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Wilson VD, Bommart S, Passerieux E, Thomas C, Pincemail J, Picot MC, Mercier J, Portet F, Arbogast S, Laoudj-Chenivesse D. Muscle strength, quantity and quality and muscle fat quantity and their association with oxidative stress in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Effect of antioxidant supplementation. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 219:112-126. [PMID: 38574978 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify causes of quadriceps muscle weakness in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). To this aim, we evaluated quadriceps muscle and fat volumes by magnetic resonance imaging and their relationships with muscle strength and oxidative stress markers in adult patients with FSHD (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 7), and the effect of antioxidant supplementation in 20 of the 32 patients with FSHD (n = 10 supplementation and n = 10 placebo) (NCT01596803). Compared with healthy controls, the dominant quadriceps strength and quality (muscle strength per unit of muscle volume) were decreased in patients with FSHD. In addition, fat volume was increased, without changes in total muscle volume. Moreover, in patients with FSHD, the lower strength of the non-dominant quadriceps was associated with lower muscle quality compared with the dominant muscle. Antioxidant supplementation significantly changed muscle and fat volumes in the non-dominant quadriceps, and muscle quality in the dominant quadriceps. This was associated with improved muscle strength (both quadriceps) and antioxidant response. These findings suggest that quadriceps muscle strength decline may not be simply explained by atrophy and may be influenced also by the muscle intrinsic characteristics. As FSHD is associated with increased oxidative stress, supplementation might reduce oxidative stress and increase antioxidant defenses, promoting changes in muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Dias Wilson
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France; Centro Universitário Estácio de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Sébastien Bommart
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France; Department of Radiology, CHU of Montpellier, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, 34090, Montpellier, France.
| | - Emilie Passerieux
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Claire Thomas
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France; LBEPS, Univ Evry, IRBA, University Paris Saclay, 91025, Evry, France.
| | - Joël Pincemail
- Department of CREDEC, Department of Medical Chemistry, University Hospital of Liege, Sart Tilman, Liege, Belgium.
| | - Marie Christine Picot
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University Hospital, Montpellier, France; CIC 1001-INSERM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Jacques Mercier
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France; Department of Clinical Physiology, CHU of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Florence Portet
- Department of Clinical Physiology, CHU of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; U1061 INSERM, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier University, France.
| | - Sandrine Arbogast
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Dalila Laoudj-Chenivesse
- PhyMedExp, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France; Department of Clinical Physiology, CHU of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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2
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Bittel AJ, Bittel DC, Gordish-Dressman H, Chen YW. Voluntary wheel running improves molecular and functional deficits in a murine model of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. iScience 2024; 27:108632. [PMID: 38188524 PMCID: PMC10770537 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Endurance exercise training is beneficial for skeletal muscle health, but it is unclear if this type of exercise can target or correct the molecular mechanisms of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Using the FLExDUX4 murine model of FSHD characterized by chronic, low levels of pathological double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4) gene expression, we show that 6 weeks of voluntary, free wheel running improves running performance, strength, mitochondrial function, and sarcolemmal repair capacity, while slowing/reversing skeletal muscle fibrosis. These improvements are associated with restored transcriptional activity of gene networks/pathways regulating actin cytoskeletal signaling, vascular remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis, and muscle mass toward wild-type (WT) levels. However, FLExDUX4 mice exhibit blunted increases in mitochondrial content with training and persistent transcriptional overactivation of hypoxia, inflammatory, angiogenic, and cytoskeletal pathways. These results identify exercise-responsive and non-responsive molecular pathways in FSHD, while providing support for the use of endurance-type exercise as a non-invasive treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Bittel
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA
| | - Daniel C. Bittel
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA
| | | | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
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3
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Nishimura Y, Bittel AJ, Stead CA, Chen YW, Burniston JG. Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy is Associated With Altered Myoblast Proteome Dynamics. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100605. [PMID: 37353005 PMCID: PMC10392138 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100605] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteomic studies in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) could offer new insight into disease mechanisms underpinned by post-transcriptional processes. We used stable isotope (deuterium oxide; D2O) labeling and peptide mass spectrometry to investigate the abundance and turnover rates of proteins in cultured muscle cells from two individuals affected by FSHD and their unaffected siblings (UASb). We measured the abundance of 4420 proteins and the turnover rate of 2324 proteins in each (n = 4) myoblast sample. FSHD myoblasts exhibited a greater abundance but slower turnover rate of subunits of mitochondrial respiratory complexes and mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, which may indicate an accumulation of "older" less viable mitochondrial proteins in myoblasts from individuals affected by FSHD. Treatment with a 2'-O-methoxyethyl modified antisense oligonucleotide targeting exon 3 of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) transcript tended to reverse mitochondrial protein dysregulation in FSHD myoblasts, indicating the effect on mitochondrial proteins may be a DUX4-dependent mechanism. Our results highlight the importance of post-transcriptional processes and protein turnover in FSHD pathology and provide a resource for the FSHD research community to explore this burgeoning aspect of FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Nishimura
- Research Institute for Sport & Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adam J Bittel
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Connor A Stead
- Research Institute for Sport & Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
| | - Jatin G Burniston
- Research Institute for Sport & Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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4
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Murphy K, Zhang A, Bittel AJ, Chen YW. Molecular and Phenotypic Changes in FLExDUX4 Mice. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1040. [PMID: 37511653 PMCID: PMC10381554 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by the aberrant expression of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) gene. The FLExDUX4 mouse model carries an inverted human DUX4 transgene which has leaky DUX4 transgene expression at a very low level. No overt muscle pathology was reported before 16 weeks. The purpose of this study is to track and characterize the FLExDUX4 phenotypes for a longer period, up to one year old. In addition, transcriptomic changes in the muscles of 2-month-old mice were investigated using RNA-seq. The results showed that male FLExDUX4 mice developed more severe phenotypes and at a younger age in comparison to the female mice. These include lower body and muscle weight, and muscle weakness measured by grip strength measurements. Muscle pathological changes were observed at older ages, including fibrosis, decreased size of type IIa and IIx myofibers, and the development of aggregates containing TDP-43 in type IIb myofibers. Muscle transcriptomic data identified early molecular changes in biological pathways regulating circadian rhythm and adipogenesis. The study suggests a slow progressive change in molecular and muscle phenotypes in response to the low level of DUX4 expression in the FLExDUX4 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Murphy
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Adam J Bittel
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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5
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Tihaya MS, Mul K, Balog J, de Greef JC, Tapscott SJ, Tawil R, Statland JM, van der Maarel SM. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: the road to targeted therapies. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:91-108. [PMID: 36627512 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00762-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the molecular understanding of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) have revealed that FSHD results from epigenetic de-repression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle, which encodes a transcription factor that is active in early embryonic development but is normally silenced in almost all somatic tissues. These advances also led to the identification of targets for disease-altering therapies for FSHD, as well as an improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of the disease and factors that influence its progression. Together, these developments led the FSHD research community to shift its focus towards the development of disease-modifying treatments for FSHD. This Review presents advances in the molecular and clinical understanding of FSHD, discusses the potential targeted therapies that are currently being explored, some of which are already in clinical trials, and describes progress in the development of FSHD-specific outcome measures and assessment tools for use in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara S Tihaya
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karlien Mul
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Judit Balog
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rabi Tawil
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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6
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CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing for the modification of multiple duplications that cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Gene Ther 2022; 29:730-737. [PMID: 35534612 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
With the development of basic research, some genetic-based methods have been found to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with large deletion mutations and nonsense mutations. Appropriate therapeutic approaches for repairing multiple duplications are limited. We used the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas9 system with patient-derived primary myoblasts to correct multiple duplications of the dystrophin gene. Muscle tissues from a patient carrying duplications of dystrophin were obtained, and tissue-derived primary cells were cultured. Myoblasts were purified with an immunomagnetic sorting system using CD56 microbeads. After transduction by lentivirus with a designed single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting a duplicated region, myoblasts were allowed to differentiate for 7 days. Copy number variations in the exons of the patient's myotubes were quantified by real-time PCR before and after genetic editing. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the full-length dystrophin protein before and after genetic editing. The ten sequences predicted to be the most likely off-targets were determined by Sanger sequencing. The patient carried duplications of exon 18-25, dystrophin protein expression was completely abrogated. Real-time PCR showed that the copy number of exon 25 in the patient's myotubes was 2.015 ± 0.079 compared with that of the healthy controls. After editing, the copy number of exon 25 in the patient's modified myotubes was 1.308 ± 0.083 compared with that of the healthy controls (P < 0.001). Western blot analysis revealed no expression of the dystrophin protein in the patient's myotubes before editing. After editing, the patient's myotubes expressed the full-length dystrophin protein at a level that was ~6.12% of that in the healthy control samples. Off-target analysis revealed no abnormal editing at the ten sites predicted to be the most likely off-target sites. The excision of multiple duplications by the CRISPR/Cas9 system restored the expression of full-length dystrophin. This study provides proof of evidence for future genome-editing therapy in patients with DMD caused by multiple duplication mutations.
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7
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ANT1 overexpression models: Some similarities with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Redox Biol 2022; 56:102450. [PMID: 36030628 PMCID: PMC9434167 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Adenine nucleotide translocator 1 (ANT1), the only 4q35 gene involved in mitochondrial function, is strongly expressed in FSHD skeletal muscle biopsies. However, its role in FSHD is unclear. In this study, we evaluated ANT1 overexpression effects in primary myoblasts from healthy controls and during Xenopus laevis organogenesis. We also compared ANT1 overexpression effects with the phenotype of FSHD muscle cells and biopsies. Here, we report that the ANT1 overexpression-induced phenotype presents some similarities with FSHD muscle cells and biopsies. ANT1-overexpressing muscle cells showed disorganized morphology, altered cytoskeletal arrangement, enhanced mitochondrial respiration/glycolysis, ROS production, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation and ultrastructure alteration, as observed in FSHD muscle cells. ANT1 overexpression in Xenopus laevis embryos affected skeletal muscle development, impaired skeletal muscle, altered mitochondrial ultrastructure and led to oxidative stress as observed in FSHD muscle biopsies. Moreover, ANT1 overexpression in X. laevis embryos affected heart structure and mitochondrial ultrastructure leading to cardiac arrhythmia, as described in some patients with FSHD. Overall our data suggest that ANT1 could contribute to mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in FSHD muscle cells by modifying their bioenergetic profile associated with ROS production. Such interplay between energy metabolism and ROS production in FSHD will be of significant interest for future prospects.
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8
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Banerji CRS, Zammit PS. Pathomechanisms and biomarkers in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: roles of DUX4 and PAX7. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13695. [PMID: 34151531 PMCID: PMC8350899 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterised by progressive skeletal muscle weakness and wasting. FSHD is linked to epigenetic derepression of the subtelomeric D4Z4 macrosatellite at chromosome 4q35. Epigenetic derepression permits the distal-most D4Z4 unit to transcribe DUX4, with transcripts stabilised by splicing to a poly(A) signal on permissive 4qA haplotypes. The pioneer transcription factor DUX4 activates target genes that are proposed to drive FSHD pathology. While this toxic gain-of-function model is a satisfying "bottom-up" genotype-to-phenotype link, DUX4 is rarely detectable in muscle and DUX4 target gene expression is inconsistent in patients. A reliable biomarker for FSHD is suppression of a target gene score of PAX7, a master regulator of myogenesis. However, it is unclear how this "top-down" finding links to genomic changes that characterise FSHD and to DUX4. Here, we explore the roles and interactions of DUX4 and PAX7 in FSHD pathology and how the relationship between these two transcription factors deepens understanding via the immune system and muscle regeneration. Considering how FSHD pathomechanisms are represented by "DUX4opathy" models has implications for developing therapies and current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular BiophysicsKing's College LondonLondonUK
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9
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Lu-Nguyen N, Malerba A, Herath S, Dickson G, Popplewell L. Systemic antisense therapeutics inhibiting DUX4 expression ameliorates FSHD-like pathology in an FSHD mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1398-1412. [PMID: 33987655 PMCID: PMC8283208 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the double homeobox 4 (DUX4) gene in skeletal muscle causes muscle deterioration and weakness in Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Since the presence of a permissive pLAM1 polyadenylation signal is essential for stabilization of DUX4 mRNA and translation of DUX4 protein, disrupting the function of this structure can prevent expression of DUX4. We and others have shown promising results using antisense approaches to reduce DUX4 expression in vitro and in vivo following local intramuscular administration. Here we demonstrate that further development of the antisense chemistries enhances in vitro antisense efficacy. The optimal chemistry was conjugated to a cell-penetrating moiety and was systemically administered into the tamoxifen-inducible Cre-driver FLExDUX4 double-transgenic mouse model of FSHD. After four weekly treatments, mRNA quantities of DUX4 and target genes were reduced by 50% that led to 12% amelioration in muscle atrophy, 52% improvement in in situ muscle strength, 17% reduction in muscle fibrosis and prevention of shift in the myofiber type profile. Systemic DUX4 inhibition also significantly improved the locomotor activity and reduced the fatigue level by 22%. Our data demonstrate that the optimized antisense approach has potential of being further developed as a therapeutic strategy for FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Lu-Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Alberto Malerba
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Shan Herath
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - George Dickson
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Linda Popplewell
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
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10
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Heier CR, Zhang A, Nguyen NY, Tully CB, Panigrahi A, Gordish-Dressman H, Pandey SN, Guglieri M, Ryan MM, Clemens PR, Thangarajh M, Webster R, Smith EC, Connolly AM, McDonald CM, Karachunski P, Tulinius M, Harper A, Mah JK, Fiorillo AA, Chen YW. Multi-Omics Identifies Circulating miRNA and Protein Biomarkers for Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040236. [PMID: 33228131 PMCID: PMC7711540 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of therapeutics for muscle diseases such as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is impeded by a lack of objective, minimally invasive biomarkers. Here we identify circulating miRNAs and proteins that are dysregulated in early-onset FSHD patients to develop blood-based molecular biomarkers. Plasma samples from clinically characterized individuals with early-onset FSHD provide a discovery group and are compared to healthy control volunteers. Low-density quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based arrays identify 19 candidate miRNAs, while mass spectrometry proteomic analysis identifies 13 candidate proteins. Bioinformatic analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data shows that the FSHD-dysregulated DUX4 transcription factor binds to regulatory regions of several candidate miRNAs. This panel of miRNAs also shows ChIP signatures consistent with regulation by additional transcription factors which are up-regulated in FSHD (FOS, EGR1, MYC, and YY1). Validation studies in a separate group of patients with FSHD show consistent up-regulation of miR-100, miR-103, miR-146b, miR-29b, miR-34a, miR-454, miR-505, and miR-576. An increase in the expression of S100A8 protein, an inflammatory regulatory factor and subunit of calprotectin, is validated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Bioinformatic analyses of proteomics and miRNA data further support a model of calprotectin and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway dysregulation in FSHD. Moving forward, this panel of miRNAs, along with S100A8 and calprotectin, merit further investigation as monitoring and pharmacodynamic biomarkers for FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Heier
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (H.G.-D.); (A.A.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.R.H.); (Y.-W.C.)
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Nhu Y Nguyen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Christopher B. Tully
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Aswini Panigrahi
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (H.G.-D.); (A.A.F.)
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Sachchida Nand Pandey
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | | | - Monique M. Ryan
- The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia;
| | - Paula R. Clemens
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
| | - Mathula Thangarajh
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | | | - Edward C. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA;
| | - Anne M. Connolly
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
| | - Craig M. McDonald
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Peter Karachunski
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Mar Tulinius
- Department of Pediatrics, Gothenburg University, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, 41685 Göteborg, Sweden;
| | - Amy Harper
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Jean K. Mah
- Deparment of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, T2N T3B, Calgary, AB 6A81N4, Canada;
| | - Alyson A. Fiorillo
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (H.G.-D.); (A.A.F.)
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA; (A.Z.); (N.Y.N.); (C.B.T.); (A.P.); (S.N.P.)
- Correspondence: (C.R.H.); (Y.-W.C.)
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11
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DeSimone AM, Cohen J, Lek M, Lek A. Cellular and animal models for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:13/10/dmm046904. [PMID: 33174531 PMCID: PMC7648604 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy and presents with weakness of the facial, scapular and humeral muscles, which frequently progresses to the lower limbs and truncal areas, causing profound disability. Myopathy results from epigenetic de-repression of the D4Z4 microsatellite repeat array on chromosome 4, which allows misexpression of the developmentally regulated DUX4 gene. DUX4 is toxic when misexpressed in skeletal muscle and disrupts several cellular pathways, including myogenic differentiation and fusion, which likely underpins pathology. DUX4 and the D4Z4 array are strongly conserved only in primates, making FSHD modeling in non-primate animals difficult. Additionally, its cytotoxicity and unusual mosaic expression pattern further complicate the generation of in vitro and in vivo models of FSHD. However, the pressing need to develop systems to test therapeutic approaches has led to the creation of multiple engineered FSHD models. Owing to the complex genetic, epigenetic and molecular factors underlying FSHD, it is difficult to engineer a system that accurately recapitulates every aspect of the human disease. Nevertheless, the past several years have seen the development of many new disease models, each with their own associated strengths that emphasize different aspects of the disease. Here, we review the wide range of FSHD models, including several in vitro cellular models, and an array of transgenic and xenograft in vivo models, with particular attention to newly developed systems and how they are being used to deepen our understanding of FSHD pathology and to test the efficacy of drug candidates. Summary: Owing to its complex etiology and the toxicity of DUX4, modeling facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is uniquely challenging. Here, we review the approaches that overcame these difficulties to develop highly relevant FSHD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec M DeSimone
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Justin Cohen
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Monkol Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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12
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Banerji CRS, Zammit PS. PAX7 target gene repression is a superior FSHD biomarker than DUX4 target gene activation, associating with pathological severity and identifying FSHD at the single-cell level. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:2224-2236. [PMID: 31067297 PMCID: PMC6586142 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable skeletal myopathy. The condition is linked to hypomethylation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat at chromosome 4q35, leading to epigenetic derepression of the transcription factor DUX4; coupled with a permissive 4qA haplotype supplying a poly(A) signal. DUX4 may drive FSHD pathology via both induction of target genes and inhibition of the function of the myogenic master regulator PAX7. Biomarkers for FSHD have focused on DUX4 target gene expression. We have, however, reported that PAX7 target gene repression is a hallmark of FSHD skeletal muscle. Here we demonstrate that PAX7 target gene repression is an equivalent biomarker to DUX4 target gene expression when considering RNA-Sequencing data from magnetic resonance imaging-guided muscle biopsies. Moreover, PAX7 target gene repression correlates with active disease, independent to DUX4 target gene expression. PAX7 target genes are also repressed in RNA-Sequencing data from single cells, representing a significantly better biomarker of FSHD cells than DUX4 target gene expression. Importantly, PAX7 target gene repression is a significant biomarker in the majority of FSHD cells that are DUX4 target gene negative, and on which the DUX4 biomarker is indiscriminate. To facilitate the evaluation of validated biomarkers we provide a simple tool that outputs biomarker values from a normalized expression data matrix. In summary, PAX7 target gene repression in FSHD correlates with disease severity, independently of DUX4 target gene expression. At the single-cell level, PAX7 target gene repression can efficiently discriminate FSHD cells, even when no DUX4 target genes are detectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R S Banerji
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Level, Faculty Building, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Peter S Zammit
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, UK
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13
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DeSimone AM, Leszyk J, Wagner K, Emerson CP. Identification of the hyaluronic acid pathway as a therapeutic target for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw7099. [PMID: 31844661 PMCID: PMC6905861 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is linked to epigenetic derepression of the germline/embryonic transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle. However, the etiology of muscle pathology is not fully understood, as DUX4 misexpression is not tightly correlated with disease severity. Using a DUX4-inducible cell model, we show that multiple DUX4-induced molecular pathologies that have been observed in patient-derived disease models are mediated by the signaling molecule hyaluronic acid (HA), which accumulates following DUX4 induction. These pathologies include formation of RNA granules, FUS aggregation, DNA damage, caspase activation, and cell death. We also observe previously unidentified pathologies including mislocalization of mitochondria and the DUX4- and HA-binding protein C1QBP. These pathologies are prevented by 4-methylumbelliferone, an inhibitor of HA biosynthesis. Critically, 4-methylumbelliferone does not disrupt DUX4-C1QBP binding and has only a limited effect on DUX4 transcriptional activity, establishing that HA signaling has a central function in pathology and is a target for FSHD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec M. DeSimone
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - John Leszyk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Wagner
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles P. Emerson
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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14
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Banerji CRS, Panamarova M, Pruller J, Figeac N, Hebaishi H, Fidanis E, Saxena A, Contet J, Sacconi S, Severini S, Zammit PS. Dynamic transcriptomic analysis reveals suppression of PGC1α/ERRα drives perturbed myogenesis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1244-1259. [PMID: 30462217 PMCID: PMC6452176 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable myopathy, linked to epigenetic derepression of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q, leading to ectopic DUX4 expression. FSHD patient myoblasts have defective myogenic differentiation, forming smaller myotubes with reduced myosin content. However, molecular mechanisms driving such disrupted myogenesis in FSHD are poorly understood. We performed high-throughput morphological analysis describing FSHD and control myogenesis, revealing altered myogenic differentiation results in hypotrophic myotubes. Employing polynomial models and an empirical Bayes approach, we established eight critical time points during which human healthy and FSHD myogenesis differ. RNA-sequencing at these eight nodal time points in triplicate, provided temporal depth for a multivariate regression analysis, allowing assessment of interaction between progression of differentiation and FSHD disease status. Importantly, the unique size and structure of our data permitted identification of many novel FSHD pathomechanisms undetectable by previous approaches. For further analysis here, we selected pathways that control mitochondria: of interest considering known alterations in mitochondrial structure and function in FSHD muscle, and sensitivity of FSHD cells to oxidative stress. Notably, we identified suppression of mitochondrial biogenesis, in particular via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC1α), the cofactor and activator of oestrogen-related receptor α (ERRα). PGC1α knock-down caused hypotrophic myotubes to form from control myoblasts. Known ERRα agonists and safe food supplements biochanin A, daidzein or genistein, each rescued the hypotrophic FSHD myotube phenotype. Together our work describes transcriptomic changes in high resolution that occur during myogenesis in FSHD ex vivo, identifying suppression of the PGC1α-ERRα axis leading to perturbed myogenic differentiation, which can effectively be rescued by readily available food supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R S Banerji
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
- Centre of Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maryna Panamarova
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Johanna Pruller
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolas Figeac
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Husam Hebaishi
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Efthymios Fidanis
- Genomics Research Platform, Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust and Kings College London, Guy’s Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alka Saxena
- Genomics Research Platform, Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust and Kings College London, Guy’s Hospital, London, UK
| | - Julian Contet
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice, Faculty of Medicine, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, Cedex, France
| | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice, Faculty of Medicine, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, Cedex, France
- Peripheral Nervous System, Muscle and ALS Department, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Simone Severini
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK
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15
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Jagannathan S, Ogata Y, Gafken PR, Tapscott SJ, Bradley RK. Quantitative proteomics reveals key roles for post-transcriptional gene regulation in the molecular pathology of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. eLife 2019; 8:41740. [PMID: 30644821 PMCID: PMC6349399 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DUX4 is a transcription factor whose misexpression in skeletal muscle causes facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). DUX4’s transcriptional activity has been extensively characterized, but the DUX4-induced proteome remains undescribed. Here, we report concurrent measurement of RNA and protein levels in DUX4-expressing cells via RNA-seq and quantitative mass spectrometry. DUX4 transcriptional targets were robustly translated, confirming the likely clinical relevance of proposed FSHD biomarkers. However, a multitude of mRNAs and proteins exhibited discordant expression changes upon DUX4 expression. Our dataset revealed unexpected proteomic, but not transcriptomic, dysregulation of diverse molecular pathways, including Golgi apparatus fragmentation, as well as extensive post-transcriptional buffering of stress-response genes. Key components of RNA degradation machineries, including UPF1, UPF3B, and XRN1, exhibited suppressed protein, but not mRNA, levels, explaining the build-up of aberrant RNAs that characterizes DUX4-expressing cells. Our results provide a resource for the FSHD community and illustrate the importance of post-transcriptional processes in DUX4-induced pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujatha Jagannathan
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States.,Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States.,Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Yuko Ogata
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Philip R Gafken
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Stephen J Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
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16
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Vanderplanck C, Tassin A, Ansseau E, Charron S, Wauters A, Lancelot C, Vancutsem K, Laoudj-Chenivesse D, Belayew A, Coppée F. Overexpression of the double homeodomain protein DUX4c interferes with myofibrillogenesis and induces clustering of myonuclei. Skelet Muscle 2018; 8:2. [PMID: 29329560 PMCID: PMC5767009 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-017-0148-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is associated with DNA hypomethylation at the 4q35 D4Z4 repeat array. Both the causal gene DUX4 and its homolog DUX4c are induced. DUX4c is immunodetected in every myonucleus of proliferative cells, while DUX4 is present in only 1/1000 of myonuclei where it initiates a gene deregulation cascade. FSHD primary myoblasts differentiate into either atrophic or disorganized myotubes. DUX4 expression induces atrophic myotubes and associated FSHD markers. Although DUX4 silencing normalizes the FSHD atrophic myotube phenotype, this is not the case for the disorganized phenotype. DUX4c overexpression increases the proliferation rate of human TE671 rhabdomyosarcoma cells and inhibits their differentiation, suggesting a normal role during muscle differentiation. METHODS By gain- and loss-of-function experiments in primary human muscle cells, we studied the DUX4c impact on proliferation, differentiation, myotube morphology, and FSHD markers. RESULTS In primary myoblasts, DUX4c overexpression increased the staining intensity of KI67 (a proliferation marker) in adjacent cells and delayed differentiation. In differentiating cells, DUX4c overexpression led to the expression of some FSHD markers including β-catenin and to the formation of disorganized myotubes presenting large clusters of nuclei and cytoskeletal defects. These were more severe when DUX4c was expressed before the cytoskeleton reorganized and myofibrils assembled. In addition, endogenous DUX4c was detected at a higher level in FSHD myotubes presenting abnormal clusters of nuclei and cytoskeletal disorganization. We found that the disorganized FSHD myotube phenotype could be rescued by silencing of DUX4c, not DUX4. CONCLUSION Excess DUX4c could disturb cytoskeletal organization and nuclear distribution in FSHD myotubes. We suggest that DUX4c up-regulation could contribute to DUX4 toxicity in the muscle fibers by favoring the clustering of myonuclei and therefore facilitating DUX4 diffusion among them. Defining DUX4c functions in the healthy skeletal muscle should help to design new targeted FSHD therapy by DUX4 or DUX4c inhibition without suppressing DUX4c normal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Vanderplanck
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Alexandra Tassin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Eugénie Ansseau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Charron
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Armelle Wauters
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Céline Lancelot
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Kelly Vancutsem
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | | | - Alexandra Belayew
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Frédérique Coppée
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, 6, Avenue du Champs de Mars, B-7000 Mons, Belgium
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17
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DeSimone AM, Pakula A, Lek A, Emerson CP. Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Compr Physiol 2017; 7:1229-1279. [PMID: 28915324 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c160039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy is a common form of muscular dystrophy that presents clinically with progressive weakness of the facial, scapular, and humeral muscles, with later involvement of the trunk and lower extremities. While typically inherited as autosomal dominant, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) has a complex genetic and epigenetic etiology that has only recently been well described. The most prevalent form of the disease, FSHD1, is associated with the contraction of the D4Z4 microsatellite repeat array located on a permissive 4qA chromosome. D4Z4 contraction allows epigenetic derepression of the array, and possibly the surrounding 4q35 region, allowing misexpression of the toxic DUX4 transcription factor encoded within the terminal D4Z4 repeat in skeletal muscles. The less common form of the disease, FSHD2, results from haploinsufficiency of the SMCHD1 gene in individuals carrying a permissive 4qA allele, also leading to the derepression of DUX4, further supporting a central role for DUX4. How DUX4 misexpression contributes to FSHD muscle pathology is a major focus of current investigation. Misexpression of other genes at the 4q35 locus, including FRG1 and FAT1, and unlinked genes, such as SMCHD1, has also been implicated as disease modifiers, leading to several competing disease models. In this review, we describe recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of FSHD, including the application of MRI as a research and diagnostic tool, the genetic and epigenetic disruptions associated with the disease, and the molecular basis of FSHD. We discuss how these advances are leading to the emergence of new approaches to enable development of FSHD therapeutics. © 2017 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 7:1229-1279, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec M DeSimone
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Pakula
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela Lek
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles P Emerson
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Program, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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18
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Houyoux N, Wattiez R, Ris L. A proteomic analysis of contextual fear conditioned rats reveals dynamic modifications in neuron and oligodendrocyte protein expression in the dentate gyrus. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 46:2177-2189. [PMID: 28833751 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Contextual memory is an intricate process involving synaptic plasticity and network rearrangement. Both are governed by many molecular processes including phosphorylation and modulation of protein expression. However, little is known about the molecules involved in it. Here, we exploited the advantages of a quantitative proteomic approach to identify a great number of molecules in the rat dentate gyrus after a contextual fear conditioning session. Our results allowed us to highlight protein expression patterns, not only related to neuroplasticity, but also to myelin structure, such as myelin basic protein and myelin proteolipid protein showing a decrease in expression. Validation of the modification in protein expression reveals a dynamic profile during the 48 h following the fear conditioning session. The expression of proteins involved in neurite outgrowth, such as BASP-1 and calcineurin B1, and in synaptic structure and function, VAMP2 and RAB3C, was increased in the dentate gyrus of rats submitted to fear conditioning compared to controls. We showed that the increase in BASP-1 protein was specific to fear conditioning learning as it was not present in immediate-shock rats, neither in rats exposed to a novel environment without being shocked. As myelin is known to stabilise synaptic network, the decrease in myelin proteins suggests a neuroglia interactive process taking place in the dentate gyrus in the 24 h following contextual fear learning, which has never been demonstrated before. These results therefore open the way to the study of new plasticity mechanisms underlying learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Houyoux
- Proteomics and Microbiology Department, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Proteomics and Microbiology Department, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Laurence Ris
- Department of Neuroscience, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, 7000, Mons, Belgium
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19
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Capitanio D, Moriggi M, Gelfi C. Mapping the human skeletal muscle proteome: progress and potential. Expert Rev Proteomics 2017; 14:825-839. [PMID: 28780899 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1364996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human skeletal muscle represents 40% of our body mass and deciphering its proteome composition to further understand mechanisms regulating muscle function under physiological and pathological conditions has proved a challenge. The inter-individual variability, the presence of structurally and functionally different muscle types and the high protein dynamic range require carefully selected methodologies for the assessment of the muscle proteome. Furthermore, physiological studies are understandingly hampered by ethical issues related to biopsies on healthy subjects, making it difficult to recruit matched controls essential for comparative studies. Areas covered: This review critically analyses studies performed on muscle to date and identifies what still remains unknown or poorly investigated in physiological and pathological states, such as training, aging, metabolic disorders and muscular dystrophies. Expert commentary: Efforts should be made on biological fluid analyses targeting low abundant/low molecular weight fragments generated from muscle cell disruption to improve diagnosis and clinical monitoring. From a methodological point of view, particular attention should be paid to improve the characterization of intact proteins and unknown post translational modifications to better understand the molecular mechanisms of muscle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Capitanio
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , University of Milan , Segrate , Milan , Italy
| | - Manuela Moriggi
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , University of Milan , Segrate , Milan , Italy
| | - Cecilia Gelfi
- a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , University of Milan , Segrate , Milan , Italy
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20
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Ansseau E, Vanderplanck C, Wauters A, Harper SQ, Coppée F, Belayew A. Antisense Oligonucleotides Used to Target the DUX4 mRNA as Therapeutic Approaches in FaciosScapuloHumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8030093. [PMID: 28273791 PMCID: PMC5368697 DOI: 10.3390/genes8030093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
FacioScapuloHumeral muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most prevalent hereditary myopathies and is generally characterized by progressive muscle atrophy affecting the face, scapular fixators; upper arms and distal lower legs. The FSHD locus maps to a macrosatellite D4Z4 repeat array on chromosome 4q35. Each D4Z4 unit contains a DUX4 gene; the most distal of which is flanked by a polyadenylation site on FSHD-permissive alleles, which allows for production of stable DUX4 mRNAs. In addition, an open chromatin structure is required for DUX4 gene transcription. FSHD thus results from a gain of function of the toxic DUX4 protein that normally is only expressed in germ line and stem cells. Therapeutic strategies are emerging that aim to decrease DUX4 expression or toxicity in FSHD muscle cells. We review here the heterogeneity of DUX4 mRNAs observed in muscle and stem cells; and the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) targeting the DUX4 mRNA to interfere either with transcript cleavage/polyadenylation or intron splicing. We show in primary cultures that DUX4-targeted AOs suppress the atrophic FSHD myotube phenotype; but do not improve the disorganized FSHD myotube phenotype which could be caused by DUX4c over-expression. Thus; DUX4c might constitute another therapeutic target in FSHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugénie Ansseau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Avenue du Champ de Mars 6, 7000-Mons, Belgium.
| | - Céline Vanderplanck
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Avenue du Champ de Mars 6, 7000-Mons, Belgium.
| | - Armelle Wauters
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Avenue du Champ de Mars 6, 7000-Mons, Belgium.
| | - Scott Q Harper
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
| | - Frédérique Coppée
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Avenue du Champ de Mars 6, 7000-Mons, Belgium.
| | - Alexandra Belayew
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Avenue du Champ de Mars 6, 7000-Mons, Belgium.
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21
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Moyle LA, Blanc E, Jaka O, Prueller J, Banerji CR, Tedesco FS, Harridge SD, Knight RD, Zammit PS. Ret function in muscle stem cells points to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27841748 PMCID: PMC5108591 DOI: 10.7554/elife.11405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) involves sporadic expression of DUX4, which inhibits myogenesis and is pro-apoptotic. To identify target genes, we over-expressed DUX4 in myoblasts and found that the receptor tyrosine kinase Ret was significantly up-regulated, suggesting a role in FSHD. RET is dynamically expressed during myogenic progression in mouse and human myoblasts. Constitutive expression of either RET9 or RET51 increased myoblast proliferation, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of Ret induced myogenic differentiation. Suppressing RET activity using Sunitinib, a clinically-approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor, rescued differentiation in both DUX4-expressing murine myoblasts and in FSHD patient-derived myoblasts. Importantly, Sunitinib also increased engraftment and differentiation of FSHD myoblasts in regenerating mouse muscle. Thus, DUX4-mediated activation of Ret prevents myogenic differentiation and could contribute to FSHD pathology by preventing satellite cell-mediated repair. Rescue of DUX4-induced pathology by Sunitinib highlights the therapeutic potential of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for treatment of FSHD. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11405.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise A Moyle
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eric Blanc
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oihane Jaka
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna Prueller
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Rs Banerji
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stephen Dr Harridge
- Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D Knight
- Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Dmitriev P, Bou Saada Y, Dib C, Ansseau E, Barat A, Hamade A, Dessen P, Robert T, Lazar V, Louzada RAN, Dupuy C, Zakharova V, Carnac G, Lipinski M, Vassetzky YS. DUX4-induced constitutive DNA damage and oxidative stress contribute to aberrant differentiation of myoblasts from FSHD patients. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 99:244-258. [PMID: 27519269 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the three most common muscular dystrophies in the Western world, however, its etiology remains only partially understood. Here, we provide evidence of constitutive DNA damage in in vitro cultured myoblasts isolated from FSHD patients and demonstrate oxidative DNA damage implication in the differentiation of these cells into phenotypically-aberrant myotubes. Double homeobox 4 (DUX4), the major actor in FSHD pathology induced DNA damage accumulation when overexpressed in normal human myoblasts, and RNAi-mediated DUX4 inhibition reduced the level of DNA damage in FSHD myoblasts. Addition of tempol, a powerful antioxidant, to the culture medium of proliferating DUX4-transfected myoblasts and FSHD myoblasts reduced the level of DNA damage, suggesting that DNA alterations are mainly due to oxidative stress. Antioxidant treatment during the myogenic differentiation of FSHD myoblasts significantly reduced morphological defects in myotube formation. We propose that the induction of DNA damage is a novel function of the DUX4 protein affecting myogenic differentiation of FSHD myoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Dmitriev
- UMR 8126, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France; PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, F-34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Yara Bou Saada
- UMR 8126, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Carla Dib
- UMR 8126, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Eugénie Ansseau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Mons, 20 place du Parc, B700 Mons, Belgium
| | - Ana Barat
- UMR 8126, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Aline Hamade
- ER030-EDST, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Lebanon
| | - Philippe Dessen
- Functional Genomics Unit, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Thomas Robert
- Functional Genomics Unit, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Vladimir Lazar
- Functional Genomics Unit, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Ruy A N Louzada
- UMR 8200, Univ., Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Corinne Dupuy
- UMR 8200, Univ., Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Vlada Zakharova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gilles Carnac
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, F-34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Marc Lipinski
- UMR 8126, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Yegor S Vassetzky
- UMR 8126, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France; Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
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23
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Caron L, Kher D, Lee KL, McKernan R, Dumevska B, Hidalgo A, Li J, Yang H, Main H, Ferri G, Petek LM, Poellinger L, Miller DG, Gabellini D, Schmidt U. A Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy-Affected Skeletal Muscles. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 5:1145-61. [PMID: 27217344 PMCID: PMC4996435 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED : Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) represents a major unmet clinical need arising from the progressive weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscles. The dearth of adequate experimental models has severely hampered our understanding of the disease. To date, no treatment is available for FSHD. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) potentially represent a renewable source of skeletal muscle cells (SkMCs) and provide an alternative to invasive patient biopsies. We developed a scalable monolayer system to differentiate hESCs into mature SkMCs within 26 days, without cell sorting or genetic manipulation. Here we show that SkMCs derived from FSHD1-affected hESC lines exclusively express the FSHD pathogenic marker double homeobox 4 and exhibit some of the defects reported in FSHD. FSHD1 myotubes are thinner when compared with unaffected and Becker muscular dystrophy myotubes, and differentially regulate genes involved in cell cycle control, oxidative stress response, and cell adhesion. This cellular model will be a powerful tool for studying FSHD and will ultimately assist in the development of effective treatments for muscular dystrophies. SIGNIFICANCE This work describes an efficient and highly scalable monolayer system to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into skeletal muscle cells (SkMCs) and demonstrates disease-specific phenotypes in SkMCs derived from both embryonic and induced hPSCs affected with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. This study represents the first human stem cell-based cellular model for a muscular dystrophy that is suitable for high-throughput screening and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Caron
- Genea Biocells Pty. Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Devaki Kher
- Genea Biocells Pty. Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kian Leong Lee
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Robert McKernan
- Genea Biocells Pty. Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Jia Li
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Henry Yang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heather Main
- Genea Biocells Pty. Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Giulia Ferri
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute and Division of Regenerative Medicine, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Lisa M Petek
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lorenz Poellinger
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel G Miller
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Davide Gabellini
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute and Division of Regenerative Medicine, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Uli Schmidt
- Genea Biocells Pty. Ltd., Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Genea Biocells US Inc., San Diego, California, USA
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24
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Fuller HR, Graham LC, Llavero Hurtado M, Wishart TM. Understanding the molecular consequences of inherited muscular dystrophies: advancements through proteomic experimentation. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 13:659-71. [PMID: 27329572 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2016.1202768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Proteomic techniques offer insights into the molecular perturbations occurring in muscular-dystrophies (MD). Revisiting published datasets can highlight conserved downstream molecular alterations, which may be worth re-assessing to determine whether their experimental manipulation is capable of modulating disease severity. AREAS COVERED Here, we review the MD literature, highlighting conserved molecular insights warranting mechanistic investigation for therapeutic potential. We also describe a workflow currently proving effective for efficient identification of biomarkers & therapeutic targets in other neurodegenerative conditions, upon which future MD proteomic investigations could be modelled. Expert commentary: Studying disease models can be useful for identifying biomarkers and model specific degenerative cascades, but rarely offer translatable mechanistic insights into disease pathology. Conversely, direct analysis of human samples undergoing degeneration presents challenges derived from complex chronic degenerative molecular processes. This requires a carefully planed & reproducible experimental paradigm accounting for patient selection through to grouping by disease severity and ending with proteomic data filtering and processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi R Fuller
- a Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease , RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital , Oswestry , UK
- b Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine , Keele University , Staffordshire , UK
| | - Laura C Graham
- c Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
- d Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Maica Llavero Hurtado
- c Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
- d Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Thomas M Wishart
- c Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
- d Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
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25
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Ansseau E, Eidahl JO, Lancelot C, Tassin A, Matteotti C, Yip C, Liu J, Leroy B, Hubeau C, Gerbaux C, Cloet S, Wauters A, Zorbo S, Meyer P, Pirson I, Laoudj-Chenivesse D, Wattiez R, Harper SQ, Belayew A, Coppée F. Homologous Transcription Factors DUX4 and DUX4c Associate with Cytoplasmic Proteins during Muscle Differentiation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146893. [PMID: 26816005 PMCID: PMC4729438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of double homeobox (DUX) genes map within 3.3-kb repeated elements dispersed in the human genome and encode DNA-binding proteins. Among these, we identified DUX4, a potent transcription factor that causes facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). In the present study, we performed yeast two-hybrid screens and protein co-purifications with HaloTag-DUX fusions or GST-DUX4 pull-down to identify protein partners of DUX4, DUX4c (which is identical to DUX4 except for the end of the carboxyl terminal domain) and DUX1 (which is limited to the double homeodomain). Unexpectedly, we identified and validated (by co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull-down, co-immunofluorescence and in situ Proximal Ligation Assay) the interaction of DUX4, DUX4c and DUX1 with type III intermediate filament protein desmin in the cytoplasm and at the nuclear periphery. Desmin filaments link adjacent sarcomere at the Z-discs, connect them to sarcolemma proteins and interact with mitochondria. These intermediate filament also contact the nuclear lamina and contribute to positioning of the nuclei. Another Z-disc protein, LMCD1 that contains a LIM domain was also validated as a DUX4 partner. The functionality of DUX4 or DUX4c interactions with cytoplasmic proteins is underscored by the cytoplasmic detection of DUX4/DUX4c upon myoblast fusion. In addition, we identified and validated (by co-immunoprecipitation, co-immunofluorescence and in situ Proximal Ligation Assay) as DUX4/4c partners several RNA-binding proteins such as C1QBP, SRSF9, RBM3, FUS/TLS and SFPQ that are involved in mRNA splicing and translation. FUS and SFPQ are nuclear proteins, however their cytoplasmic translocation was reported in neuronal cells where they associated with ribonucleoparticles (RNPs). Several other validated or identified DUX4/DUX4c partners are also contained in mRNP granules, and the co-localizations with cytoplasmic DAPI-positive spots is in keeping with such an association. Large muscle RNPs were recently shown to exit the nucleus via a novel mechanism of nuclear envelope budding. Following DUX4 or DUX4c overexpression in muscle cell cultures, we observed their association with similar nuclear buds. In conclusion, our study demonstrated unexpected interactions of DUX4/4c with cytoplasmic proteins playing major roles during muscle differentiation. Further investigations are on-going to evaluate whether these interactions play roles during muscle regeneration as previously suggested for DUX4c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugénie Ansseau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Jocelyn O. Eidahl
- Center for Gene Therapy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Céline Lancelot
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Alexandra Tassin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Christel Matteotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Cassandre Yip
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Jian Liu
- Center for Gene Therapy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Baptiste Leroy
- Laboratory of Proteomic and Microbiology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Céline Hubeau
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Cécile Gerbaux
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Samuel Cloet
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Armelle Wauters
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sabrina Zorbo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Pierre Meyer
- Pediatric Department, CHRU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle Pirson
- I.R.I.B.H.M., Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Laboratory of Proteomic and Microbiology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Scott Q. Harper
- Center for Gene Therapy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Belayew
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Frédérique Coppée
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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26
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Dib C, Saada YB, Dmitriev P, Richon C, Dessen P, Laoudj-Chenivesse D, Carnac G, Lipinski M, Vassetzky YS. Correction of the FSHD myoblast differentiation defect by fusion with healthy myoblasts. J Cell Physiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Dib
- UMR 8126, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
| | - Yara Bou Saada
- UMR 8126, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
| | - Petr Dmitriev
- UMR 8126, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
| | - Catherine Richon
- Functional Genomics Unit; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
| | - Philippe Dessen
- Functional Genomics Unit; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
| | | | - Gilles Carnac
- INSERM U-1046; 371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud; F-34295 Montpellier France
| | - Marc Lipinski
- UMR 8126, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
| | - Yegor S. Vassetzky
- UMR 8126, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS; Institut de Cancérologie Gustave-Roussy; F-94805 Villejuif France
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27
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Feeney SJ, McGrath MJ, Sriratana A, Gehrig SM, Lynch GS, D’Arcy CE, Price JT, McLean CA, Tupler R, Mitchell CA. FHL1 reduces dystrophy in transgenic mice overexpressing FSHD muscular dystrophy region gene 1 (FRG1). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117665. [PMID: 25695429 PMCID: PMC4335040 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal-dominant disease with no effective treatment. The genetic cause of FSHD is complex and the primary pathogenic insult underlying the muscle disease is unknown. Several disease candidate genes have been proposed including DUX4 and FRG1. Expression analysis studies of FSHD report the deregulation of genes which mediate myoblast differentiation and fusion. Transgenic mice overexpressing FRG1 recapitulate the FSHD muscular dystrophy phenotype. Our current study selectively examines how increased expression of FRG1 may contribute to myoblast differentiation defects. We generated stable C2C12 cell lines overexpressing FRG1, which exhibited a myoblast fusion defect upon differentiation. To determine if myoblast fusion defects contribute to the FRG1 mouse dystrophic phenotype, this strain was crossed with skeletal muscle specific FHL1-transgenic mice. We previously reported that FHL1 promotes myoblast fusion in vitro and FHL1-transgenic mice develop skeletal muscle hypertrophy. In the current study, FRG1 mice overexpressing FHL1 showed an improvement in the dystrophic phenotype, including a reduced spinal kyphosis, increased muscle mass and myofiber size, and decreased muscle fibrosis. FHL1 expression in FRG1 mice, did not alter satellite cell number or activation, but enhanced myoblast fusion. Primary myoblasts isolated from FRG1 mice showed a myoblast fusion defect that was rescued by FHL1 expression. Therefore, increased FRG1 expression may contribute to a muscular dystrophy phenotype resembling FSHD by impairing myoblast fusion, a defect that can be rescued by enhanced myoblast fusion via expression of FHL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra J. Feeney
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Meagan J. McGrath
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Absorn Sriratana
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Stefan M. Gehrig
- Basic and Clinical Myology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Gordon S. Lynch
- Basic and Clinical Myology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Colleen E. D’Arcy
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - John T. Price
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 8001, Australia
| | - Catriona A. McLean
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, United States of America
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Christina A. Mitchell
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- * E-mail:
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