BACKGROUND: Genetic defects in calpain3 (CAPN3) lead to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A, a disease of the skeletal muscle that affects predominantly the proximal limb muscles. We previously demonstrated the potential of adeno-associated virus-mediated transfer of the CAPN3 gene to correct the pathological signs in a murine model for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A after intramuscular and locoregional administrations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we showed that intravenous injection of calpain3-expressing vector in mice can induce mortality in a dose-dependent manner. An anatomopathological investigation revealed large areas of fibrosis in the heart that we related to unregulated proteolytic activity of calpain3. To circumvent this toxicity, we developed new adeno-associated virus vectors with skeletal muscle-restricted expression by using new muscle-specific promoters that include the CAPN3 promoter itself and by introducing a target sequence of the cardiac-specific microRNA-208a in the cassette. Our results show that CAPN3 transgene expression can be successfully suppressed in the cardiac tissue, preventing the cardiac toxicity, whereas expression of the transgene in skeletal muscle reverts the pathological signs of calpain3 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular strategies used in this study may be useful for any gene transfer strategy with potential toxicity in the heart.
BACKGROUND: Genetic defects in calpain3 (CAPN3) lead to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A, a disease of the skeletal muscle that affects predominantly the proximal limb muscles. We previously demonstrated the potential of adeno-associated virus-mediated transfer of the CAPN3 gene to correct the pathological signs in a murine model for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A after intramuscular and locoregional administrations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we showed that intravenous injection of calpain3-expressing vector in mice can induce mortality in a dose-dependent manner. An anatomopathological investigation revealed large areas of fibrosis in the heart that we related to unregulated proteolytic activity of calpain3. To circumvent this toxicity, we developed new adeno-associated virus vectors with skeletal muscle-restricted expression by using new muscle-specific promoters that include the CAPN3 promoter itself and by introducing a target sequence of the cardiac-specific microRNA-208a in the cassette. Our results show that CAPN3 transgene expression can be successfully suppressed in the cardiac tissue, preventing the cardiac toxicity, whereas expression of the transgene in skeletal muscle reverts the pathological signs of calpain3 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular strategies used in this study may be useful for any gene transfer strategy with potential toxicity in the heart.
Authors: Sridhar Selvaraj; Neha R Dhoke; James Kiley; Alba Judith Mateos-Aierdi; Sudheer Tungtur; Ricardo Mondragon-Gonzalez; Grace Killeen; Vanessa K P Oliveira; Adolfo López de Munain; Rita C R Perlingeiro Journal: Mol Ther Date: 2019-08-28 Impact factor: 11.454
Authors: Tibor V Varga; Azra Kurbasic; Mattias Aine; Pontus Eriksson; Ashfaq Ali; George Hindy; Stefan Gustafsson; Jian'an Luan; Dmitry Shungin; Yan Chen; Christina-Alexandra Schulz; Peter M Nilsson; Göran Hallmans; Inês Barroso; Panos Deloukas; Claudia Langenberg; Robert A Scott; Nicholas J Wareham; Lars Lind; Erik Ingelsson; Olle Melander; Marju Orho-Melander; Frida Renström; Paul W Franks Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2017-08-01 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Mehmet E Yalvac; Jakkrit Amornvit; Cilwyn Braganza; Lei Chen; Syed-Rehan A Hussain; Kimberly M Shontz; Chrystal L Montgomery; Kevin M Flanigan; Sarah Lewis; Zarife Sahenk Journal: Skelet Muscle Date: 2017-12-14 Impact factor: 4.912