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de Albuquerque ALA, Chadanowicz JK, Giudicelli GC, Staub ALP, Weber AC, Silva JMDS, Becker MM, Kowalski TW, Siebert M, Saute JAM. Serum myostatin as a candidate disease severity and progression biomarker of spinal muscular atrophy. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae062. [PMID: 38487549 PMCID: PMC10939446 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy is crucial for predicting disease progression, severity, and response to new disease-modifying therapies. This study aimed to investigate the role of serum levels of myostatin and follistatin as biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy, considering muscle atrophy secondary to denervation as the main clinical manifestation of the disease. The study evaluated the differential gene expression of myostatin and follistatin in a lesional model of gastrocnemius denervation in mice, as well as in a meta-analysis of three datasets in transgenic mice models of spinal muscular atrophy, and in two studies involving humans with spinal muscular atrophy. Subsequently, a case-control study involving 27 spinal muscular atrophy patients and 27 controls was conducted, followed by a 12-month cohort study with 25 spinal muscular atrophy cases. Serum levels of myostatin and follistatin were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at a single centre in southern Brazil. Skeletal muscle gene expression of myostatin decreased and of follistatin increased following lesional muscle denervation in mice, consistent with findings in the spinal muscular atrophy transgenic mice meta-analysis and in the iliopsoas muscle of five patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1. Median serum myostatin levels were significantly lower in spinal muscular atrophy patients (98 pg/mL; 5-157) compared to controls (412 pg/mL; 299-730) (P < 0.001). Lower myostatin levels were associated with greater disease severity based on clinician-rated outcomes (Rho = 0.493-0.812; P < 0.05). After 12 months, there was a further reduction in myostatin levels among spinal muscular atrophy cases (P = 0.021). Follistatin levels did not differ between cases and controls, and no significant changes were observed over time. The follistatin:myostatin ratio was significantly increased in spinal muscular atrophy subjects and inversely correlated with motor severity. Serum myostatin levels show promise as a novel biomarker for evaluating the severity and progression of spinal muscular atrophy. The decrease in myostatin levels and the subsequent favourable environment for muscle growth may be attributed to denervation caused by motor neuron dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Letícia Amorim de Albuquerque
- Graduate Program in Medicine, Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Júlia Kersting Chadanowicz
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Câmara Giudicelli
- Bioinformatics core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Ana Lucia Portella Staub
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Arthur Carpeggiani Weber
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thayne Woycinck Kowalski
- Bioinformatics core, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
| | - Marina Siebert
- Unit of Laboratorial Research, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Graduate Program in Medicine, Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Clinical Neurogenetics research group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90035-007, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
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2
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Cardoso D, Barthélémy I, Blot S, Muchir A. Replenishing NAD + content reduces aspects of striated muscle disease in a dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2023; 13:20. [PMID: 38044436 PMCID: PMC10694913 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-023-00328-w] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disease caused by mutations in DMD gene and loss of the protein dystrophin, which ultimately leads to myofiber membrane fragility and necrosis, with eventual muscle atrophy and contractures. Affected boys typically die in their second or third decade due to either respiratory failure or cardiomyopathy. Among the developed therapeutic strategies for DMD, gene therapy approaches partially restore micro-dystrophin or quasi-dystrophin expression. However, despite extensive attempts to develop definitive therapies for DMD, the standard of care remains corticosteroid, which has only palliative benefits. Animal models have played a key role in studies of DMD pathogenesis and treatment development. The golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog displays a phenotype aligning with the progressive course of DMD. Therefore, canine studies may translate better to humans. Recent studies suggested that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) cellular content could be a critical determinant for striated muscle function. We showed here that NAD+ content was decreased in the striated muscles of GRMD, leading to an alteration of one of NAD+ co-substrate enzymes, PARP-1. Moreover, we showed that boosting NAD+ content using nicotinamide (NAM), a natural NAD+ precursor, modestly reduces aspects of striated muscle disease. Collectively, our results provide mechanistic insights into DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Déborah Cardoso
- Center of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, INSERM, Sorbonne University, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Inès Barthélémy
- "Biology of the Neuromuscular System" Team, U955 IMRB, INSERM, Univ Paris-Est Créteil, 94010, Créteil, France
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, IMRB, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Stéphane Blot
- "Biology of the Neuromuscular System" Team, U955 IMRB, INSERM, Univ Paris-Est Créteil, 94010, Créteil, France
- École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, IMRB, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Antoine Muchir
- Center of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, INSERM, Sorbonne University, 75013, Paris, France.
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3
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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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Mahoudeau A, Anquetil C, Tawara N, Khademian H, Amelin D, Bolko L, Silvestro M, Cin JD, Tendrel B, Tardif V, Mariampillai K, Butler-Browne G, Benveniste O, Allenbach Y. Myostatin in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: Serum assessment and disease activity. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2023; 49:e12849. [PMID: 36168256 PMCID: PMC10092350 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12849] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), disease activity is difficult to assess, and IIM may induce severe muscle damage, especially in immune-mediated necrotising myopathies (IMNM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM). We hypothesise that myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass, could be a new biomarker of disease activity and/or muscle damage. METHODS Prospective assessment of myostatin protein level in 447 IIM serum samples (dermatomyositis [DM], n = 157; IBM, n = 72; IMNM, n = 125; and antisynthetase syndrome [ASyS], n = 93) and 59 healthy donors (HD) was performed by ELISA. A gene transcript analysis was also carried out on 18 IIM muscle biopsies and six controls to analyse myostatin and myostatin pathway-related gene expression. RESULTS IIM patients had lower myostatin circulating protein levels and gene expression compared to HD (2379 [1490; 3678] pg/ml vs 4281 [3169; 5787] pg/ml; p < 0.0001 and log2FC = -1.83; p = 0.0005, respectively). Myostatin-related gene expression varied accordingly. Based on the Physician Global Assessment, inactive IIM patients showed higher myostatin levels than active ones. This was the case for all IIM subgroups, except IMNM where low myostatin levels were maintained (2186 [1235; 3815] vs 2349 [1518; 3922] pg/ml; p = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS Myostatin protein and RNA levels are decreased in all IIM patients, and protein levels correlate with disease activity. Inactive ASyS and DM patients have higher myostatin levels than active patients. Myostatin could be a marker of disease activity in these subgroups. However, IMNM patients do not have significant increase in myostatin levels after disease remission. This may highlight a new pathological disease mechanism in IMNM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Céline Anquetil
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Nozomu Tawara
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Hossein Khademian
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Damien Amelin
- INSERM, Association Institut de Myologie, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Loïs Bolko
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marco Silvestro
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Julian Dal Cin
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Bérénice Tendrel
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Tardif
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Kubéraka Mariampillai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,INSERM, Association Institut de Myologie, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Benveniste
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Yves Allenbach
- INSERM, Center of Research in Myology UMRS 974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
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5
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Monceau A, Moutachi D, Lemaitre M, Garcia L, Trollet C, Furling D, Klein A, Ferry A. Dystrophin Restoration after Adeno-Associated Virus U7-Mediated Dmd Exon Skipping Is Modulated by Muscular Exercise in the Severe D2-Mdx Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Murine Model. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2022; 192:1604-1618. [PMID: 36113555 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disease caused by Dmd mutations, resulting in the absence of dystrophin in skeletal muscle, and a greater susceptibility to damage during contraction (exercise). The current study evaluated whether voluntary exercise impacts a Dmd exon skipping and muscle physiology in a severe DMD murine model. D2-mdx mice were intramuscularly injected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) U7 snRNA to correct Dmd reading frame, and allowed to voluntary run on a wheel for 1 month. Voluntary running did not induce muscle fiber regeneration, as indicated by the percentage of centronucleated fibers, Myh3 and Myh4 expression, and maximal force production, and thus possibly did not compromise the gene therapy approach. Voluntary running did not impact the number of viral genomes and the expression of U7 and Dmd 1 month after injection of AAV-U7 injected just before exercise initiation, but reduced the amount of dystrophin in dystrophin-expressing fibers from 80% to 65% of the muscle cross-sectional area. In conclusion, voluntary running did not induce muscle damage and had no drastic detrimental effect on the AAV gene therapy exon skipping approach in a severe murine DMD model. Moreover, these results suggest considering exercise as an additional element in the design and conception of future therapeutic approaches for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Monceau
- UMRS974 INSERM, Association of Myology Institute, Myology Center of Research, UMRS974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Dylan Moutachi
- UMRS974 INSERM, Association of Myology Institute, Myology Center of Research, UMRS974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Luis Garcia
- U1179 INSERM, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny le Bretonneux, Paris, France
| | - Capucine Trollet
- UMRS974 INSERM, Association of Myology Institute, Myology Center of Research, UMRS974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Denis Furling
- UMRS974 INSERM, Association of Myology Institute, Myology Center of Research, UMRS974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Klein
- UMRS974 INSERM, Association of Myology Institute, Myology Center of Research, UMRS974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Ferry
- UMRS974 INSERM, Association of Myology Institute, Myology Center of Research, UMRS974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Faculty of Science Sport, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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6
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Riddell DO, Hildyard JCW, Harron RCM, Wells DJ, Piercy RJ. Longitudinal assessment of blood-borne musculoskeletal disease biomarkers in the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 6:354. [PMID: 35600245 PMCID: PMC9111359 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17398.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Due to their phenotypic similarity to human patients, large animal models are invaluable tools for pre-clinical trials. The DE50-MD dog is a relatively new model of DMD, and carries a therapeutically-tractable mutation lying within the hotspot for human patients, making it especially valuable. Prior to conducting therapeutic trials using this novel animal model, it is essential to establish a panel of viable biomarkers. Methods: We evaluated a panel of blood-borne biomarkers of musculoskeletal disease in the DE50-MD dog. Venous blood samples were obtained monthly throughout an 18-month study period in DE50-MD (N=18) and wild-type (WT) control (N=14) dogs. A panel of potential plasma/serum biomarkers of DMD was measured and their theoretical utility in future clinical trials determined using sample size calculations. Results: Compared to WT dogs, DE50-MD dogs had substantially higher circulating creatine kinase (CK) activities, myomesin-3 (MYOM3), and the dystromiRs miR-1, miR-133a and miR-206, but significantly lower serum myostatin concentrations. An age-associated pattern, similar to that observed in DMD patients, was seen for CK and MYOM3. Sample size calculations suggested that low cohort sizes (N≤3) could be used to detect up to a 50% improvement in DE50-MD results towards WT levels for each biomarker or a combination thereof (via principal component analysis); as few as N=3 animals should enable detection of a 25% improvement using a combined biomarker approach (alpha 0.05, power 0.8). Conclusions: We have established a panel of blood-borne biomarkers that could be used to monitor musculoskeletal disease or response to a therapeutic intervention in the DE50-MD dog using low numbers of animals. The blood biomarker profile closely mimics that of DMD patients, supporting the hypothesis that this DMD model would be suitable for use in pre-clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique O. Riddell
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - John C. W. Hildyard
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - Rachel C. M. Harron
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - Dominic J. Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - Richard J. Piercy
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
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7
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Riddell DO, Hildyard JCW, Harron RCM, Wells DJ, Piercy RJ. Longitudinal assessment of blood-borne musculoskeletal disease biomarkers in the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 6:354. [PMID: 35600245 PMCID: PMC9111359 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17398.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Due to their phenotypic similarity to human patients, large animal models are invaluable tools for pre-clinical trials. The DE50-MD dog is a relatively new model of DMD, and carries a therapeutically-tractable mutation lying within the hotspot for human patients, making it especially valuable. Prior to conducting therapeutic trials using this novel animal model, it is essential to establish a panel of viable biomarkers. Methods: We evaluated a panel of blood-borne biomarkers of musculoskeletal disease in the DE50-MD dog. Venous blood samples were obtained monthly throughout an 18-month study period in DE50-MD (N=18) and wild-type (WT) control (N=14) dogs. A panel of potential plasma/serum biomarkers of DMD was measured and their theoretical utility in future clinical trials determined using sample size calculations. Results: Compared to WT dogs, DE50-MD dogs had substantially higher circulating creatine kinase (CK) activities, myomesin-3 (MYOM3), and the dystromiRs miR-1, miR-133a and miR-206, but significantly lower serum myostatin concentrations. An age-associated pattern, similar to that observed in DMD patients, was seen for CK and MYOM3. Sample size calculations suggested that low cohort sizes (N≤3) could be used to detect up to a 50% improvement in DE50-MD results towards WT levels for each biomarker or a combination thereof (via principal component analysis); as few as N=3 animals should enable detection of a 25% improvement using a combined biomarker approach (alpha 0.05, power 0.8). Conclusions: We have established a panel of blood-borne biomarkers that could be used to monitor musculoskeletal disease or response to a therapeutic intervention in the DE50-MD dog using low numbers of animals. The blood biomarker profile closely mimics that of DMD patients, supporting the hypothesis that this DMD model would be suitable for use in pre-clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique O. Riddell
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - John C. W. Hildyard
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - Rachel C. M. Harron
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - Dominic J. Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
| | - Richard J. Piercy
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, NW10TU, UK
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8
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Srivastava S, Rathor R, Singh SN, Suryakumar G. Insight into the role of myokines and myogenic regulatory factors under hypobaric hypoxia induced skeletal muscle loss. Biomarkers 2022; 27:753-763. [PMID: 35946424 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2022.2112290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Aim: The present study aimed to analyze the role of myokines and the regeneration capacity of skeletal muscle during chronic hypobaric hypoxia (HH).Method: Male SD rats were exposed to HH for 1d, 3d, and 7d.Results: Exposure to HH enhanced the levels of decorin, irisin, IL-6 and IL-15 till 3 days of hypoxia and on 7 day of exposure, no significant changes were observed in relation to control. A significant upregulation in myostatin, AMPK, SMAD3, SMAD4, FOXO-1, MURF-1 expression was observed with prolonged HH exposure as compared to normoxic control. Further, myogenesis-related markers, PAX-7, Cyclin D1, and MYOG were downregulated during chronic HH exposure in comparison to control. Energy metabolism regulators such as SIRT1, PGC-1α, and GLUT-4, were also increased on 1d HH exposure that showed a declining trend on chronic HH exposure.Conclusion: These results indicated the impairment in the levels of myokines and myogenesis during prolonged hypoxia. Chronic HH exposure enhanced the levels of myostatin and reduced the regeneration or repair capacity of the skeletal muscles. Myokine levels could be a predictive biomarker for evaluating skeletal muscle performance and loss at high altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Srivastava
- Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054
| | - Richa Rathor
- Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054
| | - Som Nath Singh
- Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054
| | - Geetha Suryakumar
- Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054
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Delivery of Oligonucleotides: Efficiency with Lipid Conjugation and Clinical Outcome. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020342. [PMID: 35214074 PMCID: PMC8879684 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotides have shifted drug discovery into a new paradigm due to their ability to silence the genes and inhibit protein translation. Importantly, they can drug the un-druggable targets from the conventional small-molecule perspective. Unfortunately, poor cellular permeability and susceptibility to nuclease degradation remain as major hurdles for the development of oligonucleotide therapeutic agents. Studies of safe and effective delivery technique with lipid bioconjugates gains attention to resolve these issues. Our review article summarizes the physicochemical effect of well-studied hydrophobic moieties to enhance the cellular entry of oligonucleotides. The structural impacts of fatty acids, cholesterol, tocopherol, and squalene on cellular internalization and membrane penetration in vitro and in vivo were discussed first. The crucial assays for delivery evaluation within this section were analyzed sequentially. Next, we provided a few successful examples of lipid-conjugated oligonucleotides advanced into clinical studies for treating patients with different medical backgrounds. Finally, we pinpointed current limitations and outlooks in this research field along with opportunities to explore new modifications and efficacy studies.
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Matsuzaka Y, Hirai Y, Hashido K, Okada T. Therapeutic Application of Extracellular Vesicles-Capsulated Adeno-Associated Virus Vector via nSMase2/Smpd3, Satellite, and Immune Cells in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031551. [PMID: 35163475 PMCID: PMC8836108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene on chromosome Xp21. Disruption of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex (DGC) on the cell membrane causes cytosolic Ca2+ influx, resulting in protease activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and progressive myofiber degeneration, leading to muscle wasting and fragility. In addition to the function of dystrophin in the structural integrity of myofibers, a novel function of asymmetric cell division in muscular stem cells (satellite cells) has been reported. Therefore, it has been suggested that myofiber instability may not be the only cause of dystrophic degeneration, but rather that the phenotype might be caused by multiple factors, including stem cell and myofiber functions. Furthermore, it has been focused functional regulation of satellite cells by intracellular communication of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in DMD pathology. Recently, a novel molecular mechanism of DMD pathogenesis—circulating RNA molecules—has been revealed through the study of target pathways modulated by the Neutral sphingomyelinase2/Neutral sphingomyelinase3 (nSMase2/Smpd3) protein. In addition, adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been clinically applied for DMD therapy owing to the safety and long-term expression of transduction genes. Furthermore, the EV-capsulated AAV vector (EV-AAV) has been shown to be a useful tool for the intervention of DMD, because of the high efficacy of the transgene and avoidance of neutralizing antibodies. Thus, we review application of AAV and EV-AAV vectors for DMD as novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunari Matsuzaka
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
- Administrative Section of Radiation Protection, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan;
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (T.O.); Tel.: +81-3-5449-5372 (Y.M. & T.O.)
| | - Yukihiko Hirai
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
| | - Kazuo Hashido
- Administrative Section of Radiation Protection, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan;
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (T.O.); Tel.: +81-3-5449-5372 (Y.M. & T.O.)
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11
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Yin L, Li N, Jia W, Wang N, Liang M, Yang X, Du G. Skeletal muscle atrophy: From mechanisms to treatments. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105807. [PMID: 34389456 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a crucial tissue for movement, gestural assistance, metabolic homeostasis, and thermogenesis. It makes up approximately 40% of the total body weight and 50% of total protein. However, several pathological abnormalities (e.g., chronic diseases, cancer, long-term infection, aging) can induce an imbalance in skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation, which triggers muscle wasting and even leads to atrophy. Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by weakening, shrinking, and decreasing muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area at the histological level. It manifests as a reduction in force production, easy fatigue and decreased exercise capability, along with a lower quality of life. Mechanistically, there are several pathophysiological processes involved in skeletal muscle atrophy, including oxidative stress and inflammation, which then activate signal transduction, such as the ubiquitin proteasome system, autophagy lysosome system, and mTOR. Considering the great economic and social burden that muscle atrophy can inflict, effective prevention and treatment strategies are essential but still limited. Exercise is widely acknowledged as the most effective therapy for skeletal muscle atrophy; unfortunately, it is not applicable for all patients. Several active substances for skeletal muscle atrophy have been discovered and evaluated in clinical trials, however, they have not been marketed to date. Knowledge is being gained on the underlying mechanisms, highlighting more promising treatment strategies in the future. In this paper, the mechanisms and treatment strategies for skeletal muscle atrophy are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Weihua Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Nuoqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Meidai Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Xiuying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China.
| | - Guanhua Du
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica of Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, PR China.
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12
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Current Genetic Survey and Potential Gene-Targeting Therapeutics for Neuromuscular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249589. [PMID: 33339321 PMCID: PMC7767109 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) belong to a class of functional impairments that cause dysfunctions of the motor neuron-muscle functional axis components. Inherited monogenic neuromuscular disorders encompass both muscular dystrophies and motor neuron diseases. Understanding of their causative genetic defects and pathological genetic mechanisms has led to the unprecedented clinical translation of genetic therapies. Challenged by a broad range of gene defect types, researchers have developed different approaches to tackle mutations by hijacking the cellular gene expression machinery to minimize the mutational damage and produce the functional target proteins. Such manipulations may be directed to any point of the gene expression axis, such as classical gene augmentation, modulating premature termination codon ribosomal bypass, splicing modification of pre-mRNA, etc. With the soar of the CRISPR-based gene editing systems, researchers now gravitate toward genome surgery in tackling NMDs by directly correcting the mutational defects at the genome level and expanding the scope of targetable NMDs. In this article, we will review the current development of gene therapy and focus on NMDs that are available in published reports, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2C (LGMD2C).
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Therapeutic Strategies Targeting DUX4 in FSHD. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092886. [PMID: 32906621 PMCID: PMC7564105 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common muscle dystrophy typically affecting patients within their second decade. Patients initially exhibit asymmetric facial and humeral muscle damage, followed by lower body muscle involvement. FSHD is associated with a derepression of DUX4 gene encoded by the D4Z4 macrosatellite located on the subtelomeric part of chromosome 4. DUX4 is a highly regulated transcription factor and its expression in skeletal muscle contributes to multiple cellular toxicities and pathologies ultimately leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. Since the discovery of the FSHD candidate gene DUX4, many cell and animal models have been designed for therapeutic approaches and clinical trials. Today there is no treatment available for FSHD patients and therapeutic strategies targeting DUX4 toxicity in skeletal muscle are being actively investigated. In this review, we will discuss different research areas that are currently being considered to alter DUX4 expression and toxicity in muscle tissue and the cell and animal models designed to date.
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Myostatin as a Biomarker of Muscle Wasting and other Pathologies-State of the Art and Knowledge Gaps. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12082401. [PMID: 32796600 PMCID: PMC7469036 DOI: 10.3390/nu12082401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome with a significant impact on older patients’ quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Despite the new available criteria, its early diagnosis remains difficult, highlighting the necessity of looking for a valid muscle wasting biomarker. Myostatin, a muscle mass negative regulator, is one of the potential candidates. The aim of this work is to point out various factors affecting the potential of myostatin as a biomarker of muscle wasting. Based on the literature review, we can say that recent studies produced conflicting results and revealed a number of potential confounding factors influencing their use in sarcopenia diagnosing. These factors include physiological variables (such as age, sex and physical activity) as well as a variety of disorders (including heart failure, metabolic syndrome, kidney failure and inflammatory diseases) and differences in laboratory measurement methodology. Our conclusion is that although myostatin alone might not prove to be a feasible biomarker, it could become an important part of a recently proposed panel of muscle wasting biomarkers. However, a thorough understanding of the interrelationship of these markers, as well as establishing a valid measurement methodology for myostatin and revising current research data in the light of new criteria of sarcopenia, is needed.
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