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Alonso-Puyo J, Izagirre-Fernandez O, Crende O, Valdivia A, García-Gallastegui P, Sanz B. Experimental models as a tool for research on sarcopenia: A narrative review. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 101:102534. [PMID: 39369798 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102534] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a musculoskeletal disorder related to muscle mass and function; as the worldwide population ages, its growing prevalence means a decline in quality of life and an increased burden for public health systems. As sarcopenia is a reversible condition, its early diagnosis is of utmost importance. Consensus definitions and diagnosis protocols for sarcopenia have been evolving for a long time, and the identification of molecular pathways subjacent to sarcopenia is a growing research area. The use of liquid biopsies to identify circulating molecules does not provide information about specific regulatory pathways or biomarkers in relevant tissue, and the use of skeletal muscle biopsies from older people has many limitations. Complementary tools are therefore necessary to advance the knowledge of relevant molecular aspects. The development of experimental models, such as animal, cellular, or bioengineered tissue, together with knock-in or knock-out strategies, could therefore be of great interest. This narrative review will explore experimental models of healthy muscle and aged muscle cells as a tool for research on sarcopenia. We will summarize the literature and present relevant experimental models in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. All of the presented approaches could potentially contribute to the accurate and early diagnosis, follow-up, and possible treatment of sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janire Alonso-Puyo
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, sn., Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Oihane Izagirre-Fernandez
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, sn., Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Olatz Crende
- Cell Biology and Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, sn., Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Asier Valdivia
- Cell Biology and Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, sn., Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Patricia García-Gallastegui
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, sn., Leioa 48940, Spain.
| | - Begoña Sanz
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, sn., Leioa 48940, Spain; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia 48903, Spain.
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2
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Sahota VK, Stone A, Woodling NS, Spiers JG, Steinert JR, Partridge L, Augustin H. Plum modulates Myoglianin and regulates synaptic function in D. melanogaster. Open Biol 2023; 13:230171. [PMID: 37699519 PMCID: PMC10497343 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230171] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the neuromuscular system underlie several neuromuscular diseases and play critical roles in the development of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function. Mammalian Myostatin (MST) and GDF11, members of the TGF-β superfamily of growth factors, are powerful regulators of muscle size in both model organisms and humans. Myoglianin (MYO), the Drosophila homologue of MST and GDF11, is a strong inhibitor of synaptic function and structure at the neuromuscular junction in flies. Here, we identified Plum, a transmembrane cell surface protein, as a modulator of MYO function in the larval neuromuscular system. Reduction of Plum in the larval body-wall muscles abolishes the previously demonstrated positive effect of attenuated MYO signalling on both muscle size and neuromuscular junction structure and function. In addition, downregulation of Plum on its own results in decreased synaptic strength and body weight, classifying Plum as a (novel) regulator of neuromuscular function and body (muscle) size. These findings offer new insights into possible regulatory mechanisms behind ageing- and disease-related neuromuscular dysfunctions in humans and identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender K. Sahota
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Aelfwin Stone
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Nathaniel S. Woodling
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Jereme G. Spiers
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Joern R. Steinert
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Linda Partridge
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and GEE, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9b, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Hrvoje Augustin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
- Institute of Healthy Ageing, and GEE, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9b, Cologne 50931, Germany
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3
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Casali C, Siciliani S, Zannino L, Biggiogera M. Histochemistry for nucleic acid research: 60 years in the European Journal of Histochemistry. Eur J Histochem 2022; 66:3409. [PMID: 35441834 PMCID: PMC9044459 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of DNA structure in 1953, the deoxyribonucleic acid has always been playing a central role in biological research. As physical and ordered nucleotides sequence, it stands at the base of genes existence. Furthermore, beside this 2-dimensional sequence, DNA is characterized by a 3D structural and functional organization, which is of interest for the scientific community due to multiple levels of expression regulation, of interaction with other biomolecules, and much more. Analogously, the nucleic acid counterpart of DNA, RNA, represents a central issue in research, because of its fundamental role in gene expression and regulation, and for the DNA-RNA interplay. Because of their importance, DNA and RNA have always been mentioned and studied in several publications, and the European Journal of Histochemistry is no exception. Here, we review and discuss the papers published in the last 60 years of this Journal, focusing on its contribution in deepening the knowledge about this topic and analysing papers that reflect the interest this Journal always granted to the world of DNA and RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Casali
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia.
| | - Stella Siciliani
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia.
| | - Lorena Zannino
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia.
| | - Marco Biggiogera
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia.
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4
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García-Puga M, Saenz-Antoñanzas A, Matheu A, López de Munain A. Targeting Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 with Metformin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052901. [PMID: 35270043 PMCID: PMC8910924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder of genetic origin. Progressive muscular weakness, atrophy and myotonia are its most prominent neuromuscular features, while additional clinical manifestations in multiple organs are also common. Overall, DM1 features resemble accelerated aging. There is currently no cure or specific treatment for myotonic dystrophy patients. However, in recent years a great effort has been made to identify potential new therapeutic strategies for DM1 patients. Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic drug, with potential to delay aging at cellular and organismal levels. In DM1, different studies revealed that metformin rescues multiple phenotypes of the disease. This review provides an overview of recent findings describing metformin as a novel therapy to combat DM1 and their link with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikel García-Puga
- Neuromuscular Diseases Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain;
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain;
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED-CIBER), Carlos III Institute, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ander Saenz-Antoñanzas
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain;
| | - Ander Matheu
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain;
- Basque Foundation for Science (IKERBASQUE), 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERfes), Carlos III Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (A.L.d.M.); Tel.: +34-943-006-073 (A.M.); +34-943-006-294 (A.L.d.M.)
| | - Adolfo López de Munain
- Neuromuscular Diseases Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain;
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED-CIBER), Carlos III Institute, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Neurology Department, Donostia University Hospital, OSAKIDETZA, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (A.L.d.M.); Tel.: +34-943-006-073 (A.M.); +34-943-006-294 (A.L.d.M.)
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5
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Solovyeva EM, Ibebunjo C, Utzinger S, Eash JK, Dunbar A, Naumann U, Zhang Y, Serluca FC, Demirci S, Oberhauser B, Black F, Rausch M, Hoersch S, Meyer AS. New insights into molecular changes in skeletal muscle aging and disease: Differential alternative splicing and senescence. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 197:111510. [PMID: 34019916 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to muscle fiber atrophy and loss in the elderly and chronically ill is now defined as sarcopenia. It is a major contributor to loss of independence, disability, need of long-term care as well as overall mortality. Sarcopenia is a heterogenous disease and underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we newly identified and used Tmem158, alongside Cdkn1a, as relevant senescence and denervation markers (SDMs), associated with muscle fiber atrophy. Subsequent application of laser capture microdissection (LCM) and RNA analyses revealed age- and disease-associated differences in gene expression and alternative splicing patterns in a rodent sarcopenia model. Of note, genes exhibiting such differential alternative splicing (DAS) are mainly involved in the contractile function of the muscle. Many of these splicing events are also found in a mouse model for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), underscoring the premature aging phenotype of this disease. We propose to add differential alternative splicing to the hallmarks of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta M Solovyeva
- NIBR Informatics, 4056, Basel, Switzerland; V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | | | - Stephan Utzinger
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Musculoskeletal Diseases, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John K Eash
- NIBR, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Andrew Dunbar
- NIBR, Analytical Sciences and Imaging, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Naumann
- NIBR, Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yunyu Zhang
- NIBR, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Sabrina Demirci
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Musculoskeletal Diseases, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Frederique Black
- NIBR, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, Cambridge, MA02139, USA
| | - Martin Rausch
- NIBR, Analytical Sciences and Imaging, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Angelika S Meyer
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Musculoskeletal Diseases, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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6
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André LM, Ausems CRM, Wansink DG, Wieringa B. Abnormalities in Skeletal Muscle Myogenesis, Growth, and Regeneration in Myotonic Dystrophy. Front Neurol 2018; 9:368. [PMID: 29892259 PMCID: PMC5985300 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) are autosomal dominant degenerative neuromuscular disorders characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, atrophy, and myotonia with progeroid features. Although both DM1 and DM2 are characterized by skeletal muscle dysfunction and also share other clinical features, the diseases differ in the muscle groups that are affected. In DM1, distal muscles are mainly affected, whereas in DM2 problems are mostly found in proximal muscles. In addition, manifestation in DM1 is generally more severe, with possible congenital or childhood-onset of disease and prominent CNS involvement. DM1 and DM2 are caused by expansion of (CTG•CAG)n and (CCTG•CAGG)n repeats in the 3' non-coding region of DMPK and in intron 1 of CNBP, respectively, and in overlapping antisense genes. This critical review will focus on the pleiotropic problems that occur during development, growth, regeneration, and aging of skeletal muscle in patients who inherited these expansions. The current best-accepted idea is that most muscle symptoms can be explained by pathomechanistic effects of repeat expansion on RNA-mediated pathways. However, aberrations in DNA replication and transcription of the DM loci or in protein translation and proteome homeostasis could also affect the control of proliferation and differentiation of muscle progenitor cells or the maintenance and physiological integrity of muscle fibers during a patient's lifetime. Here, we will discuss these molecular and cellular processes and summarize current knowledge about the role of embryonic and adult muscle-resident stem cells in growth, homeostasis, regeneration, and premature aging of healthy and diseased muscle tissue. Of particular interest is that also progenitor cells from extramuscular sources, such as pericytes and mesoangioblasts, can participate in myogenic differentiation. We will examine the potential of all these types of cells in the application of regenerative medicine for muscular dystrophies and evaluate new possibilities for their use in future therapy of DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurène M André
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - C Rosanne M Ausems
- Department of Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Derick G Wansink
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bé Wieringa
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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7
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Thomas JD, Oliveira R, Sznajder ŁJ, Swanson MS. Myotonic Dystrophy and Developmental Regulation of RNA Processing. Compr Physiol 2018; 8:509-553. [PMID: 29687899 PMCID: PMC11323716 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c170002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a multisystemic disorder caused by microsatellite expansion mutations in two unrelated genes leading to similar, yet distinct, diseases. DM disease presentation is highly variable and distinguished by differences in age-of-onset and symptom severity. In the most severe form, DM presents with congenital onset and profound developmental defects. At the molecular level, DM pathogenesis is characterized by a toxic RNA gain-of-function mechanism that involves the transcription of noncoding microsatellite expansions. These mutant RNAs disrupt key cellular pathways, including RNA processing, localization, and translation. In DM, these toxic RNA effects are predominantly mediated through the modulation of the muscleblind-like and CUGBP and ETR-3-like factor families of RNA binding proteins (RBPs). Dysfunction of these RBPs results in widespread RNA processing defects culminating in the expression of developmentally inappropriate protein isoforms in adult tissues. The tissue that is the focus of this review, skeletal muscle, is particularly sensitive to mutant RNA-responsive perturbations, as patients display a variety of developmental, structural, and functional defects in muscle. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of DM1 and DM2 clinical presentation and pathology as well as the underlying cellular and molecular defects associated with DM disease onset and progression. Additionally, fundamental aspects of skeletal muscle development altered in DM are highlighted together with ongoing and potential therapeutic avenues to treat this muscular dystrophy. © 2018 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 8:509-553, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D. Thomas
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ruan Oliveira
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Łukasz J. Sznajder
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Maurice S. Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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8
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Mateos-Aierdi AJ, Goicoechea M, Aiastui A, Fernández-Torrón R, Garcia-Puga M, Matheu A, López de Munain A. Muscle wasting in myotonic dystrophies: a model of premature aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2015. [PMID: 26217220 PMCID: PMC4496580 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1 or Steinert’s disease) and type 2 (DM2) are multisystem disorders of genetic origin. Progressive muscular weakness, atrophy and myotonia are the most prominent neuromuscular features of these diseases, while other clinical manifestations such as cardiomyopathy, insulin resistance and cataracts are also common. From a clinical perspective, most DM symptoms are interpreted as a result of an accelerated aging (cataracts, muscular weakness and atrophy, cognitive decline, metabolic dysfunction, etc.), including an increased risk of developing tumors. From this point of view, DM1 could be described as a progeroid syndrome since a notable age-dependent dysfunction of all systems occurs. The underlying molecular disorder in DM1 consists of the existence of a pathological (CTG) triplet expansion in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase (DMPK) gene, whereas (CCTG)n repeats in the first intron of the Cellular Nucleic acid Binding Protein/Zinc Finger Protein 9(CNBP/ZNF9) gene cause DM2. The expansions are transcribed into (CUG)n and (CCUG)n-containing RNA, respectively, which form secondary structures and sequester RNA-binding proteins, such as the splicing factor muscleblind-like protein (MBNL), forming nuclear aggregates known as foci. Other splicing factors, such as CUGBP, are also disrupted, leading to a spliceopathy of a large number of downstream genes linked to the clinical features of these diseases. Skeletal muscle regeneration relies on muscle progenitor cells, known as satellite cells, which are activated after muscle damage, and which proliferate and differentiate to muscle cells, thus regenerating the damaged tissue. Satellite cell dysfunction seems to be a common feature of both age-dependent muscle degeneration (sarcopenia) and muscle wasting in DM and other muscle degenerative diseases. This review aims to describe the cellular, molecular and macrostructural processes involved in the muscular degeneration seen in DM patients, highlighting the similarities found with muscle aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Judith Mateos-Aierdi
- Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebastián, Spain ; CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Goicoechea
- Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebastián, Spain ; CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Aiastui
- CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad Madrid, Spain ; Cell Culture Platform, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastián Spain
| | - Roberto Fernández-Torrón
- Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebastián, Spain ; CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad Madrid, Spain ; Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián Spain
| | - Mikel Garcia-Puga
- Oncology Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ander Matheu
- Oncology Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Adolfo López de Munain
- Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute San Sebastián, Spain ; CIBERNED, Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad Madrid, Spain ; Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastián Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, Universidad del País Vasco UPV-EHU San Sebastián, Spain
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9
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Surgical treatment of obesity in DM1 – a case report and a review of the literature. Neuromuscul Disord 2015; 25:414-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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10
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Pellicciari C. Impact of Histochemistry on biomedical research: looking through the articles published in a long-established histochemical journal. Eur J Histochem 2014; 58:2474. [PMID: 25578981 PMCID: PMC4289853 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2014.2474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Histochemistry provides the unique opportunity to detect single molecules in the very place where they exert their structural roles or functional activities: this makes it possible to correlate structural organization and function, and may be fruitfully exploited in countless biomedical research topics. Aiming to estimate the impact of histochemical articles in the biomedical field, the last few years citations of articles published in a long-established histochemical journal have been considered. This brief survey suggests that histochemical journals, especially the ones open to a large spectrum of research subjects, do represent an irreplaceable source of information not only for cell biologists, microscopists or anatomists, but also for biochemists, molecular biologists and biotechnologists.
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11
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Renna LV, Cardani R, Botta A, Rossi G, Fossati B, Costa E, Meola G. Premature senescence in primary muscle cultures of myotonic dystrophy type 2 is not associated with p16 induction. Eur J Histochem 2014; 58:2444. [PMID: 25578974 PMCID: PMC4289846 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2014.2444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 10/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are multisystemic disorders linked to two different genetic loci and characterized by several features including myotonia, muscle weakness and atrophy, cardiac dysfunctions, cataracts and insulin-resistance. In both forms, expanded nucleotide sequences cause the accumulation of mutant transcripts in the nucleus deregulating the activity of some RNA-binding proteins and providing an explanation for the multisystemic phenotype of DM patients. However this pathogenetic mechanism does not explain some histopathological features of DM skeletal muscle like muscle atrophy. It has been observed that DM muscle shares similarities with the ageing muscle, where the progressive muscle weakness and atrophy is accompanied by a lower regenerative capacity possibly due to the failure in satellite cells activation. The aim of our study is to investigate if DM2 satellite cell derived myoblasts exhibit a premature senescence as reported for DM1 and if alterations in their proliferation potential and differentiation capabilities might contribute to some of the histopathological features observed in DM2 muscles. Our results indicate that DM myoblasts have lower proliferative capability than control myoblasts and reach in vitro senescence earlier than controls. Differentely from DM1, the p16 pathway is not responsible for the premature growth arrest observed in DM2 myoblasts which stop dividing with telomeres shorter than controls. During in vitro senescence, a progressive decrease in fusion index is observable in both DM and control myotubes with no significant differences between groups. Moreover, myotubes obtained from senescent myoblasts appear to be smaller than those from young myoblasts. Taken together, our data indicate a possible role of DM2 premature myoblast senescence in skeletal muscle histopathological alterations i.e., dystrophic changes and type 2 fibre atrophy.
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12
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Malatesta M, Cardani R, Pellicciari C, Meola G. RNA Transcription and Maturation in Skeletal Muscle Cells are Similarly Impaired in Myotonic Dystrophy and Sarcopenia: The Ultrastructural Evidence. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:196. [PMID: 25126079 PMCID: PMC4115624 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Malatesta
- Anatomy and Histology Section, Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona , Verona , Italy
| | - Rosanna Cardani
- Laboratory of Muscle Histopathology and Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Policlinico San Donato , Milan , Italy
| | - Carlo Pellicciari
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - Giovanni Meola
- Laboratory of Muscle Histopathology and Molecular Biology, IRCCS-Policlinico San Donato , Milan , Italy ; Department of Neurology, University of Milan , Milan , Italy
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13
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Harris-Love MO, Monfaredi R, Ismail C, Blackman MR, Cleary K. Quantitative ultrasound: measurement considerations for the assessment of muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:172. [PMID: 25071570 PMCID: PMC4094839 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Harris-Love
- Geriatrics and Extended Care Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Washington, DC , USA ; Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Washington, DC , USA ; Department of Exercise Science, School of Public Health and Health Services, The George Washington University , Washington, DC , USA
| | - Reza Monfaredi
- Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Hospital , Washington, DC , USA
| | - Catheeja Ismail
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University , Washington, DC , USA
| | - Marc R Blackman
- Geriatrics and Extended Care Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Washington, DC , USA ; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University , Washington, DC , USA
| | - Kevin Cleary
- Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Hospital , Washington, DC , USA
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Pellicciari C. Histochemistry as an irreplaceable approach for investigating functional cytology and histology. Eur J Histochem 2013; 57:e41. [PMID: 24441194 PMCID: PMC3896043 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2013.e41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In agreement with the evolution of histochemistry over the last fifty years and thanks to the impressive advancements in microscopy sciences, the application of cytochemical techniques to light and electron microscopy is more and more addressed to elucidate the functional characteristics of cells and tissue under different physiological, pathological or experimental conditions. Simultaneously, the mere description of composition and morphological features has become increasingly sporadic in the histochemical literature. Since basic research on cell functional organization is essential for understanding the mechanisms responsible for major biological processes such as differentiation or growth control in normal and tumor tissues, histochemical Journals will continue to play a pivotal role in the field of cell and tissue biology in all its structural and functional aspects.
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Malatesta M, Giagnacovo M, Costanzo M, Cisterna B, Cardani R, Meola G. Muscleblind-like1 undergoes ectopic relocation in the nuclei of skeletal muscles in myotonic dystrophy and sarcopenia. Eur J Histochem 2013; 57:e15. [PMID: 23807294 PMCID: PMC3794341 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2013.e15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) is an alternative splicing factor involved in postnatal development of skeletal muscles and heart in humans and mice, and its deregulation is known to be pivotal in the onset and development of myotonic dystrophy (DM). In fact, in DM patients this protein is ectopically sequestered into intranuclear foci, thus compromising the regulation of the alternative splicing of several genes. However, despite the numerous biochemical and molecular studies, scarce attention has been paid to the intranuclear location of MBNL1 outside the foci, although previous data demonstrated that in DM patients various splicing and cleavage factors undergo an abnormal intranuclear distribution suggestive of impaired RNA processing. Interestingly, these nuclear alterations strongly remind those observed in sarcopenia i.e., the loss of muscle mass and function which physiologically occurs during ageing. On this basis, in the present investigation the ultrastructural localization of MBNL1 was analyzed in the myonuclei of skeletal muscles from healthy and DM patients as well as from adult and old (sarcopenic) mice, in the attempt to elucidate possible changes in its distribution and amount. Our data demonstrate that in both dystrophic and sarcopenic muscles MBNL1 undergoes intranuclear relocation, accumulating in its usual functional sites but also ectopically moving to domains which are usually devoid of this protein in healthy adults. This accumulation/delocalization could contribute to hamper the functionality of the whole splicing machinery, leading to a lower nuclear metabolic activity and, consequently, to a less efficient protein synthesis. Moreover, the similar nuclear alterations found in DM and sarcopenia may account for the similar muscle tissue features (myofibre atrophy, fibre size variability and centrally located nuclei), and, in general, for the aging-reminiscent phenotype observed in DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Malatesta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche, Neuropsicologiche, Morfologiche e Motorie, Sezione di Anatomia e Istologia, Università di Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
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Pellicciari C. On the future contents of a small journal of histochemistry. Eur J Histochem 2012; 56:e51. [PMID: 23361247 PMCID: PMC3567770 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2012.e51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last three years, more than 70,000 scientific articles have been published in peer reviewed journals on the application of histochemistry in the biomedical field: most of them did not appear in strictly histochemical journals, but in others dealing with cell and molecular biology, medicine or biotechnology. This proves that histochemistry is still an active and innovative discipline with relevance in basic and applied biological research, but also demonstrates that especially the small histochemical journals should likely reconsider their scopes and strategies to preserve their authorship. A review of the last three years volumes of the European Journal of Histochemistry, taken as an example of a long-time established small journal, confirmed that the published articles were widely heterogeneous in their topics and experimental models, as in this journal's tradition. This strongly suggests that a journal of histochemistry should keep its role as a forum open to an audience as broad as possible, publishing papers on cell and tissue biology in a wide variety of models. This will improve knowledge of the basic mechanisms of development and differentiation, while helping to increase the number of potential authors since scientists who generally do not use histochemistry in their research will find hints for the applications of histochemical techniques to novel still unexplored subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pellicciari
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”,University of Pavia, Italy.
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