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Galli RA, Borsboom TC, Gineste C, Brocca L, Rossi M, Hwee DT, Malik FI, Bottinelli R, Gondin J, Pellegrino MA, de Winter JM, Ottenheijm CA. Tirasemtiv enhances submaximal muscle tension in an Acta1:p.Asp286Gly mouse model of nemaline myopathy. J Gen Physiol 2024; 156:e202313471. [PMID: 38376469 PMCID: PMC10876480 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Nemaline myopathies are the most common form of congenital myopathies. Variants in ACTA1 (NEM3) comprise 15-25% of all nemaline myopathy cases. Patients harboring variants in ACTA1 present with a heterogeneous disease course characterized by stable or progressive muscle weakness and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death. To date, no specific treatments are available. Since NEM3 is an actin-based thin filament disease, we tested the ability of tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal muscle troponin activator, to improve skeletal muscle function in a mouse model of NEM3, harboring the patient-based p.Asp286Gly variant in Acta1. Acute and long-term tirasemtiv treatment significantly increased muscle contractile capacity at submaximal stimulation frequencies in both fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus and gastrocnemius muscle, and intermediate-twitch diaphragm muscle in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, long-term tirasemtiv treatment in NEM3 mice resulted in a decreased respiratory rate with preserved minute volume, suggesting more efficient respiration. Altogether, our data support the therapeutic potential of fast skeletal muscle troponin activators in alleviating skeletal muscle weakness in a mouse model of NEM3 caused by the Acta1:p.Asp286Gly variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A. Galli
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Musculoskeletal Health and Tissue Function and Regeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tamara C. Borsboom
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lorenza Brocca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maira Rossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Darren T. Hwee
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Fady I. Malik
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roberto Bottinelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Julien Gondin
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, Unité Physiopathologie et Génétique du Neurone et du Muscle, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Josine M. de Winter
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Musculoskeletal Health and Tissue Function and Regeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure and Arrhythmias, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coen A.C. Ottenheijm
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Pulmonary Hypertension and Atherosclerosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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2
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Bahat G, Ozkok S. The Current Landscape of Pharmacotherapies for Sarcopenia. Drugs Aging 2024; 41:83-112. [PMID: 38315328 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01093-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder characterized by progressive and generalized decline in muscle mass and function. Although it is mostly known as an age-related disorder, it can also occur secondary to systemic diseases such as malignancy or organ failure. It has demonstrated a significant relationship with adverse outcomes, e.g., falls, disabilities, and even mortality. Several breakthroughs have been made to find a pharmaceutical therapy for sarcopenia over the years, and some have come up with promising findings. Yet still no drug has been approved for its treatment. The key factor that makes finding an effective pharmacotherapy so challenging is the general paradigm of standalone/single diseases, traditionally adopted in medicine. Today, it is well known that sarcopenia is a complex disorder caused by multiple factors, e.g., imbalance in protein turnover, satellite cell and mitochondrial dysfunction, hormonal changes, low-grade inflammation, senescence, anorexia of aging, and behavioral factors such as low physical activity. Therefore, pharmaceuticals, either alone or combined, that exhibit multiple actions on these factors simultaneously will likely be the drug of choice to manage sarcopenia. Among various drug options explored throughout the years, testosterone still has the most cumulated evidence regarding its effects on muscle health and its safety. A mas receptor agonist, BIO101, stands out as a recent promising pharmaceutical. In addition to the conventional strategies (i.e., nutritional support and physical exercise), therapeutics with multiple targets of action or combination of multiple therapeutics with different targets/modes of action appear to promise greater benefit for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulistan Bahat
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Capa, 34390, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Serdar Ozkok
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Hatay Training and Research Hospital, Hatay, 31040, Turkey
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3
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Maragakis NJ, de Carvalho M, Weiss MD. Therapeutic targeting of ALS pathways: Refocusing an incomplete picture. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:1948-1971. [PMID: 37641443 PMCID: PMC10647018 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous potential amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-relevant pathways have been hypothesized and studied preclinically, with subsequent translation to clinical trial. However, few successes have been observed with only modest effects. Along with an improved but incomplete understanding of ALS as a neurodegenerative disease is the evolution of more sophisticated and diverse in vitro and in vivo preclinical modeling platforms, as well as clinical trial designs. We highlight proposed pathological pathways that have been major therapeutic targets for investigational compounds. It is likely that the failures of so many of these therapeutic compounds may not have occurred because of lack of efficacy but rather because of a lack of preclinical modeling that would help define an appropriate disease pathway, as well as a failure to establish target engagement. These challenges are compounded by shortcomings in clinical trial design, including lack of biomarkers that could predict clinical success and studies that are underpowered. Although research investments have provided abundant insights into new ALS-relevant pathways, most have not yet been developed more fully to result in clinical study. In this review, we detail some of the important, well-established pathways, the therapeutics targeting them, and the subsequent clinical design. With an understanding of some of the shortcomings in translational efforts over the last three decades of ALS investigation, we propose that scientists and clinicians may choose to revisit some of these therapeutic pathways reviewed here with an eye toward improving preclinical modeling, biomarker development, and the investment in more sophisticated clinical trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Faculdade de MedicinaInsqatituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| | - Michael D. Weiss
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
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4
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Duranti E, Villa C. Muscle Involvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Understanding the Pathogenesis and Advancing Therapeutics. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1582. [PMID: 38002264 PMCID: PMC10669302 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal condition characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Muscle involvement, muscle atrophy, and subsequent paralysis are among the main features of this disease, which is defined as a neuromuscular disorder. ALS is a persistently progressive disease, and as motor neurons continue to degenerate, individuals with ALS experience a gradual decline in their ability to perform daily activities. Ultimately, muscle function loss may result in paralysis, presenting significant challenges in mobility, communication, and self-care. While the majority of ALS research has traditionally focused on pathogenic pathways in the central nervous system, there has been a great interest in muscle research. These studies were carried out on patients and animal models in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved and to develop therapies aimed at improving muscle function. This review summarizes the features of ALS and discusses the role of muscle, as well as examines recent studies in the development of treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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5
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Bikbavova GR, Livzan MA, Tikhonravova DV. All you need to know about sarcopenia: a short guide for an internal medicine physician in questions and answers. BULLETIN OF SIBERIAN MEDICINE 2023; 22:88-97. [DOI: 10.20538/1682-0363-2023-3-88-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Sarcopenia is associated with social, economic, and individual burdens, including loss of independence, poor quality of life, and disability. In a short period of time, ideas about sarcopenia transformed from geriatric syndrome to disease. Initially, sarcopenia was considered in the context of gradual age-related deterioration in the functioning of all physiological systems. Over the years, it became clear that it can develop a second time, as a consequence of various diseases and pathological conditions.To date, there have been no generally accepted diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. There are several tests and tools available for screening sarcopenia, the choice of which depends on physical capabilities of the patient, capabilities of the medical institution, and the purpose for which it is detected (research or clinical practice).From the point of view of human health, sarcopenia increases the risk of falls and fractures; impairs the ability to perform daily activities; is associated with the progression of major diseases and cognitive impairments; leads to movement disorders; contributes to a decrease in the quality of life, loss of independence or a need for long-term care. The presence of sarcopenia increases both the risk of hospitalization and hospitalization costs.The aim of the literature review is to provide an analysis of up-to-date information on the causes, pathogenesis, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and consequences of sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and sarcopenic obesity. The search for literature containing information on relevant studies was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar by the following keywords: sarcopenia, dynapenia, myosteatosis, sarcopenic obesity, nutritional status, malnutrition.
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Correa-de Araujo R, Evans WJ, Fielding RA, Krishnan V, Carter RH, Appleby J, Guralnik J, Klickstein LB, Marks P, Moore AA, Peschin S, Bhasin S. Synergistic Strategies to Accelerate the Development of Function-Promoting Therapies: Lessons From Operation Warp Speed and Oncology Drug Development. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:94-100. [PMID: 37325963 PMCID: PMC10272982 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad028] [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: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional limitations and physical disabilities associated with aging and chronic disease are major concerns for human societies and expeditious development of function-promoting therapies is a public health priority. METHODS Expert panel discussion. RESULTS The remarkable success of Operation Warp Speed for the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 therapeutics, and of oncology drug development programs over the past decade have taught us that complex public health problems such as the development of function-promoting therapies will require collaboration among many stakeholders, including academic investigators, the National Institutes of Health, professional societies, patients and patient advocacy organizations, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSIONS There was agreement that the success of well designed, adequately powered clinical trials will require careful definitions of indication/s, study population, and patient-important endpoints that can be reliably measured using validated instruments, commensurate resource allocation, and versatile organizational structures such as those used in Operation Warp Speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaly Correa-de Araujo
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - William J Evans
- Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, University of California at Berkely, Berkely, California, USA
| | - Roger A Fielding
- Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Robert H Carter
- National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - James Appleby
- Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jack Guralnik
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Peter Marks
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison A Moore
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sue Peschin
- Alliance for Aging Research, Aging in Motion, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Shalender Bhasin
- Research Program in Men’s Health: Aging and Metabolism, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Issahaku AR, Ibrahim MAA, Mukelabai N, Soliman MES. Intermolecular And Dynamic Investigation of The Mechanism of Action of Reldesemtiv on Fast Skeletal Muscle Troponin Complex Toward the Treatment of Impaired Muscle Function. Protein J 2023:10.1007/s10930-023-10091-y. [PMID: 36959428 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10091-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Muscle weakness as a secondary feature of attenuated neuronal input often leads to disability and sometimes death in patients with neurogenic neuromuscular diseases. These impaired muscle function has been observed in several diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, spinal muscular atrophy and Myasthenia gravis. This has spurred the search for small molecules which could activate fast skeletal muscle troponin complex as a means to increase muscle strength. Discovered small molecules have however been punctuated by off-target and side effects leading to the development of the second-generation small molecule, Reldesemtiv. In this study, we investigated the impact of Reldesemtiv binding to the fast skeletal troponin complex and the molecular determinants that condition the therapeutic prowess of Redesemtiv through computational techniques. It was revealed that Reldesemtiv binding possibly potentiates troponin C compacting characterized by reduced exposure to solvent molecules which could favor the slow release of calcium ions and the resultant sensitization of the subunit to calcium. These conformational changes were underscored by conventional and carbon hydrogen bonds, pi-alkyl, pi-sulfur and halogen interactions between Reldesemtiv the binding site residues. Arg113 (-3.96 kcal/mol), Met116 (-2.23 kcal/mol), Val114 (-1.28 kcal/mol) and Met121 (-0.63 kcal/mol) of the switch region of the inhibitory subunit were among the residues that contributed the most to the total free binding energy of Reldesemtiv highlighting their importance. These findings present useful insights which could lay the foundation for the development of fast skeletal muscle small molecule activators with high specificity and potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Rashid Issahaku
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
- West African Centre for Computational Research and Innovation, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mahmoud A A Ibrahim
- CompChem Research Group, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt
| | - Namutula Mukelabai
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu- Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E S Soliman
- Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
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8
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Karpicheva OE, Avrova SV, Bogdanov AL, Sirenko VV, Redwood CS, Borovikov YS. Molecular Mechanisms of Deregulation of Muscle Contractility Caused by the R168H Mutation in TPM3 and Its Attenuation by Therapeutic Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065829. [PMID: 36982903 PMCID: PMC10051413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The substitution for Arg168His (R168H) in γ-tropomyosin (TPM3 gene, Tpm3.12 isoform) is associated with congenital muscle fiber type disproportion (CFTD) and muscle weakness. It is still unclear what molecular mechanisms underlie the muscle dysfunction seen in CFTD. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the R168H mutation in Tpm3.12 on the critical conformational changes that myosin, actin, troponin, and tropomyosin undergo during the ATPase cycle. We used polarized fluorescence microscopy and ghost muscle fibers containing regulated thin filaments and myosin heads (myosin subfragment-1) modified with the 1,5-IAEDANS fluorescent probe. Analysis of the data obtained revealed that a sequential interdependent conformational-functional rearrangement of tropomyosin, actin and myosin heads takes place when modeling the ATPase cycle in the presence of wild-type tropomyosin. A multistep shift of the tropomyosin strands from the outer to the inner domain of actin occurs during the transition from weak to strong binding of myosin to actin. Each tropomyosin position determines the corresponding balance between switched-on and switched-off actin monomers and between the strongly and weakly bound myosin heads. At low Ca2+, the R168H mutation was shown to switch some extra actin monomers on and increase the persistence length of tropomyosin, demonstrating the freezing of the R168HTpm strands close to the open position and disruption of the regulatory function of troponin. Instead of reducing the formation of strong bonds between myosin heads and F-actin, troponin activated it. However, at high Ca2+, troponin decreased the amount of strongly bound myosin heads instead of promoting their formation. Abnormally high sensitivity of thin filaments to Ca2+, inhibition of muscle fiber relaxation due to the appearance of the myosin heads strongly associated with F-actin, and distinct activation of the contractile system at submaximal concentrations of Ca2+ can lead to muscle inefficiency and weakness. Modulators of troponin (tirasemtiv and epigallocatechin-3-gallate) and myosin (omecamtiv mecarbil and 2,3-butanedione monoxime) have been shown to more or less attenuate the negative effects of the tropomyosin R168H mutant. Tirasemtiv and epigallocatechin-3-gallate may be used to prevent muscle dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga E Karpicheva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Av., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Stanislava V Avrova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Av., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Andrey L Bogdanov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Av., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Vladimir V Sirenko
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Av., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Charles S Redwood
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Yurii S Borovikov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Av., St. Petersburg 194064, Russia
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9
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Messina S, Sframeli M, Maggi L, D'Amico A, Bruno C, Comi G, Mercuri E. Spinal muscular atrophy: state of the art and new therapeutic strategies. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:615-624. [PMID: 33871750 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05258-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe disorder of motor neurons and the most frequent cause of genetic mortality, due to respiratory complications. We are facing an exciting era with three available therapeutic options in a disease considered incurable for more than a century. However, the availability of effective approaches has raised up ethical, medical, and financial issues that are routinely faced by the SMA community. Each therapeutic strategy has its weaknesses and strengths and clinicians need to know them to optimize clinical care. In this review, the state of the art and the results and challenges of the new SMA therapeutic strategies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. .,NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) Sud Clinical Centre, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Sframeli
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO) Sud Clinical Centre, University Hospital "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, Foundation IRCCS Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Giacomo Comi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Unit, La Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore di Milano Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Department of Child Neurology, University Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
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10
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Metabolic Pathways and Ion Channels Involved in Skeletal Muscle Atrophy: A Starting Point for Potential Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162566. [PMID: 36010642 PMCID: PMC9406740 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle tissue has the important function of supporting and defending the organism. It is the largest apparatus in the human body, and its function is important for contraction and movements. In addition, it is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis and degradation. In fact, inhibition of protein synthesis and/or activation of catabolism determines a pathological condition called muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is a reduction in muscle mass resulting in a partial or complete loss of function. It has been established that many physiopathological conditions can cause a reduction in muscle mass. Nevertheless, it is not well known that the molecular mechanisms and signaling processes caused this dramatic event. There are multiple concomitant processes involved in muscle atrophy. In fact, the gene transcription of some factors, oxidative stress mechanisms, and the alteration of ion transport through specific ion channels may contribute to muscle function impairment. In this review, we focused on the molecular mechanisms responsible for muscle damage and potential drugs to be used to alleviate this disabling condition.
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11
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Morelli C, Ingrasciotta G, Jacoby D, Masri A, Olivotto I. Sarcomere protein modulation: The new frontier in cardiovascular medicine and beyond. Eur J Intern Med 2022; 102:1-7. [PMID: 35534374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2022.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the constant progress in science and technologies has provided innovative drug molecules that address specific disease mechanisms thus opening the era of drugs targeting the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. In this scenario, a new paradigm of modulation has emerged, following the development of small molecules capable of interfering with sarcomere contractile proteins. Potential applications include heart muscle disease and various forms of heart failure, although promising targets also include conditions affecting the skeletal muscle, such as degenerative neuromuscular diseases. In cardiac patients, a cardiac myosin stimulator, omecamtiv mecarbil, has shown efficacy in heart failure with reduced systolic function, lowering heart failure related events or cardiovascular death, while two inhibitors, mavacamten and aficamten, in randomized trials targeting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, have been shown to reduce hypercontractility and left ventricular outflow obstruction improving functional capacity. Based on years of intensive basic and translational research, these agents are the prototypes of active pipelines promising to deliver an array of molecules in the near future. We here review the available evidence and future perspectives of myosin modulation in cardiovascular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Morelli
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gessica Ingrasciotta
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniel Jacoby
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ahmad Masri
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Iacopo Olivotto
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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12
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Mahmud Z, Tikunova S, Belevych N, Wagg CS, Zhabyeyev P, Liu PB, Rasicci DV, Yengo CM, Oudit GY, Lopaschuk GD, Reiser PJ, Davis JP, Hwang PM. Small Molecule RPI-194 Stabilizes Activated Troponin to Increase the Calcium Sensitivity of Striated Muscle Contraction. Front Physiol 2022; 13:892979. [PMID: 35755445 PMCID: PMC9213791 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.892979] [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: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecule cardiac troponin activators could potentially enhance cardiac muscle contraction in the treatment of systolic heart failure. We designed a small molecule, RPI-194, to bind cardiac/slow skeletal muscle troponin (Cardiac muscle and slow skeletal muscle share a common isoform of the troponin C subunit.) Using solution NMR and stopped flow fluorescence spectroscopy, we determined that RPI-194 binds to cardiac troponin with a dissociation constant KD of 6-24 μM, stabilizing the activated complex between troponin C and the switch region of troponin I. The interaction between RPI-194 and troponin C is weak (KD 311 μM) in the absence of the switch region. RPI-194 acts as a calcium sensitizer, shifting the pCa50 of isometric contraction from 6.28 to 6.99 in mouse slow skeletal muscle fibers and from 5.68 to 5.96 in skinned cardiac trabeculae at 100 μM concentration. There is also some cross-reactivity with fast skeletal muscle fibers (pCa50 increases from 6.27 to 6.52). In the slack test performed on the same skinned skeletal muscle fibers, RPI-194 slowed the velocity of unloaded shortening at saturating calcium concentrations, suggesting that it slows the rate of actin-myosin cross-bridge cycling under these conditions. However, RPI-194 had no effect on the ATPase activity of purified actin-myosin. In isolated unloaded mouse cardiomyocytes, RPI-194 markedly decreased the velocity and amplitude of contractions. In contrast, cardiac function was preserved in mouse isolated perfused working hearts. In summary, the novel troponin activator RPI-194 acts as a calcium sensitizer in all striated muscle types. Surprisingly, it also slows the velocity of unloaded contraction, but the cause and significance of this is uncertain at this time. RPI-194 represents a new class of non-specific troponin activator that could potentially be used either to enhance cardiac muscle contractility in the setting of systolic heart failure or to enhance skeletal muscle contraction in neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zabed Mahmud
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Svetlana Tikunova
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Natalya Belevych
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Cory S Wagg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Pavel Zhabyeyev
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Philip B Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David V Rasicci
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Christopher M Yengo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Gavin Y Oudit
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gary D Lopaschuk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Peter J Reiser
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jonathan P Davis
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Peter M Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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13
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Cho MR, Lee S, Song SK. A Review of Sarcopenia Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Future Direction. J Korean Med Sci 2022; 37:e146. [PMID: 35535373 PMCID: PMC9091430 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The prevalence of sarcopenia was reported to be up to 29% in older persons in the community healthcare setting. Sarcopenia diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of low muscle mass plus low muscle strength or low physical performance. Sarcopenia management options include non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Non-pharmacological approaches include resistance exercise and adequate nutrition. Of the two, resistance exercise is the standard non-pharmacological treatment approach for sarcopenia with significant positive evidence. Some dietary approaches such as adequate intake of protein, vitamin D, antioxidant nutrients, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid have been shown to have positive effects against sarcopenia. Currently, no specific drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of sarcopenia. However, several agents, including growth hormone, anabolic or androgenic steroids, selective androgenic receptor modulators, protein anabolic agents, appetite stimulants, myostatin inhibitors, activating II receptor drugs, β-receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and troponin activators, are recommended and have been shown to have variable efficacy. Future research should focus on sarcopenia biological pathway and improved diagnostic approaches such as biomarkers for early detection, development of consistently pre-eminent treatment methods for severe sarcopenia patients, and establishing sensitive measures for predicting sarcopenia treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Rae Cho
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sungho Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
| | - Suk-Kyoon Song
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
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14
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Sever B, Ciftci H, DeMirci H, Sever H, Ocak F, Yulug B, Tateishi H, Tateishi T, Otsuka M, Fujita M, Başak AN. Comprehensive Research on Past and Future Therapeutic Strategies Devoted to Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2400. [PMID: 35269543 PMCID: PMC8910198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly debilitating fatal neurodegenerative disorder, causing muscle atrophy and weakness, which leads to paralysis and eventual death. ALS has a multifaceted nature affected by many pathological mechanisms, including oxidative stress (also via protein aggregation), mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, axonal degeneration, skeletal muscle deterioration and viruses. This complexity is a major obstacle in defeating ALS. At present, riluzole and edaravone are the only drugs that have passed clinical trials for the treatment of ALS, notwithstanding that they showed modest benefits in a limited population of ALS. A dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate combination was also approved to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in the course of ALS. Globally, there is a struggle to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of this neurodegenerative disease, including implementation of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), CRISPR-9/Cas technique, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) or ALS-on-a-chip technology. Additionally, researchers have synthesized and screened new compounds to be effective in ALS beyond the drug repurposing strategy. Despite all these efforts, ALS treatment is largely limited to palliative care, and there is a strong need for new therapeutics to be developed. This review focuses on and discusses which therapeutic strategies have been followed so far and what can be done in the future for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belgin Sever
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey;
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.C.); (H.T.); (M.O.)
| | - Halilibrahim Ciftci
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.C.); (H.T.); (M.O.)
- Department of Drug Discovery, Science Farm Ltd., Kumamoto 862-0976, Japan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
| | - Hasan DeMirci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
| | - Hilal Sever
- Ministry of Health, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Istanbul 34098, Turkey;
| | - Firdevs Ocak
- Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41001, Turkey;
| | - Burak Yulug
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Alaaddin Keykubat University, Alanya 07425, Turkey;
| | - Hiroshi Tateishi
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.C.); (H.T.); (M.O.)
| | - Takahisa Tateishi
- Division of Respirology, Neurology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan;
| | - Masami Otsuka
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.C.); (H.T.); (M.O.)
- Department of Drug Discovery, Science Farm Ltd., Kumamoto 862-0976, Japan
| | - Mikako Fujita
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan; (H.C.); (H.T.); (M.O.)
| | - Ayşe Nazlı Başak
- Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory (KUTTAM-NDAL), Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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15
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Collibee SE, Bergnes G, Chuang C, Ashcraft L, Gardina J, Garard M, Jamison CR, Lu K, Lu PP, Muci A, Romero A, Valkevich E, Wang W, Warrington J, Yao B, Durham N, Hartman J, Marquez A, Hinken A, Schaletzky J, Xu D, Hwee DT, Morgans D, Malik FI, Morgan BP. Discovery of Reldesemtiv, a Fast Skeletal Muscle Troponin Activator for the Treatment of Impaired Muscle Function. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14930-14941. [PMID: 34636234 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of reldesemtiv, a second-generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA) that increases force production at submaximal stimulation frequencies, is reported. Property-based optimization of high throughput screening hit 1 led to compounds with improved free exposure and in vivo muscle activation potency compared to the first-generation FSTA, tirasemtiv. Reldesemtiv demonstrated increased muscle force generation in a phase 1 clinical trial and is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Collibee
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Gustave Bergnes
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Chihyuan Chuang
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Luke Ashcraft
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jeffrey Gardina
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Marc Garard
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Chris R Jamison
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Kevin Lu
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Pu-Ping Lu
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Alexander Muci
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Antonio Romero
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Ellen Valkevich
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Wenyue Wang
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Jeffrey Warrington
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Bing Yao
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Nickie Durham
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - James Hartman
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Anna Marquez
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Aaron Hinken
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Julia Schaletzky
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Donghong Xu
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Darren T Hwee
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - David Morgans
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Fady I Malik
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Bradley P Morgan
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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16
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van de Locht M, Borsboom TC, Winter JM, Ottenheijm CAC. Troponin Variants in Congenital Myopathies: How They Affect Skeletal Muscle Mechanics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179187. [PMID: 34502093 PMCID: PMC8430961 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The troponin complex is a key regulator of muscle contraction. Multiple variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes result in congenital myopathies. TNNC2 has been implicated in a novel congenital myopathy, TNNI2 and TNNT3 in distal arthrogryposis (DA), and TNNT1 and TNNT3 in nemaline myopathy (NEM). Variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes compromise sarcomere function, e.g., by altering the Ca2+ sensitivity of force or by inducing atrophy. Several potential therapeutic strategies are available to counter the effects of variants, such as troponin activators, introduction of wild-type protein through AAV gene therapy, and myosin modulation to improve muscle contraction. The mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological effects of the variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes are incompletely understood. Furthermore, limited knowledge is available on the structure of skeletal troponin. This review focusses on the physiology of slow and fast skeletal troponin and the pathophysiology of reported variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes. A better understanding of the pathophysiological effects of these variants, together with enhanced knowledge regarding the structure of slow and fast skeletal troponin, will direct the development of treatment strategies.
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17
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de Winter JM, Gineste C, Minardi E, Brocca L, Rossi M, Borsboom T, Beggs AH, Bernard M, Bendahan D, Hwee DT, Malik FI, Pellegrino MA, Bottinelli R, Gondin J, Ottenheijm CAC. Acute and chronic tirasemtiv treatment improves in vivo and in vitro muscle performance in actin-based nemaline myopathy mice. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1305-1320. [PMID: 33909041 PMCID: PMC8255131 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemaline myopathy, a disease of the actin-based thin filament, is one of the most frequent congenital myopathies. To date, no specific therapy is available to treat muscle weakness in nemaline myopathy. We tested the ability of tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal troponin activator that targets the thin filament, to augment muscle force-both in vivo and in vitro-in a nemaline myopathy mouse model with a mutation (H40Y) in Acta1. In Acta1H40Y mice, treatment with tirasemtiv increased the force response of muscles to submaximal stimulation frequencies. This resulted in a reduced energetic cost of force generation, which increases the force production during a fatigue protocol. The inotropic effects of tirasemtiv were present in locomotor muscles and, albeit to a lesser extent, in respiratory muscles, and they persisted during chronic treatment, an important finding as respiratory failure is the main cause of death in patients with congenital myopathy. Finally, translational studies on permeabilized muscle fibers isolated from a biopsy of a patient with the ACTA1H40Y mutation revealed that at physiological Ca2+ concentrations, tirasemtiv increased force generation to values that were close to those generated in muscle fibers of healthy subjects. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of fast skeletal muscle troponin activators to improve muscle function in nemaline myopathy due to the ACTA1H40Y mutation, and future studies should assess their merit for other forms of nemaline myopathy and for other congenital myopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josine M de Winter
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | | | - Elisa Minardi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Lorenza Brocca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Maira Rossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Tamara Borsboom
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Alan H Beggs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Monique Bernard
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM, UMR 7339, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - David Bendahan
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM, UMR 7339, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Darren T Hwee
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Fady I Malik
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Maria Antonietta Pellegrino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
- Interdipartimental Centre for Biology and Sport Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Roberto Bottinelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Maugeri (IRCCS), Scientific Institute of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Julien Gondin
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM, UMR 7339, 13005 Marseille, France
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS 5310, INSERM U1217, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Coen A C Ottenheijm
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
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18
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Manto KM, Govindappa PK, Parisi D, Karuman Z, Martinazzi B, Hegarty JP, Talukder MAH, Elfar JC. (4-Aminopyridine)-PLGA-PEG as a Novel Thermosensitive and Locally Injectable Treatment for Acute Peripheral Nerve Injury. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:4140-4151. [PMID: 34142019 PMCID: PMC8206837 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic peripheral nerve injury (TPNI) represents a major medical problem that results in loss of motor and sensory function, and in severe cases, limb paralysis and amputation. To date, there are no effective treatments beyond surgery in selective cases. In repurposing studies, we found that daily systemic administration of the FDA-approved drug 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) enhanced functional recovery after acute peripheral nerve injury. This study was aimed at constructing a novel local delivery system of 4-AP using thermogelling polymers. We optimized a thermosensitive (4-AP)-poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) block copolymer formulation. (4-AP)-PLGA-PEG exhibited controlled release of 4-AP both in vitro and in vivo for approximately 3 weeks, with clinically relevant safe serum levels in animals. Rheological investigation showed that (4-AP)-PLGA-PEG underwent a solution to gel transition at 32 °C, a physiologically relevant temperature, allowing us to administer it to an injured limb while subsequently forming an in situ gel. A single local administration of (4-AP)-PLGA-PEG remarkably enhanced motor and sensory functional recovery on post-sciatic nerve crush injury days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Moreover, immunohistochemical studies of injured nerves treated with (4-AP)-PLGA-PEG demonstrated an increased expression of neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) and myelin protein zero (MPZ) proteins, two major markers of nerve regeneration. These findings demonstrate that (4-AP)-PLGA-PEG may be a promising long-acting local therapeutic agent in TPNI, for which no pharmacologic treatment exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Manto
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Prem Kumar Govindappa
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Daniele Parisi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Zara Karuman
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Brandon Martinazzi
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - John P Hegarty
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - M A Hassan Talukder
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - John C Elfar
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
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19
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van de Locht M, Donkervoort S, de Winter JM, Conijn S, Begthel L, Kusters B, Mohassel P, Hu Y, Medne L, Quinn C, Moore SA, Foley AR, Seo G, Hwee DT, Malik FI, Irving T, Ma W, Granzier HL, Kamsteeg EJ, Immadisetty K, Kekenes-Huskey P, Pinto JR, Voermans N, Bönnemann CG, Ottenheijm CA. Pathogenic variants in TNNC2 cause congenital myopathy due to an impaired force response to calcium. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:145700. [PMID: 33755597 DOI: 10.1172/jci145700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Troponin C (TnC) is a critical regulator of skeletal muscle contraction; it binds Ca2+ to activate muscle contraction. Surprisingly, the gene encoding fast skeletal TnC (TNNC2) has not yet been implicated in muscle disease. Here, we report 2 families with pathogenic variants in TNNC2. Patients present with a distinct, dominantly inherited congenital muscle disease. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the pathomechanisms by which the variants cause muscle disease include disruption of the binding sites for Ca2+ and for troponin I. In line with these findings, physiological studies in myofibers isolated from patients' biopsies revealed a markedly reduced force response of the sarcomeres to [Ca2+]. This pathomechanism was further confirmed in experiments in which contractile dysfunction was evoked by replacing TnC in myofibers from healthy control subjects with recombinant, mutant TnC. Conversely, the contractile dysfunction of myofibers from patients was repaired by replacing endogenous, mutant TnC with recombinant, wild-type TnC. Finally, we tested the therapeutic potential of the fast skeletal muscle troponin activator tirasemtiv in patients' myofibers and showed that the contractile dysfunction was repaired. Thus, our data reveal that pathogenic variants in TNNC2 cause congenital muscle disease, and they provide therapeutic angles to repair muscle contractility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn van de Locht
- Deptartment of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sandra Donkervoort
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Josine M de Winter
- Deptartment of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Conijn
- Deptartment of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Leon Begthel
- Deptartment of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Benno Kusters
- Department of Neurology and Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Payam Mohassel
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ying Hu
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Livija Medne
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Individualized Medical Genetics Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Colin Quinn
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven A Moore
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - A Reghan Foley
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gwimoon Seo
- Protein Expression Facility, Institute of Molecular Biophysics, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Darren T Hwee
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fady I Malik
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas Irving
- BioCAT, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Weikang Ma
- BioCAT, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Henk L Granzier
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Erik-Jan Kamsteeg
- Department of Neurology and Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Kalyan Immadisetty
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Peter Kekenes-Huskey
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - José R Pinto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Nicol Voermans
- Department of Neurology and Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Coen Ac Ottenheijm
- Deptartment of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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20
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Scaricamazza S, Salvatori I, Ferri A, Valle C. Skeletal Muscle in ALS: An Unappreciated Therapeutic Opportunity? Cells 2021; 10:525. [PMID: 33801336 PMCID: PMC8000428 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons and by the progressive weakness and paralysis of voluntary muscles. Despite intense research efforts and numerous clinical trials, it is still an incurable disease. ALS had long been considered a pure motor neuron disease; however, recent studies have shown that motor neuron protection is not sufficient to prevent the course of the disease since the dismantlement of neuromuscular junctions occurs before motor neuron degeneration. Skeletal muscle alterations have been described in the early stages of the disease, and they seem to be mainly involved in the "dying back" phenomenon of motor neurons and metabolic dysfunctions. In recent years, skeletal muscles have been considered crucial not only for the etiology of ALS but also for its treatment. Here, we review clinical and preclinical studies that targeted skeletal muscles and discuss the different approaches, including pharmacological interventions, supplements or diets, genetic modifications, and training programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Scaricamazza
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.)
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Illari Salvatori
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferri
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
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21
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Singh A, Jain M, Kapadia R, Mahawar-Dhirendra K, Kakkar S, Dadhich J, Chandel-Ritesh K. Review of therapeutic options for spinal muscular atrophy. SCRIPTA MEDICA 2021. [DOI: 10.5937/scriptamed52-31529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is uncommon genetic (autosomal recessive) disease that deteriorates neuromuscular function of the affected person's body by causing lower motor neuron damage, progress in muscle atrophy and in advanced cases leads to paralysis of muscles. Mainly skeletal and respiratory muscles are involved. SMA is present due to lack of SMA proteins, which are encoded by survival motor neuron-1 (SMN-1) genes. In mutation of SMN-1 genes, deficiency of SMN proteins occurs. SMA affects all age groups, but mainly and most severely children younger than 6 months of age. At present, risdiplam is a treatment option and the drug has been approved by the US Food Drug and Administration on 7 August 2020. The availability of the drug has led to increased financial, ethical and medical problems. SMA affected populations are regularly challenged to these issues.
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22
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Singh M, George AK, Eyob W, Homme RP, Stansic D, Tyagi SC. High-methionine diet in skeletal muscle remodeling: epigenetic mechanism of homocysteine-mediated growth retardation. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 99:56-63. [PMID: 32799662 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2020-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic DNA methylation (1-carbon metabolism) is crucial for gene imprinting/off-printing that ensures epigenetic memory but also generates a copious amount of homocysteine (Hcy), unequivocally. That is why during pregnancy, expectant mothers are recommended "folic acid" preemptively to avoid birth defects in the young ones because of elevated Hcy levels (i.e., hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)). As we know, children born with HHcy have several musculoskeletal abnormalities, including growth retardation. Here, we focus on the gut-dysbiotic microbiome implication(s) that we believe instigates the "1-carbon metabolism" and HHcy causing growth retardation along with skeletal muscle abnormalities. We test our hypothesis whether high-methionine diet (HMD) (an amino acid that is high in red meat), a substrate for Hcy, can cause skeletal muscle and growth retardation, and treatment with probiotics (PB) to mitigate skeletal muscle dysfunction. To test this, we employed cystathionine β-synthase, CBS deficient mouse (CBS+/-) fed with/without HMD and with/without a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) in drinking water for 16 weeks. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, a hallmark of remodeling, was measured by zymography. Muscle functions were scored via electric stimulation. Our results suggest that compared to the wild-type, CBS+/- mice exhibited reduced growth phenotype. MMP-2 activity was robust in CBS+/- and HMD effects were successfully attenuated by PB intervention. Electrical stimulation magnitude was decreased in CBS+/- and CBS+/- treated with HMD. Interestingly; PB mitigated skeletal muscle growth retardation and atrophy. Collectively, results imply that individuals with mild/moderate HHcy seem more prone to skeletal muscle injury and its dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahavir Singh
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Akash K George
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Wintana Eyob
- College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Rubens P Homme
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Dragana Stansic
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Suresh C Tyagi
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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23
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Guhathakurta P, Phung LA, Prochniewicz E, Lichtenberger S, Wilson A, Thomas DD. Actin-binding compounds, previously discovered by FRET-based high-throughput screening, differentially affect skeletal and cardiac muscle. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14100-14110. [PMID: 32788211 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin's interactions with myosin and other actin-binding proteins are essential for cellular viability in numerous cell types, including muscle. In a previous high-throughput time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET) screen, we identified a class of compounds that bind to actin and affect actomyosin structure and function. For clinical utility, it is highly desirable to identify compounds that affect skeletal and cardiac muscle differently. Because actin is more highly conserved than myosin and most other muscle proteins, most such efforts have not targeted actin. Nevertheless, in the current study, we tested the specificity of the previously discovered actin-binding compounds for effects on skeletal and cardiac α-actins as well as on skeletal and cardiac myofibrils. We found that a majority of these compounds affected the transition of monomeric G-actin to filamentous F-actin, and that several of these effects were different for skeletal and cardiac actin isoforms. We also found that several of these compounds affected ATPase activity differently in skeletal and cardiac myofibrils. We conclude that these structural and biochemical assays can be used to identify actin-binding compounds that differentially affect skeletal and cardiac muscles. The results of this study set the stage for screening of large chemical libraries for discovery of novel compounds that act therapeutically and specifically on cardiac or skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyali Guhathakurta
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lien A Phung
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ewa Prochniewicz
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sarah Lichtenberger
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anna Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David D Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA .,Photonic Pharma LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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24
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New Treatments in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Positive Results and New Challenges. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9072222. [PMID: 32668756 PMCID: PMC7408870 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common autosomal recessive diseases with progressive weakness of skeletal and respiratory muscles, leading to significant disability. The disorder is caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and a consequent decrease in the SMN protein leading to lower motor neuron degeneration. Recently, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medical Agency (EMA) approved the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen, the first SMA disease-modifying treatment and gene replacement therapy by onasemnogene abeparvovec. Encouraging results from phase II and III clinical trials have raised hope that other therapeutic options will enter soon in clinical practice. However, the availability of effective approaches has raised up ethical, medical and financial issues that are routinely faced by the SMA community. This review covers the available data and the new challenges of SMA therapeutic strategies.
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25
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Shefner JM, Cudkowicz ME, Hardiman O, Cockcroft BM, Lee JH, Malik FI, Meng L, Rudnicki SA, Wolff AA, Andrews JA. A phase III trial of tirasemtiv as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 0:1-11. [PMID: 31081694 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1612922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess the efficacy of tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal muscle troponin activator, vs. placebo in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods: VITALITY-ALS (NCT02496767) was a multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants tolerating 2 weeks of open-label tirasemtiv (125 mg twice daily) were randomized 3:2:2:2 to placebo or one of three target tirasemtiv dose levels, using an escalating dosage protocol lasting 28 days. The primary outcome measure was changed in slow vital capacity (SVC) at 24 weeks. Secondary endpoints included a change in muscle strength and time to respiratory milestones of disease progression. Results Of 744 participants, 565 tolerated open-label tirasemtiv and received randomized treatment. By 24 weeks, 23 (12.2%) placebo-treated participants discontinued study treatment vs. 129 (34.2%) randomized to tirasemtiv. SVC declined by 14.4% (95% CI: −16.8, −11.9) in the placebo group and 13.4% (95% CI: −15.3, −11.6) in the tirasemtiv group (p = 0.56). Secondary endpoints did not show significant differences. However, participants who tolerated tirasemtiv at their randomized dose showed a numeric trend toward a dose-related slowing of decline in SVC (p = 0.11). Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, weight loss, and insomnia occurred more frequently on tirasemtiv. Serious adverse events were similar across groups. Conclusions Tirasemtiv did not alter the decline of SVC or significantly impact secondary outcome measures. Poor tolerability of tirasemtiv may have contributed to this result. However, participants tolerating their intended dose exhibited a trend toward treatment benefit on SVC, suggesting the underlying mechanism of action may still hold promise, as is being tested with a different fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (NCT03160898).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Shefner
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.,Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Merit E Cudkowicz
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Fady I Malik
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lisa Meng
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Andrew A Wolff
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jinsy A Andrews
- The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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26
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Govindappa PK, Talukder MAH, Gurjar AA, Hegarty JP, Elfar JC. An effective erythropoietin dose regimen protects against severe nerve injury-induced pathophysiological changes with improved neural gene expression and enhances functional recovery. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106330. [PMID: 32143001 PMCID: PMC7483891 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The functional recovery following non-severing peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is often incomplete. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a pleiotropic hormone and it has been shown to protect peripheral nerves following mild and even moderate severity injuries. However, the effectiveness of EPO in severe PNI is largely unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the neuroprotective effect of a new dose regimen of EPO in severe sciatic nerve crush injury (SSCI). Adult male mice (8 animals/group) were randomly assigned to sham (normal saline, 0.1 ml/mouse), SSCI (normal saline, 0.1 ml/mouse) and SSCI with EPO (5000 IU/kg) groups. SSCI was performed using calibrated forceps for 30 sec. EPO or normal saline was administered intraperitoneally immediately after the SSCI and at post-injury day1 and 2. The functional recovery after injury was assessed by sciatic function index (SFI), von Frey Test (VFT), and grip strength test. Mice were euthanized on day 7 and 21 and nerves at injury/peri-injury site were processed for gene (quantitative real-time PCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry) expression analysis. EPO significantly improved SFI, VFT, and hind limb paw grip strength from post-injury day 7. EPO demonstrated significant regulatory effects on mRNA expression of inflammatory (IL-1β and TNF-α), anti-inflammatory (IL-10), angiogenesis (VEGF and eNOS), and myelination (MBP) genes. The protein expression of IL-1β, F4/80, CD31, NF-κB p65, NF-H, MPZ, and DHE (redox-sensitive probe) was also significantly modulated by EPO treatment. In conclusion, the new dose regimen of EPO augments sciatic nerve functional recovery by mitigating inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and myelination components of SSCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prem Kumar Govindappa
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS), The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - M A Hassan Talukder
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS), The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Anagha A Gurjar
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS), The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - John P Hegarty
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS), The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - John C Elfar
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science (CORTS), The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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27
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Lee EJ, Kolb J, Hwee DT, Malik FI, Granzier HL. Functional Characterization of the Intact Diaphragm in a Nebulin-Based Nemaline Myopathy (NM) Model-Effects of the Fast Skeletal Muscle Troponin Activator tirasemtiv. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5008. [PMID: 31658633 PMCID: PMC6829460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory failure due to diaphragm dysfunction is considered a main cause of death in nemaline myopathy (NM) and we studied both isometric force and isotonic shortening of diaphragm muscle in a mouse model of nebulin-based NM (Neb cKO). A large contractile deficit was found in nebulin-deficient intact muscle that is frequency dependent, with the largest deficits at low-intermediate stimulation frequencies (e.g., a deficit of 72% at a stimulation frequency of 20 Hz). The effect of the fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA) tirasemtiv on force was examined. Tirasemtiv had a negligible effect at maximal stimulation frequencies, but greatly reduced the force deficit of the diaphragm at sub-maximal stimulation levels with an effect that was largest in Neb cKO diaphragm. As a result, the force deficit of Neb cKO diaphragm fell (from 72% to 29% at 20 Hz). Similar effects were found in in vivo experiments on the nerve-stimulated gastrocnemius muscle complex. Load-clamp experiments on diaphragm muscle showed that tirasemtiv increased the shortening velocity, and reduced the deficit in mechanical power by 33%. Thus, tirasemtiv significantly improves muscle function in a mouse model of nebulin-based nemaline myopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jeong Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
| | - Justin Kolb
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
| | - Darren T Hwee
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Fady I Malik
- Research and Early Development, Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Henk L Granzier
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
- Medical Research Building, RM 325, 1656 E Mabel St, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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28
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Marston S. Small molecule studies: the fourth wave of muscle research. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2019; 40:69-76. [PMID: 31228047 PMCID: PMC6726831 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-019-09526-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The study of muscle and contractility is an unusual scientific endeavour since it has from the start been focussed on one problem-What makes muscle work?-and yet has needed a vast range of different approaches and techniques to study it. Its uniqueness lies in the fundamental fascination of a large scale molecular machine that converts chemical energy into mechanical energy at ambient temperature and with high efficiency that is also controlled by an exquisitely intricate yet utterly reliable regulatory system and is an essential component of animal life. The investigation of muscle is as innovative as any other field of research. As soon as one approach appears to be played out another comes along. It is instructive to consider this as a series of waves of novel and heightened activity starting in the 1950s. The thesis of this article is that we are approaching the fourth wave with the recent rise of interest in small molecules as research tools and possible therapies for muscle diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Marston
- Cardiovascular Division, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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29
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Cheng AJ, Allodi I, Chaillou T, Schlittler M, Ivarsson N, Lanner JT, Thams S, Hedlund E, Andersson DC. Intact single muscle fibres from SOD1
G93A
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice display preserved specific force, fatigue resistance and training‐like adaptations. J Physiol 2019; 597:3133-3146. [DOI: 10.1113/jp277456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur J. Cheng
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
- School of Kinesiology and Health SciencesYork University M3J 1P3 Toronto Canada
| | - Ilary Allodi
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Thomas Chaillou
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Health SciencesÖrebro University 701 82 Örebro Sweden
| | - Maja Schlittler
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
- Sports Science and Innovation InstituteLithuanian Sports University 44221 Kaunas Lithuania
| | - Niklas Ivarsson
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Johanna T. Lanner
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Sebastian Thams
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of NeuroscienceKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Daniel C. Andersson
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyKarolinska Institutet 171 77 Stockholm Sweden
- Heart and Vascular Theme, Section for Heart FailureArrhythmia and GUCH, Karolinska University Hospital 171 76 Stockholm Sweden
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30
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Prasad A, Bharathi V, Sivalingam V, Girdhar A, Patel BK. Molecular Mechanisms of TDP-43 Misfolding and Pathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:25. [PMID: 30837838 PMCID: PMC6382748 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 428] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a versatile RNA/DNA binding protein involved in RNA-related metabolism. Hyper-phosphorylated and ubiquitinated TDP-43 deposits act as inclusion bodies in the brain and spinal cord of patients with the motor neuron diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). While the majority of ALS cases (90-95%) are sporadic (sALS), among familial ALS cases 5-10% involve the inheritance of mutations in the TARDBP gene and the remaining (90-95%) are due to mutations in other genes such as: C9ORF72, SOD1, FUS, and NEK1 etc. Strikingly however, the majority of sporadic ALS patients (up to 97%) also contain the TDP-43 protein deposited in the neuronal inclusions, which suggests of its pivotal role in the ALS pathology. Thus, unraveling the molecular mechanisms of the TDP-43 pathology seems central to the ALS therapeutics, hence, we comprehensively review the current understanding of the TDP-43's pathology in ALS. We discuss the roles of TDP-43's mutations, its cytoplasmic mis-localization and aberrant post-translational modifications in ALS. Also, we evaluate TDP-43's amyloid-like in vitro aggregation, its physiological vs. pathological oligomerization in vivo, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and potential prion-like propagation propensity of the TDP-43 inclusions. Finally, we describe the various evolving TDP-43-induced toxicity mechanisms, such as the impairment of endocytosis and mitotoxicity etc. and also discuss the emerging strategies toward TDP-43 disaggregation and ALS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Basant K. Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, India
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31
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Rutkove SB. The final frontier: Primary muscle dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2019; 59:152-153. [PMID: 30461038 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
See article on pages 254–262 in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
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32
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Sengupta-Ghosh A, Dominguez SL, Xie L, Barck KH, Jiang Z, Earr T, Imperio J, Phu L, Budayeva HG, Kirkpatrick DS, Cai H, Eastham-Anderson J, Ngu H, Foreman O, Hedehus M, Reichelt M, Hotzel I, Shang Y, Carano RAD, Ayalon G, Easton A. Muscle specific kinase (MuSK) activation preserves neuromuscular junctions in the diaphragm but is not sufficient to provide a functional benefit in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of ALS. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 124:340-352. [PMID: 30528255 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.002] [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: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, is characterized by rapid decline of motor function and ultimately respiratory failure. As motor neuron death occurs late in the disease, therapeutics that prevent the initial disassembly of the neuromuscular junction may offer optimal functional benefit and delay disease progression. To test this hypothesis, we treated the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS with an agonist antibody to muscle specific kinase (MuSK), a receptor tyrosine kinase required for the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. Chronic MuSK antibody treatment fully preserved innervation of the neuromuscular junction when compared with control-treated mice; however, no preservation of diaphragm function, motor neurons, or survival benefit was detected. These data show that anatomical preservation of neuromuscular junctions in the diaphragm via MuSK activation does not correlate with functional benefit in SOD1G93A mice, suggesting caution in employing MuSK activation as a therapeutic strategy for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara L Dominguez
- Departments of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Luke Xie
- Departments of Biomedical Imaging, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kai H Barck
- Departments of Biomedical Imaging, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zhiyu Jiang
- Departments of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Timothy Earr
- Departments of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jose Imperio
- Departments of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lilian Phu
- Departments of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hanna G Budayeva
- Departments of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Donald S Kirkpatrick
- Departments of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hao Cai
- Departments of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Hai Ngu
- Departments of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Oded Foreman
- Departments of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maj Hedehus
- Departments of Biomedical Imaging, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael Reichelt
- Departments of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Isidro Hotzel
- Departments of Antibody Discovery, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yonglei Shang
- Departments of Antibody Discovery, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Richard A D Carano
- Departments of Biomedical Imaging, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gai Ayalon
- Departments of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy Easton
- Departments of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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33
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Majumder A, Singh M, Behera J, Theilen NT, George AK, Tyagi N, Metreveli N, Tyagi SC. Hydrogen sulfide alleviates hyperhomocysteinemia-mediated skeletal muscle atrophy via mitigation of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress injury. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2018; 315:C609-C622. [PMID: 30110564 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00147.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) occurs because of the deficiency in cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) causing skeletal muscle dysfunction, it is still unclear whether this effect is mediated through oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, or both. Nevertheless, there is no treatment option available to improve HHcy-mediated muscle injury. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an antioxidant compound, and patients with CBS mutation do not produce H2S. In this study, we hypothesized that H2S mitigates HHcy-induced redox imbalance/ER stress during skeletal muscle atrophy via JNK phosphorylation. We used CBS+/- mice to study HHcy-mediated muscle atrophy, and treated them with sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS; an H2S donor). Proteins and mRNAs were examined by Western blots and quantitative PCR. Proinflammatory cytokines were also measured. Muscle mass and strength were studied via fatigue susceptibility test. Our data revealed that HHcy was detrimental to skeletal mass, particularly gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscle weight. We noticed that oxidative stress was reversed by NaHS in homocysteine (Hcy)-treated C2C12 cells. Interestingly, ER stress markers (GRP78, ATF6, pIRE1α, and pJNK) were elevated in vivo and in vitro, and NaHS mitigated these effects. Additionally, we observed that JNK phosphorylation was upregulated in C2C12 after Hcy treatment, but NaHS could not reduce this effect. Furthermore, inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in plasma from CBS as compared with wild-type mice. FOXO1-mediated Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 upregulation were attenuated by NaHS. Functional studies revealed that NaHS administration improved muscle fatigability in CBS+/- mice. In conclusion, our work provides evidence that NaHS is beneficial in mitigating HHcy-mediated skeletal injury incited by oxidative/ER stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisek Majumder
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Mahavir Singh
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jyotirmaya Behera
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Nicholas T Theilen
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Akash K George
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Neetu Tyagi
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Naira Metreveli
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Suresh C Tyagi
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine , Louisville, Kentucky
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Park HM. Current Status of Sarcopenia in Korea: A Focus on Korean Geripausal Women. Ann Geriatr Med Res 2018; 22:52-61. [PMID: 32743248 PMCID: PMC7387617 DOI: 10.4235/agmr.2018.22.2.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcopenia is defined as an age-associated decline in muscle mass and function caused by several etiologies and mechanisms. Muscle mass and function do not decrease concurrently, and a loss of muscle function may be more highly associated with adverse health outcomes. Despite the clinical significance of sarcopenia, no universally operational definition of sarcopenia or standardized intervention programs are currently available. Sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and obesity share several pathophysiological mechanisms, and a combination of these entities may lead to an increased risk of musculoskeletal, cardio-metabolic, and psychological morbidities especially in geripause populations. Treatment for sarcopenia is mainly nonpharmacological, however, various drugs are currently being developed. It is conceivable that sarcopenia is the next immediate clinical target in musculoskeletal science.
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Bowerman M, Becker CG, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Ning K, Wood MJA, Gillingwater TH, Talbot K. Therapeutic strategies for spinal muscular atrophy: SMN and beyond. Dis Model Mech 2018; 10:943-954. [PMID: 28768735 PMCID: PMC5560066 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.030148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disorder characterized by loss of motor neurons and muscle atrophy, generally presenting in childhood. SMA is caused by low levels of the survival motor neuron protein (SMN) due to inactivating mutations in the encoding gene SMN1. A second duplicated gene, SMN2, produces very little but sufficient functional protein for survival. Therapeutic strategies to increase SMN are in clinical trials, and the first SMN2-directed antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy has recently been licensed. However, several factors suggest that complementary strategies may be needed for the long-term maintenance of neuromuscular and other functions in SMA patients. Pre-clinical SMA models demonstrate that the requirement for SMN protein is highest when the structural connections of the neuromuscular system are being established, from late fetal life throughout infancy. Augmenting SMN may not address the slow neurodegenerative process underlying progressive functional decline beyond childhood in less severe types of SMA. Furthermore, individuals receiving SMN-based treatments may be vulnerable to delayed symptoms if rescue of the neuromuscular system is incomplete. Finally, a large number of older patients living with SMA do not fulfill the present criteria for inclusion in gene therapy and ASO clinical trials, and may not benefit from SMN-inducing treatments. Therefore, a comprehensive whole-lifespan approach to SMA therapy is required that includes both SMN-dependent and SMN-independent strategies that treat the CNS and periphery. Here, we review the range of non-SMN pathways implicated in SMA pathophysiology and discuss how various model systems can serve as valuable tools for SMA drug discovery. Summary: Translational research for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) should address the development of non-CNS and survival motor neuron (SMN)-independent therapeutic approaches to complement and enhance the benefits of CNS-directed and SMN-dependent therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bowerman
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Catherina G Becker
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research and Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Rafael J Yáñez-Muñoz
- AGCTlab.org, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Ke Ning
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research and Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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Collibee SE, Bergnes G, Muci A, Browne WF, Garard M, Hinken AC, Russell AJ, Suehiro I, Hartman J, Kawas R, Lu PP, Lee KH, Marquez D, Tomlinson M, Xu D, Kennedy A, Hwee D, Schaletzky J, Leung K, Malik FI, Morgans DJ, Morgan BP. Discovery of Tirasemtiv, the First Direct Fast Skeletal Muscle Troponin Activator. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:354-358. [PMID: 29670700 PMCID: PMC5900333 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
The
identification and optimization of the first activators of
fast skeletal muscle are reported. Compound 1 was identified
from high-throughput screening (HTS) and subsequently found to improve
muscle function via interaction with the troponin complex. Optimization
of 1 for potency, metabolic stability, and physical properties
led to the discovery of tirasemtiv (25), which has been
extensively characterized in clinical trials for the treatment of
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E. Collibee
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Gustave Bergnes
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Alexander Muci
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - William F. Browne
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Marc Garard
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Aaron C. Hinken
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Alan J. Russell
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Ion Suehiro
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - James Hartman
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Raja Kawas
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Pu-Ping Lu
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Kenneth H. Lee
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - David Marquez
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Matthew Tomlinson
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Donghong Xu
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Adam Kennedy
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Darren Hwee
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Julia Schaletzky
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Kwan Leung
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Fady I. Malik
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - David J. Morgans
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Bradley P. Morgan
- Cytokinetics, Inc., 280 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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37
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Fogarty MJ, Mantilla CB, Sieck GC. Breathing: Motor Control of Diaphragm Muscle. Physiology (Bethesda) 2018; 33:113-126. [PMID: 29412056 PMCID: PMC5899234 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00002.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breathing occurs without thought but is controlled by a complex neural network with a final output of phrenic motor neurons activating diaphragm muscle fibers (i.e., motor units). This review considers diaphragm motor unit organization and how they are controlled during breathing as well as during expulsive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Fogarty
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Carlos B Mantilla
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gary C Sieck
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota
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38
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Andrews JA, Cudkowicz ME, Hardiman O, Meng L, Bian A, Lee J, Wolff AA, Malik FI, Shefner JM. VITALITY-ALS, a phase III trial of tirasemtiv, a selective fast skeletal muscle troponin activator, as a potential treatment for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: study design and baseline characteristics. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 19:259-266. [PMID: 29402141 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1426770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal muscle troponin activator, vs. placebo on respiratory function and other functional measures in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study was designed to confirm and extend results from a large phase IIb trial and maximize tolerability with a slower dose escalation. METHODS VITALITY-ALS (NCT02496767) was a multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study in ALS patients. Participants who tolerated two weeks of open-label tirasemtiv (125 mg twice a day) were randomized 3:2:2:2 to placebo or one of three target total daily dose levels of tirasemtiv (250, 375, or 500 mg). Participants randomized to tirasemtiv escalated their dose every two weeks to their target dose level or maximum tolerated dose. The primary outcome measure was change in slow vital capacity from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary endpoints assessed the effect of tirasemtiv on muscle strength and certain respiratory milestones of disease progression. A four-week randomized withdrawal phase followed 48 weeks of treatment to evaluate the possibility of sustained benefit or rebound decline. RESULTS Data collection will be complete in the fourth quarter of 2017. CONCLUSIONS VITALITY-ALS was a phase III trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of tirasemtiv in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsy A Andrews
- a Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center, Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Merit E Cudkowicz
- b Department of Neurology , Massachussetts General Hospital , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Orla Hardiman
- c Biomedical Sciences Institute of Neurosciences, The University of Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Lisa Meng
- d Cytokinetics, Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA , and
| | - Amy Bian
- d Cytokinetics, Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA , and
| | - Jacqueline Lee
- d Cytokinetics, Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA , and
| | - Andrew A Wolff
- d Cytokinetics, Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA , and
| | - Fady I Malik
- d Cytokinetics, Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA , and
| | - Jeremy M Shefner
- e Department of Neurology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
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Wang LH, Weiss MD. A muscle strength enhancer for all seasons? Muscle Nerve 2017; 57:697-698. [PMID: 29266321 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leo H Wang
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Campus Box 356115, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Michael D Weiss
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Campus Box 356115, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
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40
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Fuggle N, Shaw S, Dennison E, Cooper C. Sarcopenia. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2017; 31:218-242. [PMID: 29224698 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a condition that is characterized by loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle functional impairment with ageing. The definition of sarcopenia has been through various permutations; however, an enormous recent breakthrough is the inclusion of the condition in the ICD-10 classification of diseases. This chapter covers the background issues regarding definition before describing the epidemiology of the disease according to human and environmental factors. It then provides a practical guide for the assessment of sarcopenia in a clinical setting and finishes with advice on present treatment and the exciting frontiers of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Fuggle
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK.
| | - Sarah Shaw
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK.
| | - Elaine Dennison
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK.
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK.
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41
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Martinez A, Palomo Ruiz MDV, Perez DI, Gil C. Drugs in clinical development for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 26:403-414. [PMID: 28277881 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2017.1302426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron progressive disorder for which no treatment exists to date. However, there are other investigational drugs and therapies currently under clinical development may offer hope in the near future. Areas covered: We have reviewed all the ALS ongoing clinical trials (until November 2016) and collected in Clinicaltrials.gov or EudraCT. We have described them in a comprehensive way and have grouped them in the following sections: biomarkers, biological therapies, cell therapy, drug repurposing and new drugs. Expert opinion: Despite multiple obstacles that explain the absence of effective drugs for the treatment of ALS, joint efforts among patient's associations, public and private sectors have fueled innovative research in this field, resulting in several compounds that are in the late stages of clinical trials. Drug repositioning is also playing an important role, having achieved the approval of some orphan drug applications, in late phases of clinical development. Endaravone has been recently approved in Japan and is pending in USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martinez
- a IPSBB Unit , Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas-CSIC , Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Daniel I Perez
- a IPSBB Unit , Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas-CSIC , Madrid , Spain
| | - Carmen Gil
- a IPSBB Unit , Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas-CSIC , Madrid , Spain
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Farrar MA, Park SB, Vucic S, Carey KA, Turner BJ, Gillingwater TH, Swoboda KJ, Kiernan MC. Emerging therapies and challenges in spinal muscular atrophy. Ann Neurol 2017; 81:355-368. [PMID: 28026041 PMCID: PMC5396275 DOI: 10.1002/ana.24864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease with severity ranging from progressive infantile paralysis and premature death (type I) to limited motor neuron loss and normal life expectancy (type IV). Without disease‐modifying therapies, the impact is profound for patients and their families. Improved understanding of the molecular basis of SMA, disease pathogenesis, natural history, and recognition of the impact of standardized care on outcomes has yielded progress toward the development of novel therapeutic strategies and are summarized. Therapeutic strategies in the pipeline are appraised, ranging from SMN1 gene replacement to modulation of SMN2 encoded transcripts, to neuroprotection, to an expanding repertoire of peripheral targets, including muscle. With the advent of preliminary trial data, it can be reasonably anticipated that the SMA treatment landscape will transform significantly. Advancement in presymptomatic diagnosis and screening programs will be critical, with pilot newborn screening studies underway to facilitate preclinical diagnosis. The development of disease‐modifying therapies will necessitate monitoring programs to determine the long‐term impact, careful evaluation of combined treatments, and further acceleration of improvements in supportive care. In advance of upcoming clinical trial results, we consider the challenges and controversies related to the implementation of novel therapies for all patients and set the scene as the field prepares to enter an era of novel therapies. Ann Neurol 2017;81:355–368
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Farrar
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain & Mind Centre and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital and Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate A Carey
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburg, Edinburg, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J Swoboda
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain & Mind Centre and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Garbuzova-Davis S, Thomson A, Kurien C, Shytle RD, Sanberg PR. Potential new complication in drug therapy development for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:1397-1405. [PMID: 27362330 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1207530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. Treatment development for ALS is complicated by complex underlying disease factors. Areas covered: Numerous tested drug compounds have shown no benefits in ALS patients, although effective in animal models. Discrepant results of pre-clinical animal studies and clinical trials for ALS have primarily been attributed to limitations of ALS animal models for drug-screening studies and methodological inconsistencies in human trials. Current status of pre-clinical and clinical trials in ALS is summarized. Specific blood-CNS barrier damage in ALS patients, as a novel potential reason for the clinical failures in drug therapies, is discussed. Expert commentary: Pathological perivascular collagen IV accumulation, one unique characteristic of barrier damage in ALS patients, could be hindering transport of therapeutics to the CNS. Restoration of B-CNS-B integrity would foster delivery of therapeutics to the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana Garbuzova-Davis
- a Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,b Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,c Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,d Department of Pathology and Cell Biology , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Avery Thomson
- e Department of Neurology , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Crupa Kurien
- a Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - R Douglas Shytle
- a Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,b Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Paul R Sanberg
- a Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,b Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,d Department of Pathology and Cell Biology , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA.,f Department of Psychiatry , University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
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Shefner JM, Wolff AA, Meng L, Bian A, Lee J, Barragan D, Andrews JA. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase IIb trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of tirasemtiv in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2016; 17:426-435. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2016.1148169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa Meng
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy Bian
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline Lee
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Donna Barragan
- Cytokinetics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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Loeffler J, Picchiarelli G, Dupuis L, Gonzalez De Aguilar J. The Role of Skeletal Muscle in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Brain Pathol 2016; 26:227-36. [PMID: 26780251 PMCID: PMC8029271 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult-onset disease primarily characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, muscle wasting and paralysis. It is increasingly accepted that the pathological process leading to ALS is the result of multiple disease mechanisms that operate within motor neurons and other cell types both inside and outside the central nervous system. The implication of skeletal muscle has been the subject of a number of studies conducted on patients and related animal models. In this review, we describe the features of ALS muscle pathology and discuss on the contribution of muscle to the pathological process. We also give an overview of the therapeutic strategies proposed to alleviate muscle pathology or to deliver curative agents to motor neurons. ALS muscle mainly suffers from oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic disturbances. However, the way by which the disease affects different types of myofibers depends on their contractile and metabolic features. Although the implication of muscle in nourishing the degenerative process is still debated, there is compelling evidence suggesting that it may play a critical role. Detailed understanding of the muscle pathology in ALS could, therefore, lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean‐Philippe Loeffler
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
| | - Gina Picchiarelli
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
| | - Jose‐Luis Gonzalez De Aguilar
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- J Compston
- Bone Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | - K C H Fearon
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.
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48
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Hwee DT, Kennedy AR, Hartman JJ, Ryans J, Durham N, Malik FI, Jasper JR. The small-molecule fast skeletal troponin activator, CK-2127107, improves exercise tolerance in a rat model of heart failure. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 353:159-68. [PMID: 25678535 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.222224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure-mediated skeletal myopathy, which is characterized by muscle atrophy and muscle metabolism dysfunction, often manifests as dyspnea and limb muscle fatigue. We have previously demonstrated that increasing Ca(2+) sensitivity of the sarcomere by a small-molecule fast skeletal troponin activator improves skeletal muscle force and exercise performance in healthy rats and models of neuromuscular disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel fast skeletal troponin activator, CK-2127107 (2-aminoalkyl-5-N-heteroarylpyrimidine), on skeletal muscle function and exercise performance in rats exhibiting heart failure-mediated skeletal myopathy. Rats underwent a left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, resulting in myocardial infarction and a progressive decline in cardiac function [left anterior descending coronary artery heart failure (LAD-HF)]. Compared with sham-operated control rats, LAD-HF rat hindlimb and diaphragm muscles exhibited significant muscle atrophy. Fatigability was increased during repeated in situ isokinetic plantar flexor muscle contractions. CK-2127107 produced a leftward shift in the force-Ca(2+) relationship of skinned, single diaphragm, and extensor digitorum longus fibers. Exercise performance, which was assessed by rotarod running, was lower in vehicle-treated LAD-HF rats than in sham controls (116 ± 22 versus 193 ± 31 seconds, respectively; mean ± S.E.M.; P = 0.04). In the LAD-HF rats, a single oral dose of CK-2127107 (10 mg/kg p.o.) increased running time compared with vehicle treatment (283 ± 47 versus 116 ± 22 seconds; P = 0.0004). In summary, CK-2127107 substantially increases exercise performance in this heart failure model, suggesting that modulation of skeletal muscle function by a fast skeletal troponin activator may be a useful therapeutic in heart failure-associated exercise intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julie Ryans
- Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | | | - Fady I Malik
- Cytokinetics Inc., South San Francisco, California
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Rizzuto E, Pisu S, Musarò A, Del Prete Z. Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality in the SOD1(G93A) Animal Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Ann Biomed Eng 2015; 43:2196-206. [PMID: 25631208 PMCID: PMC4516896 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1259-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to motor neuron degeneration, alteration in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), muscle atrophy, and paralysis. To investigate the NMJ functionality in ALS we tested, in vitro, two innervated muscle types excised from SOD1G93A transgenic mice at the end-stage of the disease: the Soleus, a postural muscle almost completely paralyzed at that stage, and the diaphragm, which, on the contrary, is functional until death. To this aim we employed an experimental protocol that combined two types of electrical stimulation: the direct stimulation and the stimulation through the nerve. The technique we applied allowed us to determine the relevance of NMJ functionality separately from muscle contractile properties in SOD1G93A animal model. Functional measurements revealed that the muscle contractility of transgenic diaphragms is almost unaltered in comparison to control muscles, while transgenic Soleus muscles were severely compromised. In contrast, when stimulated via the nerve, both transgenic muscle types showed a strong decrease of the contraction force, a slowing down of the kinetic parameters, as well as alterations in the neurotransmission failure parameter. All together, these results confirm a severely impaired functionality in the SOD1G93A neuromuscular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Rizzuto
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184, Rome, Italy,
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