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Liu Y, Tan D, Ma K, Luo H, Mao J, Luo J, Shen Q, Xu L, Yang S, Ge L, Guo Y, Zhang H, Xiong H. Lama1 upregulation prolongs the lifespan of the dy H/dy H mouse model of LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:1066-1078. [PMID: 38777118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD), characterized by laminin-α2 deficiency, is debilitating and ultimately fatal. To date, no effective therapy has been clinically available. Laminin-α1, which shares significant similarities with laminin-α2, has been proven as a viable compensatory modifier. To evaluate its clinical applicability, we establish a Lama2 exon-3-deletion mouse model (dyH/dyH). The dyH/dyH mice exhibit early lethality and typical LAMA2-CMD phenotypes, allowing the evaluation of various endpoints. In dyH/dyH mice treated with synergistic activation mediator-based CRISPRa-mediated Lama1 upregulation, a nearly doubled median survival is observed, as well as improvements in weight and grip. Significant therapeutical effects are revealed by MRI, serum biochemical indices, and muscle pathology studies. Treating LAMA2-CMD with LAMA1 upregulation is feasible, and early intervention can alleviate symptoms and extend lifespan. Additionally, we reveal the limitations of LAMA1 upregulation, including high-dose mortality and non-sustained expression, which require further optimization in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dandan Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Kaiyue Ma
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Huaxia Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Jingping Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jihang Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qiang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Luzheng Xu
- Medical and Health Analysis Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shiqi Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lin Ge
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Yuxuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Hui Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China.
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Gawlik KI, Durbeej M. A Family of Laminin α2 Chain-Deficient Mouse Mutants: Advancing the Research on LAMA2-CMD. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:59. [PMID: 32457577 PMCID: PMC7188397 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The research on laminin α2 chain-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) advanced rapidly in the last few decades, largely due to availability of good mouse models for the disease and a strong interest in preclinical studies from scientists all over the world. These mouse models continue to provide a solid platform for understanding the LAMA2-CMD pathology. In addition, they enable researchers to test laborious, necessary routines, but also the most creative scientific approaches in order to design therapy for this devastating disorder. In this review we present animals belonging to the laminin α2 chain-deficient “dy/dy” mouse family (dy/dy, dy2J/dy2J, dy3K/dy3K, dyW/dyW, et al.) and a summary of the scientific progress they facilitated. We also raise a few questions that need to be addressed in order to maximize the usefulness of laminin α2 murine mutants and to further advance the LAMA2-CMD studies. We believe that research opportunities offered by the mouse models for LAMA2-CMD will continuously support our efforts to find a treatment for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga I Gawlik
- Muscle Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Madeleine Durbeej
- Muscle Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Harandi VM, Moreira Soares Oliveira B, Allamand V, Friberg A, Fontes-Oliveira CC, Durbeej M. Antioxidants Reduce Muscular Dystrophy in the dy2J/dy2J Mouse Model of Laminin α2 Chain-Deficient Muscular Dystrophy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9030244. [PMID: 32197453 PMCID: PMC7139799 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9030244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital muscular dystrophy with laminin α2 chain-deficiency (LAMA2-CMD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder without a cure. Using transcriptome and proteome profiling as well as functional assays, we previously demonstrated significant metabolic impairment in skeletal muscle from LAMA2-CMD patients and mouse models. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase when oxygen homeostasis is not maintained and, here, we investigate whether oxidative stress indeed is involved in the pathogenesis of LAMA2-CMD. We also analyze the effects of two antioxidant molecules, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and vitamin E, on disease progression in the dy2J/dy2J mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. We demonstrate increased ROS levels in LAMA2-CMD mouse and patient skeletal muscle. Furthermore, NAC treatment (150 mg/kg IP for 6 days/week for 3 weeks) led to muscle force loss prevention, reduced central nucleation and decreased the occurrence of apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress in LAMA2-CMD muscle. In addition, vitamin E (40 mg/kg oral gavage for 6 days/week for 2 weeks) improved morphological features and reduced inflammation and ROS levels in dy2J/dy2J skeletal muscle. We suggest that NAC and to some extent vitamin E might be potential future supportive treatments for LAMA2-CMD as they improve numerous pathological hallmarks of LAMA2-CMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid M. Harandi
- Unit of Muscle Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (B.M.S.O.); (V.A.); (A.F.); (C.C.F.-O.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-462-220-679
| | - Bernardo Moreira Soares Oliveira
- Unit of Muscle Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (B.M.S.O.); (V.A.); (A.F.); (C.C.F.-O.); (M.D.)
- Functional Genomics & Metabolism Unit, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Valérie Allamand
- Unit of Muscle Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (B.M.S.O.); (V.A.); (A.F.); (C.C.F.-O.); (M.D.)
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, UMRS974, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Ariana Friberg
- Unit of Muscle Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (B.M.S.O.); (V.A.); (A.F.); (C.C.F.-O.); (M.D.)
| | - Cibely C. Fontes-Oliveira
- Unit of Muscle Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (B.M.S.O.); (V.A.); (A.F.); (C.C.F.-O.); (M.D.)
| | - Madeleine Durbeej
- Unit of Muscle Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden; (B.M.S.O.); (V.A.); (A.F.); (C.C.F.-O.); (M.D.)
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van Putten M, Lloyd EM, de Greef JC, Raz V, Willmann R, Grounds MD. Mouse models for muscular dystrophies: an overview. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm043562. [PMID: 32224495 PMCID: PMC7044454 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) encompass a wide variety of inherited disorders that are characterized by loss of muscle tissue associated with a progressive reduction in muscle function. With a cure lacking for MDs, preclinical developments of therapeutic approaches depend on well-characterized animal models that recapitulate the specific pathology in patients. The mouse is the most widely and extensively used model for MDs, and it has played a key role in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying MD pathogenesis. This has enabled the development of therapeutic strategies. Owing to advancements in genetic engineering, a wide variety of mouse models are available for the majority of MDs. Here, we summarize the characteristics of the most commonly used mouse models for a subset of highly studied MDs, collated into a table. Together with references to key publications describing these models, this brief but detailed overview would be useful for those interested in, or working with, mouse models of MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van Putten
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Erin M Lloyd
- The University of Western Australia, School of Human Sciences, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Vered Raz
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Miranda D Grounds
- The University of Western Australia, School of Human Sciences, Perth 6009, Australia
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Early skeletal muscle pathology and disease progress in the dy 3K/dy 3K mouse model of congenital muscular dystrophy with laminin α2 chain-deficiency. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14324. [PMID: 31586140 PMCID: PMC6778073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50550-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of laminin α2 chain leads to a severe form of congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD), and dystrophic symptoms progress rapidly in early childhood. Currently, there is no treatment for this detrimental disorder. Development of therapies is largely hindered by lack of understanding of mechanisms involved in the disease initiation and progress, both in patients but also in mouse models that are commonly used in the preclinical setup. Here, we unveil the first pathogenic events and characterise the disease development in a mouse model for LAMA2-CMD (dy3K/dy3K), by analysing muscles at perinatal, neonatal and postnatal stages. We found that apoptotic muscle fibres were present as early as postnatal day 1. Other typical dystrophic hallmarks (muscle degeneration, inflammation, and extensive production of the extracellular matrix proteins) were clearly evident already at postnatal day 4, and the highest degree of muscle deterioration was reached by day 7. Interestingly, the severe phenotype of limb muscles partially recovered on days 14 and 21, despite worsening of the general condition of the dy3K/dy3K mouse by that age. We found that masticatory muscles were severely affected in dy3K/dy3K mice and this may be an underlying cause of their malnutrition, which contributes to death around day 21. We also showed that several signalling pathways were affected already in 1-day-old dy3K/dy3K muscle. Therapeutic tests in the dy3K/dy3K mouse model should therefore be initiated shortly after birth, but should also take into account timing and correlation between regenerative and pathogenic events.
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Effects of metformin on congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A disease progression in mice: a gender impact study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16302. [PMID: 30389963 PMCID: PMC6214987 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34362-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital muscular dystrophy with laminin α2 chain-deficiency (LAMA2-CMD) is a severe muscle disorder with complex underlying pathogenesis. We have previously employed profiling techniques to elucidate molecular patterns and demonstrated significant metabolic impairment in skeletal muscle from LAMA2-CMD patients and mouse models. Thus, we hypothesize that skeletal muscle metabolism may be a promising pharmacological target to improve muscle function in LAMA2-CMD. Here, we have investigated whether the multifunctional medication metformin could be used to reduce disease in the dy2J/dy2J mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. First, we show gender disparity for several pathological hallmarks of LAMA2-CMD. Second, we demonstrate that metformin treatment significantly increases weight gain and energy efficiency, enhances muscle function and improves skeletal muscle histology in female dy2J/dy2J mice (and to a lesser extent in dy2J/dy2J males). Thus, our current data suggest that metformin may be a potential future supportive treatment that improves many of the pathological characteristics of LAMA2-CMD.
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