome 4, resulting in the faulty expression of the DUX4 gene. Traditional diagnostics are based on Southern blotting, a time- and effort-intensive method that can be affected by single nucleotide variants (SNV) and copy number variants (CNV), as well as by the similarity of the D4Z4 repeats located on chromosome 10. We aimed to evaluate optical genome mapping (OGM) as an alternative molecular diagnostic method for the detection of FSHD. We first performed optical genome mapping with EnFocus™ FSHD analysis using DLE-1 labeling and the Saphyr instrument in patients with inconclusive diagnostic Southern blot results, negative FSHD2 results, and clinically evident FSHD. Second, we performed OGM in parallel with the classical Southern blot analysis for our prospectively collected new FSHD cases. Finally, panel exome sequencing was performed to confirm the presence of FSHD2. In two patients with diagnostically inconclusive Southern blot results, OGM was able to identify shortened D4Z4 repeats on the permissive 4qA alleles, consistent with the clinical presentation. The results of the prospectively collected patients tested in parallel using Southern blotting and OGM showed full concordance, indicating that OGM is a useful alternative to the classical Southern blotting method for detecting FSHD1. In a patient showing clinical FSHD but no shortened D4Z4 repeats in the 4qA allele using OGM or Southern blotting, a likely pathogenic variant in SMCHD1 was detected using exome sequencing, confirming FSHD2. OGM and panel exome sequencing can be used consecutively to detect FSHD2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Kovanda
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Luca Lovrečić
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gorazd Rudolf
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivana Babic Bozovic
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.K.)
| | - Helena Jaklič
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.K.)
| | - Lea Leonardis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University Medical Center, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Efthymiou S, Lemmers RJLF, Vishnu VY, Dominik N, Perrone B, Facchini S, Vegezzi E, Ravaglia S, Wilson L, van der Vliet PJ, Mishra R, Reyaz A, Ahmad T, Bhatia R, Polke JM, Srivastava MP, Cortese A, Houlden H, van der Maarel SM, Hanna MG, Bugiardini E. Optical Genome Mapping for the Molecular Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: Advancement and Challenges. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1567. [PMID: 38002249 PMCID: PMC10669274 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111567] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the second most common muscular dystrophy in adults, and it is associated with local D4Z4 chromatin relaxation, mostly via the contraction of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array on chromosome 4q35. In this study, we aimed to investigate the use of Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) as a diagnostic tool for testing FSHD cases from the UK and India and to compare OGM performance with that of traditional techniques such as linear gel (LGE) and Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) Southern blotting (SB). A total of 6 confirmed and 19 suspected FSHD samples were processed with LGE and PFGE, respectively. The same samples were run using a Saphyr Genome-Imaging Instrument (1-color), and the data were analysed using custom EnFocus FSHD analysis. OGM was able to confirm the diagnosis of FSHD1 in all FSHD1 cases positive for SB (n = 17), and D4Z4 sizing highly correlated with PFGE-SB (p < 0.001). OGM correctly identified cases with mosaicism for the repeat array contraction (n = 2) and with a duplication of the D4Z4 repeat array. OGM is a promising new technology able to unravel structural variants in the genome and seems to be a valid tool for diagnosing FSHD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Richard J. L. F. Lemmers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands (S.M.v.d.M.)
| | - Venugopalan Y. Vishnu
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (V.Y.V.); (R.M.); (A.R.); (R.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Natalia Dominik
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Benedetta Perrone
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Stefano Facchini
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Elisa Vegezzi
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.V.); (S.R.)
| | | | - Lindsay Wilson
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Patrick J. van der Vliet
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands (S.M.v.d.M.)
| | - Rinkle Mishra
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (V.Y.V.); (R.M.); (A.R.); (R.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Alisha Reyaz
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (V.Y.V.); (R.M.); (A.R.); (R.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Tanveer Ahmad
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (V.Y.V.); (R.M.); (A.R.); (R.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Rohit Bhatia
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (V.Y.V.); (R.M.); (A.R.); (R.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - James M. Polke
- Neurogenetics Laboratory, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
| | - Mv Padma Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (V.Y.V.); (R.M.); (A.R.); (R.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Andrea Cortese
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.V.); (S.R.)
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Silvère M. van der Maarel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands (S.M.v.d.M.)
| | - Michael G. Hanna
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
| | - Enrico Bugiardini
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (S.E.); (N.D.); (B.P.); (L.W.); (H.H.)
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12
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Kakimoto T, Ogasawara A, Ishikawa K, Kurita T, Yoshida K, Harada S, Nonaka T, Inoue Y, Uchida K, Tateoka T, Ohta T, Kumagai S, Sasaki T, Aihara H. A Systemically Administered Unconjugated Antisense Oligonucleotide Targeting DUX4 Improves Muscular Injury and Motor Function in FSHD Model Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2339. [PMID: 37760780 PMCID: PMC10525656 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092339] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common muscular dystrophies, is caused by an abnormal expression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscles, resulting in muscle weakness. In this study, we investigated MT-DUX4-ASO, a novel gapmer antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). MT-DUX4-ASO decreased the expression of DUX4 and its target genes in FSHD patient-derived myoblasts. For the first time, we demonstrated that a systemically administered ASO, even without a ligand for drug delivery, could significantly improve muscle injury and motor function in the ACTA1-MCM/FLExDUX4 (DUX4-TG) mouse model of FSHD. Tamoxifen (TMX) injection transiently induces skeletal-muscle-specific DUX4 expression in DUX4-TG mice, while the skeletal muscles of TMX-untreated DUX4-TG mice have leaky DUX4 expression in a small subset of myofibers similar to those of FSHD patients. Subcutaneous 10 mg/kg of MT-DUX4-ASO at two-week intervals significantly suppressed muscular DUX4 target gene expression, histological muscle injury, and blood muscle injury marker elevation in TMX-untreated DUX4-TG mice. Notably, MT-DUX4-ASO at 10 mg/kg every other week significantly prevented the TMX-induced declines in treadmill test running speed and muscle force in DUX4-TG mice. Thus, the systemically administered unconjugated MT-DUX4-ASO suppressed disease progression in DUX4-TG mice, extending the potential of unconjugated ASOs as a promising FSHD treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuhiro Kakimoto
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
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13
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Aguirre AS, Astudillo Moncayo OM, Mosquera J, Muyolema Arce VE, Gallegos C, Ortiz JF, Andrade AF, Oña S, Buj MJ. Treatment of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD): A Systematic Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e39903. [PMID: 37404420 PMCID: PMC10316996 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39903] [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] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most common type of muscular dystrophy. This disease presents as a slowly progressive asymmetric muscle weakness that involves the facial, scapular, and upper arm muscles mainly. Currently, there is no established consensus on this disease treatment in terms of medications. We assessed the response to the treatment of the drugs utilized in clinical trials by performing a systematic literature review in English using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) and meta-analyses. We only used human clinical trials in patients diagnosed with FSHD that received consistent pharmacological treatment. We included 11 clinical trials that fulfilled our criteria. We concluded that albuterol had statistically significant results in three out of four clinical trials, with improved elbow flexors muscle strength. Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc gluconate, and selenomethionine showed significant improvement in the maximal voluntary contraction and endurance limit time of quadriceps muscle. At the same time, diltiazem and MYO-029 demonstrate no improvement in function, strength, or muscle mass. Losmapimod, currently in phase I of the ReDUX4 trial, showed promising results. Peradventure, more clinical trials are still needed to address this subject. Nevertheless, this review provides a clear and concise update on the treatment for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Aguirre
- School of Medicine, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, ECU
| | | | | | | | - Camila Gallegos
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, ECU
| | - Juan Fernando Ortiz
- Neurology, Spectrum Health Medical Group/Michigan State University, Quito, ECU
| | | | - Sebastian Oña
- School of Medicine, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, ECU
| | - Maja J Buj
- Psychiatry, Medical Chamber, Belgrade, USA
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14
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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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15
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [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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16
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Emmert D, Szczypien N, Bender TTA, Grigull L, Gass A, Link C, Klawonn F, Conrad R, Mücke M, Sellin J. A diagnostic support system based on pain drawings: binary and k-disease classification of EDS, GBS, FSHD, PROMM, and a control group with Pain2D. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:70. [PMID: 36978184 PMCID: PMC10053427 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02663-z] [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: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The diagnosis of rare diseases (RDs) is often challenging due to their rarity, variability and the high number of individual RDs, resulting in a delay in diagnosis with adverse effects for patients and healthcare systems. The development of computer assisted diagnostic decision support systems could help to improve these problems by supporting differential diagnosis and by prompting physicians to initiate the right diagnostic tests. Towards this end, we developed, trained and tested a machine learning model implemented as part of the software called Pain2D to classify four rare diseases (EDS, GBS, FSHD and PROMM), as well as a control group of unspecific chronic pain, from pen-and-paper pain drawings filled in by patients. METHODS Pain drawings (PDs) were collected from patients suffering from one of the four RDs, or from unspecific chronic pain. The latter PDs were used as an outgroup in order to test how Pain2D handles more common pain causes. A total of 262 (59 EDS, 29 GBS, 35 FSHD, 89 PROMM, 50 unspecific chronic pain) PDs were collected and used to generate disease specific pain profiles. PDs were then classified by Pain2D in a leave-one-out-cross-validation approach. RESULTS Pain2D was able to classify the four rare diseases with an accuracy of 61-77% with its binary classifier. EDS, GBS and FSHD were classified correctly by the Pain2D k-disease classifier with sensitivities between 63 and 86% and specificities between 81 and 89%. For PROMM, the k-disease classifier achieved a sensitivity of 51% and specificity of 90%. CONCLUSIONS Pain2D is a scalable, open-source tool that could potentially be trained for all diseases presenting with pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Emmert
- Center for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - N Szczypien
- Institute for Information Engineering, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Wolfenbüttel, Germany
- Biostatistics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tim T A Bender
- Center for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - L Grigull
- Center for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - A Gass
- Clinic for Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Pain Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - C Link
- Clinic for Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Pain Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - F Klawonn
- Institute for Information Engineering, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Wolfenbüttel, Germany
- Biostatistics Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - R Conrad
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
| | - M Mücke
- Institute for Digitalization and General Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
- Center for Rare Diseases Aachen (ZSEA), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
| | - J Sellin
- Institute for Digitalization and General Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
- Center for Rare Diseases Aachen (ZSEA), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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17
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Maceroni M, Monforte M, Cariola R, Falsini B, Rizzo S, Savastano MC, Martelli F, Ricci E, Bortolani S, Tasca G, Minnella AM. Artificial Intelligence for Evaluation of Retinal Vasculopathy in Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy Using OCT Angiography: A Case Series. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13050982. [PMID: 36900126 PMCID: PMC10001401 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13050982] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a slowly progressive muscular dystrophy with a wide range of manifestations including retinal vasculopathy. This study aimed to analyse retinal vascular involvement in FSHD patients using fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) scans, evaluated through artificial intelligence (AI). Thirty-three patients with a diagnosis of FSHD (mean age 50.4 ± 17.4 years) were retrospectively evaluated and neurological and ophthalmological data were collected. Increased tortuosity of the retinal arteries was qualitatively observed in 77% of the included eyes. The tortuosity index (TI), vessel density (VD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were calculated by processing OCT-A images through AI. The TI of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) was increased (p < 0.001), while the TI of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) was decreased in FSHD patients in comparison to controls (p = 0.05). VD scores for both the SCP and the DCP results increased in FSHD patients (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively). With increasing age, VD and the total number of vascular branches showed a decrease (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively) in the SCP. A moderate correlation between VD and EcoRI fragment length was identified as well (r = 0.35, p = 0.048). For the DCP, a decreased FAZ area was found in FSHD patients in comparison to controls (t (53) = -6.89, p = 0.01). A better understanding of retinal vasculopathy through OCT-A can support some hypotheses on the disease pathogenesis and provide quantitative parameters potentially useful as disease biomarkers. In addition, our study validated the application of a complex toolchain of AI using both ImageJ and Matlab to OCT-A angiograms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Maceroni
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- UOC di Oculistica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Monforte
- UOC di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Cariola
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Benedetto Falsini
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- UOC di Oculistica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Savastano
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- UOC di Oculistica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Martelli
- Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Ricci
- Institute of Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bortolani
- UOC di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- UOC di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Angelo Maria Minnella
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- UOC di Oculistica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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18
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Tihaya MS, Mul K, Balog J, de Greef JC, Tapscott SJ, Tawil R, Statland JM, van der Maarel SM. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: the road to targeted therapies. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:91-108. [PMID: 36627512 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00762-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the molecular understanding of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) have revealed that FSHD results from epigenetic de-repression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle, which encodes a transcription factor that is active in early embryonic development but is normally silenced in almost all somatic tissues. These advances also led to the identification of targets for disease-altering therapies for FSHD, as well as an improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of the disease and factors that influence its progression. Together, these developments led the FSHD research community to shift its focus towards the development of disease-modifying treatments for FSHD. This Review presents advances in the molecular and clinical understanding of FSHD, discusses the potential targeted therapies that are currently being explored, some of which are already in clinical trials, and describes progress in the development of FSHD-specific outcome measures and assessment tools for use in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara S Tihaya
- Department of 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
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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19
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Pini S, Napoli FM, Tagliafico E, La Marca A, Bertucci E, Salsi V, Tupler R. De novo variants and recombination at 4q35: Hints for preimplantation genetic testing in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Clin Genet 2023; 103:242-246. [PMID: 36250762 PMCID: PMC10092082 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) has been associated with the deletion of an integral number of 3.3 kb units of the polymorphic D4Z4 repeat array at 4q35. The prenatal identification of this defect can be carried out on chorionic villi or amniocytes, whereas preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) requires molecular markers linked to the D4Z4 allele of reduced size. In this context the reliability of this association is crucial. To test the informativeness of the nearby polymorphic markers we investigated recombination at 4q35 using the polymorphic markers D4S1523, D4S163 and D4S139 positioned at 0.55, 0.5 and 0.21 Mb proximal to the D4Z4 array respectively. We determined the probability of recombination events to occur in the D4Z4-D4S1523 interval considering 86 subjects belonging to 12 FSHD families and found a recombination frequency of 14% between D4Z4 and D4S1523. Our study also revealed the occurrence of de novo variants and germline mosaicism. These findings highlight the recombinogenic nature of the 4q subtelomere and indicate that caution should be taken when interpreting PGT-M results. It is advisable that a woman who underwent a PGT-M cycle undertakes a prenatal DNA analysis to confirm the size of the D4Z4 alleles carried by the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Floriana Maria Napoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Enrico Tagliafico
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio La Marca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Emma Bertucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Salsi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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20
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Middelink M, Voermans NC, van Engelen BG, Janssen MC, Groothuis JT, Knuijt S, Zweers-van Essen H. Indications for Tube Feeding in Adults with Muscular Disorders: A Scoping Review. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:777-785. [PMID: 37483025 PMCID: PMC10578233 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating an adequate diet and maintaining a healthy body weight can be challenging for patients with muscular disorders (MD). Starting tube feeding can have a positive impact on nutritional status, functioning and quality of life. Guidelines on when to start tube feeding in adults with MD are lacking. OBJECTIVE We aim to review the scientific literature on indications to start tube feeding in adults with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), inclusion body myositis (IBM), muscular dystrophy type 1 (DM1), oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) and congenital myopathies. METHODS This scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Relevant studies were identified in Pubmed, Embase and Cinahl (April 2022). The medical subject headings (MeSH) and text words used were related to FSHD, IBM, DM1, OPMD or congenital myopathies and dysphagia, enteral nutrition or malnutrition. RESULTS Of 1046 unique articles, 9 case reports and 2 retrospective case series were included. Indications to start tube feeding were dysphagia, malnutrition/weight loss and respiratory infections (due to aspiration). Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes were used most often and complications were respiratory failure, problems with the tube itself, accidental tube removal, cutaneous symptoms, digestive symptoms, and peritonitis. CONCLUSION Data on tube feeding in MD is scarce. Indications to start tube feeding were similar across the various MD. We call for more research in this field and suggest to include screening for dysphagia, aspiration and malnutrition in for the treatment of various MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Middelink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology – Dietetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C. Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, 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
| | - Mirian C.H. Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan T. Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Centre for Brain Cognition and behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Knuijt
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Centre for Brain Cognition and behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi Zweers-van Essen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology – Dietetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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21
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Monforte M, Attarian S, Vissing J, Diaz-Manera J, Tasca G. 265th ENMC International Workshop: Muscle imaging in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD): relevance for clinical trials. 22-24 April 2022, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:65-75. [PMID: 36369218 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.10.005] [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] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Monforte
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shahram Attarian
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and ALS, CHU La Timone Aix-Marseille Hospital University Marseille, France
| | - John Vissing
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jordi Diaz-Manera
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome 00168, Italy.
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22
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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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23
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Mul K. Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2022; 28:1735-1751. [PMID: 36537978 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the current knowledge on the clinical characteristics and disease mechanism of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), as well as advances in targeted therapy development. RECENT FINDINGS FSHD has a wide range of severity, yet a distinct phenotype characterized by weakness of the facial, shoulder, and upper arm muscles, followed by weakness of the trunk and leg muscles. It can be caused by two genetic mechanisms that share a common downstream pathway, namely, the epigenetic derepression and subsequent misexpression of the myotoxic DUX4 transcription factor. Treatment is currently supportive and outlined in evidence-based guidelines. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of FSHD are paving the way for targeted therapy development. Approaches for targeted therapies to reduce DUX4 expression that are currently being explored include small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, vector-based RNA interference, and gene therapy. In anticipation of more clinical trials, "clinical trial preparedness," including the development of sensitive biomarkers and clinical outcome measures, are needed. SUMMARY The cornerstones of the diagnosis of FSHD are clinical observation and genetic testing. Management is currently supportive, but progress in the understanding of the disease mechanism has shifted the field of FSHD toward targeted therapy development.
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24
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Groh WJ, Bhakta D, Tomaselli GF, Aleong RG, Teixeira RA, Amato A, Asirvatham SJ, Cha YM, Corrado D, Duboc D, Goldberger ZD, Horie M, Hornyak JE, Jefferies JL, Kääb S, Kalman JM, Kertesz NJ, Lakdawala NK, Lambiase PD, Lubitz SA, McMillan HJ, McNally EM, Milone M, Namboodiri N, Nazarian S, Patton KK, Russo V, Sacher F, Santangeli P, Shen WK, Sobral Filho DC, Stambler BS, Stöllberger C, Wahbi K, Wehrens XHT, Weiner MM, Wheeler MT, Zeppenfeld K. 2022 HRS expert consensus statement on evaluation and management of arrhythmic risk in neuromuscular disorders. Heart Rhythm 2022; 19:e61-e120. [PMID: 35500790 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide electrophysiologists, cardiologists, other clinicians, and health care professionals in caring for patients with arrhythmic complications of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The document presents an overview of arrhythmias in NMDs followed by detailed sections on specific disorders: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2; myotonic dystrophy type 1 and type 2; Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B; facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy; and mitochondrial myopathies, including Friedreich ataxia and Kearns-Sayre syndrome, with an emphasis on managing arrhythmic cardiac manifestations. End-of-life management of arrhythmias in patients with NMDs is also covered. The document sections were drafted by the writing committee members according to their area of expertise. The recommendations represent the consensus opinion of the expert writing group, graded by class of recommendation and level of evidence utilizing defined criteria. The recommendations were made available for public comment; the document underwent review by the Heart Rhythm Society Scientific and Clinical Documents Committee and external review and endorsement by the partner and collaborating societies. Changes were incorporated based on these reviews. By using a breadth of accumulated available evidence, the document is designed to provide practical and actionable clinical information and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias and thus improve the care of patients with NMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Groh
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Deepak Bhakta
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Amato
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Denis Duboc
- Cardiology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Zachary D Goldberger
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Minoru Horie
- Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Otsu, Japan
| | | | | | - Stefan Kääb
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Kalman
- Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Neal K Lakdawala
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pier D Lambiase
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, University College London, and St Bartholomew's Hospital London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hugh J McMillan
- Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Narayanan Namboodiri
- Sree Chitra Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | | | | | | | - Frederic Sacher
- Bordeaux University Hospital, LIRYC Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudia Stöllberger
- Second Medical Department with Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinik Landstraße, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karim Wahbi
- Cardiology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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25
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Loock E, Guerre E, Morel V, Chantelot C, Saab M. ScapuloThoracic Arthrodesis for Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy: Outcomes at mean 7.3 years [3.5-13] follow-up. CT measurement of the fixation position of the arthrodesis and radioclinical correlations. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2022; 108:103331. [PMID: 35597545 DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2022.103331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scapulothoracic arthrodesis may be proposed to patients having facio-scapulohumeral dystrophy to achieve gains in shoulder motion and pain relief. This study aimed to assess shoulder motion, pain and functional scores at last follow-up and to present a method of computed tomography measurements of the position of the scapulothoracic arthrodesis and study their correlations with shoulder motion. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seven patients (11 arthrodesis) were included. Shoulder motion, pain, respiratory function and deltoid strength were compared with preoperative values and Constant, Brooke and Vignos scores were assessed at last follow-up. The elevation/depression and upward/downward position of the scapula were measured by performing postoperative 3D CT reconstruction. The protraction/retraction position was measured with 2D CT reconstructions on axial view. Correlations between these measurements and shoulder flexion and abduction were analysed. All complications were searched. RESULTS We found a significant improvement in mean VAS (from 3±2 to 1±1, p=0,008) shoulder flexion (64°± 11 to 113°±20, p=0,003) and abduction (from 63°±9 to 92°±13°, p=0,004). Postoperative external rotation wasn't significantly different (from 49°±19 to 43°±10, p=0,112) and on internal rotation, the hand reached on average the 9th thoracic vertebra (S1-T2). Scapulothoracic arthrodesis was mainly positioned in regard to the 1st and the 6th rib. The mean protraction/retraction position was 38,5°±8° and the mean scapular upward/downward rotation position was 92°±15°. No correlations were found between the scapular position and shoulder flexion and abduction. CONCLUSIONS Scapulothoracic arthrodesis for facioscapulohumeral dystrophy improved pain, shoulder flexion and abduction and provided good functional outcomes at 3,5 to 13 years of follow up. A method of CT assessment of the position of the arthrodesis is presented to analyse precisely the position of the scapula but no correlations with shoulder motions were found. Preoperative evaluation of deltoid function and scapular winging seemed to be the most important predictors of shoulder motions gains after this procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III, Retrospective cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Loock
- CHU Lille, Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Hôpital Roger Salengro, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Elvire Guerre
- CHU Lille, Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Hôpital Roger Salengro, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent Morel
- CHU Lille, Musculoskeletal Imaging Department, Hôpital Roger Salengro, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Christophe Chantelot
- CHU Lille, Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Hôpital Roger Salengro, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Marc Saab
- CHU Lille, Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Hôpital Roger Salengro, 59000 Lille, France.
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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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27
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van de Geest-Buit WA, Rasing NB, Mul K, Deenen JCW, Vincenten SCC, Siemann I, Lanser A, Groothuis JT, van Engelen BG, Custers JAE, Voermans NC. Facing facial weakness: psychosocial outcomes of facial weakness and reduced facial function in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Disabil Rehabil 2022:1-10. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2092779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W. A. van de Geest-Buit
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - N. B. Rasing
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - K. Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J. C. W. Deenen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S. C. C. Vincenten
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I. Siemann
- Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Lanser
- Patient Representative and Chairman FSHD Advocacy Group, Patient Organization for Muscular Diseases Spierziekten Nederland, Baarn, The Netherlands
| | - J. T. Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B. G. van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - J. A. E. Custers
- Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - N. C. Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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28
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Statland JM, Campbell C, Desai U, Karam C, Díaz-Manera J, Guptill JT, Korngut L, Genge A, Tawil RN, Elman L, Joyce NC, Wagner KR, Manousakis G, Amato AA, Butterfield RJ, Shieh PB, Wicklund M, Gamez J, Bodkin C, Pestronk A, Weihl CC, Vilchez-Padilla JJ, Johnson NE, Mathews KD, Miller B, Leneus A, Fowler M, van de Rijn M, Attie KM. Randomized phase 2 study of ACE-083, a muscle-promoting agent, in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:50-62. [PMID: 35428982 PMCID: PMC9321022 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27558] [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: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction/Aims Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a slowly progressive muscular dystrophy without approved therapies. In this study we evaluated whether locally acting ACE‐083 could safely increase muscle volume and improve functional outcomes in adults with FSHD. Methods Participants were at least 18 years old and had FSHD1/FSHD2. Part 1 was open label, ascending dose, assessing safety and tolerability (primary objective). Part 2 was randomized, double‐blind for 6 months, evaluating ACE‐083240 mg/muscle vs placebo injected bilaterally every 3 weeks in the biceps brachii (BB) or tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, followed by 6 months of open label. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included total muscle volume (TMV; primary objective), fat fraction (FF), and contractile muscle volume (CMV). Functional measures included 6‐minute walk test, 10‐meter walk/run, and 4‐stair climb (TA group), and performance of upper limb midlevel/elbow score (BB group). Strength, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), and safety were also evaluated. Results Parts 1 and 2 enrolled 37 and 58 participants, respectively. Among 55 participants evaluable in Part 2, the least‐squares mean (90% confidence interval, analysis of covariance) treatment difference for TMV was 16.4% (9.8%‐23.0%) in the BB group (P < .0001) and 9.5% (3.2%‐15.9%) in the TA group (P = .01). CMV increased significantly in the BB and TA groups and FF decreased in the TA group. There were no consistent improvements in functional or PRO measures in either group. The most common adverse events were mild or moderate injection‐site reactions. Discussion Significant increases in TMV with ACE‐083 vs placebo did not result in consistent functional or PRO improvements with up to 12 months of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Craig Campbell
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Urvi Desai
- Carolinas MDA Care Center, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chafic Karam
- Neuromuscular Division, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jordi Díaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, UK
| | - Jeffrey T Guptill
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Angela Genge
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rabi N Tawil
- University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Lauren Elman
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nanette C Joyce
- University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Georgios Manousakis
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Russell J Butterfield
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Perry B Shieh
- University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Josep Gamez
- Department of Medicine, GMA Clinic, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO-NMD) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cynthia Bodkin
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alan Pestronk
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Conrad C Weihl
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Juan J Vilchez-Padilla
- Hospital UIP La Fe, Neuromuscular Reference Centre, Valencia, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
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29
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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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Anselmo M, Coffman S, Larson M, Vera K, Lee E, McConville M, Kyba M, Keller‐Ross ML. Baroreflex sensitivity in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15277. [PMID: 35451178 PMCID: PMC9023871 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a common form of muscular dystrophy, is caused by a genetic mutation that alters DUX4 gene expression. This mutation contributes to significant skeletal muscle loss. Although it is suggested that cardiac muscle may be spared, people with FSHD have demonstrated autonomic dysregulation. It is unknown if baroreflex function, an important regulator of blood pressure (BP), is impaired in people with FSHD. We examined if baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is blunted in patients with FSHD. Thirty minutes of resting BP, heart rate, and cardiovagal BRS were measured in 13 patients with FSHD (age: 50 ± 13 years, avg ± SD) and 17 sex- and age-matched controls (age: 47 ± 14 years, p > 0.05). People with FSHD were less active (Activity Metabolic Index, AMI) (FSHD: 24 ± 30; controls: 222 ± 175 kcal/day; p < 0.001) but had a similar body mass index compared with controls (FSHD: 27 ± 4; controls: 27 ± 4 kg/m2 ; p > 0.05). BRSup (hypertensive response), BRSdown (hypotensive response), and total BRS were similar between groups (BRSup: FSHD: 12 ± 8; controls: 12 ± 5 ms/mmHg; BRSdown: FSHD: 10 ± 4; controls: 13 ± 6 ms/mmHg; BRS: FSHD: 14 ± 9; controls: 13 ± 6 ms/mmHg; p > 0.05). Mean arterial pressure was similar between groups (FSHD: 96 ± 7; controls: 91 ± 6mmHg). Individuals with FSHD had an elevated heart rate compared with controls (FSHD: 65 ± 8; controls: 59 ± 8 BPM; p = 0.03), but when co-varied for AMI, this relationship disappeared (p = 0.39). These findings suggest that BRS is not attenuated in people with FSHD, but an elevated heart rate may be due to low physical activity levels, a potential consequence of limited mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Anselmo
- Division of Physical TherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Shandon Coffman
- Sidney Kimmel Medical CollegeThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mia Larson
- Division of Physical TherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Kathryn Vera
- Division of Physical TherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Health and Human Performance DepartmentUniversity of Wisconsin–River FallsRiver FallsWisconsinUSA
| | - Emma Lee
- Division of Physical TherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Michael Kyba
- Department of Pediatrics and Lillehei Heart InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Manda L. Keller‐Ross
- Division of Physical TherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Division of Rehabilitation ScienceMedical SchoolUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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31
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Aleksovska K, Kobulashvili T, Costa J, Zimmermann G, Ritchie K, Reinhard C, Vignatelli L, Fanciulli A, Damian M, Pavlakova L, Burgunder JM, Kopishinskaya S, Rakusa M, Kovacs N, Erdogan FF, Linton LR, Copetti M, Lamperti C, Servidei S, Evangelista T, Ayme S, Pareyson D, Sellner J, Krarup C, de Visser M, van den Bergh P, Toscano A, Graessner H, Berger T, Bassetti C, Vidailhet M, Trinka E, Deuschl G, Federico A, Leone MA. European Academy of Neurology guidance for developing and reporting clinical practice guidelines on rare neurological diseases. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:1571-1586. [PMID: 35318776 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rare diseases affect up to 29 million people in the European Union, and almost 50% of them affect the nervous system or muscles. Delays in diagnosis and treatment onset and insufficient treatment choices are common. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) may improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients and optimize care pathways, delivering the best scientific evidence to all clinicians treating these patients. Recommendations are set for developing and reporting high-quality CPGs on rare neurological diseases (RNDs) within the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), through a consensus procedure. METHODS A group of 27 experts generated an initial list of items that were evaluated through a two-step Delphi consensus procedure and a face-to-face meeting. The final list of items was reviewed by an external review group of 58 members. RESULTS The consensus procedure yielded 63 final items. Items are listed according to the domains of the AGREE instruments and concern scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, and applicability. Additional items consider reporting and ethical issues. Recommendations are supported by practical examples derived from published guidelines and are presented in two tables: (1) items specific to RND CPGs, and general guideline items of special importance for RNDs, or often neglected; (2) items for guideline development within the EAN. CONCLUSIONS This guidance aims to provide solutions to the issues specific to RNDs. This consensus document, produced by many experts in various fields, is considered to serve as a starting point for further harmonization and for increasing the quality of CPGs in the field of RNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katina Aleksovska
- European Academy of Neurology, Vienna, Austria.,SC Neurology, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Fondazione IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza', San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.,Clinic of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, N. Macedonia
| | - Teia Kobulashvili
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCARE, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Joao Costa
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Clínica e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Georg Zimmermann
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCARE, Salzburg, Austria.,Team Biostatistics and Big Medical Data, IDA Lab Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Department of Research and Innovation, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Carola Reinhard
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luca Vignatelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maxwel Damian
- Neurology and Neurointensive Care, Cambridge University Hospitals and Ipswich Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jean-Marc Burgunder
- Swiss Huntington Center, Neurozentrum Siloah AG, Gümligen, Switzerland.,Department of Neurology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Rakusa
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Norbert Kovacs
- Clinic of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, N. Macedonia.,Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | | | - Lori Renna Linton
- EuroHSP, Federation of National Groups Related With Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, Paris, France
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Unit of Biostatistics, Fondazione IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza', San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Costanza Lamperti
- Division of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Serenella Servidei
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS Roma, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
| | - Theresina Evangelista
- Neuromuscular Morphology Unit, Myology Institute, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,AP-HP, Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France, Sorbonne Université - Inserm UMRS 974, Paris, France
| | - Segolene Ayme
- Paris Brain Institute-ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universite, Paris, France
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Johann Sellner
- Department of Neurology, Landesklinikum Mistelbach-Gänserndorf, Mistelbach, Austria
| | - Christian Krarup
- Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine and Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianne de Visser
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van den Bergh
- Neuromuscular Reference Centre UCL St-Luc, University Hospital St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antonio Toscano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, AOU Policlinico di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Holm Graessner
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Berger
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudio Bassetti
- Neurology Department, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie Vidailhet
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department de Neurologie, Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute-ICM, Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP, Hospital Salpetriere, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Eugene Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Affiliated Partner of the ERN EpiCARE, Salzburg, Austria.,Neuroscience Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Salzburg, Austria.,Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Guenther Deuschl
- Department of Neurology, Christian Albrecht's University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Antonio Federico
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Medical School, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio A Leone
- SC Neurology, Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Fondazione IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza', San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
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Serum miRNAs as biomarkers for the rare types of muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2022; 32:332-346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Ghasemi M, Emerson CP, Hayward LJ. Outcome Measures in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Trials. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040687. [PMID: 35203336 PMCID: PMC8870318 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a debilitating muscular dystrophy with a variable age of onset, severity, and progression. While there is still no cure for this disease, progress towards FSHD therapies has accelerated since the underlying mechanism of epigenetic derepression of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) gene leading to skeletal muscle toxicity was identified. This has facilitated the rapid development of novel therapies to target DUX4 expression and downstream dysregulation that cause muscle degeneration. These discoveries and pre-clinical translational studies have opened new avenues for therapies that await evaluation in clinical trials. As the field anticipates more FSHD trials, the need has grown for more reliable and quantifiable outcome measures of muscle function, both for early phase and phase II and III trials. Advanced tools that facilitate longitudinal clinical assessment will greatly improve the potential of trials to identify therapeutics that successfully ameliorate disease progression or permit muscle functional recovery. Here, we discuss current and emerging FSHD outcome measures and the challenges that investigators may experience in applying such measures to FSHD clinical trial design and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (C.P.E.J.); (L.J.H.)
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +1-508-856-4485
| | - Charles P. Emerson
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (C.P.E.J.); (L.J.H.)
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Lawrence J. Hayward
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (C.P.E.J.); (L.J.H.)
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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Teeselink S, Vincenten SCC, Voermans NC, Groothuis JT, Doorduin J, Wijkstra PJ, Horlings CGC, van Engelen BGM, Mul K. Long-term follow-up of respiratory function in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. J Neurol 2022; 269:3682-3689. [PMID: 35147730 PMCID: PMC8831680 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-10990-7] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the 5-year change in respiratory function in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Methods Genetically confirmed patients with FSHD aged ≥ 18 years were examined twice over five years. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were measured using hand-held spirometry with a face mask. Several clinical outcome measures were correlated to respiratory function. Results Ninety-two patients were included (57% male, age 18–75 years). At baseline, the spirometry outcomes of 41 patients showed a restrictive ventilatory pattern (FVC < 80% and FEV1/FVC ≥ 70% of predicted) and of 48 patients at follow-up. The mean FVC decreased from baseline to follow-up from 79.0 to 76.7% predicted (p = 0.021). This decrease was driven by a subgroup of 15 patients who had a deterioration of FVC of > 10% predicted. The subgroup of 15 patients was more severely affected at baseline (p = 0.002 for FSHD clinical score and 0.007 for Ricci score). They developed more frequently spinal and thorax deformities (p < 0.001 for kyphoscoliosis and 0.012 for pectus excavatum) and had a larger decline in axial muscle function (p = 0.020). Only weak correlations were found between the change in FVC% predicted and the change in clinical scores between baseline and follow-up. Interpretation Respiratory function remained stable in most patients with FSHD, but a subgroup of patients showed a pronounced deterioration. They showed more severe muscle weakness including the leg muscles at baseline (Ricci score ≥ 6), had spinal and thorax deformities and a relatively fast decline in axial muscle function at follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjan Teeselink
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (910), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sanne C C Vincenten
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (910), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (910), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan T Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jonne Doorduin
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (910), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Wijkstra
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases/Home Mechanical Ventilation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (910), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Reinier Postlaan 4 (910), PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Prevalence and disease progression of genetically-confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) in China between 2001 and 2020: a nationwide population-based study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2022; 18:100323. [PMID: 35024656 PMCID: PMC8671729 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) is a rare disease, which is often underdiagnosed due to its heterogeneous presentations and complex molecular genetic basis, leading to a lack of population-based epidemiology data, especially of prevalence and disease progression. Methods Fujian Neuromedical Centre (FNMC) is a diagnosis centre for clinical-genetic FSHD in China, and the only one employing pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)-based Southern blotting for all FSHD1 genetic tests. Three sources distributed across all six spatial zones in China, were used to obtain information regarding FSHD1 events, namely, FNMC, Genetic and Myopathy Group (branches of the Neurology Society of the Chinese Medical Association), and "FSHD-China" (an organization supported by FSHD patients). During 2001-2020, all genetically-confirmed FSHD1 from China were registered in FNMC. Follow-up was conducted in the 20-year period to obtain data on disease progression, which was mainly described in terms of independent ambulation loss. Findings Of the 1,744 FSHD1 genetic tests (total test number 1,802) included in the analysis, 997 (57.2%) patients from 620 families were diagnosed with FSHD1. The estimated prevalence of genetically-confirmed FSHD1 in China is 0.75 per million (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.79) during 2001-2020, with 0.78 (95% CI, 0.72-0.85) in males and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65-0.78) in females. The estimated prevalence increased from 0.22 (95% CI, 0.19-0.26) per million in 2001-2015 to 0.53 (95% CI, 0.49-0.57) per million in 2016-2020 (p < 0.001). The prevalence in Fujian province was 7.10 per million, 4.66 per million, and 2.44 per million, during 2001-2020, 2001-2015, and 2016-2020, respectively. Among the 861 symptomatic plus asymptomatic patients of the total 997 patients, the median onset age at first-ever muscle weakness was 16 years of age (range 1-81); the median number of contracted D4Z4 repeats was 5 units (range 1-9); the median 4qA-allele-specific methylation level was 41% (range 14%-69%). Of the 977 symptomatic patients followed-up during 2001-2020, 117 patients (12.0%) lost independent ambulation. The expected duration from onset of first-ever muscle weakness to onset of independent ambulation loss was 40 years. The group with loss of independent ambulation had a smaller number of contracted D4Z4 repeats (p < 0.001) and had an earlier onset age of first-ever muscle weakness (p < 0.001) compared to the group without loss of independent ambulation. Interpretation Our research captures the largest genetically-confirmed FSHD1 population worldwide, to calculate its prevalence of 0.75 per million in China from 2001 to 2020. Approximately 12.0% of symptomatic plus asymptomatic patients of FSHD1 will lose independent ambulation in 40 years from onset of first-ever muscle weakness. Funding This work has been supported by the grants (U2005201, 81870902, N.W.) and (81974193, 81671237, Z.Q.W.) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Joint Funds for the Innovation of Science and Technology of Fujian Province (2018Y9082) (N.W.), and the Key Clinical Specialty Discipline Construction Program of Fujian (N.W.).
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Kelly CR, Saw JL, Thapa P, Mandrekar J, Naddaf E. Systemic Manifestations and Symptom Burden of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy in a Referral Cohort. Muscle Nerve 2022; 65:415-421. [PMID: 35020192 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS The full spectrum of the clinical phenotype of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), beyond skeletal muscle weakness, remains poorly characterized. In this study, we describe systemic manifestations and symptom burden in a large series of FSHD patients. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of FSHD patients seen at our institution between 2000 and 2017. We reviewed patients' responses to a comprehensive review of symptoms and the results of diagnostic testing for sensorineural hearing loss, cardiac disease, dysphagia, ocular abnormalities, and respiratory insufficiency. We assessed the association between disease manifestations and age of onset, genetic profile, and disease duration. RESULTS We identified 87 patients with FSHD. The most common reported symptoms included pain (71%), difficulty sleeping (41%), headaches (27%), and altered mood (24%). When tested, 7/16 (44%) patients had sensorineural hearing loss, 20/60 (33%) had cardiac arrhythmias or conduction defects, 17/45 (38%) had echocardiogram abnormalities, 12/25 (48%) had reduced forced vital capacity, and 4/10 (40%) had oropharyngeal dysphagia. However, patients with these abnormalities represented 8%, 23%, 20%, 14%, and 5% of total number of patients respectively, as uniform screening was lacking. Ocular pathology attributable to FSHD was not detected. DISCUSSION FSHD demonstrates a broad clinical phenotype. Increased vigilance among neurologists to screen for systemic manifestations of the disease is warranted. More uniform screening and future population-based studies are needed to compare the findings in FSHD patients to the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia R Kelly
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jacqui-Lyn Saw
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Prabin Thapa
- Department of Internal Medicine-Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jay Mandrekar
- Department of Internal Medicine-Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Elie Naddaf
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Konstantonis D, Kekou K, Papaefthymiou P, Vastardis H, Konstantoni N, Athanasiou M, Svingou M, Margariti A, Panousopoulou A. Orofacial Muscle Weakening in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Patients. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9010096. [PMID: 35053721 PMCID: PMC8774153 DOI: 10.3390/children9010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the third most commonly found type of muscular dystrophy. The aim of this study was to correlate the D4Z4 repeat array fragment size to the orofacial muscle weakening exhibited in a group of patients with a genetically supported diagnosis of FSHD. Methods: Molecular genetic analysis was performed for 52 patients (27 female and 25 male) from a group that consisted of 36 patients with autosomal dominant pedigrees and 16 patients with either sporadic or unknown family status. The patients were tested with the southern blotting technique, using EcoRI/Avrll double digestion, and fragments were detected by a p13E-11 telomeric probe. Spearman’s correlation was used to compare the fragment size with the degree of muscle weakening found in the forehead, periocular and perioral muscles. Results: A positive non-significant correlation between the DNA fragment size and severity of muscle weakness was found for the forehead (r = 0.27; p = 0187), the periocular (r = 0.24; p = 0.232) and the left and right perioral (r = 0.29; p = 0.122), (r = 0.32; p = 0.085) muscles. Conclusions: Although FSHD patients exhibited a decrease in muscular activity related to the forehead, perioral, and periocular muscles the genotype–phenotype associations confirmed a weak to moderate non-significant correlation between repeat size and the severity of muscle weakness. Orofacial muscle weakening and its association with a D4Z4 contraction alone may not have the significance to serve as a prognostic biomarker, due to the weak to moderate association. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the degree of genetic involvement in the facial growth in FSHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Konstantonis
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece;
- Clinic of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Kyriaki Kekou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Children’s Hospital Agia Sophia, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece; (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Petros Papaefthymiou
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul 34854, Turkey;
| | - Heleni Vastardis
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Nikoleta Konstantoni
- ATX Braces & Smile Aligners, In Private Practice of Orthodontics, 1601 E Pflugerville Pkwy Building 2, Pflugerville, TX 78660, USA;
| | - Maria Athanasiou
- Athensbestsmiles, In Private Practice of Orthodontics, 49 Alopekis, GR-106 76 Athens, Greece;
| | - Maria Svingou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Children’s Hospital Agia Sophia, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-115 27 Athens, Greece; (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Anastasia Margariti
- Department of Elderly Medicine, University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, St. Richard’s Hospital, Spitalfield Ln, Chichester PO19 6SE, UK;
| | - Angeliki Panousopoulou
- Department of Neurology, Korgialenio-Benakio Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, GR-115 26 Athens, Greece;
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Rocha CT, Escolar DM. Treatment and Management of Muscular Dystrophies. Neuromuscul Disord 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-71317-7.00020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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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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Greene JJ, Sadjadi R, Jowett N, Hadlock T. Facial Palsy, Radiographic and Other Workup Negative: FROWN. Neurol Clin Pract 2021; 11:e654-e660. [PMID: 34840879 DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000001020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Slow-onset peripheral facial palsy is far less common than acute-onset peripheral facial palsy and necessitates diagnostic evaluation for benign or malignant tumors or other less common etiologies. In the rare scenario in which no clarifying etiology is discovered following long-term evaluation (no radiographic or hematologic abnormalities and an otherwise unremarkable evaluation), a diagnostic and management dilemma occurs. We present a series of patients with this possible new clinical entity: Facial palsy, Radiographic and Other Workup Negative (FROWN) and propose a management strategy for this diagnosis of exclusion. Methods A series of 3,849 patients presenting with facial palsy to a tertiary facial nerve center was retrospectively assessed to identify those with progressive loss of facial function over at least 1 month. Exclusion criteria were history, physical or hematologic findings indicative of known diseases associated with facial palsy, and radiographic studies demonstrating a benign or malignant tumor. Results Patients with slow-onset facial palsy constituted 5% (190 patients) of the cohort and were ultimately diagnosed with either a benign or malignant neoplasm or other facial nerve pathology. Fourteen patients with slow-onset facial palsy remained without a diagnosis following long-term evaluation and serial imaging. Eleven patients underwent dynamic facial reanimation surgery and facial nerve and muscle biopsy, with no clear histopathologic diagnosis. Conclusion Patients with slow-onset facial palsy with negative radiographic and medical evaluations over several years may be characterized as having FROWN, an idiopathic and as yet poorly understood condition, which appears to be amenable to facial reanimation but requires further investigation as to its pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline J Greene
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology (JJG, NJ, TH), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston; and Department of Neurology (RS), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Reza Sadjadi
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology (JJG, NJ, TH), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston; and Department of Neurology (RS), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Nate Jowett
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology (JJG, NJ, TH), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston; and Department of Neurology (RS), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Tessa Hadlock
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology (JJG, NJ, TH), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston; and Department of Neurology (RS), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
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Lazovic M, Nikolic D, Boyer FC, Borg K, Ceravolo MG, Zampolini M, Kiekens C. Evidence based position paper on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine practice for people with muscular dystrophies. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2021; 57:1036-1044. [PMID: 34823337 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.21.07121-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies present a group of inherited degenerative disorder that are characterized by progressive muscular weakness. This evidence-based position paper represents the official position of the European Union through the UEMS PRM Section. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the role of the physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physician and PRM practice for people with muscular dystrophies. A systematic review of the literature and a consensus procedure by means of a Delphi process have been performed involving the delegates of all European countries represented in the UEMS PRM Section. The systematic literature review is reported together with thirty-three recommendations resulting from the Delphi procedure. The role of the PRM physician is to assess the functional status of persons with muscular dystrophy and to plan, monitor and lead PRM program in an interdisciplinary setting within a multiprofessional team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Lazovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia - .,Institute for Rehabilitation, Belgrade, Serbia -
| | - Dejan Nikolic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Children's Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - François C Boyer
- PRM Department, Sebastopol Hospital, Reims Champagne Ardenne University, Reims, France
| | - Kristian Borg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria G Ceravolo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Neurorehabilitation Clinic, University Hospital of Ancona, Politecnica delle Marche University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Mauro Zampolini
- Department of Rehabilitation, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Foligno, Perugia, Italy
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Blaszczyk E, Lim C, Kellman P, Schmacht L, Gröschel J, Spuler S, Schulz-Menger J. Progressive myocardial injury in myotonic dystrophy type II and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance follow-up study. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2021; 23:130. [PMID: 34743704 PMCID: PMC8573966 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-021-00812-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a progressive disease with predominantly muscular symptoms. Myotonic dystrophy type II (MD2) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) are gaining an increasing awareness, but data on cardiac involvement are conflicting. The aim of this study was to determine a progression of cardiac remodeling in both entities by applying cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and evaluate its potential relation to arrhythmias as well as to conduction abnormalities. METHODS AND RESULTS 83 MD2 and FSHD1 patients were followed. The participation was 87% in MD2 and 80% in FSHD1. 1.5 T CMR was performed to assess functional parameters as well as myocardial tissue characterization applying T1 and T2 mapping, fat/water-separated imaging and late gadolinium enhancement. Focal fibrosis was detected in 23% of MD2) and 33% of FSHD1 subjects and fat infiltration in 32% of MD2 and 28% of FSHD1 subjects, respectively. The incidence of all focal findings was higher at follow-up. T2 decreased, whereas native T1 remained stable. Global extracellular volume fraction (ECV) decreased similarly to the fibrosis volume while the total cell volume remained unchanged. All patients with focal fibrosis showed a significant increase in left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes. An increase of arrhythmic events was observed. All patients with ventricular arrhythmias had focal myocardial changes and an increased volume of both ventricles (LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) p = 0.003, RVEDV p = 0.031). Patients with supraventricular tachycardias had a significantly higher left atrial volume (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION We observed a remarkably fast and progressive decline of cardiac morphology and function as well as a progression of rhythm disturbances, even in asymptomatic patients with a potential association between an increase in arrhythmias and progression of myocardial tissue damage, such as focal fibrosis and fat infiltration, exists. These results suggest that MD2 and FSHD1 patients should be carefully followed-up to identify early development of remodeling and potential risks for the development of further cardiac events even in the absence of symptoms. Trial registration ISRCTN, ID ISRCTN16491505. Registered 29 November 2017 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16491505.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Blaszczyk
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Working Group Onn Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Experimental and Clinical Research Center a Joint Cooperation Between the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology and the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Lim
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Working Group Onn Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Experimental and Clinical Research Center a Joint Cooperation Between the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology and the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Kellman
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Luisa Schmacht
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Working Group Onn Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Experimental and Clinical Research Center a Joint Cooperation Between the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology and the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Gröschel
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Working Group Onn Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Experimental and Clinical Research Center a Joint Cooperation Between the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology and the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Spuler
- Muscle Research Unit, Experimental and Clinical Research Center a Jointoint Cooperationoperation Betweenetween the Charité Medical, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeanette Schulz-Menger
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Working Group Onn Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Experimental and Clinical Research Center a Joint Cooperation Between the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology and the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Chou IC, Chang AC, Chen CJ, Liang WM, Chiou JS, Tsai FJ, Wu YC, Lin TH, Liao CC, Huang SM, Li TM, Lin YJ. Effect of Chinese herbal medicines on the overall survival of patients with muscular dystrophies in Taiwan. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 279:114359. [PMID: 34174374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Muscular dystrophies are a rare, severe, and genetically inherited group of disorders characterized by progressive loss of muscle fibers, leading to muscle weakness. The current treatment plan for muscular dystrophies includes the use of steroids to slow muscle deterioration by dampening the inflammatory response. AIM OF THE STUDY Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been offered as an adjunctive therapy in Taiwan's medical healthcare plan, making it possible to track CHM usage in patients with muscular dystrophic disease. Therefore, we explored the long-term effects of CHM use on the overall mortality of patients with muscular dystrophies. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 581 patients with muscular dystrophies were identified from the database of Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients in Taiwan. Among them, 80 and 201 patients were CHM users and non-CHM users, respectively. Student's t-test, chi-squared test, Cox proportional hazard model, and Kaplan-Meier curve (log-rank test) were used for evaluation. Association rules and network analyses were performed to explore the combination of CHMs used in muscular dystrophies. RESULTS Compared to non-CHM users, there were more female patients, more comorbidities, including chronic pulmonary disease and peptic ulcer disease in the CHM user group. Patients with prednisolone usage exhibited a lower risk of overall mortality than those who did not, after adjusting for age, sex, use of CHM, and comorbidities. CHM users showed a lower risk of overall mortality after adjusting for age, sex, prednisolone use, and comorbidities. The cumulative incidence of the overall survival was significantly higher in CHM users. Association rule and network analysis showed that one main CHM cluster was commonly used to treat patients with muscular dystrophies in Taiwan. The cluster includes Yin-Qiao-San, Ban-Xia-Bai-Zhu-Tian-Ma-Tang, Zhi-Ke (Citrus aurantium L.), Yu-Xing-Cao (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.), Che-Qian-Zi (Plantago asiatica L.), and Da-Huang (Rheum palmatum L.). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that adjunctive therapy with CHM may help to reduce the overall mortality among patients with muscular dystrophies. The identification of the CHM cluster allows us to narrow down the key active compounds and may enable future therapeutic developments and clinical trial designs to improve overall survival in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Ching Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Alex Cy Chang
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chao-Jung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Genetic Center, Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Miin Liang
- Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Jian-Shiun Chiou
- Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Fuu-Jen Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Genetic Center, Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Yang-Chang Wu
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Ting-Hsu Lin
- Genetic Center, Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Chiu-Chu Liao
- Genetic Center, Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Shao-Mei Huang
- Genetic Center, Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Te-Mao Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Ying-Ju Lin
- Genetic Center, Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Jia FF, Drew AP, Nicholson GA, Corbett A, Kumar KR. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 2: an update on the clinical, genetic, and molecular findings. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:1101-1112. [PMID: 34711481 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common genetic disease of the skeletal muscle with a characteristic pattern of weakness. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 2 (FSHD2) accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of FSHD and describes patients without a D4Z4 repeat contraction on chromosome 4. Phenotypically FSHD2 shows virtually no difference from FSHD1 and both forms of FSHD arise via a common downstream mechanism of epigenetic derepression of the transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle cells. This results in expression of DUX4 and target genes leading to skeletal muscle toxicity. Over the past decade, major progress has been made in our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic architecture that underlies FSHD2 pathogenesis, as well as the clinical manifestations and disease progression. These include the finding that FSHD2 is a digenic disease and that mutations in the genes SMCHD1, DNMT3B, and more recently LRIF1, can cause FSHD2. FSHD2 is complex and it is important that clinicians keep abreast of recent developments; this review aims to serve as an update of the clinical, genetic, and molecular research into this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhi Frank Jia
- Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
| | - Alexander P Drew
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
| | - Garth Alexander Nicholson
- Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia; Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia; Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia.
| | - Alastair Corbett
- Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia.
| | - Kishore Raj Kumar
- Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia; Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia; Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia.
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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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Monforte M, Bortolani S, Torchia E, Cristiano L, Laschena F, Tartaglione T, Ricci E, Tasca G. Diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy identified by machine learning. J Neurol 2021; 269:2055-2063. [PMID: 34486074 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10786-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) can be challenging in patients not displaying the classical phenotype or with atypical clinical features. Despite the identification by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of selective patterns of muscle involvement, their specificity and added diagnostic value are unknown. METHODS We aimed to identify the radiological features more useful to distinguish FSHD from other myopathies and test the diagnostic accuracy of MRI. A retrospective cohort of 295 patients (187 FSHD, 108 non-FSHD) studied by upper and lower-limb muscle MRI was analyzed. Scans were evaluated for the presence of 15 radiological features. A random forest machine learning algorithm was used to identify the most relevant for FSHD diagnosis. Different patterns were created by their combination and diagnostic accuracy of each of them was tested. RESULTS The combination of trapezius involvement and bilateral subscapularis muscle sparing achieved the best diagnostic accuracy (0.89, 95% Confidence Interval [0.85-0.92]) with 0.90 [0.85-0.94] sensitivity and 0.88 [0.80-0.93] specificity. This pattern correctly identified 91% atypical FSHD patients of our cohort. The combination of trapezius involvement, bilateral subscapularis and iliopsoas sparing and asymmetric involvement of upper and lower-limb muscles was pathognomonic for FSHD, yielding a specificity of 0.99 [0.95-1.00]. CONCLUSIONS We identified MRI patterns that showed a high diagnostic power in promptly discriminating FSHD from other muscle disorders, with comparable performance irrespective of typical or atypical clinical features. Upper girdle in addition to lower-limb muscle imaging should be extensively implemented in the diagnostic workup to support or exclude a diagnosis of FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Monforte
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Sara Bortolani
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Torchia
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Tommaso Tartaglione
- Dipartimento di Radiologia, IDI IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Ricci
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. .,Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
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Voermans NC, Vriens-Munoz Bravo M, Padberg GW, Laforêt P. 1st FSHD European Trial Network workshop:Working towards trial readiness across Europe. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:907-918. [PMID: 34404575 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N C Voermans
- FSHD Europe, Radboud University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen 6500 HB, the Netherlands.
| | - M Vriens-Munoz Bravo
- FSHD Europe, Radboud University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen 6500 HB, the Netherlands
| | - G W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - P Laforêt
- Nord-Est-Ile de France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Myology Institute, Neuromuscular Pathology Reference Center, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Universités UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
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48
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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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49
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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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50
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de Jong L, Nikolaev A, Greco A, Weijers G, de Korte CL, Fütterer JJ. Three-dimensional quantitative muscle ultrasound in a healthy population. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:199-205. [PMID: 34033127 PMCID: PMC8361719 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Quantitative muscle ultrasound offers biomarkers that aid in the diagnosis, detection, and follow-up of neuromuscular disorders. At present, quantitative muscle ultrasound methods are 2D and are often operator and device dependent. The aim of this study was to combine an existing device independent method with an automated ultrasound machine and perform 3D quantitative muscle ultrasound, providing new normative data of healthy controls. METHODS In total, 123 healthy volunteers were included. After physical examination, 3D ultrasound scans of the tibialis anterior muscle were acquired using an automated ultrasound scanner. Image postprocessing was performed to obtain calibrated echo intensity values based on a phantom reference. RESULTS Tibialis anterior muscle volumes of 61.2 ± 24.1 mL and 53.7 ± 22.7 mL were scanned in males and females, respectively. Echo intensity correlated with gender**, age**, fat fraction*, histogram kurtosis**, skewness* and standard deviation** (*P < .05, **P < .01). Outcome measures did not differ significantly for different acquisition presets. The 3D quantitative muscle ultrasound revealed the non-uniformity of echo intensity values over the length of the tibialis anterior muscle. DISCUSSION Our method extended 2D measurements and confirmed previous findings. Our method and reported normative data of (potential) biomarkers can be used to study neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon de Jong
- Department of Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Anatomy, Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Anton Nikolaev
- Department of Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Anatomy, Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Anna Greco
- Department of NeurologyRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Gert Weijers
- Department of Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Anatomy, Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Chris L. de Korte
- Department of Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Anatomy, Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Jurgen J. Fütterer
- Department of Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Anatomy, Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
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