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McCormack NM, Calabrese KA, Sun CM, Tully CB, Heier CR, Fiorillo AA. Deletion of miR-146a enhances therapeutic protein restoration in model of dystrophin exon skipping. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.09.540042. [PMID: 37214870 PMCID: PMC10197665 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.09.540042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disease caused by the absence of dystrophin protein. One current DMD therapeutic strategy, exon skipping, produces a truncated dystrophin isoform using phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). However, the potential of exon skipping therapeutics has not been fully realized as increases in dystrophin protein have been minimal in clinical trials. Here, we investigate how miR-146a-5p, which is highly elevated in dystrophic muscle, impacts dystrophin protein levels. We find inflammation strongly induces miR-146a in dystrophic, but not wild-type myotubes. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that the dystrophin 3'UTR harbors a miR-146a binding site, and subsequent luciferase assays demonstrate miR-146a binding inhibits dystrophin translation. In dystrophin-null mdx52 mice, co-injection of miR-146a reduces dystrophin restoration by an exon 51 skipping PMO. To directly investigate how miR-146a impacts therapeutic dystrophin rescue, we generated mdx52 with body-wide miR-146a deletion (146aX). Administration of an exon skipping PMO via intramuscular or intravenous injection markedly increases dystrophin protein levels in 146aX versus mdx52 muscles; skipped dystrophin transcript levels are unchanged, suggesting a post-transcriptional mechanism-of-action. Together, these data show that miR-146a expression opposes therapeutic dystrophin restoration, suggesting miR-146a inhibition warrants further research as a potential DMD exon skipping co-therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki M. McCormack
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kelsey A. Calabrese
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Christina M. Sun
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Christopher B. Tully
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Christopher R. Heier
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Alyson A. Fiorillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Brusa R, Magri F, Bresolin N, Comi GP, Corti S. Noncoding RNAs in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies: role in pathogenesis and future prognostic and therapeutic perspectives. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:4299-4313. [PMID: 32350552 PMCID: PMC11105074 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03537-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, are key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and represent promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers for several human diseases, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). A role for ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies has been suggested, even if it is still incompletely understood. Here, we discuss current progress leading towards the clinical utility of ncRNAs for DMD/BMD. Long and short noncoding RNAs are differentially expressed in DMD/BMD and have a mechanism of action via targeting mRNAs. A subset of muscle-enriched miRNAs, the so-called myomiRs (miR-1, miR-133, and miR-206), are increased in the serum of patients with DMD and in dystrophin-defective animal models. Interestingly, myomiRs might be used as biomarkers, given that their levels can be corrected after dystrophin restoration in dystrophic mice. Remarkably, further evidence demonstrates that ncRNAs also play a role in dystrophin expression; thus, their modulations might represent a potential therapeutic strategy with the aim of upregulating the dystrophin protein in combination with other oligonucleotides/gene therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Brusa
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Magri
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Hughes DC, Marcotte GR, Baehr LM, West DWD, Marshall AG, Ebert SM, Davidyan A, Adams CM, Bodine SC, Baar K. Alterations in the muscle force transfer apparatus in aged rats during unloading and reloading: impact of microRNA-31. J Physiol 2019; 596:2883-2900. [PMID: 29726007 DOI: 10.1113/jp275833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Force transfer is integral for maintaining skeletal muscle structure and function. One important component is dystrophin. There is limited understanding of how force transfer is impacted by age and loading. Here, we investigate the force transfer apparatus in muscles of adult and old rats exposed to periods of disuse and reloading. Our results demonstrate an increase in dystrophin protein during the reloading phase in the adult tibialis anterior muscle that is delayed in the old muscle. The consequence of this delay is an increased susceptibility towards contraction-induced muscle injury. Central to the lack of dystrophin protein is an increase in miR-31, a microRNA that inhibits dystrophin translation. In vivo electroporation with a miR-31 sponge led to increased dystrophin protein and decreased contraction-induced muscle injury in old skeletal muscle. Overall, our results detail the importance of the force transfer apparatus and provide new mechanisms for contraction-induced injury in ageing skeletal muscle. ABSTRACT In healthy muscle, the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC), the integrin/focal adhesion complex, intermediate filaments and Z-line proteins transmit force from the contractile proteins to the extracellular matrix. How loading and age affect these proteins is poorly understood. The experiments reported here sought to determine the effect of ageing on the force transfer apparatus following muscle unloading and reloading. Adult (9 months) and old (28 months) rats were subjected to 14 days of hindlimb unloading and 1, 3, 7 and 14 days of reloading. The DGC complex, intermediate filament and Z-line protein and mRNA levels, as well as dystrophin-targeting miRNAs (miR-31, -146b and -374) were examined in the tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius muscles at both ages. There was a significant increase in dystrophin protein levels (2.79-fold) upon 3 days of reloading in the adult TA muscle that did not occur in the old rats (P ≤ 0.05), and the rise in dystrophin protein occurred independent of dystrophin mRNA. The disconnect between dystrophin protein and mRNA levels can partially be explained by age-dependent differences in miR-31. The impaired dystrophin response in aged muscle was followed by an increase in other force transfer proteins (β-dystroglycan, desmuslin and LIM) that was not sufficient to prevent membrane disruption and muscle injury early in the reloading period. Inserting a miR-31 sponge increased dystrophin protein and decreased contraction-induced injury in the TA (P ≤ 0.05). Collectively, these data suggest that increased miR-31 with age contributes to an impaired dystrophin response and increased muscle injury after disuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Hughes
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - George R Marcotte
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Leslie M Baehr
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
| | - Daniel W D West
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
| | - Andrea G Marshall
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Scott M Ebert
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Arik Davidyan
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christopher M Adams
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sue C Bodine
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
| | - Keith Baar
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
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Finotti A, Fabbri E, Lampronti I, Gasparello J, Borgatti M, Gambari R. MicroRNAs and Long Non-coding RNAs in Genetic Diseases. Mol Diagn Ther 2019; 23:155-171. [PMID: 30610665 PMCID: PMC6469593 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery and classification of non-coding RNAs, their roles have gained great attention. In this respect, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs have been firmly demonstrated to be linked to regulation of gene expression and onset of human diseases, including rare genetic diseases; therefore they are suitable targets for therapeutic intervention. This issue, in the context of rare genetic diseases, is being considered by an increasing number of research groups and is of key interest to the health community. In the case of rare genetic diseases, the possibility of developing personalized therapy in precision medicine has attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians involved in developing "orphan medicinal products" and proposing these to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) in the United States. The major focuses of these activities are the evaluation and development of products (drugs, biologics, devices, or medical foods) considered to be promising for diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions, including rare genetic diseases. In an increasing number of rare genetic diseases, analysis of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs has been proven a promising strategy. These diseases include, but are not limited to, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Rett syndrome, and β-thalassemia. In conclusion, a large number of approaches based on targeting microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are expected in the field of molecular diagnosis and therapy, with a facilitated technological transfer in the case of rare genetic diseases, in virtue of the existing regulation concerning these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrica Fabbri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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