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Dennhag N, Kahsay A, Nissen I, Nord H, Chermenina M, Liu J, Arner A, Liu JX, Backman LJ, Remeseiro S, von Hofsten J, Pedrosa Domellöf F. fhl2b mediates extraocular muscle protection in zebrafish models of muscular dystrophies and its ectopic expression ameliorates affected body muscles. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1950. [PMID: 38431640 PMCID: PMC10908798 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46187-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In muscular dystrophies, muscle fibers loose integrity and die, causing significant suffering and premature death. Strikingly, the extraocular muscles (EOMs) are spared, functioning well despite the disease progression. Although EOMs have been shown to differ from body musculature, the mechanisms underlying this inherent resistance to muscle dystrophies remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate important differences in gene expression as a response to muscle dystrophies between the EOMs and trunk muscles in zebrafish via transcriptomic profiling. We show that the LIM-protein Fhl2 is increased in response to the knockout of desmin, plectin and obscurin, cytoskeletal proteins whose knockout causes different muscle dystrophies, and contributes to disease protection of the EOMs. Moreover, we show that ectopic expression of fhl2b can partially rescue the muscle phenotype in the zebrafish Duchenne muscular dystrophy model sapje, significantly improving their survival. Therefore, Fhl2 is a protective agent and a candidate target gene for therapy of muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Dennhag
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Abraha Kahsay
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Itzel Nissen
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology; Section of Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hanna Nord
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Chermenina
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jiao Liu
- Div. Thoracic Surgery, Dept. Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China
| | - Anders Arner
- Div. Thoracic Surgery, Dept. Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jing-Xia Liu
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ludvig J Backman
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Silvia Remeseiro
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology; Section of Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas von Hofsten
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Fatima Pedrosa Domellöf
- Department of Medical and Translational Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Kahsay A, Dennhag N, Liu JX, Nord H, Rönnbäck H, Thorell AE, von Hofsten J, Pedrosa Domellöf F. Obscurin Maintains Myofiber Identity in Extraocular Muscles. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:19. [PMID: 38334702 PMCID: PMC10860686 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The cytoskeleton of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) is significantly different from that of other muscles. We aimed to investigate the role of obscurin, a fundamental cytoskeletal protein, in the EOMs. Methods The distribution of obscurin in human and zebrafish EOMs was compared using immunohistochemistry. The two obscurin genes in zebrafish, obscna and obscnb, were knocked out using CRISPR/Cas9, and the EOMs were investigated using immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and in situ hybridization. The optokinetic reflex (OKR) in five-day-old larvae and adult obscna-/-;obscnb-/- and sibling control zebrafish was analyzed. Swimming distance was recorded at the same age. Results The obscurin distribution pattern was similar in human and zebrafish EOMs. The proportion of slow and fast myofibers was reduced in obscna-/-;obscnb-/- zebrafish EOMs but not in trunk muscle, whereas the number of myofibers containing cardiac myosin myh7 was significantly increased in EOMs of obscurin double mutants. Loss of obscurin resulted in less OKRs in zebrafish larvae but not in adult zebrafish. Conclusions Obscurin expression is conserved in normal human and zebrafish EOMs. Loss of obscurin induces a myofiber type shift in the EOMs, with upregulation of cardiac myosin heavy chain, myh7, showing an adaptation strategy in EOMs. Our model will facilitate further studies in conditions related to obscurin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraha Kahsay
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nils Dennhag
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jing-Xia Liu
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hanna Nord
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hugo Rönnbäck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Jonas von Hofsten
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fatima Pedrosa Domellöf
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Nord H, Kahsay A, Dennhag N, Pedrosa Domellöf F, von Hofsten J. Genetic compensation between Pax3 and Pax7 in zebrafish appendicular muscle formation. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:1423-1438. [PMID: 34435397 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrating muscle progenitors delaminate from the somite and subsequently form muscle tissue in distant anatomical regions such as the paired appendages, or limbs. In amniotes, this process requires a signaling cascade including the transcription factor paired box 3 (Pax3). RESULTS In this study, we found that, unlike in mammals, pax3a/3b double mutant zebrafish develop near to normal appendicular muscle. By analyzing numerous mutant combinations of pax3a, pax3b and pax7a, and pax7b, we determined that there is a feedback system and a compensatory mechanism between Pax3 and Pax7 in this developmental process, even though Pax7 alone is not required for appendicular myogenesis. pax3a/3b/7a/7b quadruple mutant developed muscle-less pectoral fins. CONCLUSIONS We found that Pax3 and Pax7 are redundantly required during appendicular myogenesis in zebrafish, where Pax7 is able to activate the same developmental programs as Pax3 in the premigratory progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Nord
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Abraha Kahsay
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nils Dennhag
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fatima Pedrosa Domellöf
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Science, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas von Hofsten
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Dennhag N, Liu JX, Nord H, von Hofsten J, Pedrosa Domellöf F. Absence of Desmin in Myofibers of the Zebrafish Extraocular Muscles. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:1. [PMID: 32953241 PMCID: PMC7476663 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.10.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To study the medial rectus (MR) muscle of zebrafish (Daniorerio) with respect to the pattern of distribution of desmin and its correlation to distinct types of myofibers and motor endplates. Methods The MRs of zebrafish were examined using confocal microscopy in whole-mount longitudinal specimens and in cross sections processed for immunohistochemistry with antibodies against desmin, myosin heavy chain isoforms, and innervation markers. Desmin patterns were correlated to major myofiber type and type of innervation. A total of 1382 myofibers in nine MR muscles were analyzed. Results Four distinct desmin immunolabeling patterns were found in the zebrafish MRs. Approximately a third of all slow myofibers lacked desmin, representing 8.5% of the total myofiber population. The adult zebrafish MR muscle displayed en grappe, en plaque, and multiterminal en plaque neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) with intricate patterns of desmin immunolabeling. Conclusions The MRs of zebrafish showed important similarities with the human extraocular muscles with regard to the pattern of desmin distribution and presence of the major types of NMJs and can be regarded as an adequate model to further study the role of desmin and the implications of heterogeneity in cytoskeletal protein composition. Translational Relevance The establishment of a zebrafish model to study the cytoskeleton in muscles that are particularly resistant to muscle disease opens new avenues to understand human myopathies and muscle dystrophies and may provide clues to new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Dennhag
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jing-Xia Liu
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hanna Nord
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas von Hofsten
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fatima Pedrosa Domellöf
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Science, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Nord H, Dennhag N, Tydinger H, von Hofsten J. The zebrafish HGF receptor met controls migration of myogenic progenitor cells in appendicular development. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219259. [PMID: 31287821 PMCID: PMC6615617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatocyte growth factor receptor C-met plays an important role in cellular migration, which is crucial for many developmental processes as well as for cancer cell metastasis. C-met has been linked to the development of mammalian appendicular muscle, which are derived from migrating muscle progenitor cells (MMPs) from within the somite. Mammalian limbs are homologous to the teleost pectoral and pelvic fins. In this study we used Crispr/Cas9 to mutate the zebrafish met gene and found that the MMP derived musculature of the paired appendages was severely affected. The mutation resulted in a reduced muscle fibre number, in particular in the pectoral abductor, and in a disturbed pectoral fin function. Other MMP derived muscles, such as the sternohyoid muscle and posterior hypaxial muscle were also affected in met mutants. This indicates that the role of met in MMP function and appendicular myogenesis is conserved within vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Nord
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nils Dennhag
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hanna Tydinger
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas von Hofsten
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Nord H, Dennhag N, Muck J, von Hofsten J. Pax7 is required for establishment of the xanthophore lineage in zebrafish embryos. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:1853-62. [PMID: 27053658 PMCID: PMC4884075 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e15-12-0821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A conceptually novel role for Pax7 is found in zebrafish pigment formation. Absence of Pax7 leads to an expansion of the embryonic and larval melanophore lineage and a depletion of xanthophores, suggesting a model in which Pax7 is involved in early chromatophore specification processes. The pigment pattern of many animal species is a result of the arrangement of different types of pigment-producing chromatophores. The zebrafish has three different types of chromatophores: black melanophores, yellow xanthophores, and shimmering iridophores arranged in a characteristic pattern of golden and blue horizontal stripes. In the zebrafish embryo, chromatophores derive from the neural crest cells. Using pax7a and pax7b zebrafish mutants, we identified a previously unknown requirement for Pax7 in xanthophore lineage formation. The absence of Pax7 results in a severe reduction of xanthophore precursor cells and a complete depletion of differentiated xanthophores in embryos as well as in adult zebrafish. In contrast, the melanophore lineage is increased in pax7a/pax7b double-mutant embryos and larvae, whereas juvenile and adult pax7a/pax7b double-mutant zebrafish display a severe decrease in melanophores and a pigment pattern disorganization indicative of a xanthophore- deficient phenotype. In summary, we propose a novel role for Pax7 in the early specification of chromatophore precursor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Nord
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nils Dennhag
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joscha Muck
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jonas von Hofsten
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden Department for Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
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