1
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Zarén P, Gawlik KI. Thrombospondin-4 deletion does not exacerbate muscular dystrophy in β-sarcoglycan-deficient and laminin α2 chain-deficient mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14757. [PMID: 38926599 PMCID: PMC11208443 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65473-8] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders that lead to muscle wasting and loss of muscle function. Identifying genetic modifiers that alleviate symptoms or enhance the severity of a primary disease helps to understand mechanisms behind disease pathology and facilitates discovery of molecular targets for therapy. Several muscular dystrophies are caused by genetic defects in the components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein adhesion complex (DGC). Thrombospondin-4 overexpression has been shown to mitigate dystrophic disease in mouse models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (dystrophin deficiency) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2F (LGMD2F, δ-sarcoglycan deficiency), while deletion of the thrombospondin-4 gene exacerbated the diseases. Hence, thrombospondin-4 has been considered a candidate molecule for therapy of muscular dystrophies involving the DGC. We have investigated whether thrombospondin-4 could act as a genetic modifier for other DGC-associated diseases: limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2E (LGMD2E, β-sarcoglycan deficiency) and laminin α2 chain-deficient muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-RD). Deletion of the thrombospondin-4 gene in mouse models for LGMD2E and LAMA2-RD, respectively, did not result in worsening of the dystrophic phenotype. Loss of thrombospondin-4 did not enhance sarcolemma damage and did not impair trafficking of transmembrane receptors integrin α7β1 and dystroglycan in double knockout muscles. Our results suggest that thrombospondin-4 might not be a relevant therapeutic target for all muscular dystrophies involving the DGC. This data also demonstrates that molecular pathology between very similar diseases like LGMD2E and 2F can differ significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Zarén
- Muscle Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC C12, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kinga I Gawlik
- Muscle Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC C12, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
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2
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Long AM, Kwon JM, Lee G, Reiser NL, Vaught LA, O'Brien JG, Page PGT, Hadhazy M, Reynolds JC, Crosbie RH, Demonbreun AR, McNally EM. The extracellular matrix differentially directs myoblast motility and differentiation in distinct forms of muscular dystrophy: Dystrophic matrices alter myoblast motility. Matrix Biol 2024; 129:44-58. [PMID: 38582404 PMCID: PMC11104166 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) pathologic remodeling underlies many disorders, including muscular dystrophy. Tissue decellularization removes cellular components while leaving behind ECM components. We generated "on-slide" decellularized tissue slices from genetically distinct dystrophic mouse models. The ECM of dystrophin- and sarcoglycan-deficient muscles had marked thrombospondin 4 deposition, while dysferlin-deficient muscle had excess decorin. Annexins A2 and A6 were present on all dystrophic decellularized ECMs, but annexin matrix deposition was excessive in dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy. Muscle-directed viral expression of annexin A6 resulted in annexin A6 in the ECM. C2C12 myoblasts seeded onto decellularized matrices displayed differential myoblast mobility and fusion. Dystrophin-deficient decellularized matrices inhibited myoblast mobility, while dysferlin-deficient decellularized matrices enhanced myoblast movement and differentiation. Myoblasts treated with recombinant annexin A6 increased mobility and fusion like that seen on dysferlin-deficient decellularized matrix and demonstrated upregulation of ECM and muscle cell differentiation genes. These findings demonstrate specific fibrotic signatures elicit effects on myoblast activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee M Long
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jason M Kwon
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - GaHyun Lee
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nina L Reiser
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lauren A Vaught
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Joseph G O'Brien
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patrick G T Page
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michele Hadhazy
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Joseph C Reynolds
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachelle H Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexis R Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Elizabeth M McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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3
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O’Brien JG, Willis AB, Long AM, Kwon J, Lee G, Li FW, Page PG, Vo AH, Hadhazy M, Spencer MJ, Crosbie RH, Demonbreun AR, McNally EM. The super-healing MRL strain promotes muscle growth in muscular dystrophy through a regenerative extracellular matrix. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e173246. [PMID: 38175727 PMCID: PMC11143963 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173246] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Murphy Roths Large (MRL) mouse strain has "super-healing" properties that enhance recovery from injury. In mice, the DBA/2J strain intensifies many aspects of muscular dystrophy, so we evaluated the ability of the MRL strain to suppress muscular dystrophy in the Sgcg-null mouse model of limb girdle muscular dystrophy. A comparative analysis of Sgcg-null mice in the DBA/2J versus MRL strains showed greater myofiber regeneration, with reduced structural degradation of muscle in the MRL strain. Transcriptomic profiling of dystrophic muscle indicated strain-dependent expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and TGF-β signaling genes. To investigate the MRL ECM, cellular components were removed from dystrophic muscle sections to generate decellularized myoscaffolds. Decellularized myoscaffolds from dystrophic mice in the protective MRL strain had significantly less deposition of collagen and matrix-bound TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 throughout the matrix. Dystrophic myoscaffolds from the MRL background, but not the DBA/2J background, were enriched in myokines like IGF-1 and IL-6. C2C12 myoblasts seeded onto decellularized matrices from Sgcg-/- MRL and Sgcg-/- DBA/2J muscles showed the MRL background induced greater myoblast differentiation compared with dystrophic DBA/2J myoscaffolds. Thus, the MRL background imparts its effect through a highly regenerative ECM, which is active even in muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. O’Brien
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexander B. Willis
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ashlee M. Long
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jason Kwon
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - GaHyun Lee
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Frank W. Li
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patrick G.T. Page
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andy H. Vo
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michele Hadhazy
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Melissa J. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rachelle H. Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexis R. Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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4
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Nakamura M, Parkhurst SM. Calcium influx rapidly establishes distinct spatial recruitments of Annexins to cell wounds. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.03.569799. [PMID: 38105960 PMCID: PMC10723296 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.03.569799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
To survive daily damage, the formation of actomyosin ring at the wound periphery is required to rapidly close cell wounds. Calcium influx is one of the start signals for these cell wound repair events. Here, we find that rapid recruitment of all three Drosophila calcium responding and phospholipid binding Annexin proteins (AnxB9, AnxB10, AnxB11) to distinct regions around the wound are regulated by the quantity of calcium influx rather than their binding to specific phospholipids. The distinct recruitment patterns of these Annexins regulate the subsequent recruitment of RhoGEF2 and RhoGEF3 through actin stabilization to form a robust actomyosin ring. Surprisingly, we find that reduced extracellular calcium and depletion of intracellular calcium affect cell wound repair differently, despite these two conditions exhibiting similar GCaMP signals. Thus, our results suggest that, in addition to initiating repair events, both the quantity and sources of calcium influx are important for precise Annexin spatiotemporal protein recruitment to cell wounds and efficient wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsutoshi Nakamura
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Susan M. Parkhurst
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
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5
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O’Brien JG, Willis AB, Long AM, Kwon J, Lee G, Li F, Page PG, Vo AH, Hadhazy M, Crosbie RH, Demonbreun AR, McNally EM. The super-healing MRL strain promotes muscle growth in muscular dystrophy through a regenerative extracellular matrix. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.29.547098. [PMID: 37425960 PMCID: PMC10327155 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.29.547098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Genetic background shifts the severity of muscular dystrophy. In mice, the DBA/2J strain confers a more severe muscular dystrophy phenotype, whereas the Murphy's Roth Large (MRL) strain has "super-healing" properties that reduce fibrosis. A comparative analysis of the Sgcg null model of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy in the DBA/2J versus MRL strain showed the MRL background was associated with greater myofiber regeneration and reduced structural degradation of muscle. Transcriptomic profiling of dystrophic muscle in the DBA/2J and MRL strains indicated strain-dependent expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and TGF-β signaling genes. To investigate the MRL ECM, cellular components were removed from dystrophic muscle sections to generate decellularized "myoscaffolds". Decellularized myoscaffolds from dystrophic mice in the protective MRL strain had significantly less deposition of collagen and matrix-bound TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 throughout the matrix, and dystrophic myoscaffolds from the MRL background were enriched in myokines. C2C12 myoblasts were seeded onto decellularized matrices from Sgcg-/- MRL and Sgcg-/- DBA/2J matrices. Acellular myoscaffolds from the dystrophic MRL background induced myoblast differentiation and growth compared to dystrophic myoscaffolds from the DBA/2J matrices. These studies establish that the MRL background also generates its effect through a highly regenerative ECM, which is active even in muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. O’Brien
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alexander B. Willis
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ashlee M. Long
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jason Kwon
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - GaHyun Lee
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Frank Li
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patrick G.T. Page
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Michele Hadhazy
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Rachelle H. Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alexis R. Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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6
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Flanigan KM, Waldrop MA, Martin PT, Alles R, Dunn DM, Alfano LN, Simmons TR, Moore-Clingenpeel M, Burian J, Seok SC, Weiss RB, Vieland VJ. A genome-wide association analysis of loss of ambulation in dystrophinopathy patients suggests multiple candidate modifiers of disease severity. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:663-673. [PMID: 36935420 PMCID: PMC10250491 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01329-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The major determinant of disease severity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or milder Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is whether the dystrophin gene (DMD) mutation truncates the mRNA reading frame or allows expression of a partially functional protein. However, even in the complete absence of dystrophin, variability in disease severity is observed, and candidate gene studies have implicated several genes as modifiers. Here we present the largest genome-wide search to date for loci influencing severity in N = 419 DMD patients. Availability of subjects for such studies is quite limited, leading to modest sample sizes, which present a challenge for GWAS design. We have therefore taken special steps to minimize heterogeneity within our dataset at the DMD locus itself, taking a novel approach to mutation classification to effectively exclude the possibility of residual dystrophin expression, and utilized statistical methods that are well adapted to smaller sample sizes, including the use of a novel linear regression-like residual for time to ambulatory loss and the application of evidential statistics for the GWAS approach. Finally, we applied an unbiased in silico pipeline, utilizing functional genomic datasets to explore the potential impact of the best supported SNPs. In all, we obtained eight SNPs (out of 1,385,356 total) with posterior probability of trait-marker association (PPLD) ≥ 0.4, representing six distinct loci. Our analysis prioritized likely non-coding SNP regulatory effects on six genes (ETAA1, PARD6G, GALNTL6, MAN1A1, ADAMTS19, and NCALD), each with plausibility as a DMD modifier. These results support both recurrent and potentially new pathways for intervention in the dystrophinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Flanigan
- The Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- The Departments of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- The Departments of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Megan A Waldrop
- The Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Departments of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Departments of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Paul T Martin
- The Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Departments of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Roxane Alles
- The Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Diane M Dunn
- The Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
| | - Lindsay N Alfano
- The Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Departments of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tabatha R Simmons
- The Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Melissa Moore-Clingenpeel
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Departments of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John Burian
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sang-Cheol Seok
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Robert B Weiss
- The Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
| | - Veronica J Vieland
- The Departments of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Departments of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Mathematical Medicine, LLC, Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Waters EA, Haney CR, Vaught LA, McNally EM, Demonbreun AR. New semi-automated tool for the quantitation of MR imaging to estimate in vivo muscle disease severity in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541310. [PMID: 37293050 PMCID: PMC10245844 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by degenerating muscle fibers, inflammation, fibro-fatty infiltrate, and edema, and these pathological processes replace normal healthy muscle tissue. The mdx mouse model is one of the most commonly used preclinical models to study DMD. Mounting evidence has emerged illustrating that muscle disease progression varies considerably in mdx mice, with inter-animal differences as well as intra-muscular differences in pathology in individual mdx mice. This variation is important to consider when conducting assessments of drug efficacy and in longitudinal studies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method that can be used qualitatively or quantitatively to measure muscle disease progression in the clinic and in preclinical models. Although MR imaging is highly sensitive, image acquisition and analysis can be time intensive. The purpose of this study was to develop a semi-automated muscle segmentation and quantitation pipeline that can quickly and accurately estimate muscle disease severity in mice. Herein, we show that the newly developed segmentation tool accurately divides muscle. We show that measures of skew and interdecile range based on segmentation sufficiently estimate muscle disease severity in healthy wildtype and diseased mdx mice. Moreover, the semi-automated pipeline reduced analysis time by nearly 10-fold. Use of this rapid, non-invasive, semi-automated MR imaging and analysis pipeline has the potential to transform preclinical studies, allowing for pre-screening of dystrophic mice prior to study enrollment to ensure more uniform muscle disease pathology across treatment groups, improving study outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Waters
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chad R. Haney
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lauren. A Vaught
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alexis R. Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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8
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Aartsma-Rus A, van Putten M, Mantuano P, De Luca A. On the use of D2.B10-Dmdmdx/J (D2.mdx) Versus C57BL/10ScSn-Dmdmdx/J (mdx) Mouse Models for Preclinical Studies on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Cautionary Note from Members of the TREAT-NMD Advisory Committee on Therapeutics. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:155-158. [PMID: 36336938 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The C57BL/10ScSn-Dmdmdx/J (mdx) mouse model has been used by researchers for decades as a model to study pathology of and develop therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, the model is relatively mildly affected compared to the human situation. Recently, the D2.B10-Dmdmdx/J (D2.mdx) mouse model was suggested as a more severely affected and therefore better alternative. While the pathology of this model is indeed more pronounced early in life, it is not progressive, and increasing evidence suggest that it actually partially resolves with age. As such, caution is needed when using this model. However, as preclinical experts of the TREAT-NMD advisory committee for therapeutics (TACT), we frequently encounter study designs that underestimate this caveat. We here provide context for how to best use the two models for preclinical studies at the current stage of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike van Putten
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paola Mantuano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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9
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Saleh KK, Xi H, Switzler C, Skuratovsky E, Romero MA, Chien P, Gibbs D, Gane L, Hicks MR, Spencer MJ, Pyle AD. Single cell sequencing maps skeletal muscle cellular diversity as disease severity increases in dystrophic mouse models. iScience 2022; 25:105415. [PMID: 36388984 PMCID: PMC9646951 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by out-of-frame mutations in the DMD gene resulting in the absence of a functional dystrophin protein, leading to a devastating and progressive lethal muscle-wasting disease. Little is known about cellular heterogeneity as disease severity increases. Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enabled us to explore skeletal muscle-resident cell populations in healthy, dystrophic, and severely dystrophic mouse models. We found increased frequencies of activated fibroblasts, fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells, and pro-inflammatory macrophages in dystrophic gastrocnemius muscles and an upregulation of extracellular matrix genes on endothelial cells in dystrophic and severely dystrophic muscles. We observed a pronounced risk of clotting, especially in the severely dystrophic mice with increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in endothelial cells, indicating endothelial cell impairment as disease severity increases. This work extends our understanding of the severe nature of DMD which should be considered when developing single or combinatorial approaches for DMD. scRNA-seq reveals cell differences in healthy, dystrophic, and severely dystrophic muscles Increased frequency of activated fibroblasts and FAP cells in dystrophic environments Co-existence of pro- and anti-inflammatory signatures in dystrophic environments Endothelial cell impairment is evident in severely dystrophic environment
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Affiliation(s)
- Kholoud K. Saleh
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Haibin Xi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Corey Switzler
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Emily Skuratovsky
- CIRM Bridges Program, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA
| | - Matthew A. Romero
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Peggie Chien
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Devin Gibbs
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lily Gane
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michael R. Hicks
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Melissa J. Spencer
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - April D. Pyle
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Corresponding author
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10
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Hildyard JC, Riddell DO, Harron RC, Rawson F, Foster EM, Massey C, Taylor-Brown F, Wells DJ, Piercy RJ. The skeletal muscle phenotype of the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:238. [PMID: 36865375 PMCID: PMC9971692 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18251.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are essential to study disease progression and assess efficacy of therapeutic intervention, however dystrophic mice fail to display a clinically relevant phenotype, limiting translational utility. Dystrophin-deficient dogs exhibit disease similar to humans, making them increasingly important for late-stage preclinical evaluation of candidate therapeutics. The DE50-MD canine model of DMD carries a mutation within a human 'hotspot' region of the dystrophin gene, amenable to exon-skipping and gene editing strategies. As part of a large natural history study of disease progression, we have characterised the DE50-MD skeletal muscle phenotype to identify parameters that could serve as efficacy biomarkers in future preclinical trials. Methods: Vastus lateralis muscles were biopsied from a large cohort of DE50-MD dogs and healthy male littermates at 3-monthly intervals (3-18 months) for longitudinal analysis, with multiple muscles collected post-mortem to evaluate body-wide changes. Pathology was characterised quantitatively using histology and measurement of gene expression to determine statistical power and sample sizes appropriate for future work. Results: DE50-MD skeletal muscle exhibits widespread degeneration/regeneration, fibrosis, atrophy and inflammation. Degenerative/inflammatory changes peak during the first year of life, while fibrotic remodelling appears more gradual. Pathology is similar in most skeletal muscles, but in the diaphragm, fibrosis is more prominent, associated with fibre splitting and pathological hypertrophy. Picrosirius red and acid phosphatase staining represent useful quantitative histological biomarkers for fibrosis and inflammation respectively, while qPCR can be used to measure regeneration ( MYH3, MYH8), fibrosis ( COL1A1), inflammation ( SPP1), and stability of DE50-MD dp427 transcripts. Conclusion: The DE50-MD dog is a valuable model of DMD, with pathological features similar to young, ambulant human patients. Sample size and power calculations show that our panel of muscle biomarkers are of strong pre-clinical value, able to detect therapeutic improvements of even 25%, using trials with only six animals per group.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C.W. Hildyard
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,
| | - Dominique O. Riddell
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Rachel C.M. Harron
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Faye Rawson
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | - Emma M.A. Foster
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Claire Massey
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Frances Taylor-Brown
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,Cave Veterinary Specialists, George's Farm, West Buckland, UK
| | - Dominic J. Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Richard J. Piercy
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,
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11
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Kosac A, Pesovic J, Radenkovic L, Brkusanin M, Radovanovic N, Djurisic M, Radivojevic D, Mladenovic J, Ostojic S, Kovacevic G, Kravljanac R, Savic Pavicevic D, Milic Rasic V. LTBP4, SPP1, and CD40 Variants: Genetic Modifiers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Analyzed in Serbian Patients. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081385. [PMID: 36011296 PMCID: PMC9407083 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Clinical course variability in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is partially explained by the mutation location in the DMD gene and variants in modifier genes. We assessed the effect of the SPP1, CD40, and LTBP4 genes and DMD mutation location on loss of ambulation (LoA). Methods: SNPs in SPP1-rs28357094, LTBP4-rs2303729, rs1131620, rs1051303, rs10880, and CD40-rs1883832 were genotyped, and their effect was assessed by survival and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: Patients on glucocorticoid corticosteroid (GC) therapy experienced LoA one year later (p = 0.04). The modifying effect of SPP1 and CD40 variants, as well as LTBP4 haplotypes, was not observed using a log-rank test and multivariant Cox regression analysis. Cluster analysis revealed two subgroups with statistical trends in differences in age at LoA. Almost all patients in the cluster with later LoA had the protective IAAM LTBP4 haplotype and statistically significantly fewer CD40 genotypes with harmful T allele and “distal” DMD mutations. Conclusions: The modifying effect of SPP1, CD40, and LTBP4 was not replicated in Serbian patients, although our cohort was comparable in terms of its DMD mutation type distribution, SNP allele frequencies, and GC-positive effect with other European cohorts. Cluster analysis may be able to identify patient subgroups carrying a combination of the genetic variants that modify LoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kosac
- Department of Neurology, Clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-11-2658-355
| | - Jovan Pesovic
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lana Radenkovic
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milos Brkusanin
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nemanja Radovanovic
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Djurisic
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Radivojevic
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Mladenovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slavica Ostojic
- Department of Neurology, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gordana Kovacevic
- Department of Neurology, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ruzica Kravljanac
- Department of Neurology, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusanka Savic Pavicevic
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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12
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Han X, Han J, Wang N, Ji G, Guo R, Li J, Wu H, Ma S, Fang P, Song X. Identification of Auxiliary Biomarkers and Description of the Immune Microenvironmental Characteristics in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Bioinformatical Analysis and Experiment. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:891670. [PMID: 35720684 PMCID: PMC9204148 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.891670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting associated with persistent inflammation. In this study, we aimed to identify auxiliary biomarkers and further characterize the immune microenvironment in DMD. Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between DMD and normal muscle tissues based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Bioinformatical analysis was used to screen and identify potential diagnostic signatures of DMD which were further validated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). We also performed single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to characterize the proportion of tissue-infiltrating immune cells to determine the inflammatory state of DMD. Results In total, 182 downregulated genes and 263 upregulated genes were identified in DMD. C3, SPP1, TMSB10, TYROBP were regarded as adjunct biomarkers and successfully validated by RT-qPCR. The infiltration of macrophages, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in DMD compared with normal muscle tissues, while the infiltration of activated B cells, CD56dim natural killer cells, and type 17 T helper (Th17) cells was lower. In addition, the four biomarkers (C3, SPP1, TMSB10, TYROBP) were strongly associated with immune cells and immune-related pathways in DMD muscle tissues. Conclusion Analyses demonstrated C3, SPP1, TMSB10, and TYROBP may serve as biomarkers and enhance our understanding of immune responses in DMD. The infiltration of immune cells into the muscle microenvironment might exert a critical impact on the development and occurrence of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Han
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jingzhe Han
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Guang Ji
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ruoyi Guo
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongran Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shaojuan Ma
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Pingping Fang
- Department of Neurology, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Xueqin Song
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Neurological Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Xueqin Song,
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13
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Stirm M, Fonteyne LM, Shashikadze B, Lindner M, Chirivi M, Lange A, Kaufhold C, Mayer C, Medugorac I, Kessler B, Kurome M, Zakhartchenko V, Hinrichs A, Kemter E, Krause S, Wanke R, Arnold GJ, Wess G, Nagashima H, de Angelis MH, Flenkenthaler F, Kobelke LA, Bearzi C, Rizzi R, Bähr A, Reese S, Matiasek K, Walter MC, Kupatt C, Ziegler S, Bartenstein P, Fröhlich T, Klymiuk N, Blutke A, Wolf E. A scalable, clinically severe pig model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:273744. [PMID: 34796900 PMCID: PMC8688409 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Large animal models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are crucial for evaluation of diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies. Pigs cloned from male cells lacking DMD exon 52 (DMDΔ52) resemble molecular, clinical and pathological hallmarks of DMD, but die before sexual maturity and cannot be propagated by breeding. Therefore, we generated female DMD+/- carriers. A single founder animal had 11 litters with 29 DMDY/-, 34 DMD+/- as well as 36 male and 29 female wild-type offspring. Breeding with F1 and F2 DMD+/- carriers resulted in additional 114 DMDY/- piglets. With intensive neonatal management, the majority survived for 3-4 months, providing statistically relevant cohorts for experimental studies. Pathological investigations and proteome studies of skeletal muscles and myocardium confirmed the resemblance of human disease mechanisms. Importantly, DMDY/- pigs reveal progressive myocardial fibrosis and increased expression of connexin-43, associated with significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction already at age 3 months. Furthermore, behavioral tests provided evidence for impaired cognitive ability. Our breeding cohort of DMDΔ52 pigs and standardized tissue repositories provide important resources for studying DMD disease mechanisms and for testing novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Stirm
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lina Marie Fonteyne
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bachuki Shashikadze
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Magdalena Lindner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maila Chirivi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Andreas Lange
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clara Kaufhold
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Mayer
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ivica Medugorac
- Population Genomics Group, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Kessler
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mayuko Kurome
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Valeri Zakhartchenko
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Arne Hinrichs
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kemter
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Krause
- Friedrich Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Wanke
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg J Arnold
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Wess
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research, Kawasaki, Japan
| | | | - Florian Flenkenthaler
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Levin Arne Kobelke
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Bearzi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Milan, Italy.,Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, UOS of Milan, National Research Council (IRGB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Milan, Italy.,Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Bähr
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Reese
- Chair for Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maggie C Walter
- Friedrich Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Sibylle Ziegler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Fröhlich
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolai Klymiuk
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Blutke
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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14
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Marine T, Marielle S, Graziella M, Fabio RMV. Macrophages in Skeletal Muscle Dystrophies, An Entangled Partner. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 9:1-23. [PMID: 34542080 PMCID: PMC8842758 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-210737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
While skeletal muscle remodeling happens throughout life, diseases that result in its dysfunction are accountable for many deaths. Indeed, skeletal muscle is exceptionally capable to respond to stimuli modifying its homeostasis, such as in atrophy, hypertrophy, regeneration and repair. In particular conditions such as genetic diseases (muscular dystrophies), skeletal muscle’s capacity to remodel is strongly affected and undergoes continuous cycles of chronic damage. This induces scarring, fatty infiltration, as well as loss of contractibility and of the ability to generate force. In this context, inflammation, primarily mediated by macrophages, plays a central pathogenic role. Macrophages contribute as the primary regulators of inflammation during skeletal muscle regeneration, affecting tissue-resident cells such as myogenic cells and endothelial cells, but also fibro-adipogenic progenitors, which are the main source of the fibro fatty scar. During skeletal muscle regeneration their function is tightly orchestrated, while in dystrophies their fate is strongly disturbed, resulting in chronic inflammation. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings on the role of macrophages in skeletal muscle diseases, and how they are regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theret Marine
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Saclier Marielle
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Messina Graziella
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossi M V Fabio
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
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15
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Demonbreun AR, Fallon KS, Oosterbaan CC, Vaught LA, Reiser NL, Bogdanovic E, Velez MP, Salamone IM, Page PGT, Hadhazy M, Quattrocelli M, Barefield DY, Wood LD, Gonzalez JP, Morris C, McNally EM. Anti-latent TGFβ binding protein 4 antibody improves muscle function and reduces muscle fibrosis in muscular dystrophy. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabf0376. [PMID: 34516828 PMCID: PMC9559620 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy, like other muscular dystrophies, is a progressive disorder hallmarked by muscle degeneration, inflammation, and fibrosis. Latent transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) binding protein 4 (LTBP4) is an extracellular matrix protein found in muscle. LTBP4 sequesters and inhibits a precursor form of TGFβ. LTBP4 was originally identified from a genome-wide search for genetic modifiers of muscular dystrophy in mice, where there are two different alleles. The protective form of LTBP4, which contains an insertion of 12 amino acids in the protein’s hinge region, was linked to increased sequestration of latent TGFβ, enhanced muscle membrane stability, and reduced muscle fibrosis. The deleterious form of LTBP4 protein, lacking 12 amino acids, was more susceptible to proteolysis and promoted release of latent TGF-β, and together, these data underscored the functional role of LTBP4’s hinge. Here, we generated a monoclonal human anti-LTBP4 antibody directed toward LTBP4’s hinge region. In vitro, anti-LTBP4 bound LTBP4 protein and reduced LTBP4 proteolytic cleavage. In isolated myofibers, the LTBP4 antibody stabilized the sarcolemma from injury. In vivo, anti-LTBP4 treatment of dystrophic mice protected muscle against force loss induced by eccentric contraction. Anti-LTBP4 treatment also reduced muscle fibrosis and enhanced muscle force production, including in the diaphragm muscle, where respiratory function was improved. Moreover, the anti-LTBP4 in combination with prednisone, a standard of care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, further enhanced muscle function and protected against injury in mdx mice. These data demonstrate the potential of anti-LTBP4 antibodies to treat muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis R Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katherine S Fallon
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Claire C Oosterbaan
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lauren A Vaught
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nina L Reiser
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elena Bogdanovic
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Matthew P Velez
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Isabella M Salamone
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Patrick G T Page
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michele Hadhazy
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mattia Quattrocelli
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - David Y Barefield
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth M McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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16
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Pascual-Morena C, Cavero-Redondo I, Saz-Lara A, Sequí-Domínguez I, Lucerón-Lucas-Torres M, Martínez-Vizcaíno V. Genetic Modifiers and Phenotype of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080798. [PMID: 34451895 PMCID: PMC8401629 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway could modulate the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) phenotype. This meta-analysis aims to estimate the association of genetic variants involved in the TGFβ pathway, including the latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4 (LTBP4) and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) genes, among others, with age of loss of ambulation (LoA) and cardiac function in patients with DMD. Meta-analyses were conducted for the hazard ratio (HR) of LoA for each genetic variant. A subgroup analysis was performed in patients treated exclusively with glucocorticoids. Eight studies were included in the systematic review and four in the meta-analyses. The systematic review suggests a protective effect of LTBP4 haplotype IAAM (recessive model) for LoA. It is also suggested that the SPP1 rs28357094 genotype G (dominant model) is associated with early LoA in glucocorticoids-treated patients. The meta-analysis of the LTBP4 haplotype IAAM showed a protective association with LoA, with an HR = 0.78 (95% CI: 0.67–0.90). No association with LoA was observed for the SPP1 rs28357094. The LTBP4 haplotype IAAM is associated with a later LoA, especially in the Caucasian population, while the SPP1 rs28357094 genotype G could be associated with a poor response to glucocorticoids. Future research is suggested for SPP1 rs11730582, LTBP4 rs710160, and THBS1 rs2725797.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Pascual-Morena
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla—La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (C.P.-M.); (I.C.-R.); (A.S.-L.); (M.L.-L.-T.); (V.M.-V.)
| | - Iván Cavero-Redondo
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla—La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (C.P.-M.); (I.C.-R.); (A.S.-L.); (M.L.-L.-T.); (V.M.-V.)
- Rehabilitation in Health Research Center (CIRES), Universidad de las Américas, Santiago 72819, Chile
| | - Alicia Saz-Lara
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla—La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (C.P.-M.); (I.C.-R.); (A.S.-L.); (M.L.-L.-T.); (V.M.-V.)
| | - Irene Sequí-Domínguez
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla—La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (C.P.-M.); (I.C.-R.); (A.S.-L.); (M.L.-L.-T.); (V.M.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-96-917-9100
| | - Maribel Lucerón-Lucas-Torres
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla—La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (C.P.-M.); (I.C.-R.); (A.S.-L.); (M.L.-L.-T.); (V.M.-V.)
| | - Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla—La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (C.P.-M.); (I.C.-R.); (A.S.-L.); (M.L.-L.-T.); (V.M.-V.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 3460000, Chile
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17
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Annexins and Membrane Repair Dysfunctions in Muscular Dystrophies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105276. [PMID: 34067866 PMCID: PMC8155887 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies constitute a group of genetic disorders that cause weakness and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass. Among them, Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1 (MMD1), limb girdle muscular dystrophy type R2 (LGMDR2/2B), and LGMDR12 (2L) are characterized by mutation in gene encoding key membrane-repair protein, which leads to severe dysfunctions in sarcolemma repair. Cell membrane disruption is a physiological event induced by mechanical stress, such as muscle contraction and stretching. Like many eukaryotic cells, muscle fibers possess a protein machinery ensuring fast resealing of damaged plasma membrane. Members of the annexins A (ANXA) family belong to this protein machinery. ANXA are small soluble proteins, twelve in number in humans, which share the property of binding to membranes exposing negatively-charged phospholipids in the presence of calcium (Ca2+). Many ANXA have been reported to participate in membrane repair of varied cell types and species, including human skeletal muscle cells in which they may play a collective role in protection and repair of the sarcolemma. Here, we discuss the participation of ANXA in membrane repair of healthy skeletal muscle cells and how dysregulation of ANXA expression may impact the clinical severity of muscular dystrophies.
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Grewal T, Rentero C, Enrich C, Wahba M, Raabe CA, Rescher U. Annexin Animal Models-From Fundamental Principles to Translational Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073439. [PMID: 33810523 PMCID: PMC8037771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Routine manipulation of the mouse genome has become a landmark in biomedical research. Traits that are only associated with advanced developmental stages can now be investigated within a living organism, and the in vivo analysis of corresponding phenotypes and functions advances the translation into the clinical setting. The annexins, a family of closely related calcium (Ca2+)- and lipid-binding proteins, are found at various intra- and extracellular locations, and interact with a broad range of membrane lipids and proteins. Their impacts on cellular functions has been extensively assessed in vitro, yet annexin-deficient mouse models generally develop normally and do not display obvious phenotypes. Only in recent years, studies examining genetically modified annexin mouse models which were exposed to stress conditions mimicking human disease often revealed striking phenotypes. This review is the first comprehensive overview of annexin-related research using animal models and their exciting future use for relevant issues in biology and experimental medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Correspondence: (T.G.); (U.R.); Tel.: +61-(0)2-9351-8496 (T.G.); +49-(0)251-83-52121 (U.R.)
| | - Carles Rentero
- Departament de Biomedicina, Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.R.); (C.E.)
- Centre de Recerca Biomèdica CELLEX, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Enrich
- Departament de Biomedicina, Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.R.); (C.E.)
- Centre de Recerca Biomèdica CELLEX, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohamed Wahba
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Carsten A. Raabe
- Research Group Regulatory Mechanisms of Inflammation, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE) and Cells in Motion Interfaculty Center (CiM), Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Ursula Rescher
- Research Group Regulatory Mechanisms of Inflammation, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE) and Cells in Motion Interfaculty Center (CiM), Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany;
- Correspondence: (T.G.); (U.R.); Tel.: +61-(0)2-9351-8496 (T.G.); +49-(0)251-83-52121 (U.R.)
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Vaubourg C, Gicquel E, Richard I, Lostal W, Bellec J. Minimal Consequences of CMAH and DBA/2 Backgrounds on a FKRP Deficient Model. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 8:785-793. [PMID: 32925084 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-200487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a large group of genetic diseases characterized by a progressive loss of muscle. The Latent TGFβ Binding Protein 4 (LTBP4) in the DBA/2 background and the Cytidine Monophosphate-sialic Acid Hydroxylase (CMAH) proteins were previously identified as genetic modifiers in severe MD. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether these modifiers could also influence a mild phenotype such as the one observed in a mouse model of Limb-Girdle MD2I (LGMD2I). METHODS The FKRPL276I mouse model was backcrossed onto the DBA/2 background, and in separate experiments the Cmah gene was inactivated in FKRPL276I mice by crossing with a Cmah-/- mouse and selecting the double-mutants. The mdx mouse was used as control for these two genome modifications. Consequences at the histological level as well as quantification of expression level by RT-qPCR of genes relevant for muscular dystrophy were then performed. RESULTS We observed minimal to no effect of the DBA/2 background on the mild FKRPL276I mouse phenotype, while this same background was previously shown to increase inflammation and fibrosis in the mdx mouse. Similarly, the Cmah-/- deletion had no observable effect on the FKRPL276I mouse phenotype whereas it was seen to increase features of regeneration in mdx mice. CONCLUSIONS These modifiers were not observed to impact the severity of the presentation of the mild FKRPL276I model. An interesting association of the CMAH modifier with the regeneration process in the mdx model was seen and sheds new light on the influence of this protein on the dystrophic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Vaubourg
- Généthon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Evelyne Gicquel
- Généthon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Isabelle Richard
- Généthon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - William Lostal
- Généthon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Jessica Bellec
- Généthon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
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Demirci H, Durmus H, Toksoy G, Uslu A, Parman Y, Hanagasi H. Cognition of the mothers of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:710-716. [PMID: 32893363 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been found to be associated with cognitive impairment. However, few studies have addressed cognitive impairment among mothers of children with DMD. In the present study, the neuropsychological profiles of both carrier mothers (C-Ms) and noncarrier mothers (NC-Ms) were examined, and the findings were compared with healthy control mothers (HC-Ms). There were 90 participants, consisting of 31 C-Ms, 24 NC-Ms, and 35 HC-Ms, each of whom completed a neuropsychological test battery. C-Ms had poorer cognition performance in attention, working memory, immediate verbal memory, visuospatial skills, and executive functions than NC-Ms, and HC-Ms. This study provides evidence that there may be cognitive impairment in mothers of patients with DMD. The cognitive impairment of C-Ms has similarities to that seen in children with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Demirci
- Department of Psychiatry, Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hacer Durmus
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Guven Toksoy
- Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Atilla Uslu
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yesim Parman
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasmet Hanagasi
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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21
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Fabian L, Dowling JJ. Zebrafish Models of LAMA2-Related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (MDC1A). Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:122. [PMID: 32742259 PMCID: PMC7364686 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD; LAMA2-MD), also referred to as merosin deficient CMD (MDC1A), is a severe neonatal onset muscle disease caused by recessive mutations in the LAMA2 gene. LAMA2 encodes laminin α2, a subunit of the extracellular matrix (ECM) oligomer laminin 211. There are currently no treatments for MDC1A, and there is an incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. Zebrafish, due to their high degree of genetic conservation with humans, large clutch sizes, rapid development, and optical clarity, have emerged as an excellent model system for studying rare Mendelian diseases. They are particularly suitable as a model for muscular dystrophy because they contain at least one orthologue to all major human MD genes, have muscle that is similar to human muscle in structure and function, and manifest obvious and easily measured MD related phenotypes. In this review article, we present the existing zebrafish models of MDC1A, and discuss their contribution to the understanding of MDC1A pathomechanisms and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacramioara Fabian
- Program for Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James J Dowling
- Program for Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Demonbreun AR, Fallon KS, Oosterbaan CC, Bogdanovic E, Warner JL, Sell JJ, Page PG, Quattrocelli M, Barefield DY, McNally EM. Recombinant annexin A6 promotes membrane repair and protects against muscle injury. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4657-4670. [PMID: 31545299 PMCID: PMC6819108 DOI: 10.1172/jci128840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane repair is essential to cell survival. In skeletal muscle, injury often associates with plasma membrane disruption. Additionally, muscular dystrophy is linked to mutations in genes that produce fragile membranes or reduce membrane repair. Methods to enhance repair and reduce susceptibility to injury could benefit muscle in both acute and chronic injury settings. Annexins are a family of membrane-associated Ca2+-binding proteins implicated in repair, and annexin A6 was previously identified as a genetic modifier of muscle injury and disease. Annexin A6 forms the repair cap over the site of membrane disruption. To elucidate how annexins facilitate repair, we visualized annexin cap formation during injury. We found that annexin cap size positively correlated with increasing Ca2+ concentrations. We also found that annexin overexpression promoted external blebs enriched in Ca2+ and correlated with a reduction of intracellular Ca2+ at the injury site. Annexin A6 overexpression reduced membrane injury, consistent with enhanced repair. Treatment with recombinant annexin A6 protected against acute muscle injury in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, administration of recombinant annexin A6 in a model of muscular dystrophy reduced serum creatinine kinase, a biomarker of disease. These data identify annexins as mediators of membrane-associated Ca2+ release during membrane repair and annexin A6 as a therapeutic target to enhance membrane repair capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis R. Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, and
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Kramerova I, Kumagai-Cresse C, Ermolova N, Mokhonova E, Marinov M, Capote J, Becerra D, Quattrocelli M, Crosbie RH, Welch E, McNally EM, Spencer MJ. Spp1 (osteopontin) promotes TGFβ processing in fibroblasts of dystrophin-deficient muscles through matrix metalloproteinases. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:3431-3442. [PMID: 31411676 PMCID: PMC7345878 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin. Prior work has shown that DMD progression can vary, depending on the genetic makeup of the patient. Several modifier alleles have been identified including LTBP4 and SPP1. We previously showed that Spp1 exacerbates the DMD phenotype in the mdx mouse model by promoting fibrosis and by skewing macrophage polarization. Here, we studied the mechanisms involved in Spp1's promotion of fibrosis by using both isolated fibroblasts and genetically modified mice. We found that Spp1 upregulates collagen expression in mdx fibroblasts by enhancing TGFβ signaling. Spp1's effects on TGFβ signaling are through induction of MMP9 expression. MMP9 is a protease that can release active TGFβ ligand from its latent complex. In support for activation of this pathway in our model, we showed that treatment of mdx fibroblasts with MMP9 inhibitor led to accumulation of the TGFβ latent complex, decreased levels of active TGFβ and reduced collagen expression. Correspondingly, we found reduced active TGFβ in Spp1-/-mdxB10 and Mmp9-/-mdxB10 muscles in vivo. Taken together with previous observations of reduced fibrosis in both models, these data suggest that Spp1 acts upstream of TGFβ to promote fibrosis in mdx muscles. We found that in the context of constitutively upregulated TGFβ signaling (such as in the mdxD2 model), ablation of Spp1 has very little effect on fibrosis. Finally, we performed proof-of-concept studies showing that postnatal pharmacological inhibition of Spp1 reduces fibrosis and improves muscle function in mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kramerova
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Chino Kumagai-Cresse
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Natalia Ermolova
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ekaterina Mokhonova
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Masha Marinov
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Joana Capote
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
- Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Diana Becerra
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Mattia Quattrocelli
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Rachelle H Crosbie
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles
- Paul Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center
| | | | - Elizabeth M McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Paul Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center
| | - Melissa J Spencer
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
- Paul Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center
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Gordish-Dressman H, Willmann R, Dalle Pazze L, Kreibich A, van Putten M, Heydemann A, Bogdanik L, Lutz C, Davies K, Demonbreun AR, Duan D, Elsey D, Fukada SI, Girgenrath M, Patrick Gonzalez J, Grounds MD, Nichols A, Partridge T, Passini M, Sanarica F, Schnell FJ, Wells DJ, Yokota T, Young CS, Zhong Z, Spurney C, Spencer M, De Luca A, Nagaraju K, Aartsma-Rus A. "Of Mice and Measures": A Project to Improve How We Advance Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Therapies to the Clinic. J Neuromuscul Dis 2019; 5:407-417. [PMID: 30198876 PMCID: PMC6218134 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-180324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A new line of dystrophic mdx mice on the DBA/2J (D2) background has emerged as a candidate to study the efficacy of therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). These mice harbor genetic polymorphisms that appear to increase the severity of the dystropathology, with disease modifiers that also occur in DMD patients, making them attractive for efficacy studies and drug development. This workshop aimed at collecting and consolidating available data on the pathological features and the natural history of these new D2/mdx mice, for comparison with classic mdx mice and controls, and to identify gaps in information and their potential value. The overall aim is to establish guidance on how to best use the D2/mdx mouse model in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Maaike van Putten
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Ahlke Heydemann
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Kay Davies
- Department of Physiology, University of Oxford, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexis R Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Neurology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - David Elsey
- Summit Therapeutics, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - So-Ichiro Fukada
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | - Miranda D Grounds
- School of Human Science, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Sanarica
- Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Italy
| | | | - Dominic J Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | | | - Courtney S Young
- Department of Neurology, Molecular Biology Institute, Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Melissa Spencer
- Department of Neurology, Molecular Biology Institute, Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy and Drug Sciences, Unit of Pharmacology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Italy
| | - Kanneboyina Nagaraju
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, New York, USA
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Weiss RB, Vieland VJ, Dunn DM, Kaminoh Y, Flanigan KM. Long-range genomic regulators of THBS1 and LTBP4 modify disease severity in duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ann Neurol 2018; 84:234-245. [PMID: 30014611 PMCID: PMC6168392 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked recessive disease caused by loss-of-function dystrophin (DMD) mutations in boys, who typically suffer loss of ambulation by age 12. Previously, we reported that coding variants in latent transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-binding protein 4 (LTBP4) were associated with reduced TGFβ signaling and prolonged ambulation (p = 1.0 × 10-3 ) in DMD patients; this result was subsequently replicated by other groups. In this study, we evaluated whether additional DMD modifier genes are observed using whole-genome association in the original cohort. METHODS We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing loss of ambulation (LOA) in the same cohort of 253 DMD patients used to detect the candidate association with LTBP4 coding variants. Gene expression and chromatin interaction databases were used to fine-map association signals above the threshold for genome-wide significance. RESULTS Despite the small sample size, two loci associated with prolonged ambulation met genome-wide significance and were tagged by rs2725797 (chr15, p = 6.6 × 10-9 ) and rs710160 (chr19, p = 4.7 × 10-8 ). Gene expression and chromatin interaction data indicated that the latter SNP tags regulatory variants of LTBP4, whereas the former SNP tags regulatory variants of thrombospondin-1 (THBS1): an activator of TGFβ signaling by direct binding to LTBP4 and an inhibitor of proangiogenic nitric oxide signaling. INTERPRETATION Together with previous evidence implicating LTBP4, the THBS1 modifier locus emphasizes the role that common regulatory variants in gene interaction networks can play in mitigating disease progression in muscular dystrophy. Ann Neurol 2018;84:234-245.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Veronica J. Vieland
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Statistics,The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Diane M. Dunn
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Yuuki Kaminoh
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kevin M. Flanigan
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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Schiaffino S. Knockout of human muscle genes revealed by large scale whole-exome studies. Mol Genet Metab 2018; 123:411-415. [PMID: 29452748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Large scale whole-exome sequence studies have revealed that a number of individuals from different populations have predicted loss-of-function of different genes due to nonsense, frameshift, or canonical splice-site mutations. Surprisingly, many of these mutations do not apparently show the deleterious phenotypic consequences expected from gene knockout. These homozygous null mutations, when confirmed, can provide insight into human gene function and suggest novel approaches to correct gene dysfunction, as the lack of the expected disease phenotype may reflect the existence of modifier genes that reveal potential therapeutic targets. Human knockouts complement the information derived from mouse knockouts, which are not always good models of human disease. We have examined human knockout datasets searching for genes expressed exclusively or predominantly in striated muscle. A number of well-known muscle genes was found in one or more datasets, including genes coding for sarcomeric myosins, components of the sarcomeric cytoskeleton, sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane, and enzymes involved in muscle metabolism. The surprising absence of phenotype in some of these human knockouts is critically discussed, focusing on the comparison with the corresponding mouse knockouts.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the etiologic heterogeneity of disease classification using clinical phenomenology, we employed contemporary criteria to classify variants associated with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome and to assess the strength of evidence of gene-disease associations. Standardized approaches are used to clarify the definition of MERRF, which is essential for patient diagnosis, patient classification, and clinical trial design. METHODS Systematic literature and database search with application of standardized assessment of gene-disease relationships using modified Smith criteria and of variants reported to be associated with MERRF using modified Yarham criteria. RESULTS Review of available evidence supports a gene-disease association for two MT-tRNAs and for POLG. Using modified Smith criteria, definitive evidence of a MERRF gene-disease association is identified for MT-TK. Strong gene-disease evidence is present for MT-TL1 and POLG. Functional assays that directly associate variants with oxidative phosphorylation impairment were critical to mtDNA variant classification. In silico analysis was of limited utility to the assessment of individual MT-tRNA variants. With the use of contemporary classification criteria, several mtDNA variants previously reported as pathogenic or possibly pathogenic are reclassified as neutral variants. CONCLUSIONS MERRF is primarily an MT-TK disease, with pathogenic variants in this gene accounting for ~90% of MERRF patients. Although MERRF is phenotypically and genotypically heterogeneous, myoclonic epilepsy is the clinical feature that distinguishes MERRF from other categories of mitochondrial disorders. Given its low frequency in mitochondrial disorders, myoclonic epilepsy is not explained simply by an impairment of cellular energetics. Although MERRF phenocopies can occur in other genes, additional data are needed to establish a MERRF disease-gene association. This approach to MERRF emphasizes standardized classification rather than clinical phenomenology, thus improving patient diagnosis and clinical trial design.
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