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Christen M, Indzhova V, Guo LT, Jagannathan V, Leeb T, Shelton GD, Brocal J. LAMA2 Nonsense Variant in an Italian Greyhound with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1823. [PMID: 34828429 PMCID: PMC8618982 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A 4-month-old, male Italian Greyhound with clinical signs of a neuromuscular disease was investigated. The affected dog presented with an abnormal short-strided gait, generalized muscle atrophy, and poor growth since 2-months of age. Serum biochemistry revealed a marked elevation in creatine kinase activity. Electrodiagnostic testing supported a myopathy. Histopathology of muscle biopsies confirmed a dystrophic phenotype with excessive variability in myofiber size, degenerating fibers, and endomysial fibrosis. A heritable form of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) was suspected, and a genetic analysis initiated. We sequenced the genome of the affected dog and compared the data to that of 795 control genomes. This search revealed a private homozygous nonsense variant in LAMA2, XM_022419950.1:c.3285G>A, predicted to truncate 65% of the open reading frame of the wild type laminin α2 protein, XP_022275658.1:p.(Trp1095*). Immunofluorescent staining performed on muscle cryosections from the affected dog confirmed the complete absence of laminin α2 in skeletal muscle. LAMA2 loss of function variants were shown to cause severe laminin α2-related CMD in humans, mouse models, and in one previously described dog. Our data together with current knowledge on other species suggest the LAMA2 nonsense variant as cause for the CMD phenotype in the investigated dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Christen
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland; (M.C.); (V.J.)
| | - Victoria Indzhova
- Neurology-Neurosurgery Service, Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Solihull B90 4NH, West Midlands, UK;
| | - Ling T. Guo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0709, USA; (L.T.G.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland; (M.C.); (V.J.)
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland; (M.C.); (V.J.)
| | - G. Diane Shelton
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0709, USA; (L.T.G.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Josep Brocal
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Winchester SO21 2LL, Hampshire, UK;
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Clinical and genetic characterisation of dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in a family of Miniature Poodle dogs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193372. [PMID: 29474464 PMCID: PMC5825102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Four full-sibling intact male Miniature Poodles were evaluated at 4–19 months of age. One was clinically normal and three were affected. All affected dogs were reluctant to exercise and had generalised muscle atrophy, a stiff gait and a markedly elevated serum creatine kinase activity. Two affected dogs also showed poor development, learning difficulties and episodes of abnormal behaviour. In these two dogs, investigations into forebrain structural and metabolic diseases were unremarkable; electromyography demonstrated fibrillation potentials and complex repetitive discharges in the infraspinatus, supraspinatus and epaxial muscles. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analyses of muscle biopsies were consistent with dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy. DNA samples were obtained from all four full-sibling male Poodles, a healthy female littermate and the dam, which was clinically normal. Whole genome sequencing of one affected dog revealed a >5 Mb deletion on the X chromosome, encompassing the entire DMD gene. The exact deletion breakpoints could not be experimentally ascertained, but we confirmed that this region was deleted in all affected males, but not in the unaffected dogs. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed all three affected males were hemizygous for the mutant X chromosome, while the wildtype chromosome was observed in the unaffected male littermate. The female littermate and the dam were both heterozygous for the mutant chromosome. Forty-four Miniature Poodles from the general population were screened for the mutation and were homozygous for the wildtype chromosome. The finding represents a naturally-occurring mutation causing dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy in the dog.
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Yurchenco PD, McKee KK, Reinhard JR, Rüegg MA. Laminin-deficient muscular dystrophy: Molecular pathogenesis and structural repair strategies. Matrix Biol 2017; 71-72:174-187. [PMID: 29191403 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Laminins are large heterotrimers composed of the α, β and γ subunits with distinct tissue-specific and developmentally regulated expression patterns. The laminin-α2 subunit, encoded by the LAMA2 gene, is expressed in skeletal muscle, Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve and astrocytes and pericytes of the capillaries in the brain. Mutations in LAMA2 cause the most common type of congenital muscular dystrophies, called LAMA2 MD or MDC1A. The disorder manifests mostly as a muscular dystrophy but slowing of nerve conduction contributes to the disease. There are severe, non-ambulatory or milder, ambulatory variants, the latter resulting from reduced laminin-α2 expression and/or deficient laminin-α2 function. Lm-211 (α2β1γ1) is responsible for initiating basement membrane assembly. This is primarily accomplished by anchorage of Lm-211 to dystroglycan and α7β1 integrin receptors, polymerization, and binding to nidogen and other structural components. In LAMA2 MD, Lm-411 replaces Lm-211; however, Lm-411 lacks the ability to polymerize and bind to receptors. This results in a weakened basement membrane leading to the disease. The possibility of introducing structural repair proteins that correct the underlying abnormality is an attractive therapeutic goal. Recent studies in mouse models for LAMA2 MD reveal that introduction of laminin-binding linker proteins that restore lost functional activities can substantially ameliorate the disease. This review discusses the underlying mechanism of this repair and compares this approach to other developing therapies employing pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Yurchenco
- Dept. Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Karen K McKee
- Dept. Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | - Markus A Rüegg
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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Nghiem PP, Bello L, Balog-Alvarez C, López SM, Bettis A, Barnett H, Hernandez B, Schatzberg SJ, Piercy RJ, Kornegay JN. Whole genome sequencing reveals a 7 base-pair deletion in DMD exon 42 in a dog with muscular dystrophy. Mamm Genome 2016; 28:106-113. [PMID: 28028563 PMCID: PMC5371640 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-016-9675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Dystrophin is a key cytoskeletal protein coded by the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene located on the X-chromosome. Truncating mutations in the DMD gene cause loss of dystrophin and the classical DMD clinical syndrome. Spontaneous DMD gene mutations and associated phenotypes occur in several other species. The mdx mouse model and the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) canine model have been used extensively to study DMD disease pathogenesis and show efficacy and side effects of putative treatments. Certain DMD gene mutations in high-risk, the so-called hot spot areas can be particularly helpful in modeling molecular therapies. Identification of specific mutations has been greatly enhanced by new genomic methods. Whole genome, next generation sequencing (WGS) has been recently used to define DMD patient mutations, but has not been used in dystrophic dogs. A dystrophin-deficient Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dog was evaluated at the functional, histopathological, biochemical, and molecular level. The affected dog's phenotype was compared to the previously reported canine dystrophinopathies. WGS was then used to detect a 7 base pair deletion in DMD exon 42 (c.6051-6057delTCTCAAT mRNA), predicting a frameshift in gene transcription and truncation of dystrophin protein translation. The deletion was confirmed with conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing. This mutation is in a secondary DMD gene hotspot area distinct from the one identified earlier at the 5' donor splice site of intron 50 in the CKCS breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA.
| | - Luca Bello
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Cindy Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Sara Mata López
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Amanda Bettis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Heather Barnett
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Briana Hernandez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Scott J Schatzberg
- Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Santa Fe, 2001 Vivigen Way, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, USA
| | - Richard J Piercy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
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Goddard MA, Burlingame E, Beggs AH, Buj-Bello A, Childers MK, Marsh AP, Kelly VE. Gait characteristics in a canine model of X-linked myotubular myopathy. J Neurol Sci 2014; 346:221-6. [PMID: 25281397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) is a fatal pediatric disease where affected boys display profound weakness of the skeletal muscles. Possible therapies are under development but robust outcome measures in animal models are required for effective translation to human patients. We established a naturally-occurring canine model, where XLMTM dogs display clinical symptoms similar to those observed in humans. The aim of this study was to determine potential endpoints for the assessment of future treatments in this model. Video-based gait analysis was selected, as it is a well-established method of assessing limb function in neuromuscular disease and measures have been correlated to the patient's quality of life. XLMTM dogs (N = 3) and their true littermate wild type controls (N = 3) were assessed at 4-5 time points, beginning at 10 weeks and continuing through 17 weeks. Motion capture and an instrumented carpet were used separately to evaluate spatiotemporal and kinematic changes over time. XLMTM dogs walk more slowly and with shorter stride lengths than wild type dogs, and these differences became greater over time. However, there was no clear difference in angular measures between affected and unaffected dogs. These data demonstrate that spatiotemporal parameters capture functional changes in gait in an XLMTM canine model and support their utility in future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Goddard
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Emily Burlingame
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Alan H Beggs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anna Buj-Bello
- Généthon, 1 bis rue de l'Internationale, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Martin K Childers
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Anthony P Marsh
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Valerie E Kelly
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Araujo KPC, Bonuccelli G, Duarte CN, Gaiad TP, Moreira DF, Feder D, Belizario JE, Miglino MA, Lisanti MP, Ambrosio CE. Bortezomib (PS-341) treatment decreases inflammation and partially rescues the expression of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in GRMD dogs. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61367. [PMID: 23579193 PMCID: PMC3620287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) is a genetic myopathy corresponding to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in humans. Muscle atrophy is known to be associated with degradation of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In the present study, we investigated the effect of bortezomib treatment on the muscle fibers of GRMD dogs. Five GRMD dogs were examined; two were treated (TD- Treated dogs) with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, and three were control dogs (CD). Dogs were treated with bortezomib using the same treatment regimen used for multiple myeloma. Pharmacodynamics were evaluated by measuring the inhibition of 20S proteasome activity in whole blood after treatment and comparing it to that in CD. We performed immunohistochemical studies on muscle biopsy specimens to evaluate the rescue of dystrophin and dystrophin-associated proteins in the muscles of GRMD dogs treated with bortezomib. Skeletal tissue from TD had lower levels of connective tissue deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration than CD as determined by histology, collagen morphometry and ultrastructural analysis. The CD showed higher expression of phospho-NFκB and TGF-β1, suggesting a more pronounced activation of anti-apoptotic factors and inflammatory molecules and greater connective tissue deposition, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that dystrophin was not present in the sarcoplasmic membrane of either group. However, bortezomib-TD showed higher expression of α- and β-dystroglycan, indicating an improved disease histopathology phenotype. Significant inhibition of 20S proteasome activity was observed 1 hour after bortezomib administration in the last cycle when the dose was higher. Proteasome inhibitors may thus improve the appearance of GRMD muscle fibers, lessen connective tissue deposition and reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells. In addition, proteasome inhibitors may rescue some dystrophin-associated proteins in the muscle fiber membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla P. C. Araujo
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gloria Bonuccelli
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Laboratory for Orthopaedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Caio N. Duarte
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais P. Gaiad
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Biological Science and Health, UFVJM, Diamantina, MG, Brazil
| | - Dayson F. Moreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - David Feder
- Department of Pharmacology, ABC School of Medicine, Santo Andre, SP, Brazil
| | - José E. Belizario
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria A. Miglino
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Michael P. Lisanti
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos E. Ambrosio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link is an old idiom that holds true for muscle biology. As the name implies, skeletal muscle's main function is to move the bones. However, for a muscle to transmit force and withstand the stress that contractions give rise to, it relies on a chain of proteins attaching the cytoskeleton of the muscle fiber to the surrounding extracellular matrix. The importance of this attachment is illustrated by a large number of muscular dystrophies caused by interruption of the cytoskeletal-extracellular matrix interaction. One of the major components of the extracellular matrix is laminin, a heterotrimeric glycoprotein and a major constituent of the basement membrane. It has become increasingly apparent that laminins are involved in a multitude of biological functions, including cell adhesion, differentiation, proliferation, migration and survival. This review will focus on the importance of laminin-211 for normal skeletal muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Holmberg
- Muscle Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Awamura Y, Uchida K, Arikawa-Hirasawa E. Long-term follow-up of laminin alpha2 (merosin)-deficient muscular dystrophy in a cat. J Feline Med Surg 2008; 10:274-9. [PMID: 18243745 PMCID: PMC7129761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2007.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Progressive muscle weakness beginning at 6 months of age was observed in a male Persian-mix cat. Muscle atrophy and joint contracture progressed over the next 3 years. The cat had developed gait difficulty at 8 months of age. The cat died at age of 5 years and 3 months due to an acute respiratory disorder. The clinical, laboratory, necropsy and histopathological findings of the cat were consistent with those of muscular dystrophy. The cat was diagnosed as having laminin alpha2 (merosin)-deficient muscular dystrophy on the basis of immunohistochemical findings. The cat was born in an inbred colony, and another related cat exhibited similar clinical signs. Few cases of laminin alpha2-deficient muscular dystrophy have been reported in cats, and this report provides additional information about the disease.
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Brumitt JW, Essman SC, Kornegay JN, Graham JP, Weber WJ, Berry CR. RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF GOLDEN RETRIEVER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2006; 47:574-80. [PMID: 17153067 DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2006.00188.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy is an inherited, degenerative myopathy due to the absence of dystrophin and is used as a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy of young boys. This report describes the radiographic abnormalities of Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy in 26 dogs. The thoracic abnormalities included diaphragmatic asymmetry (18/26), diaphragmatic undulation (18/26), and gastro-esophageal hiatal hernia (6/26). Pelvic abnormalities included narrowing of the body of the ilia (14/19), ventral deviation and curvature of the tuber ischii (14/19), elongation of the obturator foramen with a decrease in opacity of the surrounding bone (12/19), and lateral flaring of the wings of the ilia (12/19). Abdominal abnormalities consisted of hepatomegaly (14/22) and poor serosal detail (12/22). The unique thoracic abnormalities were a consistent finding in affected Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dogs. The diagnosis of muscular dystrophy should be included in the differential list if the combination of diaphragm undulation and asymmetry, and gastro-esophageal hiatal hernia are identified. These diaphragmatic abnormalities are related to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the diaphragm. Additionally, the skeletal changes of pelvic tilt, elongation of the pelvis, widening of the obturator foramina and thinning of the ischiatic tables appear to be specific to Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy in dogs. These pelvic abnormalities are most likely secondary to bone remodeling associated with the progressive skeletal myopathy and subsequent contracture/fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Brumitt
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 379 East Campus Drive, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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