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Florczyk-Soluch U, Polak K, Jelinkova S, Bronisz-Budzyńska I, Sabo R, Bolisetty S, Agarwal A, Werner E, Józkowicz A, Stępniewski J, Szade K, Dulak J. Targeted expression of heme oxygenase-1 in satellite cells improves skeletal muscle pathology in dystrophic mice. Skelet Muscle 2024; 14:13. [PMID: 38867250 PMCID: PMC11167827 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-024-00346-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adult muscle-resident myogenic stem cells, satellite cells (SCs), that play non-redundant role in muscle regeneration, are intrinsically impaired in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Previously we revealed that dystrophic SCs express low level of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, HMOX1). Here we assess whether targeted induction of HMOX1 affect SC function and alleviates hallmark symptoms of DMD. METHODS We generated double-transgenic mouse model (mdx;HMOX1Pax7Ind) that allows tamoxifen (TX)-inducible HMOX1 expression in Pax7 positive cells of dystrophic muscles. Mdx;HMOX1Pax7Ind and control mdx mice were subjected to 5-day TX injections (75 mg/kg b.w.) followed by acute exercise protocol with high-speed treadmill (12 m/min, 45 min) and downhill running to worsen skeletal muscle phenotype and reveal immediate effects of HO-1 on muscle pathology and SC function. RESULTS HMOX1 induction caused a drop in SC pool in mdx;HMOX1Pax7Ind mice (vs. mdx counterparts), while not exaggerating the effect of physical exercise. Upon physical exercise, the proliferation of SCs and activated CD34- SC subpopulation, was impaired in mdx mice, an effect that was reversed in mdx;HMOX1Pax7Ind mice, however, both in vehicle- and TX-treated animals. This corresponded to the pattern of HO-1 expression in skeletal muscles. At the tissue level, necrotic events of selective skeletal muscles of mdx mice and associated increase in circulating levels of muscle damage markers were blunted in HO-1 transgenic animals which showed also anti-inflammatory cytokine profile (vs. mdx). CONCLUSIONS Targeted expression of HMOX1 plays protective role in DMD and alleviates dystrophic muscle pathology.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics
- Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism
- Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Mice
- PAX7 Transcription Factor/genetics
- PAX7 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Membrane Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Florczyk-Soluch
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Polak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sarka Jelinkova
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Iwona Bronisz-Budzyńska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Reece Sabo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Subhashini Bolisetty
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Nephrology Research and Training Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anupam Agarwal
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Nephrology Research and Training Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ewa Werner
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Alicja Józkowicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jacek Stępniewski
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szade
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
- Laboratory of Stem Cells Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
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2
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Timpani CA, Kourakis S, Debruin DA, Campelj DG, Pompeani N, Dargahi N, Bautista AP, Bagaric RM, Ritenis EJ, Sahakian L, Debrincat D, Stupka N, Hafner P, Arthur PG, Terrill JR, Apostolopoulos V, de Haan JB, Guven N, Fischer D, Rybalka E. Dimethyl fumarate modulates the dystrophic disease program following short-term treatment. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e165974. [PMID: 37751291 PMCID: PMC10721277 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.165974] [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: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
New medicines are urgently required to treat the fatal neuromuscular disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a potent immunomodulatory small molecule nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 activator with current clinical utility in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and psoriasis that could be effective for DMD and rapidly translatable. Here, we tested 2 weeks of daily 100 mg/kg DMF versus 5 mg/kg standard-care prednisone (PRED) treatment in juvenile mdx mice with early symptomatic DMD. Both drugs modulated seed genes driving the DMD disease program and improved force production in fast-twitch muscle. However, only DMF showed pro-mitochondrial effects, protected contracting muscles from fatigue, improved histopathology, and augmented clinically compatible muscle function tests. DMF may be a more selective modulator of the DMD disease program than PRED, warranting follow-up longitudinal studies to evaluate disease-modifying impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara A. Timpani
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine – Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie Kourakis
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danielle A. Debruin
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean G. Campelj
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nancy Pompeani
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Narges Dargahi
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angelo P. Bautista
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ryan M. Bagaric
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elya J. Ritenis
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren Sahakian
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine – Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Didier Debrincat
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole Stupka
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine – Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patricia Hafner
- Division of Neuropaediatrics and Developmental Medicine, University Children’s Hospital of Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter G. Arthur
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica R. Terrill
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Judy B. de Haan
- Basic Science Domain, Oxidative Stress Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nuri Guven
- Department of Medicine – Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dirk Fischer
- Division of Neuropaediatrics and Developmental Medicine, University Children’s Hospital of Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emma Rybalka
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine – Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
- Division of Neuropaediatrics and Developmental Medicine, University Children’s Hospital of Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
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3
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Lorena MDSV, Santos EKD, Ferretti R, Nagana Gowda GA, Odom GL, Chamberlain JS, Matsumura CY. Biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy progression: impact of age in the mdx tongue spared muscle. Skelet Muscle 2023; 13:16. [PMID: 37705069 PMCID: PMC10500803 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-023-00325-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy without an effective treatment, caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to the absence of dystrophin. DMD results in muscle weakness, loss of ambulation, and death at an early age. Metabolomics studies in mdx mice, the most used model for DMD, reveal changes in metabolites associated with muscle degeneration and aging. In DMD, the tongue muscles exhibit unique behavior, initially showing partial protection against inflammation but later experiencing fibrosis and loss of muscle fibers. Certain metabolites and proteins, like TNF-α and TGF-β, are potential biomarkers for dystrophic muscle characterization. METHODS To investigate disease progression and aging, we utilized young (1 month old) and old (21-25 months old) mdx and wild-type tongue muscles. Metabolite changes were analyzed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, while TNF-α and TGF-β were assessed using Western blotting to examine inflammation and fibrosis. Morphometric analysis was conducted to assess the extent of myofiber damage between groups. RESULTS The histological analysis of the mid-belly tongue showed no differences between groups. No differences were found between the concentrations of metabolites from wild-type or mdx whole tongues of the same age. The metabolites alanine, methionine, and 3-methylhistidine were higher, and taurine and glycerol were lower in young tongues in both wild type and mdx (p < 0.001). The metabolites glycine (p < 0.001) and glutamic acid (p = 0.0018) were different only in the mdx groups, being higher in young mdx mice. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinic acid, creatine, and the proteins TNF-α and TGF-β had no difference in the analysis between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Surprisingly, histological, metabolite, and protein analysis reveal that the tongue of old mdx remains partially spared from the severe myonecrosis observed in other muscles. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine, taurine, and glycerol may be effective for specific assessments, although their use for disease progression monitoring should be cautious due to age-related changes in the tongue muscle. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinate, creatine, TNF-α, and TGF-β do not vary with aging and remain constant in spared muscles, suggesting their potential as specific biomarkers for DMD progression independent of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Dos Santos Voltani Lorena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estela Kato Dos Santos
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Ferretti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G A Nagana Gowda
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Northwest Metabolomics Research Center, Mitochondria and Metabolism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Guy L Odom
- Department of Neurology, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cintia Yuri Matsumura
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
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4
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Suárez-Calvet X, Fernández-Simón E, Natera D, Jou C, Pinol-Jurado P, Villalobos E, Ortez C, Monceau A, Schiava M, Codina A, Verdu-Díaz J, Clark J, Laidler Z, Mehra P, Gokul-Nath R, Alonso-Perez J, Marini-Bettolo C, Tasca G, Straub V, Guglieri M, Nascimento A, Diaz-Manera J. Decoding the transcriptome of Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the single nuclei level reveals clinical-genetic correlations. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:596. [PMID: 37673877 PMCID: PMC10482944 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease produced by mutations in the dystrophin gene characterized by early onset muscle weakness leading to severe and irreversible disability. The cellular and molecular consequences of the lack of dystrophin in humans are only partially known, which is crucial for the development of new therapies aiming to slow or stop the progression of the disease. Here we have analyzed quadriceps muscle biopsies of seven DMD patients aged 2 to 4 years old and five age and gender matched controls using single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) and correlated the results obtained with clinical data. SnRNAseq identified significant differences in the proportion of cell population present in the muscle samples, including an increase in the number of regenerative fibers, satellite cells, and fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells (FAPs) and a decrease in the number of slow fibers and smooth muscle cells. Muscle samples from the younger patients with stable mild weakness were characterized by an increase in regenerative fibers, while older patients with moderate and progressive weakness were characterized by loss of muscle fibers and an increase in FAPs. An analysis of the gene expression profile in muscle fibers identified a strong regenerative signature in DMD samples characterized by the upregulation of genes involved in myogenesis and muscle hypertrophy. In the case of FAPs, we observed upregulation of genes involved in the extracellular matrix regeneration but also several signaling pathways. Indeed, further analysis of the potential intercellular communication profile showed a dysregulation of the communication profile in DMD samples identifying FAPs as a key regulator of cell signaling in DMD muscle samples. In conclusion, our study has identified significant differences at the cellular and molecular levels in the different cell populations present in skeletal muscle samples of patients with DMD compared to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Suárez-Calvet
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Fernández-Simón
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Daniel Natera
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit. Neurology department, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Cristina Jou
- Pathology department, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Patricia Pinol-Jurado
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elisa Villalobos
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Carlos Ortez
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit. Neurology department, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Alexandra Monceau
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Marianela Schiava
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anna Codina
- Pathology department, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - José Verdu-Díaz
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - James Clark
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Zoe Laidler
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Priyanka Mehra
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rasya Gokul-Nath
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jorge Alonso-Perez
- Neuromuscular Disease Unit. Neurology Department. Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC), Tenerife, Spain
| | - Chiara Marini-Bettolo
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Volker Straub
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michela Guglieri
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrés Nascimento
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit. Neurology department, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jordi Diaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), 08041, Barcelona, Spain.
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
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5
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Lorena MDSV, Santos EK, Ferretti R, Gowda GAN, Odom GL, Chamberlain JS, Matsumura CY. Biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy progression: impact of age in the mdx tongue spared muscle. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3038923. [PMID: 37398370 PMCID: PMC10312970 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3038923/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy without an effective treatment, caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to the absence of dystrophin. DMD results in muscle weakness, loss of ambulation and death at an early age. Metabolomics studies in mdx mice, the most used model for DMD, reveal changes in metabolites associated with muscle degeneration and aging. In DMD, the tongue muscles exhibit unique behavior, initially showing partial protection against inflammation but later experiencing fibrosis and loss of muscle fibers. Certain metabolites and proteins, like TNF-α and TGF-β, are potential biomarkers for dystrophic muscle characterization. Methods: To investigate disease progression and aging, we utilized young (1-month old) and old (21-25 months old) mdx and wild-type mice. Metabolite changes were analyzed using 1-H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, while TNF-α and TGF-β were assessed using Western blotting to examine inflammation, and fibrosis. Morphometric analysis was conducted to assess the extent of myofiber damage between groups. Results: The histological analysis of the tongue showed no differences between groups. No differences were found between the concentrations of metabolites from wild type or mdx animals of the same age. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine were higher, and taurine and glycerol were lower in young animals in both wild type and mdx (p < 0.001). The metabolites glycine (p < 0.001) and glutamic acid (p = 0.0018) were different only in the mdx groups, being higher in young mdx mice. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinic acid, creatine and the proteins TNF-α and TGF-β had no difference in the analysis between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Surprisingly, histological and protein analysis reveals that the tongue of young and old mdx animals is protected from severe myonecrosis observed in other muscles. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine, taurine, and glycerol may be effective for specific assessments, although their use for disease progression monitoring should be cautious due to age-related changes. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinate, creatine, TNF-α, and TGF-β do not vary with aging and remain constant in spared muscles, suggesting their potential as specific biomarkers for DMD progression independent of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Estela Kato Santos
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP)
| | - Renato Ferretti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP)
| | - G A Nagana Gowda
- Northwest Metabolomics Research Center; Mitochondria and Metabolism Center, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington
| | - Guy L Odom
- Department of Neurology, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine
| | - Cintia Yuri Matsumura
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP)
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6
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Zygmunt AM, Wong BL, Horn PS, Lambert J, Bange JE, Rybalsky I, Chouteau W, Tian C. A longitudinal study of creatine kinase and creatinine levels in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:138-145. [PMID: 36444146 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has entered an era featuring novel treatments. Trackable noninvasive biomarkers could improve disease progression monitoring and drug effect detection. Our aim in this study was to measure changes in selected noninvasive biomarkers and assess their relationship to age and motor function. METHODS We retrospectively studied 555 patients with DMD who had at least 12 months of treatment of glucocorticoids and were not enrolled in trials of potential disease-modifying therapies. We extracted biomarker data of serum creatine kinase (CK), serum creatinine (Cr), urine Cr, and urine Cr/urine osmolality (osm), as well as functional data for age at loss of ambulation and Functional Motor Scale (FMS) values from patients' clinical records. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-model analyses. RESULTS CK, serum Cr, urine Cr, and urine Cr/urine osm all decreased with declining motor function. CK consistently decreased and FMS score consistently worsened with age without clear inflection points. There was an increased odds ratio for LOA with lower values of CK, serum Cr, urine Cr, and urine Cr/urine osm, most notably for urine Cr. DISCUSSION Although individual biomarker values are challenging to directly apply clinically, our study has demonstrated that trends over time may complement functional measures in the assessment of individuals with DMD. Future studies could elucidate predictive utility of these biomarkers in assessing motor function changes in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Zygmunt
- Division of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Brenda L Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Paul S Horn
- Division of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Joshua Lambert
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
| | - Jean E Bange
- Division of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Irina Rybalsky
- Division of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Wendy Chouteau
- Division of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cuixia Tian
- Division of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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7
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Moore U, Fernández-Simón E, Schiava M, Cox D, Gordish-Dressman H, James MK, Mayhew A, Wilson I, Guglieri M, Rufibach L, Blamire A, Carlier PG, Mori-Yoshimura M, Day JW, Jones KJ, Bharucha-Goebel DX, Salort-Campana E, Pestronk A, Walter MC, Paradas C, Stojkovic T, Bravver E, Pegoraro E, Mendell JR, Bushby K, Diaz-Manera J, Straub V. Myostatin and follistatin as monitoring and prognostic biomarkers in dysferlinopathy. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:199-207. [PMID: 36689846 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Myostatin is a myokine which acts upon skeletal muscle to inhibit growth and regeneration. Myostatin is endogenously antagonised by follistatin. This study assessed serum myostatin and follistatin concentrations as monitoring or prognostic biomarkers in dysferlinopathy, an autosomal recessively inherited muscular dystrophy. Myostatin was quantified twice with a three-year interval in 76 patients with dysferlinopathy and 38 controls. Follistatin was quantified in 62 of these patients at the same timepoints, and in 31 controls. Correlations with motor function, muscle fat fraction and contractile cross-sectional area were performed. A regression model was used to account for confounding variables. Baseline myostatin, but not follistatin, correlated with baseline function and MRI measures. However, in individual patients, three-year change in myostatin did not correlate with functional or MRI changes. Linear modelling demonstrated that function, serum creatine kinase and C-reactive protein, but not age, were independently related to myostatin concentration. Baseline myostatin concentration predicted loss of ambulation but not rate of change of functional or MRI measures, even when relative inhibition with follistatin was considered. With adjustment for extra-muscular causes of variation, myostatin could form a surrogate measure of functional ability or muscle mass, however myostatin inhibition does not form a promising treatment target in dysferlinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Moore
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Esther Fernández-Simón
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Marianela Schiava
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dan Cox
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Center for Translational Science, Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA; Pediatrics, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Meredith K James
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anna Mayhew
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ian Wilson
- Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michela Guglieri
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Andrew Blamire
- Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Madoka Mori-Yoshimura
- Department of Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - John W Day
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kristi J Jones
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead and The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Diana X Bharucha-Goebel
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA; National Institutes of Health (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Alan Pestronk
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maggie C Walter
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, LudwigMaximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Paradas
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital U. Virgen del Rocío/Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- Centre de reference des maladies neuromusculaires, Institut de Myologie, AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Elena Bravver
- Neuroscience Institute, Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Jerry R Mendell
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kate Bushby
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jordi Diaz-Manera
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Volker Straub
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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8
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Fortunato F, Ferlini A. Biomarkers in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Current Status and Future Directions. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:987-1002. [PMID: 37545256 PMCID: PMC10657716 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe, X-linked disease characterized by decreased muscle mass and function in children. Genetic and biochemical research over the years has led to the characterization of the cause and the pathophysiology of the disease. Moreover, the elucidation of genetic mechanisms underlining Duchenne muscular dystrophy has allowed for the design of innovative personalized therapies.The identification of specific, accurate, and sensitive biomarkers is becoming crucial for evaluating muscle disease progression and response to therapies, disease monitoring, and the acceleration of drug development and related regulatory processes.This review illustrated the up-to-date progress in the development of candidate biomarkers in DMD at the level of proteins, metabolites, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and genetic modifiers also highlighting the complexity of translating research results to clinical practice.We highlighted the challenges encountered in translating biomarkers into the clinical context and the existing bottlenecks hampering the adoption of biomarkers as surrogate endpoints. These challenges could be overcome by national and international collaborative efforts, multicenter data sharing, definition of public biobanks and patients' registries, and creation of large cohorts of patients. Novel statistical tools/ models suitable to analyze small patient numbers are also required.Finally, collaborations with pharmaceutical companies would greatly benefit biomarker discovery and their translation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fortunato
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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9
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Sherlock SP, Palmer J, Wagner KR, Abdel-Hamid HZ, Tian C, Mah JK, Muntoni F, Guglieri M, Butterfield RJ, Charnas L, Marraffino S. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures of lean body mass as a biomarker for progression in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18762. [PMID: 36335191 PMCID: PMC9637094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23072-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated whether whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures of lean body mass can be used as biomarkers for disease progression and treatment effects in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This post hoc analysis utilized data from a randomized, 2-period study of domagrozumab versus placebo in 120 ambulatory boys with DMD. DXA measures of lean body mass were obtained from the whole body (excluding head), arms, legs and appendicular skeleton at baseline and every 16 weeks. Treatment effects on DXA measures for domagrozumab versus placebo were assessed at Week 49. At Week 49, domagrozumab statistically significantly increased lean body mass versus placebo in the appendicular skeleton (p = 0.050) and arms (p < 0.001). The relationship between lean body mass at Week 49 and functional endpoints at Week 97 was evaluated. Changes in lean body mass at Week 49 in all regions except arms were significantly correlated with percent change from baseline in 4-stair climb (4SC) at Week 97. DXA-derived percent lean mass at Week 49 also correlated with 4SC and North Star Ambulatory Assessment at Week 97. These data indicate that whole-body DXA measures can be used as biomarkers for treatment effects and disease progression in patients with DMD, and warrant further investigation.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02310763; registered 8 December 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hoda Z Abdel-Hamid
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Cuixia Tian
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jean K Mah
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michela Guglieri
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
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10
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Gargan S, Dowling P, Zweyer M, Henry M, Meleady P, Swandulla D, Ohlendieck K. Proteomic Identification of Markers of Membrane Repair, Regeneration and Fibrosis in the Aged and Dystrophic Diaphragm. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1679. [PMID: 36362832 PMCID: PMC9696191 DOI: 10.3390/life12111679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficiency in the membrane cytoskeletal protein dystrophin is the underlying cause of the progressive muscle wasting disease named Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In order to detect novel disease marker candidates and confirm the complexity of the pathobiochemical signature of dystrophinopathy, mass spectrometric screening approaches represent ideal tools for comprehensive biomarker discovery studies. In this report, we describe the comparative proteomic analysis of young versus aged diaphragm muscles from wild type versus the dystrophic mdx-4cv mouse model of X-linked muscular dystrophy. The survey confirmed the drastic reduction of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in the mdx-4cv diaphragm muscle and concomitant age-dependent changes in key markers of muscular dystrophy, including proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization, metabolite transportation, the cellular stress response and excitation-contraction coupling. Importantly, proteomic markers of the regulation of membrane repair, tissue regeneration and reactive myofibrosis were detected by mass spectrometry and changes in key proteins were confirmed by immunoblotting. Potential disease marker candidates include various isoforms of annexin, the matricellular protein periostin and a large number of collagens. Alterations in these proteoforms can be useful to evaluate adaptive, compensatory and pathobiochemical changes in the intracellular cytoskeleton, myofiber membrane integrity and the extracellular matrix in dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Gargan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
- Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Paul Dowling
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
- Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Margit Zweyer
- Department of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Children’s Hospital, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Bonn, D53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Henry
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paula Meleady
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dieter Swandulla
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bonn, D53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Kay Ohlendieck
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
- Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
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11
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Serum miRNAs as biomarkers for the rare types of muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2022; 32:332-346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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Falzarano MS, Grilli A, Zia S, Fang M, Rossi R, Gualandi F, Rimessi P, El Dani R, Fabris M, Lu Z, Li W, Mongini T, Ricci F, Pegoraro E, Bello L, Barp A, Sansone VA, Hegde M, Roda B, Reschiglian P, Bicciato S, Selvatici R, Ferlini A. RNA-seq in DMD urinary stem cells recognized muscle-related transcription signatures and addressed the identification of atypical mutations by whole-genome sequencing. HGG ADVANCES 2022; 3:100054. [PMID: 35047845 PMCID: PMC8756543 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2021.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary stem cells (USCs) are a non-invasive, simple, and affordable cell source to study human diseases. Here we show that USCs are a versatile tool for studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), since they are able to address RNA signatures and atypical mutation identification. Gene expression profiling of DMD individuals' USCs revealed a profound deregulation of inflammation, muscle development, and metabolic pathways that mirrors the known transcriptional landscape of DMD muscle and worsens following USCs' myogenic transformation. This pathogenic transcription signature was reverted by an exon-skipping corrective approach, suggesting the utility of USCs in monitoring DMD antisense therapy. The full DMD transcript profile performed in USCs from three undiagnosed DMD individuals addressed three splicing abnormalities, which were decrypted and confirmed as pathogenic variations by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). This combined genomic approach allowed the identification of three atypical and complex DMD mutations due to a deep intronic variation and two large inversions, respectively. All three mutations affect DMD gene splicing and cause a lack of dystrophin protein production, and one of these also generates unique fusion genes and transcripts. Further characterization of USCs using a novel cell-sorting technology (Celector) highlighted cell-type variability and the representation of cell-specific DMD isoforms. Our comprehensive approach to USCs unraveled RNA, DNA, and cell-specific features and demonstrated that USCs are a robust tool for studying and diagnosing DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Falzarano
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Andrea Grilli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena 41121, Italy
| | | | | | - Rachele Rossi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Francesca Gualandi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Paola Rimessi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Reem El Dani
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Marina Fabris
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | | | - Wenyan Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | | | | | - Elena Pegoraro
- ERN Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology, University of Padua, Padua 35122, Italy
| | - Luca Bello
- ERN Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology, University of Padua, Padua 35122, Italy
| | - Andrea Barp
- The NEMO Clinical Center, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, Milan 20162, Italy
| | - Valeria A Sansone
- The NEMO Clinical Center, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, Milan 20162, Italy
| | - Madhuri Hegde
- PerkinElmer Genomics, 3950 Shackleford Rd., Ste. 195, Duluth, GA 30096, USA
| | - Barbara Roda
- Stem Sel s.r.l., Bologna 40127, Italy
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Reschiglian
- Stem Sel s.r.l., Bologna 40127, Italy
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena 41121, Italy
| | - Rita Selvatici
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Medical Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
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13
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miRNome profiling in Duchenne muscular dystrophy; identification of asymptomatic and manifesting female carriers. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:229711. [PMID: 34472584 PMCID: PMC8450315 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211325] [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: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal neuromuscular disorder that occurs due to inactivating mutations in DMD gene, leading to muscular dystrophy. Prediction of pathological complications of DMD and the identification of female carriers are important research points that aim to reduce disease burden. Herein, we describe a case of a late DMD patient and his immediate female family members, who all carry same DMD mutation and exhibited varied degrees of symptoms. In our study, we sequenced the whole miRNome in leukocytes and plasma of the family members and results were validated using real-time PCR. Our results highlighted the role of miR-409-3p, miR-424-5p, miR-144-3p as microRNAs that show correlation with the extent of severity of muscular weakness and can be used for detection of asymptomatic carriers. Cellular and circulating levels of miR-494-3p had shown significant increase in symptomatic carriers, which may indicate significant roles played by this miRNA in the onset of muscular weakness. Interestingly, circulating levels of miR-206 and miR-410-3p were significantly increased only in the severely symptomatic carrier. In conclusion, our study highlighted several miRNA species, which could be used in predicting the onset of muscle and/or neurological complications in DMD carriers.
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Ohlendieck K, Swandulla D. Complexity of skeletal muscle degeneration: multi-systems pathophysiology and organ crosstalk in dystrophinopathy. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:1813-1839. [PMID: 34553265 PMCID: PMC8599371 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02623-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a highly progressive muscle wasting disorder due to primary abnormalities in one of the largest genes in the human genome, the DMD gene, which encodes various tissue-specific isoforms of the protein dystrophin. Although dystrophinopathies are classified as primary neuromuscular disorders, the body-wide abnormalities that are associated with this disorder and the occurrence of organ crosstalk suggest that a multi-systems pathophysiological view should be taken for a better overall understanding of the complex aetiology of X-linked muscular dystrophy. This article reviews the molecular and cellular effects of deficiency in dystrophin isoforms in relation to voluntary striated muscles, the cardio-respiratory system, the kidney, the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system and the immune system. Based on the establishment of comprehensive biomarker signatures of X-linked muscular dystrophy using large-scale screening of both patient specimens and genetic animal models, this article also discusses the potential usefulness of novel disease markers for more inclusive approaches to differential diagnosis, prognosis and therapy monitoring that also take into account multi-systems aspects of dystrophinopathy. Current therapeutic approaches to combat muscular dystrophy are summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Ohlendieck
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Co. Kildare, Maynooth, W23F2H6, Ireland.
- Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Maynooth, W23F2H6, Ireland.
| | - Dieter Swandulla
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
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15
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Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase Inhibitor PK007 Decreases Muscle Necrosis in DMD mdx Model Mice. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11090994. [PMID: 34575143 PMCID: PMC8469723 DOI: 10.3390/life11090994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting due to the lack of dystrophin protein. The acute phase of DMD is characterized by muscle necrosis and increased levels of the pro-inflammatory mediator, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). Inhibiting the production of PGD2 by inhibiting hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (HPGDS) may alleviate inflammation and decrease muscle necrosis. We tested our novel HPGDS inhibitor, PK007, in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Our results show that hindlimb grip strength was two-fold greater in the PK007-treated mdx group, compared to untreated mdx mice, and displayed similar muscle strength to strain control mice (C57BL/10ScSn). Histological analyses showed a decreased percentage of regenerating muscle fibers (~20% less) in tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscles and reduced fibrosis in the TA muscle in PK007-treated mice. Lastly, we confirmed that the DMD blood biomarker, muscle creatine kinase activity, was also reduced by ~50% in PK007-treated mdx mice. We conclude that our HPGDS inhibitor, PK007, has effectively reduced muscle inflammation and fibrosis in a DMD mdx mouse model.
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16
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Lilien C, Reyngoudt H, Seferian AM, Gidaro T, Annoussamy M, Chê V, Decostre V, Ledoux I, Le Louër J, Guemas E, Muntoni F, Hogrel JY, Carlier PG, Servais L. Upper limb disease evolution in exon 53 skipping eligible patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021; 8:1938-1950. [PMID: 34453498 PMCID: PMC8528463 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the natural disease upper limb progression over 3 years of ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) using functional assessments and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to exploratively identify prognostic factors. METHODS Forty boys with DMD (22 non-ambulatory and 18 ambulatory) with deletions in dystrophin that make them eligible for exon 53-skipping therapy were included. Clinical assessments, including Brooke score, motor function measure (MFM), hand grip and key pinch strength, and upper limb distal coordination and endurance (MoviPlate), were performed every 6 months and quantitative MRI of fat fraction (FF) and lean muscle cross sectional area (flexor and extensor muscles) were performed yearly. RESULTS In the whole population, there were strong nonlinear correlations between outcome measures. In non-ambulatory patients, annual changes over the course of 3 years were detected with high sensitivity standard response mean (|SRM| ≥0.8) for quantitative MRI-based FF, hand grip and key pinch, and MFM. Boys who presented with a FF<20% and a grip strength >27% were able to bring a glass to their mouth and retained this ability in the following 3 years. Ambulatory patients with grip strength >35% of predicted value and FF <10% retained ambulation 3 years later. INTERPRETATION We demonstrate that continuous decline in upper limb strength, function, and MRI measured muscle structure can be reliably measured in ambulatory and non-ambulatory boys with DMD with high SRM and strong correlations between outcomes. Our results suggest that a combination of grip strength and FF can be used to predict important motor milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lilien
- Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,Department of Paediatrics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Harmen Reyngoudt
- Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,CEA/DRF/IBFJ/MIRCen, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julien Le Louër
- Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,CEA/DRF/IBFJ/MIRCen, Paris, France
| | | | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pierre Georges Carlier
- Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, DRF, Service Hospitalier Frederic Joliot, Orsay, France
| | - Laurent Servais
- Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,Department of Paediatrics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Division of Child Neurology Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Centre Hospitalier Régional de Références des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Liège & University of La Citadelle, Liège, Belgium
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17
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Contesse MG, Sapp ATL, Apkon SD, Lowes LP, Dalle Pazze L, Leffler MG. Reliability and construct validity of the Duchenne Video Assessment. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:180-189. [PMID: 34050939 PMCID: PMC8361683 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Duchenne Video Assessment (DVA) assesses quality of movement as an indication of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) disease severity. Caregivers video record patients performing home-based movement tasks using a mobile application, and physical therapists (PTs) rate the videos using scorecards with prespecified compensatory movement criteria. Reliability and construct validity of the DVA were tested using video and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) data from patients with DMD and healthy controls from a separate study. METHODS Fifteen PTs were trained and certified as DVA raters. All raters scored videos of five subjects performing each movement task; nine raters rescored the same videos four weeks later. Three raters scored videos from an average of 25 subjects for each movement task. Aggregate scores were used to test construct validity. An expert DMD clinician assigned each video to a severity group for known-groups analyses. Differences between rater scores across severity groups were tested and correlations between DVA and PODCI scores were calculated. RESULTS Inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) between all 15 raters ranged from 0.70 to 0.97 for all movement tasks. Mean intra-rater reliability ICC for nine raters ranged from 0.82 to 0.98 for all movement tasks. There were statistically significant differences between known severity groups for all movement tasks. The DVA correlated strongly with related PODCI constructs of physical function and weakly with unrelated constructs. DISCUSSION The DVA was found to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring quality of movement as an indication of disease severity.
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18
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Florczyk-Soluch U, Polak K, Dulak J. The multifaceted view of heart problem in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5447-5468. [PMID: 34091693 PMCID: PMC8257522 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03862-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dystrophin is a large protein serving as local scaffolding repetitively bridging cytoskeleton and the outside of striated muscle cell. As such dystrophin is a critical brick primarily in dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAGC) and in a larger submembranous unit, costamere. Accordingly, the lack of functional dystrophin laying at the root of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) drives sarcolemma instability. From this point on, the cascade inevitably leading to the death of myocyte begins. In cardiomyocytes, intracellular calcium overload and related mitochondrial-mediated cell death mainly contribute to myocardial dysfunction and dilation while other protein dysregulation and/or mislocalization may affect electrical conduction system and favor arrhythmogenesis. Although clinically DMD manifests as progressive muscle weakness and skeletal muscle symptoms define characteristic of DMD, it is the heart problem the biggest challenge that most often develop in the form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Current standards of treatment and recent progress in respiratory care, introduced in most settings in the 1990s, have improved quality of life and median life expectancy to 4th decade of patient's age. At the same time, cardiac causes of death related to DMD increases. Despite preventive and palliative cardiac treatments available, the prognoses remain poor. Direct therapeutic targeting of dystrophin deficiency is critical, however, hindered by the large size of the dystrophin cDNA and/or stochastic, often extensive genetic changes in DMD gene. The correlation between cardiac involvement and mutations affecting specific dystrophin isoforms, may provide a mutation-specific cardiac management and novel therapeutic approaches for patients with CM. Nonetheless, the successful cardiac treatment poses a big challenge and may require combined therapy to combat dystrophin deficiency and its after-effects (critical in DMD pathogenesis). This review locates the multifaceted heart problem in the course of DMD, balancing the insights into basic science, translational efforts and clinical manifestation of dystrophic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Florczyk-Soluch
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Polak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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19
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Alonso-Jiménez A, Fernández-Simón E, Natera-de Benito D, Ortez C, García C, Montiel E, Belmonte I, Pedrosa I, Segovia S, Piñol-Jurado P, Carrasco-Rozas A, Suárez-Calvet X, Jimenez-Mallebrera C, Nascimento A, Llauger J, Nuñez-Peralta C, Montesinos P, Alonso-Pérez J, Gallardo E, Illa I, Díaz-Manera J. Platelet Derived Growth Factor-AA Correlates With Muscle Function Tests and Quantitative Muscle Magnetic Resonance in Dystrophinopathies. Front Neurol 2021; 12:659922. [PMID: 34177765 PMCID: PMC8226260 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.659922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophy are X-linked muscular disorders produced by mutations in the DMD gene which encodes the protein dystrophin. Both diseases are characterized by progressive involvement of skeletal, cardiac, and respiratory muscles. As new treatment strategies become available, reliable biomarkers and outcome measures that can monitor disease progression are needed for clinical trials. Methods: We collected clinical and functional data and blood samples from 19 DMD patients, 13 BMD patients, and 66 healthy controls (8 pediatric and 58 adult controls), and blood samples from 15 patients with dysferlinopathy (DYSF) and studied the serum concentration of 4 growth factors involved in the process of muscle fibrosis. We correlated the serum concentration of these growth factors with several muscle function tests, spirometry results and fat fraction identified by quantitative Dixon muscle MRI. Results: We found significant differences in the serum concentration of Platelet Derived Growth Factor-AA (PDGF-AA) between DMD patients and pediatric controls, in Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) between BMD patients and adult controls, and in and Transforming Growth Factor- β1 (TGF-β1) between BMD and DYSF patients. PDGF-AA showed a good correlation with several muscle function tests for both DMD and BMD patients and with thigh fat fraction in BMD patients. Moreover, PDGF-AA levels were increased in muscle biopsies of patients with DMD and BMD as was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Real-Time PCR studies. Conclusion: Our study suggests that PDGF-AA should be further investigated in a larger cohort of DMD and BMD patients because it might be a good biomarker candidate to monitor the progression of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Alonso-Jiménez
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Neurology Department, Neuromuscular Reference Center, University Hospital of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Esther Fernández-Simón
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Natera-de Benito
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Ortez
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme García
- Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Montiel
- Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Izaskun Belmonte
- Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Pedrosa
- Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Segovia
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Piñol-Jurado
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Carrasco-Rozas
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Suárez-Calvet
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Jimenez-Mallebrera
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain.,Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Departamento de Genética, Microbiología y Estadística, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Nascimento
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain.,Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropediatrics Department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Llauger
- Radiology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia Nuñez-Peralta
- Radiology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jorge Alonso-Pérez
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Gallardo
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Illa
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Díaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Departament de Medicina. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Network Research Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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20
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Signorelli M, Ebrahimpoor M, Veth O, Hettne K, Verwey N, García‐Rodríguez R, Tanganyika‐deWinter CL, Lopez Hernandez LB, Escobar Cedillo R, Gómez Díaz B, Magnusson OT, Mei H, Tsonaka R, Aartsma‐Rus A, Spitali P. Peripheral blood transcriptome profiling enables monitoring disease progression in dystrophic mice and patients. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13328. [PMID: 33751844 PMCID: PMC8033515 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DMD is a rare disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and premature death. Therapy development is delayed by difficulties to monitor efficacy non-invasively in clinical trials. In this study, we used RNA-sequencing to describe the pathophysiological changes in skeletal muscle of 3 dystrophic mouse models. We show how dystrophic changes in muscle are reflected in blood by analyzing paired muscle and blood samples. Analysis of repeated blood measurements followed the dystrophic signature at five equally spaced time points over a period of seven months. Treatment with two antisense drugs harboring different levels of dystrophin recovery identified genes associated with safety and efficacy. Evaluation of the blood gene expression in a cohort of DMD patients enabled the comparison between preclinical models and patients, and the identification of genes associated with physical performance, treatment with corticosteroids and body measures. The presented results provide evidence that blood RNA-sequencing can serve as a tool to evaluate disease progression in dystrophic mice and patients, as well as to monitor response to (dystrophin-restoring) therapies in preclinical drug development and in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Signorelli
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Mitra Ebrahimpoor
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Olga Veth
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kristina Hettne
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Nisha Verwey
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Luz B Lopez Hernandez
- Departamento de Medicina GenómicaUniversidad Autónoma de GuadalajaraGuadalajaraMexico
- Centro Médico Nacional "20 de Noviembre", ISSSTECiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | | | - Benjamín Gómez Díaz
- Sociedad Mexicana de la Distrofia Muscular A.C INR‐LGIICiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | | | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support CoreLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Roula Tsonaka
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Pietro Spitali
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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21
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Mournetas V, Massouridès E, Dupont JB, Kornobis E, Polvèche H, Jarrige M, Dorval ARL, Gosselin MRF, Manousopoulou A, Garbis SD, Górecki DC, Pinset C. Myogenesis modelled by human pluripotent stem cells: a multi-omic study of Duchenne myopathy early onset. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2021; 12:209-232. [PMID: 33586340 PMCID: PMC7890274 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes severe disability of children and death of young men, with an incidence of approximately 1/5000 male births. Symptoms appear in early childhood, with a diagnosis made mostly around 4 years old, a time where the amount of muscle damage is already significant, preventing early therapeutic interventions that could be more efficient at halting disease progression. In the meantime, the precise moment at which disease phenotypes arise-even asymptomatically-is still unknown. Thus, there is a critical need to better define DMD onset as well as its first manifestations, which could help identify early disease biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets. METHODS We have used both human tissue-derived myoblasts and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from DMD patients to model skeletal myogenesis and compared their differentiation dynamics with that of healthy control cells by a comprehensive multi-omic analysis at seven time points. Results were strengthened with the analysis of isogenic CRISPR-edited human embryonic stem cells and through comparisons against published transcriptomic and proteomic datasets from human DMD muscles. The study was completed with DMD knockdown/rescue experiments in hiPSC-derived skeletal muscle progenitor cells and adenosine triphosphate measurement in hiPSC-derived myotubes. RESULTS Transcriptome and miRnome comparisons combined with protein analyses demonstrated that hiPSC differentiation (i) leads to embryonic/foetal myotubes that mimic described DMD phenotypes at the differentiation endpoint and (ii) homogeneously and robustly recapitulates key developmental steps-mesoderm, somite, and skeletal muscle. Starting at the somite stage, DMD dysregulations concerned almost 10% of the transcriptome. These include mitochondrial genes whose dysregulations escalate during differentiation. We also describe fibrosis as an intrinsic feature of DMD skeletal muscle cells that begins early during myogenesis. All the omics data are available online for exploration through a graphical interface at https://muscle-dmd.omics.ovh/. CONCLUSIONS Our data argue for an early developmental manifestation of DMD whose onset is triggered before the entry into the skeletal muscle compartment, data leading to a necessary reconsideration of dystrophin roles during muscle development. This hiPSC model of skeletal muscle differentiation offers the possibility to explore these functions as well as find earlier DMD biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Etienne Kornobis
- Biomics, C2RT, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique - Département BiologieComputationnelle, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Maxime R F Gosselin
- Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Antigoni Manousopoulou
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Spiros D Garbis
- Unit for Cancer Sciences, Centre for Proteomics Research, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Proteas Bioanalytics Inc., BioLabs at The Lundquist Institute, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Dariusz C Górecki
- Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.,Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland
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22
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Dabaj I, Ferey J, Marguet F, Gilard V, Basset C, Bahri Y, Brehin AC, Vanhulle C, Leturcq F, Marret S, Laquerrière A, Schmitz-Afonso I, Afonso C, Bekri S, Tebani A. Muscle metabolic remodelling patterns in Duchenne muscular dystrophy revealed by ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry imaging. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1906. [PMID: 33479270 PMCID: PMC7819988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common and severe X-linked myopathy, characterized by muscle degeneration due to altered or absent dystrophin. DMD has no effective cure, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolic changes in DMD using mass spectrometry-based imaging. Nine human muscle biopsies from DMD patients and nine muscle biopsies from control individuals were subjected to untargeted MSI using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Both univariate and pattern recognition techniques have been used for data analysis. This study revealed significant changes in 34 keys metabolites. Seven metabolites were decreased in the Duchenne biopsies compared to control biopsies including adenosine triphosphate, and glycerophosphocholine. The other 27 metabolites were increased in the Duchenne biopsies, including sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidic acids and phosphatidylserines. Most of these dysregulated metabolites are tightly related to energy and phospholipid metabolism. This study revealed a deep metabolic remodelling in phospholipids and energy metabolism in DMD. This systems-based approach enabled exploring the metabolism in DMD in an unprecedented holistic and unbiased manner with hypothesis-free strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Dabaj
- Department of Neonatal Pediatrics, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, France
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, CHU Rouen, INSERM U1245, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Justine Ferey
- Department of Metabolic Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, Cedex, France
| | - Florent Marguet
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, CHU Rouen, INSERM U1245, 76000, Rouen, France
- Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Vianney Gilard
- Department of Metabolic Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, Cedex, France
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Carole Basset
- Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Youssef Bahri
- Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014 Et FR 3038 Univ Rouen; INSA Rouen; CNRS IRCOF, 1 Rue TesnieÌre, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Anne-Claire Brehin
- Department of Genetics and Reference Center for Developmental Disorders, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Catherine Vanhulle
- Department of Neonatal Pediatrics, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, France
| | - France Leturcq
- APHP, Laboratoire de Génétique Et Biologie Moléculaire, HUPC Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Marret
- Department of Neonatal Pediatrics, Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, France
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, CHU Rouen, INSERM U1245, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Annie Laquerrière
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, CHU Rouen, INSERM U1245, 76000, Rouen, France
- Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Isabelle Schmitz-Afonso
- Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014 Et FR 3038 Univ Rouen; INSA Rouen; CNRS IRCOF, 1 Rue TesnieÌre, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Carlos Afonso
- Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014 Et FR 3038 Univ Rouen; INSA Rouen; CNRS IRCOF, 1 Rue TesnieÌre, 76821, Mont-Saint-Aignan Cedex, France
| | - Soumeya Bekri
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, CHU Rouen, INSERM U1245, 76000, Rouen, France.
- Department of Metabolic Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, Cedex, France.
| | - Abdellah Tebani
- Department of Metabolic Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, 76031, Rouen, Cedex, France
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23
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PMO-based let-7c site blocking oligonucleotide (SBO) mediated utrophin upregulation in mdx mice, a therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Sci Rep 2020; 10:21492. [PMID: 33298994 PMCID: PMC7726560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76338-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of utrophin, a dystrophin related protein, is considered a promising therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Utrophin expression is repressed at the post-transcriptional level by a set of miRNAs, among which let-7c is evolutionarily highly conserved. We designed PMO-based SBOs complementary to the let-7c binding site in UTRN 3′UTR, with the goal of inhibiting let-7c interaction with UTRN mRNA and thus upregulating utrophin. We used the C2C12UTRN5′luc3′ reporter cell line in which the 5′- and 3′-UTRs of human UTRN sequences flank luciferase, for reporter assays and the C2C12 cell line for utrophin western blots, to independently evaluate the site blocking efficiency of a series of let-7c PMOs in vitro. Treatment of one-month old mdx mice with the most effective let-7c PMO (i.e. S56) resulted in ca. two-fold higher utrophin protein expression in skeletal muscles and the improvement in dystrophic pathophysiology in mdx mice, in vivo. In summary, we show that PMO-based let-7c SBO has potential applicability for upregulating utrophin expression as a therapeutic approach for DMD.
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24
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Alayi T, Tawalbeh SM, Ogundele M, Smith HR, Samsel AM, Barbieri ML, Hathout Y. Tandem Mass Tag-Based Serum Proteome Profiling for Biomarker Discovery in Young Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Boys. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:26504-26517. [PMID: 33110978 PMCID: PMC7581259 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Blood-accessible molecular biomarkers are becoming highly attractive tools to assess disease progression and response to therapies in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) especially in very young patients for whom other outcome measures remain subjective and challenging. In this study, we have standardized a highly specific and reproducible multiplexing mass spectrometry method using the tandem mass tag (TMT) strategy in combination with depletion of abundant proteins from serum and high-pH reversed-phase peptide fractionation. Differential proteome profiling of 4 year-old DMD boys (n = 9) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 9) identified 38 elevated and 50 decreased serum proteins (adjusted P < 0.05, FDR <0.05) in the DMD group relative to the healthy control group. As expected, we confirmed previously reported biomarkers but also identified novel biomarkers. These included novel muscle injury-associated biomarkers such as telethonin, smoothelin-like protein 1, cofilin-1, and plectin, additional muscle-specific enzymes such as UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, pyruvate kinase PKM, lactotransferrin, tissue alpha-l-fucosidase, pantetheinase, and ficolin-1, and some pro-inflammatory and cell adhesion-associated biomarkers such as leukosialin, macrophage receptor MARCO, vitronectin, galectin-3-binding protein, and ProSAAS. The workflow including serum depletion, sample processing, and mass spectrometry analysis was found to be reproducible and stable over time with CV < 20%. Furthermore, the method was found to be superior in terms of specificity compared to other multiplexing affinity-based methods. These findings demonstrate the specificity and reliability of TMT-based mass spectrometry methods in detection and identification of serum biomarkers in presymptomatic young DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tchilabalo
D. Alayi
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Shefa M. Tawalbeh
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University−SUNY, 4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Michael Ogundele
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University−SUNY, 4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Holly R. Smith
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, Binghamton University−SUNY, 4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Alison M. Samsel
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Marissa L. Barbieri
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
| | - Yetrib Hathout
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University−SUNY, Johnson City, New York 13790, United States
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25
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Łoboda A, Dulak J. Muscle and cardiac therapeutic strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: past, present, and future. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 72:1227-1263. [PMID: 32691346 PMCID: PMC7550322 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular childhood disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration and results in functional decline, loss of ambulation and early death of young men due to cardiac or respiratory failure. Although the major cause of the disease has been known for many years-namely mutation in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin, one of the largest human genes-DMD is still incurable, and its treatment is challenging. METHODS A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on the gene, cell, and pharmacological experimental therapies aimed at restoring functional dystrophin or to counteract the associated processes contributing to disease progression like inflammation, fibrosis, calcium signaling or angiogenesis was carried out. RESULTS Although some therapies lead to satisfying effects in skeletal muscle, they are highly ineffective in the heart; therefore, targeting defective cardiac and respiratory systems is vital in DMD patients. Unfortunately, most of the pharmacological compounds treat only the symptoms of the disease. Some drugs addressing the underlying cause, like eteplirsen, golodirsen, and ataluren, have recently been conditionally approved; however, they can correct only specific mutations in the DMD gene and are therefore suitable for small sub-populations of affected individuals. CONCLUSION In this review, we summarize the possible therapeutic options and describe the current status of various, still imperfect, strategies used for attenuating the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Łoboda
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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26
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Koutsoulidou A, Phylactou LA. Circulating Biomarkers in Muscular Dystrophies: Disease and Therapy Monitoring. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 18:230-239. [PMID: 32637452 PMCID: PMC7327849 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited disorders that primarily affect the muscle tissues. Across the muscular dystrophies, symptoms commonly compromise the quality of life in all areas of functioning. It is well noted that muscular dystrophies need reliable and measurable biomarkers that will monitor the progress of the disease and evaluate the potential therapeutic approaches. In this review, we analyze the current findings regarding the development of blood-based circulating biomarkers for different types of muscular dystrophies. We emphasize those muscular dystrophies that gained particular interest for the development of biomarkers, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2, Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy types 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, recently renamed as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1 calpain3-related, R2 dysferlin-related, R5 γ-sarcoglycan-related, and R3 α-sarcoglycan-related. This review highlights the up-to-date progress in the development of biomarkers at the level of proteins, lipids, and metabolites, as well as microRNAs (miRNAs) that currently are the main potential biomarker candidates in muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrie Koutsoulidou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function & Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, PO Box 23462, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, PO Box 23462, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Leonidas A Phylactou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function & Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, PO Box 23462, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, PO Box 23462, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus
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27
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Sarkozy A, Foley AR, Zambon AA, Bönnemann CG, Muntoni F. LAMA2-Related Dystrophies: Clinical Phenotypes, Disease Biomarkers, and Clinical Trial Readiness. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:123. [PMID: 32848593 PMCID: PMC7419697 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the LAMA2 gene affect the production of the α2 subunit of laminin-211 (= merosin) and result in either partial or complete laminin-211 deficiency. Complete merosin deficiency is typically associated with a more severe congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), clinically manifested by hypotonia and weakness at birth, the development of contractures of large joints, and progressive respiratory involvement. Muscle atrophy and severe weakness typically prevent independent ambulation. Partial merosin deficiency is mostly manifested by later onset limb-girdle weakness and joint contractures so that independent ambulation is typically achieved. Collectively, complete and partial merosin deficiency is referred to as LAMA2-related dystrophies (LAMA2-RDs) and represents one of the most common forms of congenital muscular dystrophies worldwide. LAMA2-RDs are classically characterized by both central and peripheral nervous system involvement with abnormal appearing white matter (WM) on brain MRI and dystrophic appearing muscle on muscle biopsy as well as creatine kinase (CK) levels commonly elevated to >1,000 IU/L. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has greatly improved diagnostic abilities for LAMA2-RD, and the majority of patients with merosin deficiency carry recessive pathogenic variants in the LAMA2 gene. The existence of multiple animal models for LAMA2-RDs has helped to advance our understanding of laminin-211 and has been instrumental in preclinical research progress and translation to clinical trials. The first clinical trial for the LAMA2-RDs was a phase 1 pharmacokinetic and safety study of the anti-apoptotic compound omigapil, based on preclinical studies performed in the dy W/dy W and dy 2J/dy 2J mouse models. This phase 1 study enabled the collection of pulmonary and motor outcome measures and also provided the opportunity for investigating exploratory outcome measures including muscle ultrasound, muscle MRI and serum, and urine biomarker collection. Natural history studies, including a five-year prospective natural history and comparative outcome measures study in patients with LAMA2-RD, have helped to better delineate the natural history and identify viable outcome measures. Plans for further clinical trials for LAMA2-RDs are presently in progress, highlighting the necessity of identifying adequate, disease-relevant biomarkers, capable of reflecting potential therapeutic changes, in addition to refining the clinical outcome measures and time-to-event trajectory analysis of affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sarkozy
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Reghan Foley
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alberto A Zambon
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
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Al-Khalili Szigyarto C. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: recent advances in protein biomarkers and the clinical application. Expert Rev Proteomics 2020; 17:365-375. [PMID: 32713262 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2020.1773806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early biomarker discovery studies have praised the value of their emerging results, predicting an unprecedented impact on health care. Biomarkers are expected to provide tests with increased specificity and sensitivity compared to existing measures, improve the decision-making process, and accelerate the development of therapies. For rare disorders, like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) such biomarkers can assist the development of therapies, therefore also helping to find a cure for the disease. AREA COVERED State-of-the-art technologies have been used to identify blood biomarkers for DMD and efforts have been coordinated to develop and promote translation of biomarkers for clinical practice. Biomarker translation to clinical practice is however, adjoined by challenges related to the complexity of the disease, involving numerous biological processes, and the limited sample resources. This review highlights the current progress on the development of biomarkers, describing the proteomics technologies used, the most promising findings and the challenges encountered. EXPERT OPINION Strategies for effective use of samples combined with orthogonal proteomics methods for protein quantification are essential for translating biomarkers to the patient's bed side. Progress is achieved only if strong evidence is provided that the biomarker constitutes a reliable indicator of the patient's health status for a specific context of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Al-Khalili Szigyarto
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , Solna, Sweden.,School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology , Stockholm, Sweden
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29
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Passarelli C, Selvatici R, Carrieri A, Di Raimo FR, Falzarano MS, Fortunato F, Rossi R, Straub V, Bushby K, Reza M, Zharaieva I, D'Amico A, Bertini E, Merlini L, Sabatelli P, Borgiani P, Novelli G, Messina S, Pane M, Mercuri E, Claustres M, Tuffery-Giraud S, Aartsma-Rus A, Spitali P, T'Hoen PAC, Lochmüller H, Strandberg K, Al-Khalili C, Kotelnikova E, Lebowitz M, Schwartz E, Muntoni F, Scapoli C, Ferlini A. Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor SF10A (TNFRSF10A) SNPs Correlate With Corticosteroid Response in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Front Genet 2020; 11:605. [PMID: 32719714 PMCID: PMC7350910 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare and severe X-linked muscular dystrophy in which the standard of care with variable outcome, also due to different drug response, is chronic off-label treatment with corticosteroids (CS). In order to search for SNP biomarkers for corticosteroid responsiveness, we genotyped variants across 205 DMD-related genes in patients with differential response to steroid treatment. Methods and Findings We enrolled a total of 228 DMD patients with identified dystrophin mutations, 78 of these patients have been under corticosteroid treatment for at least 5 years. DMD patients were defined as high responders (HR) if they had maintained the ability to walk after 15 years of age and low responders (LR) for those who had lost ambulation before the age of 10 despite corticosteroid therapy. Based on interactome mapping, we prioritized 205 genes and sequenced them in 21 DMD patients (discovery cohort or DiC = 21). We identified 43 SNPs that discriminate between HR and LR. Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) prioritized 2 response-associated SNPs in the TNFRSF10A gene. Validation of this genotype was done in two additional larger cohorts composed of 46 DMD patients on corticosteroid therapy (validation cohorts or VaC1), and 150 non ambulant DMD patients and never treated with corticosteroids (VaC2). SNP analysis in all validation cohorts (N = 207) showed that the CT haplotype is significantly associated with HR DMDs confirming the discovery results. Conclusion We have shown that TNFRSF10A CT haplotype correlates with corticosteroid response in DMD patients and propose it as an exploratory CS response biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Passarelli
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,U.O.C. Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Paediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Selvatici
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alberto Carrieri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Maria Sofia Falzarano
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fernanda Fortunato
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Rachele Rossi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Volker Straub
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Bushby
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Mojgan Reza
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Irina Zharaieva
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Center, University College London Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Molecular Medicine and Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Paediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Molecular Medicine and Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Paediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Merlini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sabatelli
- IRCCS Rizzoli & Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paola Borgiani
- Genetics Unit, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- Genetics Unit, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Neuromed, IRCCS, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Nemo Sud Clinical Center, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Pane
- Paediatric Neurology Unit, Centro Clinico Nemo, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Paediatric Neurology Unit, Centro Clinico Nemo, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mireille Claustres
- Laboratory of Genetics of Rare Diseases, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvie Tuffery-Giraud
- Laboratory of Genetics of Rare Diseases, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Pietro Spitali
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter A C T'Hoen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kristin Strandberg
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cristina Al-Khalili
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Center, University College London Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,NIH Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Scapoli
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Dubowitz Neuromuscular Center, University College London Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Grounds MD, Terrill JR, Al-Mshhdani BA, Duong MN, Radley-Crabb HG, Arthur PG. Biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: myonecrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:13/2/dmm043638. [PMID: 32224496 PMCID: PMC7063669 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, X-linked disease that causes severe loss of muscle mass and function in young children. Promising therapies for DMD are being developed, but the long lead times required when using clinical outcome measures are hindering progress. This progress would be facilitated by robust molecular biomarkers in biofluids, such as blood and urine, which could be used to monitor disease progression and severity, as well as to determine optimal drug dosing before a full clinical trial. Many candidate DMD biomarkers have been identified, but there have been few follow-up studies to validate them. This Review describes the promising biomarkers for dystrophic muscle that have been identified in muscle, mainly using animal models. We strongly focus on myonecrosis and the associated inflammation and oxidative stress in DMD muscle, as the lack of dystrophin causes repeated bouts of myonecrosis, which are the key events that initiate the resultant severe dystropathology. We discuss the early events of intrinsic myonecrosis, along with early regeneration in the context of histological and other measures that are used to quantify its incidence. Molecular biomarkers linked to the closely associated events of inflammation and oxidative damage are discussed, with a focus on research related to protein thiol oxidation and to neutrophils. We summarise data linked to myonecrosis in muscle, blood and urine of dystrophic animal species, and discuss the challenge of translating such biomarkers to the clinic for DMD patients, especially to enhance the success of clinical trials. Summary: This Review discusses biomarkers in blood and urine linked to myonecrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, to enhance development of therapies for DMD, and the challenges to be overcome for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda D Grounds
- School of Human Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jessica R Terrill
- School of Molecular Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Basma A Al-Mshhdani
- School of Molecular Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Marisa N Duong
- School of Molecular Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Hannah G Radley-Crabb
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Peter G Arthur
- School of Molecular Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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31
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Strandberg K, Ayoglu B, Roos A, Reza M, Niks E, Signorelli M, Fasterius E, Pontén F, Lochmüller H, Domingos J, Ala P, Muntoni F, Aartsma-Rus A, Spitali P, Nilsson P, Szigyarto CAK. Blood-derived biomarkers correlate with clinical progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 7:231-246. [PMID: 32390640 PMCID: PMC7369103 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a severe, incurable disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. The disease is characterized by decreased muscle function, impaired muscle regeneration and increased inflammation. In a clinical context, muscle deterioration, is evaluated using physical tests and analysis of muscle biopsies, which fail to accurately monitor the disease progression. OBJECTIVES This study aims to confirm and asses the value of blood protein biomarkers as disease progression markers using one of the largest longitudinal collection of samples. METHODS A total of 560 samples, both serum and plasma, collected at three clinical sites are analyzed using a suspension bead array platform to assess 118 proteins targeted by 250 antibodies in microliter amount of samples. RESULTS Nine proteins are confirmed as disease progression biomarkers in both plasma and serum. Abundance of these biomarkers decreases as the disease progresses but follows different trajectories. While carbonic anhydrase 3, microtubule associated protein 4 and collagen type I alpha 1 chain decline rather constantly over time, myosin light chain 3, electron transfer flavoprotein A, troponin T, malate dehydrogenase 2, lactate dehydrogenase B and nestin plateaus in early teens. Electron transfer flavoprotein A, correlates with the outcome of 6-minutes-walking-test whereas malate dehydrogenase 2 together with myosin light chain 3, carbonic anhydrase 3 and nestin correlate with respiratory capacity. CONCLUSIONS Nine biomarkers have been identified that correlate with disease milestones, functional tests and respiratory capacity. Together these biomarkers recapitulate different stages of the disorder that, if validated can improve disease progression monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Strandberg
- Department of Protein Science, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Burcu Ayoglu
- Department of Protein Science, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Roos
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften (ISAS), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mojgan Reza
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Erik Niks
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mirko Signorelli
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Fasterius
- Department of Protein Science, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Pontén
- Department of Immunology, SciLifeLab, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center –University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAGCRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Domingos
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pietro Spitali
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Department of Protein Science, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cristina Al-Khalili Szigyarto
- Department of Protein Science, School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Protein Science, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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32
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Leitner ML, Kapur K, Darras BT, Yang M, Wong B, Dalle Pazze L, Florence J, Buck M, Freedman L, Bohorquez J, Rutkove S, Zaidman C. Electrical impedance myography for reducing sample size in Duchenne muscular dystrophy trials. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2019; 7:4-14. [PMID: 31876124 PMCID: PMC6952321 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.50958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of electrical impedance myography (EIM) to disease progression in both ambulatory and non‐ambulatory boys with DMD. Methods and Participants A non‐blinded, longitudinal cohort study of 29 ambulatory and 15 non‐ambulatory boys with DMD and age‐similar healthy boys. Subjects were followed for up to 1 year and assessed using the Myolex® mViewTM EIM system as part of a multicenter study. Results In the ambulatory group, EIM 100 kHz resistance values showed significant change compared to the healthy boys. For example, in lower extremity muscles, the average change in EIM 100 kHz resistance values over 12 months led to an estimated effect size of 1.58. Based on these results, 26 DMD patients/arm would be needed for a 12‐month clinical trial assuming a 50% treatment effect. In non‐ambulatory boys, EIM changes were greater in upper limb muscles. For example, biceps at 100kHz resistance gave an estimated effect size of 1.92 at 12 months. Based on these results, 18 non‐ambulatory DMD patients/arm would be needed for a 12‐month clinical trial assuming a 50% treatment effect. Longitudinal changes in the 100 kHz resistance values for the ambulatory boys correlated with the longitudinal changes in the timed supine‐to‐stand test. EIM was well‐tolerated throughout the study. Interpretation This study supports that EIM 100 kHz resistance is sensitive to DMD progression in both ambulatory and non‐ambulatory boys. Given the technology’s ease of use and broad age range of utility it should be employed as an exploratory endpoint in future clinical therapeutic trials in DMD. Trial Registration: Clincialtrials.gov registration #NCT02340923
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kush Kapur
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Basil T Darras
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michele Yang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Brenda Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | | | - Julaine Florence
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | | | | | | | - Craig Zaidman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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33
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Disease-specific and glucocorticoid-responsive serum biomarkers for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12167. [PMID: 31434957 PMCID: PMC6704115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48548-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive biomarker discoveries for DMD have occurred in the past 7 years, and a vast array of these biomarkers were confirmed in independent cohorts and across different laboratories. In these previous studies, glucocorticoids and age were two major confounding variables. In this new study, using SomaScan technology and focusing on a subset of young DMD patients who were not yet treated with glucocorticoids, we identified 108 elevated and 70 decreased proteins in DMD relative to age matched healthy controls (p value < 0.05 after adjusting for multiple testing). The majority of the elevated proteins were muscle centric followed by cell adhesion, extracellular matrix proteins and a few pro-inflammatory proteins. The majority of decreased proteins were of cell adhesion, however, some had to do with cell differentiation and growth factors. Subsequent treatment of this group of DMD patients with glucocorticoids affected two major groups of pharmacodynamic biomarkers. The first group consisted of 80 serum proteins that were not associated with DMD and either decreased or increased following treatment with glucocorticoids, and therefore were reflective of a broader effect of glucocorticoids. The second group consisted of 17 serum proteins that were associated with DMD and these tended to normalize under treatment, thus reflecting physiologic effects of glucocorticoid treatment in DMD. In summary, we have identified a variety of circulating protein biomarkers that reflect the complex nature of DMD pathogenesis and response to glucocorticoids.
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34
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Guiraud S, Edwards B, Squire SE, Moir L, Berg A, Babbs A, Ramadan N, Wood MJ, Davies KE. Embryonic myosin is a regeneration marker to monitor utrophin-based therapies for DMD. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:307-319. [PMID: 30304405 PMCID: PMC6322073 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, X-linked muscle-wasting disease caused by lack of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. Constitutive utrophin expression, a structural and functional paralogue of dystrophin, can successfully prevent the dystrophic pathology in the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse model. In dystrophic muscles, utrophin is increased as part of the repair process and localized at the sarcolemma of regenerating myofibers. The presence of developmental myosin such as embryonic myosin (MyHC-emb) and neonatal represents a useful marker of muscle regeneration and a meaningful indicator of muscle damage, which correlates with the clinical severity of milder Becker muscular dystrophy and DMD patients. In the present study, we demonstrate that MyHC-emb is a robust marker of regeneration at different ages and in different skeletal muscles. We also evaluate the correlation between utrophin, dystrophin and MyHC-emb in wild-type (wt) and regenerating dystrophic muscles. Restoration of dystrophin significantly reduced MyHC-emb levels. Similarly, overexpression of utrophin in the transgenic mdx-Fiona mice reduced the number of MyHC-emb positive fibers to wt level, prevented the regenerative process and rescued the muscle function. In contrast, the absence of utrophin in the dystrophin-deficient double-knockout mice resulted in a higher MyHC-emb content and in a more severe dystrophic pathophysiology than in mdx mice. These data illustrate the importance of monitoring utrophin and MyHC-emb levels in the preclinical evaluation of therapies and provide translational support for the use of developmental myosin as a disease biomarker in DMD clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Guiraud
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Moir
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Berg
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Arran Babbs
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Nesrine Ramadan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
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Müller T. Editorial announcing PubMed indexing of Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease. Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis 2019; 9:1-2. [PMID: 30643481 PMCID: PMC6314048 DOI: 10.2147/dnnd.s196909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Müller
- Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weißensee, Berlin, Germany,
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