scholarly journals Assessing the Use of the sGC Stimulator BAY-747, as a Potential Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8016
Author(s):  
Shalini Murali Krishnan ◽  
Johannes Nordlohne ◽  
Lisa Dietz ◽  
Alexandros Vakalopoulos ◽  
Petra Haning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Sgc Stimulators

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and progressive muscle wasting disorder, affecting one in 3500 to 5000 boys worldwide. The NO-sGC-cGMP pathway plays an important role in skeletal muscle function, primarily by improving blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles during exercise. In fact, PDE5 inhibitors have previously been investigated as a potential therapy for DMD, however, a large-scale Phase III clinical trial did not meet its primary endpoint. Since the efficacy of PDE5i is dependent on sufficient endogenous NO production, which might be impaired in DMD, we investigated if NO-independent sGC stimulators, could have therapeutic benefits in a mouse model of DMD. Male mdx/mTRG2 mice aged six weeks were given food supplemented with the sGC stimulator, BAY-747 (150 mg/kg of food) or food alone (untreated) ad libitum for 16 weeks. Untreated C57BL6/J mice were used as wild type (WT) controls. Assessments of the four-limb hang, grip strength, running wheel and serum creatine kinase (CK) levels showed that mdx/mTRG2 mice had significantly reduced skeletal muscle function and severe muscle damage compared to WT mice. Treatment with BAY-747 improved grip strength and running speed, and these mice also had reduced CK levels compared to untreated mdx/mTRG2 mice. We also observed increased inflammation and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mdx/mTRG2 mice compared to WT. While gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and some pro-fibrotic markers in the skeletal muscle was reduced following BAY-747 treatment, there was no reduction in infiltration of myeloid immune cells nor collagen deposition. In conclusion, treatment with BAY-747 significantly improves several functional and pathological parameters of the skeletal muscle in mdx/mTRG2 mice. However, the effect size was moderate and therefore, more studies are needed to fully understand the potential treatment benefit of sGC stimulators in DMD.

scholarly journals Increasing taurine intake and taurine synthesis improves skeletal muscle function in the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

2016 ◽  
Vol 594 (11) ◽  
pp. 3095-3110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R. Terrill ◽  
Gavin J. Pinniger ◽  
Jamie A. Graves ◽  
Miranda D. Grounds ◽  
Peter G. Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Mdx Mouse ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function

scholarly journals The pan HDAC inhibitor Givinostat improves muscle function and histological parameters in two Duchenne muscular dystrophy murine models expressing different haplotypes of the LTBP4 gene

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simonetta Andrea Licandro ◽  
Luca Crippa ◽  
Roberta Pomarico ◽  
Raffaella Perego ◽  
Gianluca Fossati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Insertion Polymorphism ◽  
Murine Models ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background In the search of genetic determinants of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) severity, LTBP4, a member of the latent TGF-β binding protein family, emerged as an important predictor of functional outcome trajectories in mice and humans. Nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms in LTBP4 gene associate with prolonged ambulation in DMD patients, whereas an in-frame insertion polymorphism in the mouse LTBP4 locus modulates disease severity in mice by altering proteolytic stability of the Ltbp4 protein and release of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Givinostat, a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor currently in phase III clinical trials for DMD treatment, significantly reduces fibrosis in muscle tissue and promotes the increase of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of muscles in mdx mice. In this study, we investigated the activity of Givinostat in mdx and in D2.B10 mice, two mouse models expressing different Ltbp4 variants and developing mild or more severe disease as a function of Ltbp4 polymorphism. Methods Givinostat and steroids were administrated for 15 weeks in both DMD murine models and their efficacy was evaluated by grip strength and run to exhaustion functional tests. Histological examinations of skeletal muscles were also performed to assess the percentage of fibrotic area and CSA increase. Results Givinostat treatment increased maximal normalized strength to levels that were comparable to those of healthy mice in both DMD models. The effect of Givinostat in both grip strength and exhaustion tests was dose-dependent in both strains, and in D2.B10 mice, Givinostat outperformed steroids at its highest dose. The in vivo treatment with Givinostat was effective in improving muscle morphology in both mdx and D2.B10 mice by reducing fibrosis. Conclusion Our study provides evidence that Givinostat has a significant effect in ameliorating both muscle function and histological parameters in mdx and D2.B10 murine models suggesting a potential benefit also for patients with a poor prognosis LTBP4 genotype.

scholarly journals Galectin‐3 and N ‐acetylglucosamine promote myogenesis and improve skeletal muscle function in the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 6445-6455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Rancourt ◽  
Sébastien S. Dufresne ◽  
Guillaume St‐Pierre ◽  
Julie‐Christine Lévesque ◽  
Haruka Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function ◽  
Galectin 3

scholarly journals Neopterin/7,8-dihydroneopterin is elevated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and protects mdx skeletal muscle function

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (7) ◽  
pp. 995-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus Lindsay ◽  
Alexandra Schmiechen ◽  
Christopher M. Chamberlain ◽  
James M. Ervasti ◽  
Dawn A. Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function

scholarly journals Modified forelimb grip strength test detects aging-associated physiological decline in skeletal muscle function in male mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hikari Takeshita ◽  
Koichi Yamamoto ◽  
Satoko Nozato ◽  
Tadakatsu Inagaki ◽  
Hirotsugu Tsuchimochi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Strength Test ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Function ◽  
Forelimb Grip Strength

scholarly journals Co-Transplantation of Bone Marrow-MSCs and Myogenic Stem/Progenitor Cells from Adult Donors Improves Muscle Function of Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1119
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Klimczak ◽  
Agnieszka Zimna ◽  
Agnieszka Malcher ◽  
Urszula Kozlowska ◽  
Katarzyna Futoma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Progenitor Cell ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Muscle Fibres

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder associated with a progressive deficiency of dystrophin that leads to skeletal muscle degeneration. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a co-transplantation of two stem/progenitor cell populations, namely bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and skeletal muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells (SM-SPCs), directly into the dystrophic muscle can improve the skeletal muscle function of DMD patients. Three patients diagnosed with DMD, confirmed by the dystrophin gene mutation, were enrolled into a study approved by the local Bioethics Committee (no. 79/2015). Stem/progenitor cells collected from bone marrow and skeletal muscles of related healthy donors, based on HLA matched antigens, were expanded in a closed MC3 cell culture system. A simultaneous co-transplantation of BM-MSCs and SM-SPCs was performed directly into the biceps brachii (two patients) and gastrocnemius (one patient). During a six-month follow-up, the patients were examined with electromyography (EMG) and monitored for blood kinase creatine level. Muscle biopsies were examined with histology and assessed for dystrophin at the mRNA and protein level. A panel of 27 cytokines was analysed with multiplex ELISA. We did not observe any adverse effects after the intramuscular administration of cells. The efficacy of BM-MSC and SM-SPC application was confirmed through an EMG assessment by an increase in motor unit parameters, especially in terms of duration, amplitude range, area, and size index. The beneficial effect of cellular therapy was confirmed by a decrease in creatine kinase levels and a normalised profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines. BM-MSCs may support the pro-regenerative potential of SM-SPCs thanks to their trophic, paracrine, and immunomodulatory activity. Both applied cell populations may fuse with degenerating skeletal muscle fibres in situ, facilitating skeletal muscle recovery. However, further studies are required to optimise the dose and timing of stem/progenitor cell delivery.

scholarly journals Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients lacking the dystrophin isoforms Dp140 and Dp71 and mouse models lacking Dp140 have a more severe motor phenotype

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Chesshyre ◽  
Deborah Ridout ◽  
Yasumasa Hashimoto ◽  
Yoko Ookubo ◽  
Silvia Torelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by DMD mutations leading to dystrophin loss. Full length Dp427 is the primary dystrophin isoform expressed in skeletal muscle and is also expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Two shorter isoforms, Dp140 and Dp71, are highly expressed in the CNS. While a role for Dp140 and Dp71 on DMD CNS co-morbidities is well known, relationships between lack of Dp140 and Dp71 and DMD motor outcomes are not. We have conducted a series of investigations addressing this. Methods Functional outcome data from 387 DMD boys aged 4.0-15.4 years was subdivided by DMD mutation expected effect on isoform expression; Group 1 (Dp427 absent, Dp140/Dp71 present, n=201); group 2 (Dp427/Dp140 absent, Dp71 present, n=152); and group 3 (Dp427/Dp140/Dp71 absent, n=34). Relationships between isoform group and North Star ambulatory assessment (NSAA) scores, 10m walk/run and rise times were explored using regression analysis. We used Capillary Western immunoassay (Wes) analysis to study Dp427, Dp140 and Dp71 production in wild-type and DMD skeletal muscle and myogenic cultures. Grip strength was studied in wild-type, mdx (Dp427 absent, Dp140/Dp71 present), mdx52 (Dp427/Dp140 absent, Dp71 present) and DMD-null (lacking all isoforms) mice. Results In DMD boys, we found a strong association between isoform group and motor function. In DMD boys, mean NSAA scores at 5 years of age were 6.1 points lower in group 3 than group 1 (p<0.01) and 4.9 points lower in group 3 than group 2 (p=0.05). Mean peak NSAA scores were 4.0 points lower in group 3 than group 1 (p<0.01), 2.4 points lower in group 3 than group 2 (p=0.09) and 1.6 points lower in group 2 than group 1 (p=0.04). Average grip strength in peak force at 3 months of age was higher in mdx than mdx52 mice (p=0.01). Dp427, but not Dp71, was produced in normal skeletal muscle; low levels of Dp71 were detected in DMD skeletal muscle. High Dp71 levels were present in wild-type and DMD myogenic cultures. Conclusions DMD boys lacking Dp140 and Dp140/Dp71 displayed worse motor function with a cumulative effect of isoform loss. DMD mouse models lacking Dp427 and Dp140 had lower grip strength than those lacking Dp427 but not Dp140. Our results highlight the importance of considering the effects of dystrophin isoform loss on DMD motor impairment, with important implications for understanding the complex relationship between brain and muscle function in DMD and patient stratification for clinical trials.

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