RESUMO
Entry of enveloped viruses into cells is mediated by viral fusogenic proteins that drive membrane rearrangements needed for fusion between viral and target membranes. Skeletal muscle development also requires membrane fusion events between progenitor cells to form multinucleated myofibers. Myomaker and Myomerger are muscle-specific cell fusogens but do not structurally or functionally resemble classical viral fusogens. We asked whether the muscle fusogens could functionally substitute for viral fusogens, despite their structural distinctiveness, and fuse viruses to cells. We report that engineering of Myomaker and Myomerger on the membrane of enveloped viruses leads to specific transduction of skeletal muscle. We also demonstrate that locally and systemically injected virions pseudotyped with the muscle fusogens can deliver µDystrophin to skeletal muscle of a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and alleviate pathology. Through harnessing the intrinsic properties of myogenic membranes, we establish a platform for delivery of therapeutic material to skeletal muscle.
Assuntos
Bioengenharia , Lentivirus , Proteínas de Membrana , Músculo Esquelético , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne , Animais , Camundongos , Fusão Celular , Fusão de Membrana , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Desenvolvimento Muscular , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/virologia , Bioengenharia/métodos , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/terapia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Tropismo Viral , Lentivirus/genéticaRESUMO
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the largest non-genetic, non-aging related risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We report here that TBI induces tau acetylation (ac-tau) at sites acetylated also in human AD brain. This is mediated by S-nitrosylated-GAPDH, which simultaneously inactivates Sirtuin1 deacetylase and activates p300/CBP acetyltransferase, increasing neuronal ac-tau. Subsequent tau mislocalization causes neurodegeneration and neurobehavioral impairment, and ac-tau accumulates in the blood. Blocking GAPDH S-nitrosylation, inhibiting p300/CBP, or stimulating Sirtuin1 all protect mice from neurodegeneration, neurobehavioral impairment, and blood and brain accumulation of ac-tau after TBI. Ac-tau is thus a therapeutic target and potential blood biomarker of TBI that may represent pathologic convergence between TBI and AD. Increased ac-tau in human AD brain is further augmented in AD patients with history of TBI, and patients receiving the p300/CBP inhibitors salsalate or diflunisal exhibit decreased incidence of AD and clinically diagnosed TBI.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/etiologia , Doença de Alzheimer/prevenção & controle , Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/complicações , Neuroproteção , Proteínas tau/metabolismo , Acetilação , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores/sangue , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Diflunisal/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Gliceraldeído-3-Fosfato Desidrogenase (Fosforiladora) , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Neurônios/metabolismo , Salicilatos/uso terapêutico , Sirtuína 1/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição de p300-CBP/antagonistas & inibidores , Fatores de Transcrição de p300-CBP/metabolismo , Proteínas tau/sangueRESUMO
Replacing or editing disease-causing mutations holds great promise for treating many human diseases. Yet, delivering therapeutic genetic modifiers to specific cells in vivo has been challenging, particularly in large, anatomically distributed tissues such as skeletal muscle. Here, we establish an in vivo strategy to evolve and stringently select capsid variants of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) that enable potent delivery to desired tissues. Using this method, we identify a class of RGD motif-containing capsids that transduces muscle with superior efficiency and selectivity after intravenous injection in mice and non-human primates. We demonstrate substantially enhanced potency and therapeutic efficacy of these engineered vectors compared to naturally occurring AAV capsids in two mouse models of genetic muscle disease. The top capsid variants from our selection approach show conserved potency for delivery across a variety of inbred mouse strains, and in cynomolgus macaques and human primary myotubes, with transduction dependent on target cell expressed integrin heterodimers.
Assuntos
Capsídeo/metabolismo , Dependovirus/metabolismo , Evolução Molecular Direcionada , Técnicas de Transferência de Genes , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Capsídeo/química , Células Cultivadas , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Integrinas/metabolismo , Macaca fascicularis , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/patologia , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/terapia , Miopatias Congênitas Estruturais/patologia , Miopatias Congênitas Estruturais/terapia , Multimerização Proteica , Proteínas Tirosina Fosfatases não Receptoras/genética , Proteínas Tirosina Fosfatases não Receptoras/metabolismo , Proteínas Tirosina Fosfatases não Receptoras/uso terapêutico , RNA Guia de Cinetoplastídeos/metabolismo , Recombinação Genética/genética , Especificidade da Espécie , TransgenesRESUMO
Injured skeletal muscle regenerates, but with age or in muscular dystrophies, muscle is replaced by fat. Upon injury, muscle-resident fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) proliferated and gave rise to adipocytes. These FAPs dynamically produced primary cilia, structures that transduce intercellular cues such as Hedgehog (Hh) signals. Genetically removing cilia from FAPs inhibited intramuscular adipogenesis, both after injury and in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Blocking FAP ciliation also enhanced myofiber regeneration after injury and reduced myofiber size decline in the muscular dystrophy model. Hh signaling through FAP cilia regulated the expression of TIMP3, a secreted metalloproteinase inhibitor, that inhibited MMP14 to block adipogenesis. A pharmacological mimetic of TIMP3 blocked the conversion of FAPs into adipocytes, pointing to a strategy to combat fatty degeneration of skeletal muscle. We conclude that ciliary Hh signaling by FAPs orchestrates the regenerative response to skeletal muscle injury.
Assuntos
Adipogenia , Proteínas Hedgehog/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Adipócitos/metabolismo , Animais , Cílios/metabolismo , Distrofina/genética , Metaloproteinase 14 da Matriz/metabolismo , Camundongos , Desenvolvimento Muscular , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/patologia , Regeneração , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-3/metabolismoRESUMO
Microsatellite repeat expansions in DNA produce pathogenic RNA species that cause dominantly inherited diseases such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2 (DM1/2), Huntington's disease, and C9orf72-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9-ALS). Means to target these repetitive RNAs are required for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Here, we describe the development of a programmable CRISPR system capable of specifically visualizing and eliminating these toxic RNAs. We observe specific targeting and efficient elimination of microsatellite repeat expansion RNAs both when exogenously expressed and in patient cells. Importantly, RNA-targeting Cas9 (RCas9) reverses hallmark features of disease including elimination of RNA foci among all conditions studied (DM1, DM2, C9-ALS, polyglutamine diseases), reduction of polyglutamine protein products, relocalization of repeat-bound proteins to resemble healthy controls, and efficient reversal of DM1-associated splicing abnormalities in patient myotubes. Finally, we report a truncated RCas9 system compatible with adeno-associated viral packaging. This effort highlights the potential of RCas9 for human therapeutics.
Assuntos
Repetições Palindrômicas Curtas Agrupadas e Regularmente Espaçadas , Terapia Genética/métodos , Oligonucleotídeos Antissenso/farmacologia , Animais , Células COS , Linhagem Celular , Células Cultivadas , Chlorocebus aethiops , Repetições de Microssatélites , Splicing de RNA , Expansão das Repetições de TrinucleotídeosRESUMO
Current genome-editing systems generally rely on inducing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). This may limit their utility in clinical therapies, as unwanted mutations caused by DSBs can have deleterious effects. CRISPR/Cas9 system has recently been repurposed to enable target gene activation, allowing regulation of endogenous gene expression without creating DSBs. However, in vivo implementation of this gain-of-function system has proven difficult. Here, we report a robust system for in vivo activation of endogenous target genes through trans-epigenetic remodeling. The system relies on recruitment of Cas9 and transcriptional activation complexes to target loci by modified single guide RNAs. As proof-of-concept, we used this technology to treat mouse models of diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and acute kidney disease. Results demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated target gene activation can be achieved in vivo, leading to measurable phenotypes and amelioration of disease symptoms. This establishes new avenues for developing targeted epigenetic therapies against human diseases. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Epigênese Genética , Marcação de Genes/métodos , Terapia Genética/métodos , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/genética , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/terapia , Utrofina/genética , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Distrofina/genética , Interleucina-10/genética , Proteínas Klotho , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Ativação TranscricionalRESUMO
The maintenance of cellular function relies on the close regulation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and hydrolysis. ATP hydrolysis by mitochondrial ATP Synthase (CV) is induced by loss of proton motive force and inhibited by the mitochondrial protein ATPase inhibitor (ATPIF1). The extent of CV hydrolytic activity and its impact on cellular energetics remains unknown due to the lack of selective hydrolysis inhibitors of CV. We find that CV hydrolytic activity takes place in coupled intact mitochondria and is increased by respiratory chain defects. We identified (+)-Epicatechin as a selective inhibitor of ATP hydrolysis that binds CV while preventing the binding of ATPIF1. In cells with Complex-III deficiency, we show that inhibition of CV hydrolytic activity by (+)-Epichatechin is sufficient to restore ATP content without restoring respiratory function. Inhibition of CV-ATP hydrolysis in a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is sufficient to improve muscle force without any increase in mitochondrial content. We conclude that the impact of compromised mitochondrial respiration can be lessened using hydrolysis-selective inhibitors of CV.
Assuntos
Trifosfato de Adenosina , Mitocôndrias , Camundongos , Animais , Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , ATPases Translocadoras de Prótons/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo , Homeostase , HidróliseRESUMO
Sterile alpha motif domain containing 7 (SAMD7) is a component of the Polycomb repressive complex 1, which inhibits transcription of many genes, including those activated by the transcription factor Cone-Rod Homeobox (CRX). Here we report bi-allelic mutations in SAMD7 as a cause of autosomal-recessive macular dystrophy with or without cone dysfunction. Four of these mutations affect splicing, while another mutation is a missense variant that alters the repressive effect of SAMD7 on CRX-dependent promoter activity, as shown by in vitro assays. Immunostaining of human retinal sections revealed that SAMD7 is localized in the nuclei of both rods and cones, as well as in those of cells belonging to the inner nuclear layer. These results place SAMD7 as a gene crucial for human retinal function and demonstrate a significant difference in the role of SAMD7 between the human and the mouse retina.
Assuntos
Anormalidades do Olho , Degeneração Macular , Camundongos , Animais , Humanos , Transativadores/genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Retina , Mutação/genética , Degeneração Macular/genéticaRESUMO
Mitochondria play a central role in muscle metabolism and function. A unique family of iron-sulfur proteins, termed CDGSH Iron Sulfur Domain-containing (CISD/NEET) proteins, support mitochondrial function in skeletal muscles. The abundance of these proteins declines during aging leading to muscle degeneration. Although the function of the outer mitochondrial CISD/NEET proteins, CISD1/mitoNEET and CISD2/NAF-1, has been defined in skeletal muscle cells, the role of the inner mitochondrial CISD protein, CISD3/MiNT, is currently unknown. Here, we show that CISD3 deficiency in mice results in muscle atrophy that shares proteomic features with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We further reveal that CISD3 deficiency impairs the function and structure of skeletal muscles, as well as their mitochondria, and that CISD3 interacts with, and donates its [2Fe-2S] clusters to, complex I respiratory chain subunit NADH Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Core Subunit V2 (NDUFV2). Using coevolutionary and structural computational tools, we model a CISD3-NDUFV2 complex with proximal coevolving residue interactions conducive of [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer reactions, placing the clusters of the two proteins 10 to 16 Å apart. Taken together, our findings reveal that CISD3/MiNT is important for supporting the biogenesis and function of complex I, essential for muscle maintenance and function. Interventions that target CISD3 could therefore impact different muscle degeneration syndromes, aging, and related conditions.
Assuntos
Complexo I de Transporte de Elétrons , Proteínas Mitocondriais , Músculo Esquelético , Animais , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/patologia , Camundongos , Complexo I de Transporte de Elétrons/metabolismo , Complexo I de Transporte de Elétrons/genética , Proteínas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , Proteínas Mitocondriais/genética , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Proteínas Ferro-Enxofre/metabolismo , Proteínas Ferro-Enxofre/genética , Camundongos Knockout , Mitocôndrias Musculares/metabolismo , Humanos , Atrofia Muscular/metabolismo , Atrofia Muscular/patologia , Atrofia Muscular/genética , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/patologia , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/genéticaRESUMO
Short tandem repeats (STRs) are prone to expansion mutations that cause multiple hereditary neurological and neuromuscular diseases. To study pathomechanisms using mouse models that recapitulate the tissue specificity and developmental timing of an STR expansion gene, we used rolling circle amplification and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to generate Dmpk CTG expansion (CTGexp) knockin models of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). We demonstrate that skeletal muscle myoblasts and brain choroid plexus epithelial cells are particularly susceptible to Dmpk CTGexp mutations and RNA missplicing. Our results implicate dysregulation of muscle regeneration and cerebrospinal fluid homeostasis as early pathogenic events in DM1.
Assuntos
Processamento Alternativo/genética , Repetições de Microssatélites/genética , Músculo Esquelético/fisiopatologia , Distrofia Miotônica/genética , Distrofia Miotônica/fisiopatologia , Splicing de RNA/genética , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas/genética , Animais , Plexo Corióideo/fisiopatologia , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Técnicas de Introdução de Genes , Camundongos , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/citologia , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/patologia , Músculo Esquelético/citologia , Mutação , Miotonina Proteína Quinase/genética , Miotonina Proteína Quinase/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/genéticaRESUMO
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. Cycles of myofibre degeneration and regeneration are hallmarks of the disease where immune cells infiltrate to repair damaged skeletal muscle. Benfotiamine is a lipid soluble precursor to thiamine, shown clinically to reduce inflammation in diabetic related complications. We assessed whether benfotiamine administration could reduce inflammation related dystrophic pathology. Benfotiamine (10 mg/kg/day) was fed to male mdx mice (n = 7) for 15 weeks from 4 weeks of age. Treated mice had an increased growth weight (5-7 weeks) and myofibre size at treatment completion. Markers of dystrophic pathology (area of damaged necrotic tissue, central nuclei) were reduced in benfotiamine mdx quadriceps. Grip strength was increased and improved exercise capacity was found in mdx treated with benfotiamine for 12 weeks, before being placed into individual cages and allowed access to an exercise wheel for 3 weeks. Global gene expression profiling (RNAseq) in the gastrocnemius revealed benfotiamine regulated signalling pathways relevant to dystrophic pathology (Inflammatory Response, Myogenesis) and fibrotic gene markers (Col1a1, Col1a2, Col4a5, Col5a2, Col6a2, Col6a2, Col6a3, Lum) towards wildtype levels. In addition, we observed a reduction in gene expression of inflammatory gene markers in the quadriceps (Emr1, Cd163, Cd4, Cd8, Ifng). Overall, these data suggest that benfotiamine reduces dystrophic pathology by acting on inflammatory and fibrotic gene markers and signalling pathways. Given benfotiamine's excellent safety profile and current clinical use, it could be used in combination with glucocorticoids to treat DMD patients.
Assuntos
Fibrose , Inflamação , Camundongos Endogâmicos mdx , Músculo Esquelético , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne , Tiamina , Animais , Camundongos , Fibrose/tratamento farmacológico , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/tratamento farmacológico , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/genética , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/patologia , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/fisiopatologia , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/metabolismo , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Inflamação/genética , Inflamação/patologia , Músculo Esquelético/efeitos dos fármacos , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Masculino , Tiamina/análogos & derivados , Tiamina/farmacologia , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Modelos Animais de DoençasRESUMO
Identifying the aberrant expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle as the cause of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) has led to rational therapeutic development and clinical trials. Several studies support the use of MRI characteristics and the expression of DUX4-regulated genes in muscle biopsies as biomarkers of FSHD disease activity and progression. We performed lower-extremity MRI and muscle biopsies in the mid-portion of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles bilaterally in FSHD subjects and validated our prior reports of the strong association between MRI characteristics and expression of genes regulated by DUX4 and other gene categories associated with FSHD disease activity. We further show that measurements of normalized fat content in the entire TA muscle strongly predict molecular signatures in the mid-portion of the TA, indicating that regional biopsies can accurately measure progression in the whole muscle and providing a strong basis for inclusion of MRI and molecular biomarkers in clinical trial design. An unanticipated finding was the strong correlations of molecular signatures in the bilateral comparisons, including markers of B-cells and other immune cell populations, suggesting that a systemic immune cell infiltration of skeletal muscle might have a role in disease progression.
Assuntos
Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral , Humanos , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral/diagnóstico por imagem , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral/genética , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral/metabolismo , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Progressão da DoençaRESUMO
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disabling X-linked recessive disorder that causes gradual and irreversible loss of muscle, resulting in early death. The corticosteroids prednisone/prednisolone and deflazacort are used to treat DMD as the standard of care; however, only deflazacort is FDA approved for DMD. The novel atypical corticosteroid vamorolone is being investigated for treatment of DMD. We compared the pharmaceutical properties as well as the efficacy and safety of the three corticosteroids across multiple doses in the B10-mdx DMD mouse model. Pharmacokinetic studies in the mouse and evaluation of p-glycoprotein (P-gP) efflux in a cellular system demonstrated that vamorolone is not a strong P-gp substrate resulting in measurable central nervous system (CNS) exposure in the mouse. In contrast, deflazacort and prednisolone are strong P-gp substrates. All three corticosteroids showed efficacy, but also side effects at efficacious doses. After dosing mdx mice for two weeks, all three corticosteroids induced changes in gene expression in the liver and the muscle, but prednisolone and vamorolone induced more changes in the brain than did deflazacort. Both prednisolone and vamorolone induced depression-like behavior. All three corticosteroids reduced endogenous corticosterone levels, increased glucose levels, and reduced osteocalcin levels. Using micro-computed tomography, femur bone density was decreased, reaching significance with prednisolone. The results of these studies indicate that efficacious doses of vamorolone, are associated with similar side effects as seen with other corticosteroids. Further, because vamorolone is not a strong P-gp substrate, vamorolone distributes into the CNS increasing the potential CNS side-effects.
Assuntos
Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne , Prednisolona , Pregnadienodiois , Pregnenodionas , Animais , Camundongos , Prednisolona/uso terapêutico , Microtomografia por Raio-X , Camundongos Endogâmicos mdx , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/tratamento farmacológico , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/genética , Corticosterona/uso terapêutico , Preparações FarmacêuticasRESUMO
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal degenerative muscle wasting disease caused by the loss of the structural protein dystrophin with secondary pathological manifestations including metabolic dysfunction, mood and behavioral disorders. In the mildly affected mdx mouse model of DMD, brief scruff stress causes inactivity, while more severe subordination stress results in lethality. Here, we investigated the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolic pathway in mdx mice and their involvement as possible mediators of mdx stress-related pathology. We identified downregulation of the kynurenic acid shunt, a neuroprotective branch of the kynurenine pathway, in mdx skeletal muscle associated with attenuated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) transcriptional regulatory activity. Restoring the kynurenic acid shunt by skeletal muscle-specific PGC-1α overexpression in mdx mice did not prevent scruff -induced inactivity, nor did abrogating extrahepatic kynurenine pathway activity by genetic deletion of the pathway rate-limiting enzyme, indoleamine oxygenase 1. We further show that reduced NAD+ production in mdx skeletal muscle after subordination stress exposure corresponded with elevated levels of NAD+ catabolites produced by ectoenzyme cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) that have been implicated in lethal mdx response to pharmacological ß-adrenergic receptor agonism. However, genetic CD38 ablation did not prevent mdx scruff-induced inactivity. Our data do not support a direct contribution by the kynurenine pathway or CD38 metabolic dysfunction to the exaggerated stress response of mdx mice.
Assuntos
ADP-Ribosil Ciclase 1 , Indolamina-Pirrol 2,3,-Dioxigenase , Glicoproteínas de Membrana , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne , Coativador 1-alfa do Receptor gama Ativado por Proliferador de Peroxissomo , Animais , Camundongos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ácido Cinurênico/metabolismo , Cinurenina/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos mdx , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne/patologia , NAD/metabolismo , Coativador 1-alfa do Receptor gama Ativado por Proliferador de Peroxissomo/metabolismo , Indolamina-Pirrol 2,3,-Dioxigenase/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , ADP-Ribosil Ciclase 1/metabolismoRESUMO
The sporadic nature of DUX4 expression in FSHD muscle challenges comparative transcriptome analyses between FSHD and control samples. A variety of DUX4 and FSHD-associated transcriptional changes have been identified, but bulk RNA-seq strategies prohibit comprehensive analysis of their spatiotemporal relation, interdependence and role in the disease process. In this study, we used single-nucleus RNA-sequencing of nuclei isolated from patient- and control-derived multinucleated primary myotubes to investigate the cellular heterogeneity in FSHD. Taking advantage of the increased resolution in snRNA-sequencing of fully differentiated myotubes, two distinct populations of DUX4-affected nuclei could be defined by their transcriptional profiles. Our data provides insights into the differences between these two populations and suggests heterogeneity in two well-known FSHD-associated transcriptional aberrations: increased oxidative stress and inhibition of myogenic differentiation. Additionally, we provide evidence that DUX4-affected nuclei share transcriptome features with early embryonic cells beyond the well-described cleavage stage, progressing into the 8-cell and blastocyst stages. Altogether, our data suggests that the FSHD transcriptional profile is defined by a mixture of individual and sometimes mutually exclusive DUX4-induced responses and cellular state-dependent downstream effects.
Assuntos
Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral , Humanos , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral/genética , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral/metabolismo , Transcriptoma/genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , RNA Nuclear Pequeno/genética , RNA Nuclear Pequeno/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/genética , Apoptose , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/genéticaRESUMO
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable myopathy. FSHD is highly heterogeneous, with patients following a variety of clinical trajectories, complicating clinical trials. Skeletal muscle in FSHD undergoes fibrosis and fatty replacement that can be accelerated by inflammation, adding to heterogeneity. Well controlled molecular studies are thus essential to both categorize FSHD patients into distinct subtypes and understand pathomechanisms. Here, we further analyzed RNA-sequencing data from 24 FSHD patients, each of whom donated a biopsy from both a non-inflamed (TIRM-) and inflamed (TIRM+) muscle, and 15 FSHD patients who donated peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs), alongside non-affected control individuals. Differential gene expression analysis identified suppression of mitochondrial biogenesis and up-regulation of fibroadipogenic progenitor (FAP) gene expression in FSHD muscle, which was particularly marked on inflamed samples. PBMCs demonstrated suppression of antigen presentation in FSHD. Gene expression deconvolution revealed FAP expansion as a consistent feature of FSHD muscle, via meta-analysis of 7 independent transcriptomic datasets. Clustering of muscle biopsies separated patients in an unbiased manner into clinically mild and severe subtypes, independently of known disease modifiers (age, sex, D4Z4 repeat length). Lastly, the first genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing in FSHD muscle revealed perturbation of autophagy, BMP2 and HMGB1 signalling. Overall, our findings reveal molecular subtypes of FSHD with clinical relevance and identify novel pathomechanisms for this highly heterogeneous condition.
Assuntos
Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral , Humanos , Processamento Alternativo/genética , Inflamação/patologia , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Distrofia Muscular Facioescapuloumeral/patologia , Células-Tronco/metabolismoRESUMO
Biallelic mutations in interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycan 2 (IMPG2) in humans cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with early macular involvement, albeit the disease progression varies widely due to genetic heterogeneity and IMPG2 mutation type. There are currently no treatments for IMPG2-RP. To aid preclinical studies toward eventual treatments, there is a need to better understand the progression of disease pathology in appropriate animal models. Toward this goal, we developed mouse models with patient mimicking homozygous frameshift (T807Ter) or missense (Y250C) Impg2 mutations, as well as mice with a homozygous frameshift mutation (Q244Ter) designed to completely prevent IMPG2 protein expression, and characterized the trajectory of their retinal pathologies across postnatal development until late adulthood. We found that the Impg2T807Ter/T807Ter and Impg2Q244Ter/Q244Ter mice exhibited early onset gliosis, impaired photoreceptor outer segment maintenance, appearance of subretinal deposits near the optic disc, disruption of the outer retina, and neurosensorial detachment, whereas the Impg2Y250C/Y250C mice exhibited minimal retinal pathology. These results demonstrate the importance of mutation type in disease progression in IMPG2-RP and provide a toolkit and preclinical data for advancing therapeutic approaches.
Assuntos
Proteoglicanas , Retinose Pigmentar , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Adulto , Proteoglicanas/genética , Retina , Mutação , Retinose Pigmentar/genética , Progressão da DoençaRESUMO
The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the plasma membrane and the neuromuscular junction. In this study, we investigated the impact of the deficiency of α-dystrobrevin (αdbn), a component of the DGC, on the homeostasis of intracellular organelles, specifically mitochondria and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In αdbn deficient muscles, we observed a significant increase in the membrane-bound ATP synthase complex levels, a marker for mitochondria in oxidative muscle fiber types compared to wild-type. Furthermore, examination of muscle fibers deficient in αdbn using electron microscopy revealed profound alterations in the organization of mitochondria and the SR within certain myofibrils of muscle fibers. This included the formation of hyper-branched intermyofibrillar mitochondria with extended connections, an extensive network spanning several myofibrils, and a substantial increase in the number/density of subsarcolemmal mitochondria. Concurrently, in some cases, we observed significant structural alterations in mitochondria, such as cristae loss, fragmentation, swelling, and the formation of vacuoles and inclusions within the mitochondrial matrix cristae. Muscles deficient in αdbn also displayed notable alterations in the morphology of the SR, along with the formation of distinct anomalous concentric SR structures known as whorls. These whorls were prevalent in αdbn-deficient mice but were absent in wild-type muscles. These results suggest a crucial role of the DGC αdbn in regulating intracellular organelles, particularly mitochondria and the SR, within muscle cells. The remodeling of the SR and the formation of whorls may represent a novel mechanism of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in muscle cells.
Assuntos
Proteínas Associadas à Distrofina , Distrofina , Mitocôndrias , Retículo Sarcoplasmático , Animais , Camundongos , Distrofina/genética , Distrofina/metabolismo , Distrofina/deficiência , Proteínas Associadas à Distrofina/genética , Proteínas Associadas à Distrofina/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas/genética , Glicoproteínas/deficiência , Camundongos Knockout , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/ultraestrutura , Mitocôndrias/genética , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/metabolismo , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/ultraestrutura , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/ultraestrutura , Miofibrilas/metabolismo , Miofibrilas/ultraestrutura , Retículo Sarcoplasmático/metabolismo , Retículo Sarcoplasmático/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder for which cardiac features, including conduction delays and arrhythmias, are the second leading cause of disease mortality. DM1 is caused by expanded CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region of the DMPK gene. Transcription of the expanded DMPK allele produces mRNAs containing long tracts of CUG repeats, which sequester the Muscleblind-Like family of RNA binding proteins, leading to their loss-of-function and the dysregulation of alternative splicing. A well-characterized mis-regulated splicing event in the DM1 heart is the increased inclusion of SCN5A exon 6A rather than the mutually exclusive exon 6B that normally predominates in adult heart. As previous work showed that forced inclusion of Scn5a exon 6A in mice recapitulates cardiac DM1 phenotypes, we tested whether rescue of Scn5a mis-splicing would improve the cardiac phenotypes in a DM1 heart mouse model. We generated mice lacking Scn5a exon 6A to force the expression of the adult SCN5A isoform including exon 6B and crossed these mice to our previously established CUG960 DM1 heart mouse model. We showed that correction Scn5a mis-splicing does not improve the DM1 heart conduction delays and structural changes induced by CUG repeat RNA expression. Interestingly, we found that in addition to Scn5a mis-splicing, Scn5a expression is reduced in heart tissues of CUG960 mice and DM1-affected individuals. These data indicate that Scn5a mis-splicing is not the sole driver of DM1 heart deficits and suggest a potential role for reduced Scn5a expression in DM1 cardiac disease.
RESUMO
Alterations in Dp71 expression, the most ubiquitous dystrophin isoform, have been associated with patient survival across tumours. Intriguingly, in certain malignancies, Dp71 acts as a tumour suppressor, while manifesting oncogenic properties in others. This diversity could be explained by the expression of two Dp71 splice variants encoding proteins with distinct C-termini, each with specific properties. Expression of these variants has impeded the exploration of their unique roles. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we ablated the Dp71f variant with the alternative C-terminus in a sarcoma cell line not expressing the canonical C-terminal variant, and conducted molecular (RNAseq) and functional characterisation of the knockout cells. Dp71f ablation induced major transcriptomic alterations, particularly affecting the expression of genes involved in calcium signalling and ECM-receptor interaction pathways. The genome-scale metabolic analysis identified significant downregulation of glucose transport via membrane vesicle reaction (GLCter) and downregulated glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway. Functionally, these molecular changes corresponded with, increased calcium responses, cell adhesion, proliferation, survival under serum starvation and chemotherapeutic resistance. Knockout cells showed reduced GLUT1 protein expression, survival without attachment and their migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo were unaltered, despite increased matrix metalloproteinases release. Our findings emphasise the importance of alternative splicing of dystrophin transcripts and underscore the role of the Dp71f variant, which appears to govern distinct cellular processes frequently dysregulated in tumour cells. The loss of this regulatory mechanism promotes sarcoma cell survival and treatment resistance. Thus, Dp71f is a target for future investigations exploring the intricate functions of specific DMD transcripts in physiology and across malignancies.