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Mehmood H, Kasher PR, Barrett-Jolley R, Walmsley GL. Aligning with the 3Rs: alternative models for research into muscle development and inherited myopathies. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:477. [PMID: 39425123 PMCID: PMC11488271 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04309-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited and acquired muscle diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in human medical and veterinary patients. Researchers use models to study skeletal muscle development and pathology, improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and explore new treatment options. Experiments on laboratory animals, including murine and canine models, have led to huge advances in congenital myopathy and muscular dystrophy research that have translated into clinical treatment trials in human patients with these debilitating and often fatal conditions. Whilst animal experimentation has enabled many significant and impactful discoveries that otherwise may not have been possible, we have an ethical and moral, and in many countries also a legal, obligation to consider alternatives. This review discusses the models available as alternatives to mammals for muscle development, biology and disease research with a focus on inherited myopathies. Cell culture models can be used to replace animals for some applications: traditional monolayer cultures (for example, using the immortalised C2C12 cell line) are accessible, tractable and inexpensive but developmentally limited to immature myotube stages; more recently, developments in tissue engineering have led to three-dimensional cultures with improved differentiation capabilities. Advances in computer modelling and an improved understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms are likely to herald new models and opportunities for replacement. Where this is not possible, a 3Rs approach advocates partial replacement with the use of less sentient animals (including invertebrates (such as worms Caenorhabditis elegans and fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster) and embryonic stages of small vertebrates such as the zebrafish Danio rerio) alongside refinement of experimental design and improved research practices to reduce the numbers of animals used and the severity of their experience. An understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of potential models is essential for researchers to determine which can best facilitate answering a specific scientific question. Applying 3Rs principles to research not only improves animal welfare but generates high-quality, reproducible and reliable data with translational relevance to human and animal patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashir Mehmood
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Lifesciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Paul R Kasher
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Allianceand the, University of Manchester , Manchester, M6 8HD, UK
| | - Richard Barrett-Jolley
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Lifesciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Gemma L Walmsley
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Lifesciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, South Wirral, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
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Careccia G, Mangiavini L, Cirillo F. Regulation of Satellite Cells Functions during Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: A Critical Step in Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:512. [PMID: 38203683 PMCID: PMC10778731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010512] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex process involving the generation of new myofibers after trauma, competitive physical activity, or disease. In this context, adult skeletal muscle stem cells, also known as satellite cells (SCs), play a crucial role in regulating muscle tissue homeostasis and activating regeneration. Alterations in their number or function have been associated with various pathological conditions. The main factors involved in the dysregulation of SCs' activity are inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. This review critically summarizes the current knowledge on the role of SCs in skeletal muscle regeneration. It examines the changes in the activity of SCs in three of the most common and severe muscle disorders: sarcopenia, muscular dystrophy, and cancer cachexia. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in their dysregulations is essential for improving current treatments, such as exercise, and developing personalized approaches to reactivate SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Careccia
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Laura Mangiavini
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, 20161 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cirillo
- IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy
- Institute for Molecular and Translational Cardiology (IMTC), 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy
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Dowling P, Swandulla D, Ohlendieck K. Cellular pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: progressive myofibre degeneration, chronic inflammation, reactive myofibrosis and satellite cell dysfunction. Eur J Transl Myol 2023; 33:11856. [PMID: 37846661 PMCID: PMC10811648 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2023.11856] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a highly progressive muscle wasting disease of early childhood and characterized by complex pathophysiological and histopathological changes in the voluntary contractile system, including myonecrosis, chronic inflammation, fat substitution and reactive myofibrosis. The continued loss of functional myofibres and replacement with non-contractile cells, as well as extensive tissue scarring and decline in tissue elasticity, leads to severe skeletal muscle weakness. In addition, dystrophic muscles exhibit a greatly diminished regenerative capacity to counteract the ongoing process of fibre degeneration. In normal muscle tissues, an abundant stem cell pool consisting of satellite cells that are localized between the sarcolemma and basal lamina, provides a rich source for the production of activated myogenic progenitor cells that are involved in efficient myofibre repair and tissue regeneration. Interestingly, the self-renewal of satellite cells for maintaining an essential pool of stem cells in matured skeletal muscles is increased in dystrophin-deficient fibres. However, satellite cell hyperplasia does not result in efficient recovery of dystrophic muscles due to impaired asymmetric cell divisions. The lack of expression of the full-length dystrophin isoform Dp427-M, which is due to primary defects in the DMD gene, appears to affect key regulators of satellite cell polarity causing a reduced differentiation of myogenic progenitors, which are essential for myofibre regeneration. This review outlines the complexity of dystrophinopathy and describes the importance of the pathophysiological role of satellite cell dysfunction. A brief discussion of the bioanalytical usefulness of single cell proteomics for future studies of satellite cell biology is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dowling
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
| | - Dieter Swandulla
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn.
| | - Kay Ohlendieck
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
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Kodippili K, Rudnicki MA. Satellite cell contribution to disease pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1180980. [PMID: 37324396 PMCID: PMC10266354 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1180980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive muscle weakness and degeneration characterize Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal, x-linked neuromuscular disorder that affects 1 in 5,000 boys. Loss of dystrophin protein leads to recurrent muscle degeneration, progressive fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and dysfunction of skeletal muscle resident stem cells, called satellite cells. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for DMD. In this mini review, we discuss how satellite cells in dystrophic muscle are functionally impaired, and how this contributes to the DMD pathology, and the tremendous potential of restoring endogenous satellite cell function as a viable treatment strategy to treat this debilitating and fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun Kodippili
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael A. Rudnicki
- The Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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