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Hermes TDA, Mâncio RD, Mizobutti DS, Macedo AB, Kido LA, Cagnon Quitete VHA, Minatel E. Cilostazol attenuates oxidative stress and apoptosis in the quadriceps muscle of the dystrophic mouse experimental model. Int J Exp Pathol 2023; 104:13-22. [PMID: 36565167 PMCID: PMC9845609 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12461] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe and frequent form of muscular dystrophy. The mdx mouse is one of the most widely used experimental models to understand aspects of the biology of dystrophic skeletal muscles and the mechanisms of DMD. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are present in early stages of the disease in mdx mice. The high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes activation of apoptotic death regulatory proteins due to DNA damage and breakdown of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes. The quadriceps (QUA) muscle of the mdx mouse is a good tool to study oxidative events. Previous studies have demonstrated that cilostazol exerts an anti-oxidant effect by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of cilostazol to modulate oxidative stress and apoptosis in the QUA muscle of mdx mice. Fourteen-day-old mdx mice received cilostazol or saline for 14 days. C57BL/10 mice were used as a control. In the QUA muscle of mdx mice, cilostazol treatment decreased ROS production (-74%), the number of lipofuscin granules (-47%), lipid peroxidation (-11%), and the number of apoptotic cells (-66%). Thus cilostazol showed anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic action in the QUA muscle of mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
- Departament of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical SciencesFederal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL‐MG)AlfenasBrazil
| | - Rafael Dias Mâncio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobutti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Aline Barbosa Macedo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Larissa Akemi Kido
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | | | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
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Samidurai A, Xi L, Das A, Kukreja RC. Beyond Erectile Dysfunction: cGMP-Specific Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors for Other Clinical Disorders. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:585-615. [PMID: 36206989 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-040122-034745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), an important intracellular second messenger, mediates cellular functional responses in all vital organs. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is one of the 11 members of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) family that specifically targets cGMP generated by nitric oxide-driven activation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase. PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil and tadalafil, are widely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and certain urological disorders. Preclinical studies have shown promising effects of PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, cancer and anticancer-drug-associated cardiotoxicity, diabetes, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's disease, and other aging-related conditions. Many clinical trials with PDE5 inhibitors have focused on the potential cardiovascular, anticancer, and neurological benefits. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on PDE5 inhibitors and their potential therapeutic indications for various clinical disorders beyond erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Samidurai
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
| | - Lei Xi
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
| | - Anindita Das
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
| | - Rakesh C Kukreja
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA;
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3
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Thapa S, Elhadidy S, Asakura A. Vascular therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Fac Rev 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 36873982 PMCID: PMC9979239 DOI: 10.12703/r/12-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disease characterized by the wasting of the muscles that eventually lead to difficulty moving and, ultimately, premature death from heart and respiratory complications. DMD deficiency is caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, which prevents skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and other cells from producing the functional protein. Located on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, dystrophin serves as a component of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC), mechanically reinforces the sarcolemma, and stabilizes the DGC, preventing it from contraction-mediated muscle degradation. In DMD muscle, dystrophin deficiency leads to progressive fibrosis, myofiber damage, chronic inflammation, and dysfunction of the mitochondria and muscle stem cells. Currently, DMD is incurable, and treatment involves the administration of glucocorticoids in order to delay disease progression. In the presence of developmental delay, proximal weakness, and elevated serum creatine kinase levels, a definitive diagnosis can usually be made after an extensive review of the patient's history and physical examination, as well as confirmation through muscle biopsy or genetic testing. Current standards of care include the use of corticosteroids to prolong ambulation and delay the onset of secondary complications, including respiratory muscle and cardiac functions. However, different studies have been carried out to show the relationship between vascular density and impaired angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of DMD. Several recent studies on DMD management are vascular targeted and focused on ischemia as a culprit for the pathogenesis of DMD. This review critically discusses approaches-such as modulation of nitric oxide (NO) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related pathways-to attenuate the dystrophic phenotype and enhance angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangharsha Thapa
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
| | - Shaymaa Elhadidy
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA
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4
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Phosphodiesterase 5a Signalling in Skeletal Muscle Pathophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010703. [PMID: 36614143 PMCID: PMC9820699 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) is involved in cGMP hydrolysis, regulating many physiological processes. Increased activity of PDE5A has been found in several pathological conditions, and the pharmacological inhibition of PDE5 has been demonstrated to have several therapeutic applications. We have identified the presence of three different Pde5a isoforms in cardiomyocytes, and we have found that the expression of specific Pde5a isoforms may have a causal role in the onset of pathological responses in these cells. In our previous study, we demonstrated that PDE5A inhibition could ameliorate muscular dystrophy by acting at different levels, as assessed by the altered genomic response of muscular cells following treatment with the PDE5A inhibitor tadalafil. Thus, considering the importance of PDE5A in various pathophysiological conditions, we further investigated the regulation of this enzyme. Here, we analysed the expression of Pde5a isoforms in the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle. We found that skeletal muscle tissues and myogenic cells express Pde5a1 and Pde5a2 isoforms, and we observed an increased expression of Pde5a1 in damaged skeletal muscles, while Pde5a2 levels remained unchanged. We also cloned and characterized the promoters that control the transcription of Pde5a isoforms, investigating which of the transcription factors predicted by bioinformatics analysis could be involved in their modulation. In conclusion, we found an overexpression of Pde5a1 in compromised muscle and identified an involvement of MyoD and Runx1 in Pde5a1 transcriptional activity.
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Morris CE, Wheeler JJ, Joos B. The Donnan-dominated resting state of skeletal muscle fibers contributes to resilience and longevity in dystrophic fibers. J Gen Physiol 2022; 154:212743. [PMID: 34731883 PMCID: PMC8570295 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202112914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked dystrophin-minus muscle-wasting disease. Ion homeostasis in skeletal muscle fibers underperforms as DMD progresses. But though DMD renders these excitable cells intolerant of exertion, sodium overloaded, depolarized, and spontaneously contractile, they can survive for several decades. We show computationally that underpinning this longevity is a strikingly frugal, robust Pump-Leak/Donnan (P-L/D) ion homeostatic process. Unlike neurons, which operate with a costly “Pump-Leak–dominated” ion homeostatic steady state, skeletal muscle fibers operate with a low-cost “Donnan-dominated” ion homeostatic steady state that combines a large chloride permeability with an exceptionally small sodium permeability. Simultaneously, this combination keeps fiber excitability low and minimizes pump expenditures. As mechanically active, long-lived multinucleate cells, skeletal muscle fibers have evolved to handle overexertion, sarcolemmal tears, ischemic bouts, etc.; the frugality of their Donnan dominated steady state lets them maintain the outsized pump reserves that make them resilient during these inevitable transient emergencies. Here, P-L/D model variants challenged with DMD-type insult/injury (low pump-strength, overstimulation, leaky Nav and cation channels) show how chronic “nonosmotic” sodium overload (observed in DMD patients) develops. Profoundly severe DMD ion homeostatic insult/injury causes spontaneous firing (and, consequently, unwanted excitation–contraction coupling) that elicits cytotoxic swelling. Therefore, boosting operational pump-strength and/or diminishing sodium and cation channel leaks should help extend DMD fiber longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Morris
- Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.,Center for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Béla Joos
- Center for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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6
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Kawahara G. [Therapeutic drug screening with zebrafish models]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2021; 156:355-358. [PMID: 34719569 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.21060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish mutant strains to mimic human diseases have been developed to study human diseases and to discover novel therapeutic drugs. The characteristics of zebrafish, small size, large clutch size, ex utero development, body transparency, and genetic tractability are very useful to research approaches like therapeutic drug screening. Here we introduce and discuss zebrafish models of human diseases and methods of drugs screening using them. Specifically, we show examples of therapeutic drug screens using zebrafish models of a muscular dystrophy to identify new candidates to improve phenotypes in skeletal muscle. The drug screening also reveals new drug actions and unexpected directions for future therapeutic ways. Phenotypic drug screen using zebrafish is an important for rapidly developing and validating therapeutics for human diseases.
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7
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Yao S, Chen Z, Yu Y, Zhang N, Jiang H, Zhang G, Zhang Z, Zhang B. Current Pharmacological Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:689533. [PMID: 34490244 PMCID: PMC8417245 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.689533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin protein, which is essential for muscle fiber integrity. Loss of dystrophin protein leads to recurrent myofiber damage, chronic inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and dysfunction of muscle stem cells. There is still no cure for DMD so far and the standard of care is principally limited to symptom relief through glucocorticoids treatments. Current therapeutic strategies could be divided into two lines. Dystrophin-targeted therapeutic strategies that aim at restoring the expression and/or function of dystrophin, including gene-based, cell-based and protein replacement therapies. The other line of therapeutic strategies aims to improve muscle function and quality by targeting the downstream pathological changes, including inflammation, fibrosis, and muscle atrophy. This review introduces the important developments in these two lines of strategies, especially those that have entered the clinical phase and/or have great potential for clinical translation. The rationale and efficacy of each agent in pre-clinical or clinical studies are presented. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of gene profiling in DMD patients has been performed to understand the molecular mechanisms of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Zihao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Hewen Jiang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Zongkang Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Baoting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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8
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Assessing the Use of the sGC Stimulator BAY-747, as a Potential Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158016. [PMID: 34360780 PMCID: PMC8347633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle wasting disorder, affecting one in 3500 to 5000 boys worldwide. The NO-sGC-cGMP pathway plays an important role in skeletal muscle function, primarily by improving blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles during exercise. In fact, PDE5 inhibitors have previously been investigated as a potential therapy for DMD, however, a large-scale Phase III clinical trial did not meet its primary endpoint. Since the efficacy of PDE5i is dependent on sufficient endogenous NO production, which might be impaired in DMD, we investigated if NO-independent sGC stimulators, could have therapeutic benefits in a mouse model of DMD. Male mdx/mTRG2 mice aged six weeks were given food supplemented with the sGC stimulator, BAY-747 (150 mg/kg of food) or food alone (untreated) ad libitum for 16 weeks. Untreated C57BL6/J mice were used as wild type (WT) controls. Assessments of the four-limb hang, grip strength, running wheel and serum creatine kinase (CK) levels showed that mdx/mTRG2 mice had significantly reduced skeletal muscle function and severe muscle damage compared to WT mice. Treatment with BAY-747 improved grip strength and running speed, and these mice also had reduced CK levels compared to untreated mdx/mTRG2 mice. We also observed increased inflammation and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mdx/mTRG2 mice compared to WT. While gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and some pro-fibrotic markers in the skeletal muscle was reduced following BAY-747 treatment, there was no reduction in infiltration of myeloid immune cells nor collagen deposition. In conclusion, treatment with BAY-747 significantly improves several functional and pathological parameters of the skeletal muscle in mdx/mTRG2 mice. However, the effect size was moderate and therefore, more studies are needed to fully understand the potential treatment benefit of sGC stimulators in DMD.
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9
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Bosco J, Zhou Z, Gabriëls S, Verma M, Liu N, Miller BK, Gu S, Lundberg DM, Huang Y, Brown E, Josiah S, Meiyappan M, Traylor MJ, Chen N, Asakura A, De Jonge N, Blanchetot C, de Haard H, Duffy HS, Keefe D. VEGFR-1/Flt-1 inhibition increases angiogenesis and improves muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 21:369-381. [PMID: 33898634 PMCID: PMC8055526 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by structural degeneration of muscle, which is exacerbated by localized functional ischemia due to loss of nitric oxide synthase-induced vasodilation. Treatment strategies aimed at increasing vascular perfusion have been proposed. Toward this end, we have developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that bind to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and its soluble splice variant isoform (sFlt-1) leading to increased levels of free VEGF and proangiogenic signaling. The lead chimeric mAb, 21B3, had high affinity and specificity for both human and mouse sFlt-1 and inhibited VEGF binding to sFlt-1 in a competitive manner. Proof-of-concept studies in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed that intravenous administration of 21B3 led to elevated VEGF levels, increased vascularization and blood flow to muscles, and decreased fibrosis after 6-12 weeks of treatment. Greater muscle strength was also observed after 4 weeks of treatment. A humanized form of the mAb, 27H6, was engineered and demonstrated a comparable pharmacologic effect. Overall, administration of anti-Flt-1 mAbs in mdx mice inhibited the VEGF:Flt-1 interaction, promoted angiogenesis, and improved muscle function. These studies suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of Flt-1 inhibition for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Bosco
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Zhiwei Zhou
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Mayank Verma
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nan Liu
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Brian K. Miller
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Sheng Gu
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Yan Huang
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Eilish Brown
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Serene Josiah
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Nancy Chen
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Heather S. Duffy
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Keefe
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA
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Lopez C, Taivassalo T, Berru MG, Saavedra A, Rasmussen HC, Batra A, Arora H, Roetzheim AM, Walter GA, Vandenborne K, Forbes SC. Postcontractile blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 131:83-94. [PMID: 34013753 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00634.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by a progressive replacement of muscle by fat and fibrous tissue, muscle weakness, and loss of functional abilities. Impaired vasodilatory and blood flow responses to muscle activation have also been observed in DMD and associated with mislocalization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSμ) from the sarcolemma. The objective of this study was to determine whether the postcontractile blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI response is impaired in DMD and correlated with established markers of disease severity in DMD, including MRI muscle fat fraction (FF) and clinical functional measures. Young boys with DMD (n = 16, 5-14 yr) and unaffected controls (n = 16, 5-14 yr) were evaluated using postcontractile BOLD, FF, and functional assessments. The BOLD response was measured following five brief (2 s) maximal voluntary dorsiflexion contractions, each separated by 1 min of rest. FFs from the anterior compartment lower leg muscles were quantified via chemical shift-encoded imaging. Functional abilities were assessed using the 10 m walk/run and the 6-min walk distance (6MWD). The peak BOLD responses in the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus were reduced (P < 0.001) in DMD compared with controls. Furthermore, the anterior compartment peak BOLD response correlated with function (6MWD ρ = 0.87, P < 0.0001; 10 m walk/run time ρ = -0.78, P < 0.001) and FF (ρ = -0.52, P = 0.05). The reduced postcontractile BOLD response in DMD may reflect impaired microvascular function. The relationship observed between the postcontractile peak BOLD response and functional measures and FF suggests that the BOLD response is altered with disease severity in DMD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examined the postcontractile blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and unaffected controls, and correlated this measure to markers of disease severity. Our findings indicate that the postcontractile BOLD response is impaired in DMD after brief muscle contractions, is correlated to disease severity, and may be valuable to implement in future studies to evaluate treatments targeting microvascular function in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lopez
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tanja Taivassalo
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Maria G Berru
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Andres Saavedra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hannah C Rasmussen
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Abhinandan Batra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Harneet Arora
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Alex M Roetzheim
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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11
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Lindsay A, Kemp B, Larson AA, Baumann CW, McCourt PM, Holm J, Karachunski P, Lowe DA, Ervasti JM. Tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis and metabolism is impaired in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice and humans. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2021; 231:e13627. [PMID: 33580591 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM Loss of dystrophin causes oxidative stress and affects nitric oxide synthase-mediated vascular function in striated muscle. Because tetrahydrobiopterin is an antioxidant and co-factor for nitric oxide synthase, we tested the hypothesis that tetrahydrobiopterin would be low in mdx mice and humans deficient for dystrophin. METHODS Tetrahydrobiopterin and its metabolites were measured at rest and in response to exercise in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients, age-matched male controls as well as wild-type, mdx and mdx mice transgenically overexpressing skeletal muscle-specific dystrophins. Mdx mice were also supplemented with tetrahydrobiopterin and pathophysiology was assessed. RESULTS Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients had lower urinary dihydrobiopterin + tetrahydrobiopterin/specific gravity1.020 compared to unaffected age-matched males and Becker muscular dystrophy patients. Mdx mice had low urinary and skeletal muscle dihydrobiopterin + tetrahydrobiopterin compared to wild-type mice. Overexpression of dystrophins that localize neuronal nitric oxide synthase restored dihydrobiopterin + tetrahydrobiopterin in mdx mice to wild-type levels while utrophin overexpression did not. Mdx mice and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients did not increase tetrahydrobiopterin during exercise and in mdx mice tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency was likely because of lower levels of sepiapterin reductase in skeletal muscle. Tetrahydrobiopterin supplementation improved skeletal muscle strength, resistance to fatiguing and injurious contractions in vivo, increased utrophin and capillary density of skeletal muscle and lowered cardiac muscle fibrosis and left ventricular wall thickness in mdx mice. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that impaired tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis is associated with dystrophin loss and treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin improves striated muscle histopathology and skeletal muscle function in mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angus Lindsay
- Division of Rehabilitation Science and Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Bailey Kemp
- Lillehei Heart Institute, Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alexie A Larson
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Cory W Baumann
- Division of Rehabilitation Science and Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Preston M McCourt
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - John Holm
- Lillehei Heart Institute, Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Peter Karachunski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dawn A Lowe
- Division of Rehabilitation Science and Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - James M Ervasti
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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12
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Widrick JJ, Kawahara G, Alexander MS, Beggs AH, Kunkel LM. Discovery of Novel Therapeutics for Muscular Dystrophies using Zebrafish Phenotypic Screens. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 6:271-287. [PMID: 31282429 PMCID: PMC6961982 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The recent availability and development of mutant and transgenic zebrafish strains that model human muscular dystrophies has created new research opportunities for therapeutic development. Not only do these models mimic many pathological aspects of human dystrophies, but their small size, large clutch sizes, rapid ex utero development, body transparency, and genetic tractability enable research approaches that would be inconceivable with mammalian model systems. Here we discuss the use of zebrafish models of muscular dystrophy to rapidly screen hundreds to thousands of bioactive compounds in order to identify novel therapeutic candidates that modulate pathologic phenotypes. We review the justification and rationale behind this unbiased approach, including how zebrafish screens have identified FDA-approved drugs that are candidates for treating Duchenne and limb girdle muscular dystrophies. Not only can these drugs be re-purposed for treating dystrophies in a fraction of the time and cost of new drug development, but their identification has revealed novel, unexpected directions for future therapy development. Phenotype-driven zebrafish drug screens are an important compliment to the more established mammalian, target-based approaches for rapidly developing and validating therapeutics for muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Widrick
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Genri Kawahara
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Matthew S Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children's of Alabama; University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Exercise Medicine; University of Alabama at Birmingham Civitan International Research Center; University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Genetics; Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Alan H Beggs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Louis M Kunkel
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Kim TW, Park SS, Kim BK, Sim YJ, Shin MS. Effects of sildenafil citrate on peripheral fatigue and exercise performance after exhaustive swimming exercise in rats. J Exerc Rehabil 2019; 15:751-756. [PMID: 31938694 PMCID: PMC6944887 DOI: 10.12965/jer.1938712.356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sildenafil citrate is a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type-5 used to treat erectile dysfunction. We investigated the effects of sildenafil citrate treatment on peripheral fatigue and exercise performance after exhaustive swimming exercise in rats. The rats in the sildenafil citrate-treated groups received sildenafil citrate orally once a day for 14 consecutive days at respective dosage. On the 14 days after starting experiment, each animal was submitted to swimming test with intensity equivalent to overload. The exhaustion was defined as a state in which coordinated movements did not return to the water surface for breathing within 10 sec. Western blot for monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)1, MCT4, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were performed. Exhaustive swimming exercise decreased time of exhaustion and increased lactate concentration, however, sildenafil citrate enhanced time of exhaustion and decreased lactate concentration. Exhaustive swimming exercise increased MCT1 and MCT4 expressions in the gastrocnemius muscles and sildenafil citrate further enhanced MCT1 and MCT4 expressions in the exhaustive swimming exercise rats. Exhaustive swimming exercise decreased nNOS expression in the gastrocnemius muscles and sildenafil citrate enhanced nNOS expression in the exhaustive swimming exercise rats. The most potent effect appeared in the 20-mg/kg sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil citrate might be proposed as a potential ergogenic aid through antiperipheral fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Woon Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Seo Park
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bo-Kyun Kim
- Department of Emergency Technology, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Young-Je Sim
- Department of Physical Education, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, Korea
| | - Mal-Soon Shin
- College of Culture and Sports, Division of Global Sport Studies, Korea University, Sejong, Korea
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14
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Verma M, Shimizu-Motohashi Y, Asakura Y, Ennen JP, Bosco J, Zhou Z, Fong GH, Josiah S, Keefe D, Asakura A. Inhibition of FLT1 ameliorates muscular dystrophy phenotype by increased vasculature in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008468. [PMID: 31877123 PMCID: PMC6932757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive genetic disease in which the dystrophin coding for a membrane stabilizing protein is mutated. Recently, the vasculature has also shown to be perturbed in DMD and DMD model mdx mice. Recent DMD transcriptomics revealed the defects were correlated to a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. To reveal the relationship between DMD and VEGF signaling, mdx mice were crossed with constitutive (CAGCreERTM:Flt1LoxP/LoxP) and endothelial cell-specific conditional gene knockout mice (Cdh5CreERT2:Flt1LoxP/LoxP) for Flt1 (VEGFR1) which is a decoy receptor for VEGF. Here, we showed that while constitutive deletion of Flt1 is detrimental to the skeletal muscle function, endothelial cell-specific Flt1 deletion resulted in increased vascular density, increased satellite cell number and improvement in the DMD-associated phenotype in the mdx mice. These decreases in pathology, including improved muscle histology and function, were recapitulated in mdx mice given anti-FLT1 peptides or monoclonal antibodies, which blocked VEGF-FLT1 binding. The histological and functional improvement of dystrophic muscle by FLT1 blockade provides a novel pharmacological strategy for the potential treatment of DMD. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle disease affecting one in 5,000 newborn males, in which the gene encoding the dystrophin protein is mutated. It is a progressive muscle degenerative disease with death by either respiratory insufficiency or cardiac failure in their 20s. Recently, the vasculature has also shown to be perturbed in DMD and DMD model mdx mice with the defects correlated to a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. To reveal the relationship between DMD and VEGF signaling, mdx mice were crossed with mice carrying mutated a decoy receptor gene (Flt1) for VEGF. Here, we showed that Flt1 deletion resulted in increased vascular density and improvement in the DMD-associated skeletal muscle phenotype in the mdx mice. These decreases in pathology, including improved muscle histology and function, were recapitulated in mdx mice given anti-FLT1 peptides or monoclonal antibodies, which blocked VEGF-FLT1 binding. The histological and functional improvement of dystrophic muscle by FLT1 blockade provides a novel pharmacological strategy for the potential treatment of DMD.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/drug therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/physiopathology
- Organ Specificity
- Peptides/administration & dosage
- Peptides/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayank Verma
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Yuko Shimizu-Motohashi
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Yoko Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - James P. Ennen
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Bosco
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc., a member of the Takeda group of companies, Lexington, MA, United States of America
| | - Zhiwei Zhou
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc., a member of the Takeda group of companies, Lexington, MA, United States of America
| | - Guo-Hua Fong
- Center for Vascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Serene Josiah
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc., a member of the Takeda group of companies, Lexington, MA, United States of America
| | - Dennis Keefe
- Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc., a member of the Takeda group of companies, Lexington, MA, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Paul & Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Vitiello L, Tibaudo L, Pegoraro E, Bello L, Canton M. Teaching an Old Molecule New Tricks: Drug Repositioning for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E6053. [PMID: 31801292 PMCID: PMC6929176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most severe forms of inherited muscular dystrophies. The disease is caused by the lack of dystrophin, a structurally essential protein; hence, a definitive cure would necessarily have to pass through some form of gene and/or cell therapy. Cell- and genetic-based therapeutics for DMD have been explored since the 1990s and recently, two of the latter have been approved for clinical use, but their efficacy is still very low. In parallel, there have been great ongoing efforts aimed at targeting the downstream pathogenic effects of dystrophin deficiency using classical pharmacological approaches, with synthetic or biological molecules. However, as it is always the case with rare diseases, R&D costs for new drugs can represent a major hurdle for researchers and patients alike. This problem can be greatly alleviated by experimenting the use of molecules that had originally been developed for different conditions, a process known as drug repurposing or drug repositioning. In this review, we will describe the state of the art of such an approach for DMD, both in the context of clinical trials and pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libero Vitiello
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Administrative headquarters University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy;
| | - Lucia Tibaudo
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Administrative headquarters University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 5-35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Luca Bello
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 5-35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Marcella Canton
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Administrative headquarters University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza-IRP, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
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16
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Goldberg EJ, Schmidt CA, Green TD, Karnekar R, Yamaguchi DJ, Spangenberg EE, McClung JM. Temporal Association Between Ischemic Muscle Perfusion Recovery and the Restoration of Muscle Contractile Function After Hindlimb Ischemia. Front Physiol 2019; 10:804. [PMID: 31316393 PMCID: PMC6611152 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During incomplete skeletal muscle recovery from ischemia, such as that occurs with critical limb ischemia, the temporal relationship between recovery of muscle capillary perfusion and contractile function is poorly defined. We examined this relationship in BALB/cJ mice (N = 24) following unilateral hindlimb ischemia (HLI), which pre-clinically mimics the myopathy observed in critical limb ischemia patients. Specifically, we examined this relationship in two phenotypically distinct muscles (i.e., "oxidative" soleus - Sol and "glycolytic" extensor digitorum longus - EDL) 14- or 56-days after HLI. Although overall limb blood flow (LDPI) reached its' recovery peak (48% of control) by HLI d14, the capillary networks in both the Sol and EDL (whole mount confocal imaging) were disrupted and competent muscle capillary perfusion (perfused lectin+μm2/muscle μm2) remained reduced. Interestingly, both Sol and EDL muscles recovered their distinct capillary structures and perfusion (Con Sol; 0.056 ± 0.02 lectin+μm2/muscle μm2, and Con EDL; 0.039 ± 0.005 lectin+μm2/muscle μm2) by HLI d56 (Sol; 0.062 ± 0.011 lectin+μm2/muscle μm2 and EDL; 0.0035 ± 0.005 lectin+μm2/muscle μm2), despite no further improvement in limb blood flow (LDPI). Both muscles suffered severe myopathy, indicated by loss of dystrophin positive immunostaining and the absence of stimulation induced isometric force production at HLI d14. Dystrophin immunofluorescence returned at HLI d56, although neither myofiber CSA (μm2) nor isometric force production (58 and 28% sustained deficits, Sol and EDL, respectively) recovered completely in either muscle. In summary, we reveal that the temporal relationship between the restoration of muscle capillary perfusion and functional ischemic skeletal muscle regeneration favors competent muscle capillary perfusion recovery in BALB/c mice in a phenotypically non-distinct manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Goldberg
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Cameron A Schmidt
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - T D Green
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - R Karnekar
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - D J Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,Division of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - E E Spangenberg
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Joseph M McClung
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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17
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Hermes TDA, Mâncio RD, Macedo AB, Mizobuti DS, da Rocha GL, Cagnon VHA, Minatel E. Tempol treatment shows phenotype improvement in mdx mice. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215590. [PMID: 31009514 PMCID: PMC6476507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering potential Tempol effects on mdx muscle fibers, in this study we evaluated its effects on relevant dystrophic phenotypic characteristics, such as muscle degeneration, inflammatory process and angiogenesis, which as yet have not been investigated. Mdx mice were randomly assigned into three groups: mdxS, the control group receiving intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of saline solution (100μL); mdxP, positive control group receiving prednisolone (1mg/kg) by oral gavage; and mdxT, treated group receiving i.p. injections of tempol (100 mg/kg). C57BL/10 mice were also used as controls. Tempol treatment promoted gain in muscle strength and reduced myonecrosis and inflammatory response in the dystrophic diaphragm (DIA) and biceps brachii (BB) muscles. No evidence of Tempol's beneficial performance on angiogenesis in DIA and BB mdx muscles was found. The findings presented here show that Tempol treatment improves dystrophic phenotype, supporting its use as a potential therapeutic strategy in DMD.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antioxidants/administration & dosage
- Antioxidants/pharmacology
- Cyclic N-Oxides/administration & dosage
- Cyclic N-Oxides/pharmacology
- Diaphragm/metabolism
- Diaphragm/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/drug effects
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/physiology
- Muscle Strength/drug effects
- Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophies/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophies/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophies/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/physiopathology
- Phenotype
- Spin Labels
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Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dias Mâncio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Barbosa Macedo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Luiz da Rocha
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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18
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Batra A, Vohra RS, Chrzanowski SM, Hammers DW, Lott DJ, Vandenborne K, Walter GA, Forbes SC. Effects of PDE5 inhibition on dystrophic muscle following an acute bout of downhill running and endurance training. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 126:1737-1745. [PMID: 30946638 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00664.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of sarcolemma-localized neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSμ) contributes to muscle damage and fatigue in dystrophic muscle. In this study, we examined the effects of compensating for lack of nNOSμ with a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor in mdx mice following downhill running and endurance training. Dystrophic mice (mdx) were treated with sildenafil citrate and compared with untreated mdx and wild-type mice after an acute bout of downhill running and during a progressive low-intensity treadmill running program (5 days/wk, 4 wk). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) transverse relaxation time constant (T2) of hindlimb and forelimb muscles were measured as a marker of muscle damage after downhill running and throughout training. The MRI blood oxygenation level dependence (BOLD) response and 31phosphorus MRS (31P-MRS) data were acquired after stimulated muscle contractions. After downhill running, the increase in T2 was attenuated (P < 0.05) in treated mdx and wild-type mice compared with untreated mdx. During training, resting T2 values did not change in wild-type and mdx mice from baseline values; however, the running distance completed during training was greater (P < 0.05) in treated mdx (>90% of target distance) and wild-type (100%) than untreated mdx (60%). The post-contractile BOLD response was greater (P < 0.05) in treated mdx that trained than untreated mdx, with no differences in muscle oxidative capacity, as measured by 31P-MRS. Our findings indicate that PDE5 inhibition reduces muscle damage after a single bout of downhill running and improves performance during endurance training in dystrophic mice, possibly because of enhanced microvascular function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examined the combined effects of PDE5 inhibition and exercise in dystrophic muscle using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Our findings demonstrated that sildenafil citrate reduces muscle damage after a single bout of downhill running, improves endurance-training performance, and enhances microvascular function in dystrophic muscle. Collectively, the results support the combination of exercise and PDE5 inhibition as a therapeutic approach in muscular dystrophies lacking nNOSμ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinandan Batra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ravneet S Vohra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Steve M Chrzanowski
- Department of Physiology and Therapeutics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - David W Hammers
- Department of Pharmacology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Donovan J Lott
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Department of Physiology and Therapeutics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida
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19
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Verma M, Asakura Y, Asakura A. Inhibition of microRNA-92a increases blood vessels and satellite cells in skeletal muscle but does not improve duchenne muscular dystrophy-related phenotype in mdx mice. Muscle Nerve 2019; 59:594-602. [PMID: 30698289 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The vasculature and blood flow in muscle are perturbed in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its mdx mouse model. MicroRNA-92a (miR-92a) is enriched in endothelial cells, especially during ischemic injury. METHODS Because antagonizing miR-92a was shown to result in increased proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and recovery from ischemia, we assessed the effects of Antagomir-92a in vitro in muscle stem cell culture and in vivo in mdx mice. RESULTS miR-92a was found to be highly expressed in muscle endothelial cells and satellite cells. Treatment with Antagomir-92a increased capillary density and tissue perfusion, which was accompanied by an increase in satellite cells. However, Antagomir-92a-treated mdx mice showed no histological improvement and had worse muscle function. Antagomir-92a suppressed myogenic differentiation in satellite cell culture. DISCUSSION AntagomiR-92a improves the vasculature but not the muscle in mdx mice, possibly due to its side effects on satellite cell differentiation. Muscle Nerve 59:594-594, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayank Verma
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yoko Asakura
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Atsushi Asakura
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
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20
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Wuebbles RD, Cruz V, Van Ry P, Barraza-Flores P, Brewer PD, Jones P, Burkin DJ. Human Galectin-1 Improves Sarcolemma Stability and Muscle Vascularization in the mdx Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 13:145-153. [PMID: 30788383 PMCID: PMC6369265 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that result in the complete absence of dystrophin protein. We have shown previously that recombinant mouse Galectin-1 treatment improves physiological and histological outcome measures in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Because recombinant human Galectin-1 (rHsGal1) will be used to treat DMD patients, we performed a dose-ranging study and intraperitoneal or intravenous delivery to determine the efficacy of rHsGal1 to improve preclinical outcome measures in mdx mice. Our studies showed that the optimal dose of rHsGal1 delivered intraperitoneally was 20 mg/kg and that this treatment improved muscle strength, sarcolemma stability, and capillary density in skeletal muscle. We next examined the efficacy of intravenous delivery and found that a dose of 2.5 mg/kg rHsGal1 was well tolerated and improved outcome measures in the mdx mouse model. Our studies identified that intravenous doses of rHsGal1 exceeding 2.5 mg/kg resulted in toxicity, indicating that dosing using this delivery mechanism will need to be carefully monitored. Our results support the idea that rHsGal1 treatment can improve outcome measures in the mdx mouse model and support further development as a potential therapeutic agent for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Wuebbles
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA.,StrykaGen Corporation, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | | | - Pam Van Ry
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA.,StrykaGen Corporation, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Pamela Barraza-Flores
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | | | - Peter Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Dean J Burkin
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA.,StrykaGen Corporation, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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21
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Balke JE, Zhang L, Percival JM. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) splice variant function: Insights into nitric oxide signaling from skeletal muscle. Nitric Oxide 2018; 82:35-47. [PMID: 30503614 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Defects in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) splice variant localization and signaling in skeletal muscle are a firmly established pathogenic characteristic of many neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD and BMD, respectively). Therefore, substantial efforts have been made to understand and therapeutically target skeletal muscle nNOS isoform signaling. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent salient advances in understanding of the regulation, targeting, and function of nNOSμ and nNOSβ splice variants in normal and dystrophic skeletal muscle, primarily using findings from mouse models. The first focus of this review is how the differential targeting of nNOS splice variants creates spatially and functionally distinct nitric oxide (NO) signaling compartments at the sarcolemma, Golgi complex, and cytoplasm. Particular attention is given to the functions of sarcolemmal nNOSμ and limitations of current nNOS knockout models. The second major focus is to review current understanding of cGMP-mediated nNOS signaling in skeletal muscle and its emergence as a therapeutic target in DMD and BMD. Accordingly, we address the preclinical and clinical successes and setbacks with the testing of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors to redress nNOS signaling defects in DMD and BMD. In summary, this review of nNOS function in normal and dystrophic muscle aims to advance understanding how the messenger NO is harnessed for cellular signaling from a skeletal muscle perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Balke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, Florida, 33101, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, Florida, 33101, USA
| | - Justin M Percival
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, Florida, 33101, USA.
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22
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Percival JM. Perspective: Spectrin-Like Repeats in Dystrophin Have Unique Binding Preferences for Syntrophin Adaptors That Explain the Mystery of How nNOSμ Localizes to the Sarcolemma. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1369. [PMID: 30349485 PMCID: PMC6186803 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin is a massive multi-domain protein composed of specialized amino and carboxyl termini that are separated by 24 spectrin-like repeats. Dystrophin performs critical structural and signaling roles that are indispensable for the functional integrity of skeletal muscle. Indeed, the loss of dystrophin protein expression causes the muscle wasting disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Substantial progress has been made in defining the functions of the domains of dystrophin, which has proven invaluable for the development of miniaturized dystrophin gene and exon skipping therapies for DMD. However, a long-standing mystery regarding dystrophin function is how dystrophin, and its adaptor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSμ) binding partner α-syntrophin, cooperate to localize nNOSμ to the sarcolemma. Only when localized to the sarcolemma can nNOSμ override sympathetic vasoconstriction and prevent functional ischemia in contracting muscles. Current evidence suggests that spectrin-like repeat 17 of dystrophin and α-syntrophin cooperate to localize nNOSμ to the sarcolemma. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear and controversial because of equivocal evidence for direct binding of dystrophin and nNOSμ. Recently, an important study identified a novel α-syntrophin binding site within spectrin-like repeat 17, leading to a new model whereby α-syntrophin recruits nNOSμ to the sarcolemmal dystrophin complex by binding spectrin-like repeat 17. This model finally appears to solve the mystery of the dual requirement for dystrophin and α-syntrophin for sarcolemmal nNOSμ localization. The aim of the current perspective is to highlight this major advance in understanding of dystrophin’s role in localizing nNOSμ and its implications for current trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Percival
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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23
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Leigh F, Ferlini A, Biggar D, Bushby K, Finkel R, Morgenroth LP, Wagner KR. Neurology Care, Diagnostics, and Emerging Therapies of the Patient With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Pediatrics 2018; 142:S5-S16. [PMID: 30275245 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-0333c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of childhood muscular dystrophy. A mutation in the DMD gene disrupts dystrophin (protein) production, causing damage to muscle integrity, weakness, loss of ambulation, and cardiopulmonary compromise by the second decade of life. Life expectancy has improved from mid-teenage years to mid-20s with the use of glucocorticoids and beyond the third decade with ventilator support and multidisciplinary care. However, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is associated with comorbidities and is a fatal disease. Glucocorticoids prolong ambulation, but their side effects are significant. Emerging investigational therapies have surfaced over the past decade and have rapidly been tested in clinical trials. Gene-specific strategies include nonsense readthrough, exon skipping, gene editing, utrophin modulation, and gene replacement. Other mechanisms include muscle regeneration, antioxidants, and antifibrosis and anti-inflammatory pathways. With potential therapies emerging, early diagnosis is needed to initiate treatment early enough to minimize morbidity and mortality. Newborn screening can be used to significantly improve early diagnosis, especially for gene-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawn Leigh
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; .,Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Doug Biggar
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katharine Bushby
- John Walton Centre for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; and.,School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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24
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Kodippili K, Hakim CH, Yang HT, Pan X, Yang NN, Laughlin MH, Terjung RL, Duan D. Nitric oxide-dependent attenuation of noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction is impaired in the canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Physiol 2018; 596:5199-5216. [PMID: 30152022 DOI: 10.1113/jp275672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS We developed a novel method to study sympatholysis in dogs. We showed abolishment of sarcolemmal nNOS, and reduction of total nNOS and total eNOS in the canine Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) model. We showed sympatholysis in dogs involving both nNOS-derived NO-dependent and NO-independent mechanisms. We showed that the loss of sarcolemmal nNOS compromised sympatholysis in the canine DMD model. We showed that NO-independent sympatholysis was not affected in the canine DMD model. ABSTRACT The absence of dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) leads to the delocalization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) from the sarcolemma. Sarcolemmal nNOS plays an important role in sympatholysis, a process of attenuating reflex sympathetic vasoconstriction during exercise to ensure blood perfusion in working muscle. Delocalization of nNOS compromises sympatholysis resulting in functional ischaemia and muscle damage in DMD patients and mouse models. Little is known about the contribution of membrane-associated nNOS to blood flow regulation in dystrophin-deficient DMD dogs. We tested the hypothesis that the loss of sarcolemmal nNOS abolishes protective sympatholysis in contracting muscle of affected dogs. Haemodynamic responses to noradrenaline in the brachial artery were evaluated at rest and during contraction in the absence and presence of NOS inhibitors. We found sympatholysis was significantly compromised in DMD dogs, as well as in normal dogs treated with a selective nNOS inhibitor, suggesting that the absence of sarcolemmal nNOS underlies defective sympatholysis in the canine DMD model. Surprisingly, inhibition of all NOS isoforms did not completely abolish sympatholysis in normal dogs, suggesting sympatholysis in canine muscle also involves NO-independent mechanism(s). Our study established a foundation for using the dog model to test therapies aimed at restoring nNOS homeostasis in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun Kodippili
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hsiao T Yang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Xiufang Pan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - N Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maurice H Laughlin
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ronald L Terjung
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Dombernowsky NW, Ölmestig JNE, Witting N, Kruuse C. Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies - Still a possible treatment modality? Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:914-926. [PMID: 30352768 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is involved in nitric oxide (NO) production and suggested to play a crucial role in blood flow regulation of skeletal muscle. During activation of the muscle, NO helps attenuate the sympathetic vasoconstriction to accommodate increased metabolic demands, a phenomenon known as functional sympatholysis. In inherited myopathies such as the dystrophinopathies Duchenne and Becker muscle dystrophies (DMD and BMD), nNOS is lost from the sarcolemma. The loss of nNOS may cause functional ischemia contributing to skeletal and cardiac muscle cell injury. Effects of NO is augmented by inhibiting degradation of the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) using sildenafil and tadalafil, both of which inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). In animal models of DMD, PDE5-inhibitors prevent functional ischemia, reduce post-exercise skeletal muscle pathology and fatigue, show amelioration of cardiac muscle cell damage and increase cardiac performance. However, effect on clinical outcomes in DMD and BMD patients have been disappointing with minor effects on upper limb performance and none on ambulation. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of nNOS function related to functional sympatholysis in skeletal muscle and studies on PDE5-inhibitor treatment in nNOS-deficient animal models and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna W Dombernowsky
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joakim N E Ölmestig
- Department of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nanna Witting
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Kruuse
- Department of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; PDE Research Group, Lundbeck Foundation Center for Neurovascular Research (LUCENS), Denmark.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to summarize the current and emerging therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). RECENT FINDINGS Coinciding with new standardized care guidelines, there are a growing number of therapeutic options to treat males with DMD. Treatment of the underlying pathobiology, such as micro-dystrophin gene replacement, exon skipping, stop codon read-through agents, and utrophin modulators showed variable success in animal and human studies. Symptomatic therapies to target muscle ischemia, enhance muscle regeneration, prevent muscle fibrosis, inhibit myostatin, and reduce inflammation are also under investigation. DMD is a complex, heterogeneous degenerative disease. The pharmacological and technological achievements made in recent years, plus timely supportive interventions will likely lead to an improved quality of life for many individuals with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Crone
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8, Canada.
| | - Jean K Mah
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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27
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Bulaklak K, Xiao B, Qiao C, Li J, Patel T, Jin Q, Li J, Xiao X. MicroRNA-206 Downregulation Improves Therapeutic Gene Expression and Motor Function in mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 12:283-293. [PMID: 30195767 PMCID: PMC6011022 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disorder caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene. Numerous gene therapies have been developed to replace or repair the defective dystrophin gene; however, these treatments cannot restore the full-length protein or completely resolve dystrophic symptoms. Secondary pathological mechanisms, such as functional ischemia and fibrosis, are thought to exacerbate the primary defect and cause the profound muscle degeneration found in dystrophic muscle. Surrogate therapies utilizing alternative therapeutic genes, or “booster genes,” such as VEGFA and utrophin, seek to address these secondary mechanisms and have shown impressive benefit in mdx mice. A skeletal muscle-specific microRNA, miR-206, is particularly overexpressed in dystrophic muscle and inhibits the expression of known booster genes. Thus, we aimed to determine if miR-206 contributes to dystrophic pathology by repressing beneficial gene expression. Here, we show that AAV-mediated expression of a miR-206 decoy target effectively downregulated miR-206 expression and increased endogenous therapeutic gene expression in mature mdx muscle. Furthermore, treatment significantly improved motor function and dystrophic pathology in mdx mice. In summary, we have identified a contributing factor to the dystrophic phenotype and characterized a novel therapeutic avenue for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bulaklak
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bin Xiao
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chunping Qiao
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jianbin Li
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tejash Patel
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Quan Jin
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Juan Li
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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28
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Lev R, Seliktar D. Hydrogel biomaterials and their therapeutic potential for muscle injuries and muscular dystrophies. J R Soc Interface 2018; 15:20170380. [PMID: 29343633 PMCID: PMC5805959 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophies and muscle injuries constitute a large group of ailments that manifest as muscle weakness, atrophy or fibrosis. Although cell therapy is a promising treatment option, the delivery and retention of cells in the muscle is difficult and prevents sustained regeneration needed for adequate functional improvements. Various types of biomaterials with different physical and chemical properties have been developed to improve the delivery of cells and/or growth factors for treating muscle injuries. Hydrogels are a family of materials with distinct advantages for use as cell delivery systems in muscle injuries and ailments, including their mild processing conditions, their similarities to natural tissue extracellular matrix, and their ability to be delivered with less invasive approaches. Moreover, hydrogels can be made to completely degrade in the body, leaving behind their biological payload in a process that can enhance the therapeutic process. For these reasons, hydrogels have shown great potential as cell delivery matrices. This paper reviews a few of the hydrogel systems currently being applied together with cell therapy and/or growth factor delivery to promote the therapeutic repair of muscle injuries and muscle wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lev
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Dror Seliktar
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 32000, Israel
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29
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Victor RG, Sweeney HL, Finkel R, McDonald CM, Byrne B, Eagle M, Goemans N, Vandenborne K, Dubrovsky AL, Topaloglu H, Miceli MC, Furlong P, Landry J, Elashoff R, Cox D. A phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial of tadalafil for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurology 2017; 89:1811-1820. [PMID: 28972192 PMCID: PMC5664308 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000004570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a randomized trial to test the primary hypothesis that once-daily tadalafil, administered orally for 48 weeks, lessens the decline in ambulatory ability in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS Three hundred thirty-one participants with DMD 7 to 14 years of age taking glucocorticoids were randomized to tadalafil 0.3 mg·kg-1·d-1, tadalafil 0.6 mg·kg-1·d-1, or placebo. The primary efficacy measure was 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) after 48 weeks. Secondary efficacy measures included North Star Ambulatory Assessment and timed function tests. Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) was a prespecified exploratory outcome. RESULTS Tadalafil had no effect on the primary outcome: 48-week declines in 6MWD were 51.0 ± 9.3 m with placebo, 64.7 ± 9.8 m with low-dose tadalafil (p = 0.307 vs placebo), and 59.1 ± 9.4 m with high-dose tadalafil (p = 0.538 vs placebo). Tadalafil also had no effect on secondary outcomes. In boys >10 years of age, total PUL score and shoulder subscore declined less with low-dose tadalafil than placebo. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of tadalafil and the DMD disease state. CONCLUSIONS Tadalafil did not lessen the decline in ambulatory ability in boys with DMD. Further studies should be considered to confirm the hypothesis-generating upper limb data and to determine whether ambulatory decline can be slowed by initiation of tadalafil before 7 years of age. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT01865084. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class I evidence that tadalafil does not slow ambulatory decline in 7- to 14-year-old boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald G Victor
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN.
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Richard Finkel
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Craig M McDonald
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Barry Byrne
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Michelle Eagle
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Alberto L Dubrovsky
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Haluk Topaloglu
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Pat Furlong
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - John Landry
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - Robert Elashoff
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
| | - David Cox
- From the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (R.G.V.), Los Angeles, CA; University of Florida (H.L.S., B.B., K.V.), Gainesville; Nemours Children's Hospital (R.F.), Orlando, FL; University of California at Davis (C.M.M.), Sacramento; Newcastle University (M.E.), Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; University Hospitals Leuven (N.G.), Belgium; Instituto de Neurociencias-Fundacion Favaloro (A.L.D.), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacettepe University School of Medicine (H.T.), Ankara, Turkey; UCLA (M.C.M., R.E.), Los Angeles, CA; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (P.F.), Hackensack, NJ; Eli Lilly Canada, Eli Lilly and Company, Toronto, ON (J.L.); and Eli Lilly and Company (D.C.), Indianapolis, IN
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30
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Milad N, White Z, Tehrani AY, Sellers S, Rossi FMV, Bernatchez P. Increased plasma lipid levels exacerbate muscle pathology in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2017; 7:19. [PMID: 28899419 PMCID: PMC5596936 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-017-0135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by loss of dystrophin expression and leads to severe ambulatory and cardiac function decline. However, the dystrophin-deficient mdx murine model of DMD only develops a very mild form of the disease. Our group and others have shown vascular abnormalities in animal models of MD, a likely consequence of the fact that blood vessels express the same dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) proteins as skeletal muscles. Methods To test the blood vessel contribution to muscle damage in DMD, mdx4cv mice were given elevated lipid levels via apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene knockout combined with normal chow or lipid-rich Western diets. Ambulatory function and heart function (via echocardiogram) were assessed at 4 and 7 months of age. After sacrifice, muscle histology and aortic staining were used to assess muscle pathology and atherosclerosis development, respectively. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and creatine kinase (CK) were also measured. Results Although there was an increase in left ventricular heart volume in mdx-ApoE mice compared to that in mdx mice, parameters of heart function were not affected. Compared with wild-type and ApoE-null, only mdx-ApoE KO mice showed significant ambulatory dysfunction. Despite no significant difference in plasma CK, histological analyses revealed that elevated plasma lipids in chow- and Western diet-fed mdx-ApoE mice was associated with severe exacerbation of muscle pathology compared to mdx mice: significant increase in myofiber damage and fibrofatty replacement in the gastrocnemius and triceps brachii muscles, more reminiscent of human DMD pathology. Finally, although both ApoE and mdx-ApoE groups displayed increased plasma lipids, mdx-ApoE exhibited atherosclerotic plaque deposition equal to or less than that of ApoE mice. Conclusions Since others have shown that lipid abnormalities correlate with DMD severity, our data suggest that plasma lipids could be primary contributors to human DMD severity and that the notoriously mild phenotype of mdx mice might be attributable in part to their endogenously low plasma lipid profiles. Hence, DMD patients may benefit from lipid-lowering and vascular-targeted therapies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13395-017-0135-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Milad
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zoe White
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arash Y Tehrani
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephanie Sellers
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Biomedical Research, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pascal Bernatchez
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia (UBC), 217-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada. .,Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Rm 166, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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31
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Nio Y, Tanaka M, Hirozane Y, Muraki Y, Okawara M, Hazama M, Matsuo T. Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor combination therapy has antifibrotic and anti‐inflammatory effects in mdx mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. FASEB J 2017; 31:5307-5320. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700249r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Nio
- Extra Value Generation and General Medicine Drug Discovery UnitTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
| | - Masayuki Tanaka
- Inflammation Drug Discovery UnitTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hirozane
- Biomolecular Research LaboratoriesPharmaceutical Research DivisionTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
| | - Yo Muraki
- Extra Value Generation and General Medicine Drug Discovery UnitTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
| | - Mitsugi Okawara
- Extra Value Generation and General Medicine Drug Discovery UnitTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
| | - Masatoshi Hazama
- Extra Value Generation and General Medicine Drug Discovery UnitTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
| | - Takanori Matsuo
- Extra Value Generation and General Medicine Drug Discovery UnitTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Fujisawa Japan
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32
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Moon Y, Balke JE, Madorma D, Siegel MP, Knowels G, Brouckaert P, Buys ES, Marcinek DJ, Percival JM. Nitric Oxide Regulates Skeletal Muscle Fatigue, Fiber Type, Microtubule Organization, and Mitochondrial ATP Synthesis Efficiency Through cGMP-Dependent Mechanisms. Antioxid Redox Signal 2017; 26:966-985. [PMID: 27393340 PMCID: PMC5467110 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2016.6630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM Skeletal muscle nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathways are impaired in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy partly because of reduced nNOSμ and soluble guanylate cyclase (GC) activity. However, GC function and the consequences of reduced GC activity in skeletal muscle are unknown. In this study, we explore the functions of GC and NO-cGMP signaling in skeletal muscle. RESULTS GC1, but not GC2, expression was higher in oxidative than glycolytic muscles. GC1 was found in a complex with nNOSμ and targeted to nNOS compartments at the Golgi complex and neuromuscular junction. Baseline GC activity and GC agonist responsiveness was reduced in the absence of nNOS. Structural analyses revealed aberrant microtubule directionality in GC1-/- muscle. Functional analyses of GC1-/- muscles revealed reduced fatigue resistance and postexercise force recovery that were not due to shifts in type IIA-IIX fiber balance. Force deficits in GC1-/- muscles were also not driven by defects in resting mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. However, increasing muscle cGMP with sildenafil decreased ATP synthesis efficiency and capacity, without impacting mitochondrial content or ultrastructure. INNOVATION GC may represent a new target for alleviating muscle fatigue and that NO-cGMP signaling may play important roles in muscle structure, contractility, and bioenergetics. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that GC activity is nNOS dependent and that muscle-specific control of GC expression and differential GC targeting may facilitate NO-cGMP signaling diversity. They suggest that nNOS regulates muscle fiber type, microtubule organization, fatigability, and postexercise force recovery partly through GC1 and suggest that NO-cGMP pathways may modulate mitochondrial ATP synthesis efficiency. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 966-985.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younghye Moon
- 1 Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Jordan E Balke
- 1 Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Derik Madorma
- 1 Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Michael P Siegel
- 2 Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Gary Knowels
- 2 Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Peter Brouckaert
- 3 Department for Molecular Biomedical Research and Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University , Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel S Buys
- 4 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research , Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David J Marcinek
- 2 Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.,5 Department of Radiology, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Justin M Percival
- 1 Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
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33
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Timpani CA, Hayes A, Rybalka E. Therapeutic strategies to address neuronal nitric oxide synthase deficiency and the loss of nitric oxide bioavailability in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:100. [PMID: 28545481 PMCID: PMC5445371 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-017-0652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare and fatal neuromuscular disease in which the absence of dystrophin from the muscle membrane induces a secondary loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and the muscles capacity for endogenous nitric oxide synthesis. Since nitric oxide is a potent regulator of skeletal muscle metabolism, mass, function and regeneration, the loss of nitric oxide bioavailability is likely a key contributor to the chronic pathological wasting evident in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As such, various therapeutic interventions to re-establish either the neuronal nitric oxide synthase protein deficit or the consequential loss of nitric oxide synthesis and bioavailability have been investigated in both animal models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and in human clinical trials. Notably, the efficacy of these interventions are varied and not always translatable from animal model to human patients, highlighting a complex interplay of factors which determine the downstream modulatory effects of nitric oxide. We review these studies herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara A Timpani
- College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8001.,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Alan Hayes
- College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8001.,Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 8001, Australia.,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Emma Rybalka
- College of Health & Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8001. .,Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 8001, Australia. .,Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia.
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34
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Reinig AM, Mirzaei S, Berlau DJ. Advances in the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: New and Emerging Pharmacotherapies. Pharmacotherapy 2017; 37:492-499. [DOI: 10.1002/phar.1909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Reinig
- School of Pharmacy; Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; Denver Colorado
| | - Sara Mirzaei
- School of Pharmacy; Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; Denver Colorado
| | - Daniel J. Berlau
- School of Pharmacy; Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions; Denver Colorado
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35
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Woodman KG, Coles CA, Lamandé SR, White JD. Nutraceuticals and Their Potential to Treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Separating the Credible from the Conjecture. Nutrients 2016; 8:E713. [PMID: 27834844 PMCID: PMC5133099 DOI: 10.3390/nu8110713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine has become increasingly popular. This trend has not escaped the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy community with one study showing that 80% of caregivers have provided their Duchenne patients with complementary and alternative medicine in conjunction with their traditional treatments. These statistics are concerning given that many supplements are taken based on purely "anecdotal" evidence. Many nutraceuticals are thought to have anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant effects. Given that dystrophic pathology is exacerbated by inflammation and oxidative stress these nutraceuticals could have some therapeutic benefit for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This review gathers and evaluates the peer-reviewed scientific studies that have used nutraceuticals in clinical or pre-clinical trials for DMD and thus separates the credible from the conjecture.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/adverse effects
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use
- Antioxidants/adverse effects
- Antioxidants/therapeutic use
- Biomedical Research/methods
- Biomedical Research/trends
- Combined Modality Therapy/adverse effects
- Dietary Supplements/adverse effects
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Humans
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diet therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/therapy
- Peer Review, Research/methods
- Peer Review, Research/trends
- Reproducibility of Results
- Severity of Illness Index
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Affiliation(s)
- Keryn G Woodman
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia.
| | - Chantal A Coles
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia.
| | - Shireen R Lamandé
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia.
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia.
| | - Jason D White
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia.
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36
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Spinazzola JM, Kunkel LM. Pharmacological therapeutics targeting the secondary defects and downstream pathology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2016; 4:1179-1194. [PMID: 28670506 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2016.1240613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the identification of the dystrophin gene in 1986, a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has yet to be discovered. Presently, there are a number of genetic-based therapies in development aimed at restoration and/or repair of the primary defect. However, growing understanding of the pathophysiological consequences of dystrophin absence has revealed several promising downstream targets for the development of therapeutics. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss various strategies for DMD therapy targeting downstream consequences of dystrophin absence including loss of muscle mass, inflammation, fibrosis, calcium overload, oxidative stress, and ischemia. The rationale of each approach and the efficacy of drugs in preclinical and clinical studies are discussed. EXPERT OPINION For the last 30 years, effective DMD drug therapy has been limited to corticosteroids, which are associated with a number of negative side effects. Our knowledge of the consequences of dystrophin absence that contribute to DMD pathology has revealed several potential therapeutic targets. Some of these approaches may have potential to improve or slow disease progression independently or in combination with genetic-based approaches. The applicability of these pharmacological therapies to DMD patients irrespective of their genetic mutation, as well as the potential benefits even for advanced stage patients warrants their continued investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle M Spinazzola
- Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston, MA 02115.,Harvard Medical School, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Louis M Kunkel
- Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston, MA 02115.,Harvard Medical School, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Boston, MA 02115.,The Stem Cell Program at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.,The Manton Center for Orphan Diseases, Boston, MA 02115.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138
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37
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Hammers DW, Sleeper MM, Forbes SC, Shima A, Walter GA, Sweeney HL. Tadalafil Treatment Delays the Onset of Cardiomyopathy in Dystrophin-Deficient Hearts. J Am Heart Assoc 2016; 5:JAHA.116.003911. [PMID: 27506543 PMCID: PMC5015305 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.003911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of mortality among Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and lacks effective therapies. Phosphodiesterase type 5 is implicated in dystrophic pathology, and the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil has recently been studied in a clinical trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Methods and Results Tadalafil was evaluated for the prevention of cardiomyopathy in the mdx mouse and golden retriever muscular dystrophy dog models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Tadalafil blunted the adrenergic response in mdx hearts during a 30‐minute dobutamine challenge, which coincided with cardioprotective signaling, reduced induction of μ‐calpain levels, and decreased sarcomeric protein proteolysis. Dogs with golden retriever muscular dystrophy began daily tadalafil treatment prior to detectable cardiomyopathy and demonstrated preserved cardiac function, as assessed by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging at ages 18, 21, and 25 months. Tadalafil treatment improved golden retriever muscular dystrophy histopathological features, decreased levels of the cation channel TRPC6, increased total threonine phosphorylation status of TRPC6, decreased m‐calpain levels and indicators of calpain target proteolysis, and elevated levels of utrophin. In addition, we showed that Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient myocardium exhibited increased TRPC6, m‐calpain, and calpain cleavage products compared with control human myocardium. Conclusions Prophylactic use of tadalafil delays the onset of dystrophic cardiomyopathy, which is likely attributed to modulation of TRPC6 levels and permeability and inhibition of protease content and activity. Consequently, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition is a candidate therapy for slowing the development of cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Hammers
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - Margaret M Sleeper
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Ai Shima
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL Myology Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
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38
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Shimizu-Motohashi Y, Miyatake S, Komaki H, Takeda S, Aoki Y. Recent advances in innovative therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: from discovery to clinical trials. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:2471-2489. [PMID: 27398133 PMCID: PMC4931144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked progressive degenerative muscle disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin. There is no curative therapy, although innovative therapeutic approaches have been aggressively investigated over recent years. Currently, the international clinical trial registry platform for this disease has been constructed and clinical trials for innovative therapeutic approaches are underway. Among these, exon skipping and read-through of nonsense mutations are in the most advanced stages, with exon skipping theoretically applicable to a larger number of patients. To date, exon skipping that targets exons 51, 44, 45, and 53 is being globally investigated including in USA, EU, and Japan. The latest announcement from Japan was made, demonstrating successful dystrophin production in muscles of patients with DMD after treating with exon 53 skipping antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). However, the innovative therapeutic approaches have demonstrated limited efficacy. To address this issue in exon skipping, studies to unveil the mechanism underlying gymnotic delivery of ASO uptake in living cells have been conducted in an effort to improve in vivo delivery. Further, establishing the infrastructures to integrate multi-institutional clinical trials are needed to facilitate the development of successful therapies for DMD, which ultimately is applicable to other myopathies and neurodegenerative diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy and motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Shimizu-Motohashi
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and PsychiatryTokyo, Japan
| | - Shouta Miyatake
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and PsychiatryTokyo, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Komaki
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and PsychiatryTokyo, Japan
| | - Shin’ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and PsychiatryTokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and PsychiatryTokyo, Japan
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39
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Lala-Tabbert N, Fu D, Wiper-Bergeron N. Induction of CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein β Expression With the Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Isobutylmethylxanthine Improves Myoblast Engraftment Into Dystrophic Muscle. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 5:500-10. [PMID: 26941360 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, is the most common muscular dystrophy. Characterized by rounds of muscle degeneration and regeneration, DMD features progressive muscle wasting and is fatal. One approach for treatment is transplantation of muscle progenitor cells to repair and restore dystrophin expression to damaged muscle. However, the success of this approach has been limited by difficulties in isolating large numbers of myogenic progenitors with strong regenerative potential, poor engraftment, poor survival of donor cells, and limited migration in the diseased muscle. We demonstrate that induction of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) using the cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) results in enhanced myoblast expansion in culture and increased satellite cell marker expression. When equal numbers of IBMX-treated cells were transplanted into dystrophic muscle, they contributed to muscle repair more efficiently than did vehicle-treated cells and engrafted into the satellite cell niche in higher numbers, demonstrating improved cell migration from the site of injury and enhanced survival after transplantation. Thus, pharmacologic stimulation of C/EBPβ expression reprograms myoblasts to a more stem cell-like state, promotes expansion in culture, and improves engraftment such that better transplantation outcomes are achieved. SIGNIFICANCE Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder for which no cure exists. One therapeutic approach is transplantation of myogenic progenitors to restore dystrophin to damaged muscle, but this approach is limited by poor engraftment of cultured myoblasts. Transient upregulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β in primary myoblasts using the phosphodiesterase isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) increases satellite cell marker expression in cultured myoblasts, improves their migration, and increases their survival after transplantation. When transplanted into C57BL/10ScSn-mdx/J mice , IBMX-treated myoblasts restored dystrophin expression and were able to occupy the satellite cell niche more efficiently than controls. A myoblast culture approach that reprograms myoblasts to a more primitive state, resulting in improved transplantation outcomes and reinvigorating research into myoblast transplantation as a viable therapeutic approach, is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neena Lala-Tabbert
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dechen Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadine Wiper-Bergeron
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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40
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Allen DG, Whitehead NP, Froehner SC. Absence of Dystrophin Disrupts Skeletal Muscle Signaling: Roles of Ca2+, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Nitric Oxide in the Development of Muscular Dystrophy. Physiol Rev 2016; 96:253-305. [PMID: 26676145 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00007.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin is a long rod-shaped protein that connects the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton to a complex of proteins in the surface membrane (dystrophin protein complex, DPC), with further connections via laminin to other extracellular matrix proteins. Initially considered a structural complex that protected the sarcolemma from mechanical damage, the DPC is now known to serve as a scaffold for numerous signaling proteins. Absence or reduced expression of dystrophin or many of the DPC components cause the muscular dystrophies, a group of inherited diseases in which repeated bouts of muscle damage lead to atrophy and fibrosis, and eventually muscle degeneration. The normal function of dystrophin is poorly defined. In its absence a complex series of changes occur with multiple muscle proteins showing reduced or increased expression or being modified in various ways. In this review, we will consider the various proteins whose expression and function is changed in muscular dystrophies, focusing on Ca(2+)-permeable channels, nitric oxide synthase, NADPH oxidase, and caveolins. Excessive Ca(2+) entry, increased membrane permeability, disordered caveolar function, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species are early changes in the disease, and the hypotheses for these phenomena will be critically considered. The aim of the review is to define the early damage pathways in muscular dystrophy which might be appropriate targets for therapy designed to minimize the muscle degeneration and slow the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Allen
- Sydney Medical School & Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nicholas P Whitehead
- Sydney Medical School & Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Stanley C Froehner
- Sydney Medical School & Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Bandyopadhaya A, Constantinou C, Psychogios N, Ueki R, Yasuhara S, Martyn JAJ, Wilhelmy J, Mindrinos M, Rahme LG, Tzika AA. Bacterial-excreted small volatile molecule 2-aminoacetophenone induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in murine skeletal muscle. Int J Mol Med 2016; 37:867-78. [PMID: 26935176 PMCID: PMC4790710 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress induces mitochondrial dysfunction and facilitates apoptosis, tissue damage or metabolic alterations following infection. We have previously discovered that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) quorum sensing (QS)-excreted small volatile molecule, 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA), which is produced in infected human tissue, promotes bacterial phenotypes that favor chronic infection, while also compromising muscle function and dampens the pathogen-induced innate immune response, promoting host tolerance to infection. In this study, murine whole-genome expression data have demonstrated that 2-AA affects the expression of genes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, thus producing an oxidative stress signature in skeletal muscle. The results of the present study demonstrated that the expression levels of genes involved in apoptosis signaling pathways were upregulated in the skeletal muscle of 2-AA-treated mice. To confirm the results of our transcriptome analysis, we used a novel high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (HRMAS), proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method and observed increased levels of bisallylic methylene fatty acyl protons and vinyl protons, suggesting that 2-AA induces skeletal muscle cell apoptosis. This effect was corroborated by our results demonstrating the downregulation of mitochondrial membrane potential in vivo in response to 2-AA. The findings of the present study indicate that the bacterial infochemical, 2-AA, disrupts mitochondrial functions by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis signaling and likely promotes skeletal muscle dysfunction, which may favor chronic/persistent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunava Bandyopadhaya
- Department of Surgery, Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School and Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Center for Surgery, Innovation and Bioengineering, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General and Shriners Burns Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Caterina Constantinou
- Department of Surgery, Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School and Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Center for Surgery, Innovation and Bioengineering, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General and Shriners Burns Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Nikolaos Psychogios
- NMR Surgical Laboratory, Center for Surgery, Innovation and Bioengineering, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General and Shriners Burns Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ryusuke Ueki
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shingo Yasuhara
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - J A Jeevendra Martyn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Julie Wilhelmy
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael Mindrinos
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Laurence G Rahme
- Department of Surgery, Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School and Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Center for Surgery, Innovation and Bioengineering, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General and Shriners Burns Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - A Aria Tzika
- NMR Surgical Laboratory, Center for Surgery, Innovation and Bioengineering, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General and Shriners Burns Hospitals, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Hermes TDA, Macedo AB, Fogaça AR, Moraes LHR, de Faria FM, Kido LA, Cagnon VHA, Minatel E. Beneficial cilostazol therapeutic effects inmdxdystrophic skeletal muscle. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2016; 43:259-67. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Aline Barbosa Macedo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Aline Reis Fogaça
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Luis Henrique Rapucci Moraes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Felipe Meira de Faria
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Larissa Akemi Kido
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology; Institute of Biology; State University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas São Paulo Brazil
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De Arcangelis V, Strimpakos G, Gabanella F, Corbi N, Luvisetto S, Magrelli A, Onori A, Passananti C, Pisani C, Rome S, Severini C, Naro F, Mattei E, Di Certo MG, Monaco L. Pathways Implicated in Tadalafil Amelioration of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Cell Physiol 2016; 231:224-32. [PMID: 26097015 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Numerous therapeutic approaches for Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DMD and BMD), the most common X-linked muscle degenerative disease, have been proposed. So far, the only one showing a clear beneficial effect is the use of corticosteroids. Recent evidence indicates an improvement of dystrophic cardiac and skeletal muscles in the presence of sustained cGMP levels secondary to a blocking of their degradation by phosphodiesterase five (PDE5). Due to these data, we performed a study to investigate the effect of the specific PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, on dystrophic skeletal muscle function. Chronic pharmacological treatment with tadalafil has been carried out in mdx mice. Behavioral and physiological tests, as well as histological and biochemical analyses, confirmed the efficacy of the therapy. We then performed a microarray-based genomic analysis to assess the pattern of gene expression in muscle samples obtained from the different cohorts of animals treated with tadalafil. This scrutiny allowed us to identify several classes of modulated genes. Our results show that PDE5 inhibition can ameliorate dystrophy by acting at different levels. Tadalafil can lead to (1) increased lipid metabolism; (2) a switch towards slow oxidative fibers driven by the up-regulation of PGC-1α; (3) an increased protein synthesis efficiency; (4) a better actin network organization at Z-disk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria De Arcangelis
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicoletta Corbi
- CNR-IBPM, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Armando Magrelli
- National Centre for Rare Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Onori
- CNR-IBPM, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Passananti
- CNR-IBPM, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Pisani
- CNR-IBPM, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sophie Rome
- CarMen Laboratory (INSERM 1060, INRA 1362, INSA), University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Cinzia Severini
- CNR-IBCN, Rome, Italy.,European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Naro
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Lucia Monaco
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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44
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Diao L, Patsouris D, Sadri AR, Dai X, Amini-Nik S, Jeschke MG. Alternative Mechanism for White Adipose Tissue Lipolysis after Thermal Injury. Mol Med 2015; 21:959-968. [PMID: 26736177 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensively burned patients often suffer from sepsis, a complication that enhances postburn hypermetabolism and contributes to increased incidence of multiple organ failure, morbidity and mortality. Despite the clinical importance of burn sepsis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of such infection-related metabolic derangements and organ dysfunction are still largely unknown. We recently found that upon endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, the white adipose tissue (WAT) interacts with the liver via inflammatory and metabolic signals leading to profound hepatic alterations, including hepatocyte apoptosis and hepatic fatty infiltration. We therefore hypothesized that burn plus infection causes an increase in lipolysis of WAT after major burn, partially through induction of ER stress, contributing to hyperlipidemia and profound hepatic lipid infiltration. We used a two-hit rat model of 60% total body surface area scald burn, followed by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 3 d postburn. One day later, animals were euthanized and liver and epididymal WAT (EWAT) samples were collected for gene expression, protein analysis and histological study of inflammasome activation, ER stress, apoptosis and lipid metabolism. Our results showed that burn plus LPS profoundly increased lipolysis in WAT associated with significantly increased hepatic lipid infiltration. Burn plus LPS augmented ER stress by upregulating CHOP and activating ATF6, inducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and leading to increased apoptosis and lipolysis in WAT with a distinct enzymatic mechanism related to inhibition of AMPK signaling. In conclusion, burn sepsis causes profound alterations in WAT and liver that are associated with changes in organ function and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Diao
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Xiaojing Dai
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saeid Amini-Nik
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc G Jeschke
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Ross Tilley Burn Center, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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45
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Lipscomb L, Piggott RW, Emmerson T, Winder SJ. Dasatinib as a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 25:266-74. [PMID: 26604135 PMCID: PMC4706114 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of a systemically acting and universal small molecule therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy would be an enormous advance for this condition. Based on evidence gained from studies on mouse genetic models, we have identified tyrosine phosphorylation and degradation of β-dystroglycan as a key event in the aetiology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Thus, preventing tyrosine phosphorylation and degradation of β-dystroglycan presents itself as a potential therapeutic strategy. Using the dystrophic sapje zebrafish, we have investigated the use of tyrosine kinase and other inhibitors to treat the dystrophic symptoms in this model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dasatinib, a potent and specific Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was found to decrease the levels of β-dystroglycan phosphorylation on tyrosine and to increase the relative levels of non-phosphorylated β-dystroglycan in sapje zebrafish. Furthermore, dasatinib treatment resulted in the improved physical appearance of the sapje zebrafish musculature and increased swimming ability as measured by both duration and distance of swimming of dasatinib-treated fish compared with control animals. These data suggest great promise for pharmacological agents that prevent the phosphorylation of β-dystroglycan on tyrosine and subsequent steps in the degradation pathway as therapeutic targets for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Lipscomb
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Robert W Piggott
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Tracy Emmerson
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Steve J Winder
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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46
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Ryan TE, Schmidt CA, Green TD, Brown DA, Neufer PD, McClung JM. Mitochondrial Regulation of the Muscle Microenvironment in Critical Limb Ischemia. Front Physiol 2015; 6:336. [PMID: 26635622 PMCID: PMC4649016 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe clinical presentation of peripheral arterial disease and manifests as chronic limb pain at rest and/or tissue necrosis. Current clinical interventions are largely ineffective and therapeutic angiogenesis based trials have shown little efficacy, highlighting the dire need for new ideas and novel therapeutic approaches. Despite a decade of research related to skeletal muscle as a determinant of morbidity and mortality outcomes in CLI, very little progress has been made toward an effective therapy aimed directly at the muscle myopathies of this disease. Within the muscle cell, mitochondria are well positioned to modulate the ischemic cellular response, as they are the principal sites of cellular energy production and the major regulators of cellular redox charge and cell death. In this mini review, we update the crucial importance of skeletal muscle to CLI pathology and examine the evolving influence of muscle and endothelial cell mitochondria in the complex ischemic microenvironment. Finally, we discuss the novelty of muscle mitochondria as a therapeutic target for ischemic pathology in the context of the complex co-morbidities often associated with CLI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence E Ryan
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA ; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Cameron A Schmidt
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA ; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Tom D Green
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA ; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA
| | - David A Brown
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA ; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA
| | - P Darrell Neufer
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA ; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Joseph M McClung
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA ; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University Greenville, NC, USA
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Nelson MD, Rosenberry R, Barresi R, Tsimerinov EI, Rader F, Tang X, Mason O, Schwartz A, Stabler T, Shidban S, Mobaligh N, Hogan S, Elashoff R, Allen JD, Victor RG. Sodium nitrate alleviates functional muscle ischaemia in patients with Becker muscular dystrophy. J Physiol 2015; 593:5183-200. [PMID: 26437761 DOI: 10.1113/jp271252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a progressive X-linked muscle wasting disease for which there is no treatment. BMD is caused by in-frame mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a structural cytoskeletal protein that also targets other proteins to the sarcolemma. Among these is neuronal nitric oxide synthase mu (nNOSμ), which requires specific spectrin-like repeats (SR16/17) in dystrophin's rod domain and the adaptor protein α-syntrophin for sarcolemmal targeting. When healthy skeletal muscle is exercised, sarcolemmal nNOSμ-derived nitric oxide (NO) attenuates α-adrenergic vasoconstriction, thus optimizing perfusion. In the mdx mouse model of dystrophinopathy, this protective mechanism (functional sympatholysis) is defective, resulting in functional muscle ischaemia. Treatment with a NO-donating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) alleviates this ischaemia and improves the murine dystrophic phenotype. In the present study, we report that, in 13 men with BMD, sympatholysis is defective mainly in patients whose mutations disrupt sarcolemmal targeting of nNOSμ, with the vasoconstrictor response measured as a decrease in muscle oxygenation (near infrared spectroscopy) to reflex sympathetic activation. Then, in a single-arm, open-label trial in 11 BMD patients and a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial in six patients, we show that acute treatment with oral sodium nitrate, an inorganic NO donor without a NSIAD moiety, restores sympatholysis and improves post-exercise hyperaemia (Doppler ultrasound). By contrast, sodium nitrate improves neither sympatholysis, nor hyperaemia in healthy controls. Thus, a simple NO donor recapitulates the vasoregulatory actions of sarcolemmal nNOS in BMD patients, and constitutes a putative novel therapy for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Nelson
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Rosenberry
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rita Barresi
- NSCT Diagnostic & Advisory Service for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Florian Rader
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiu Tang
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - O'Neil Mason
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Avery Schwartz
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Stabler
- Duke Institute of Molecular Physiology, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah Shidban
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neigena Mobaligh
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shomari Hogan
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert Elashoff
- Department of Biomathematics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason D Allen
- Clinical Exercise Science Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ronald G Victor
- Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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48
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A new therapeutic effect of simvastatin revealed by functional improvement in muscular dystrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:12864-9. [PMID: 26417069 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1509536112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, degenerative muscle disease with no effective treatment. DMD muscle pathogenesis is characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Statins, cholesterol-lowering drugs, inhibit these deleterious processes in ischemic diseases affecting skeletal muscle, and therefore have potential to improve DMD. However, statins have not been considered for DMD, or other muscular dystrophies, principally because skeletal-muscle-related symptoms are rare, but widely publicized, side effects of these drugs. Here we show positive effects of statins in dystrophic skeletal muscle. Simvastatin dramatically reduced damage and enhanced muscle function in dystrophic (mdx) mice. Long-term simvastatin treatment vastly improved overall muscle health in mdx mice, reducing plasma creatine kinase activity, an established measure of muscle damage, to near-normal levels. This reduction was accompanied by reduced inflammation, more oxidative muscle fibers, and improved strength of the weak diaphragm muscle. Shorter-term treatment protected against muscle fatigue and increased mdx hindlimb muscle force by 40%, a value comparable to current dystrophin gene-based therapies. Increased force correlated with reduced NADPH Oxidase 2 protein expression, the major source of oxidative stress in dystrophic muscle. Finally, in old mdx mice with severe muscle degeneration, simvastatin enhanced diaphragm force and halved fibrosis, a major cause of functional decline in DMD. These improvements were accompanied by autophagy activation, a recent therapeutic target for DMD, and less oxidative stress. Together, our findings highlight that simvastatin substantially improves the overall health and function of dystrophic skeletal muscles and may provide an unexpected, novel therapy for DMD and related neuromuscular diseases.
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49
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Gonzalez JP, Crassous PA, Schneider JS, Beuve A, Fraidenraich D. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase localizes to utrophin expressing intercalated discs and stabilizes their structural integrity. Neuromuscul Disord 2015; 25:964-76. [PMID: 26483274 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) splice variant nNOSµ is essential for skeletal muscle function. Its localization is dependent on dystrophin, which stabilizes the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) at the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle fibers. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) dystrophin is absent and sarcolemmal nNOS is lost. This leads to functional ischemia due to a decrease in contraction-induced vasodilation. In cardiomyocytes, nNOSµ is believed to be the predominant NOS isoform. However, the association of nNOS with the DGC in the heart is unclear. Here, we report nNOS localization at the intercalated discs (IDs) of cardiomyocytes, where utrophin is highly expressed. In mdx, mdx:utr, nNOSµ knock-out (KO), and mdx:nNOSµ KO mice, we observed a gradual reduction of nNOS at IDs and disrupted ID morphology, compared to wild-type. In mdx:nNOSµ KO mice, but not in mdx or nNOSµ KO mice, we also observed an early development of cardiac fibrosis. These findings suggest that nNOS localization in the heart may not depend exclusively on the presence of dystrophin. Additionally, the β1 subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), responsible for the production of cGMP through nitric oxide (NO) signaling, was also detected at the IDs. Together, our results suggest a new role of nNOS at the IDs for the cGMP-dependent NO pathway and the maintenance of ID morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Patrick Gonzalez
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Pierre-Antoine Crassous
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Joel S Schneider
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Annie Beuve
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Diego Fraidenraich
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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McCammon JM, Sive H. Addressing the Genetics of Human Mental Health Disorders in Model Organisms. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2015; 16:173-97. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-090314-050048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M. McCammon
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142;
| | - Hazel Sive
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142;
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
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