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Maxwell GK, Szunyogova E, Shorrock HK, Gillingwater TH, Parson SH. Developmental and degenerative cardiac defects in the Taiwanese mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy. J Anat 2018; 232:965-978. [PMID: 29473159 PMCID: PMC5978979 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive disease caused by a decrease in levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. Although neuromuscular pathology is the most severe feature of SMA, other organs and tissues, including the heart, are also known to be affected in both patients and animal models. Here, we provide new insights into changes occurring in the heart, predominantly at pre- and early symptomatic ages, in the Taiwanese mouse model of severe SMA. Thinning of the interventricular septum and dilation of the ventricles occurred at pre- and early symptomatic ages. However, the left ventricular wall was significantly thinner in SMA mice from birth, occurring prior to any overt neuromuscular symptoms. Alterations in collagen IV protein from birth indicated changes to the basement membrane and contributed to the abnormal arrangement of cardiomyocytes in SMA hearts. This raises the possibility that developmental defects, occurring prenatally, may contribute to cardiac pathology in SMA. In addition, cardiomyocytes in SMA hearts exhibited oxidative stress at pre-symptomatic ages and increased apoptosis during early symptomatic stages of disease. Heart microvasculature was similarly decreased at an early symptomatic age, likely contributing to the oxidative stress and apoptosis phenotypes observed. Finally, an increased incidence of blood retention in SMA hearts post-fixation suggests the likelihood of functional defects, resulting in blood pooling. These pathologies mirror dilated cardiomyopathy, with clear consequences for heart function that would likely contribute to potential heart failure. Our findings add significant additional experimental evidence in support of the requirement to develop systemic therapies for SMA capable of treating non-neuromuscular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Szunyogova
- Institute for Medical ScienceUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease ResearchUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Hannah K. Shorrock
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease ResearchUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease ResearchUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Simon H. Parson
- Institute for Medical ScienceUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease ResearchUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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2
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Wijngaarde CA, Blank AC, Stam M, Wadman RI, van den Berg LH, van der Pol WL. Cardiac pathology in spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:67. [PMID: 28399889 PMCID: PMC5387385 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-017-0613-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hereditary proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disease of childhood caused by homozygous loss of function of the survival motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene. The presence of a second, nearly identical SMN gene (SMN2) in the human genome ensures production of residual levels of the ubiquitously expressed SMN protein. Alpha-motor neurons in the ventral horns of the spinal cord are most vulnerable to reduced SMN concentrations but the development or function of other tissues may also be affected, and cardiovascular abnormalities have frequently been reported both in patients and SMA mouse models. Methods We systematically reviewed reported cardiac pathology in relation to SMN deficiency. To investigate the relevance of the possible association in more detail, we used clinical classification systems to characterize structural cardiac defects and arrhythmias. Conclusions Seventy-two studies with a total of 264 SMA patients with reported cardiac pathology were identified, along with 14 publications on SMA mouse models with abnormalities of the heart. Structural cardiac pathology, mainly septal defects and abnormalities of the cardiac outflow tract, was reported predominantly in the most severely affected patients (i.e. SMA type 1). Cardiac rhythm disorders were most frequently reported in patients with milder SMA types (e.g. SMA type 3). All included studies lacked control groups and a standardized approach for cardiac evaluation. The convergence to specific abnormalities of cardiac structure and function may indicate vulnerability of specific cell types or developmental processes relevant for cardiogenesis. Future studies would benefit from a controlled and standardized approach for cardiac evaluation in patients with SMA. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13023-017-0613-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Wijngaarde
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, F02.230, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - A C Blank
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M Stam
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, F02.230, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R I Wadman
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, F02.230, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, F02.230, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W L van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, F02.230, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Grotto S, Cuisset JM, Marret S, Drunat S, Faure P, Audebert-Bellanger S, Desguerre I, Flurin V, Grebille AG, Guerrot AM, Journel H, Morin G, Plessis G, Renolleau S, Roume J, Simon-Bouy B, Touraine R, Willems M, Frébourg T, Verspyck E, Saugier-Veber P. Type 0 Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Further Delineation of Prenatal and Postnatal Features in 16 Patients. J Neuromuscul Dis 2016; 3:487-495. [DOI: 10.3233/jnd-160177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Grotto
- Department of Genetics, Normandy Center for Medical Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Jean-Marie Cuisset
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Roger Salengro Hospital, Lille Regional University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Stéphane Marret
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
- Inserm ERI 28, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, Rouen University, France
| | - Séverine Drunat
- Department of Genetics, Robert Debre University Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Faure
- Inserm U1079, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, Rouen University, Rouen, France
| | | | - Isabelle Desguerre
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Flurin
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Le Mans Hospital, Le Mans, France
| | - Anne-Gaëlle Grebille
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint-Brieuc Hospital, Saint-Brieuc, France
| | - Anne-Marie Guerrot
- Department of Genetics, Normandy Center for Medical Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Hubert Journel
- Department of Genetics, Vannes Bretagne-Atlantique Hospital, Vannes, France
| | - Gilles Morin
- Department of Genetics, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France
| | | | - Sylvain Renolleau
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Armand-Trousseau Children’s Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Joëlle Roume
- Department of Genetics, Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye Hospital, Poissy, France
| | | | - Renaud Touraine
- Department of Genetics, Saint-Etienne University Hospital, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France
| | - Marjolaine Willems
- Department of Genetics, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Frébourg
- Department of Genetics, Normandy Center for Medical Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
- Inserm U1079, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, Rouen University, Rouen, France
| | - Eric Verspyck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Pascale Saugier-Veber
- Department of Genetics, Normandy Center for Medical Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
- Inserm U1079, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, Rouen University, Rouen, France
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Szunyogova E, Zhou H, Maxwell GK, Powis RA, Francesco M, Gillingwater TH, Parson SH. Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein is required for normal mouse liver development. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34635. [PMID: 27698380 PMCID: PMC5048144 DOI: 10.1038/srep34635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is caused by mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Decreased levels of, cell-ubiquitous, SMN protein is associated with a range of systemic pathologies reported in severe patients. Despite high levels of SMN protein in normal liver, there is no comprehensive study of liver pathology in SMA. We describe failed liver development in response to reduced SMN levels, in a mouse model of severe SMA. The SMA liver is dark red, small and has: iron deposition; immature sinusoids congested with blood; persistent erythropoietic elements and increased immature red blood cells; increased and persistent megakaryocytes which release high levels of platelets found as clot-like accumulations in the heart. Myelopoiesis in contrast, was unaffected. Further analysis revealed significant molecular changes in SMA liver, consistent with the morphological findings. Antisense treatment from birth with PMO25, increased lifespan and ameliorated all morphological defects in liver by postnatal day 21. Defects in the liver are evident at birth, prior to motor system pathology, and impair essential liver function in SMA. Liver is a key recipient of SMA therapies, and systemically delivered antisense treatment, completely rescued liver pathology. Liver therefore, represents an important therapeutic target in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Szunyogova
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Center for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian K. Maxwell
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael A. Powis
- Euan MacDonald Center for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Center for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Muntoni Francesco
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Center for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Center for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon H. Parson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Center for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) is autosomal recessive and one of the most common inherited lethal diseases in childhood. The spectrum of symptoms of SMA is continuous and varies from neonatal death to progressive symmetrical muscle weakness first appearing in adulthood. The disease is produced by degeneration of spinal motor neurons and can be described in three or more categories: SMA I with onset of symptoms before 6 months of age; SMAII with onset between 6 and 18 months and SMA III, which presents later in childhood. Genetics: The disease is in more than 95% of cases caused by a homozygous deletion in survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1). PATHOPHYSIOLOGY The loss of full-length functioning SMN protein leads to a degeneration of anterior spinal motor neurons which causes muscle weakness. Anesthetic risks: Airway: Tracheal intubation can be difficult. Respiration: Infants with SMA I almost always need postoperative respiratory support. Patients with SMA II sometimes need support, while SMA III patients seldom need support. Circulation: Circulatory problems during anesthesia are rare. Anesthetic drugs: Neuromuscular blockers: Patients with SMA may display increased sensitivity to and prolonged effect of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers. Intubation without muscle relaxation should be considered. Succinylcholine should be avoided. Opioids: These should be titrated carefully. Anesthetic techniques: All types of anesthetic technique have been used. Although none is absolutely contraindicated, none is perfect: anesthesia must be individualized. CONCLUSION The perioperative risks can be considerable and are mainly related to the respiratory system, from respiratory failure to difficult/impossible intubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunilla Islander
- Department of Intensive and Perioperative Care, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Walker MP, Rajendra TK, Saieva L, Fuentes JL, Pellizzoni L, Matera AG. SMN complex localizes to the sarcomeric Z-disc and is a proteolytic target of calpain. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:3399-410. [PMID: 18689355 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a recessive neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the human survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The human SMN protein is part of a large macromolecular complex involved in the biogenesis of small ribonucleoproteins. Previously, we showed that SMN is a sarcomeric protein in flies and mice. In this report, we show that the entire mouse Smn complex localizes to the sarcomeric Z-disc. Smn colocalizes with alpha-actinin, a Z-disc marker protein, in both skeletal and cardiac myofibrils. Furthermore, this localization is both calcium- and calpain-dependent. Calpains are known to release proteins from various regions of the sarcomere as a part of the normal functioning of the muscle; however, this removal can be either direct or indirect. Using mammalian cell lysates, purified native SMN complexes, as well as recombinant SMN protein, we show that SMN is a direct target of calpain cleavage. Finally, myofibers from a mouse model of severe SMA, but not controls, display morphological defects that are consistent with a Z-disc deficiency. These results support the view that the SMN complex performs a muscle-specific function at the Z-discs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Walker
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
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Menke LA, Poll-The BT, Clur SA, Bilardo CM, van der Wal AC, Lemmink HH, Cobben JM. Congenital heart defects in spinal muscular atrophy type I: A clinical report of two siblings and a review of the literature. Am J Med Genet A 2008; 146A:740-4. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Vaidla E, Talvik I, Kulla A, Sibul H, Maasalu K, Metsvaht T, Piirsoo A, Talvik T. Neonatal spinal muscular atrophy type 1 with bone fractures and heart defect. J Child Neurol 2007; 22:67-70. [PMID: 17608308 DOI: 10.1177/0883073807299954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The authors present the case of an infant girl with severe generalized weakness, multiple bone fractures, and heart defect. She needed mechanical ventilation from birth. Radiographs showed mid-diaphyseal fractures of both humeri and of the right femur as well as generalized osteopenia. Electroneuromyography showed spontaneous fibrillations at rest with no active movements. Motor response to a stimulus could not be registered. A systolic heart murmur was detected, and echocardiography showed a large atrial septal defect and an additional membrane in the left atrium. DNA analysis confirmed the diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy on the third day of life. Histology of the muscle showed both hypertrophic and atrophic fibers. Degenerating swollen neurons were found in the ventral horns of the spinal cord and also in the mesencephalic red nucleus, which has not been described before. Humeral bone showed only partly formed cortical bone. The spectrum of spinal muscular atrophy is very diverse, and atypical clinical findings do not always rule out 5q spinal muscular atrophy. The SMN1 gene should still be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve Vaidla
- Department of Pediatrics, Tartu University, 6 Lunini Street, Tartu 51014, Estonia
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Hypoplastisch linkerhartsyndroom als uiting van een bijzondere vorm van de ziekte van Werdnig-Hoffmann. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03061635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by homozygous deletions or mutations in the SMN1 gene on Chr.5q13. SMA spans from severe Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (SMA 1) to relatively benign Kugelberg-Welander disease (SMA 3). Onset before birth possibly aggravates the clinical course, because immature motoneurons do not show compensatory sprouting and collateral reinnervation, and motor units in SMA 1, in contrast to those in SMA 3, are not enlarged. Genetic evidence indicates that SMN2, a gene 99% identical to SMN1, can attenuate SMA severity: in patients, more SMN2 copies and higher SMN protein levels are correlated with milder SMA. There is evidence that SMN plays a role in motoneuron RNA metabolism, but it has also been linked to apoptosis. Several mouse models with motoneuron disease have been successfully treated with neurotrophic factors. None of these models is, however, homologous to SMA. Recently, genetic mouse models of SMA have been created by introducing human SMN2 transgenes into Smn knockout mice or by targeting the Smn gene knockout to neurons. These mice not only provide important insights into the pathogenesis of SMA but are also crucial for testing new therapeutic strategies. These include SMN gene transfer, molecules capable to up-regulate SMN expression and trophic or antiapoptotic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Schmalbruch
- Department of Medical Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Tsai CH, Jong YJ, Hu CJ, Chen CM, Shih MC, Chang CP, Chang JG. Molecular analysis of SMN, NAIP and P44 genes of SMA patients and their families. J Neurol Sci 2001; 190:35-40. [PMID: 11574104 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-510x(01)00574-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of the telomeric survival motor neuron gene (SMN1) are related to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, no phenotype-genotype correlation has been observed since the SMN1 gene is lacking in the majority of patients affected with either the severe form (type I) or the milder forms (types II and III). Here, we analyze the SMN, NAIP and P44 genes in 132 Chinese SMA patients and their families. At least three types of normal allele, and four types of mutant allele were found in this study. The combination of one normal allele with one mutant allele resulted in carriers of different types, and the combination of different mutant alleles accounted for the different genotypes among different types of SMA. Deletions of mutant alleles can be further subgrouped into four types, which includes involving SMN1, SMN1 and NAIP(T) (telomeric portion of NAIP gene), SMN1 and NAIP(T) and P44(T) (telomeric portion of P44 gene), and SMN1 and SMN2 (centromeric portion of SMN gene). Some of the severe (type I) SMA cases correlated with the extent of deletions in the SMN, NAIP and P44 genes or the dosage of SMN gene when both SMN1 and SMN2 are deleted. We also found two novel point mutations, an A insertion at codon 8 (AGT-->AAGT) and an A substitution at codon 228 (TTA-->TAA).
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical College Hospital, 2 Yuh Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan
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