Transgenic overexpression of laminin alpha1 chain in laminin alpha2 chain-deficient mice rescues the disease throughout the lifespan.
Several approaches to treat laminin alpha2 chain-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A) in mouse models have been undertaken. Most have shown promising results in young animals. However, older animals have only been characterized to some extent. Herein we analyze the lifespan of laminin alpha2 chain-deficient mice with transgenic overexpression of laminin alpha1 chain. Further outcome measures included internalized myonuclei, heart fibrosis, grip strength, and serum creatine kinase activity. We show that laminin alpha2-chain-deficient animals that overexpress laminin alpha1 chain survive to up to 1.5-2 years of age. Furthermore, they displayed improved skeletal and heart muscle morphology, near-normal muscle strength, and normalized creatine kinase levels. Such an improvement of the dystrophic phenotype that persists to old age has not been previously demonstrated in mice. Our findings hold promise with regard to the efficient treatment of MDC1A patients in the future.
Gawlik
Kinga I
KI
Muscle Biology Unit, Division for Cell and Matrix Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B12, University of Lund, Lund 221 84, Sweden.
Durbeej
Madeleine
M
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D007797:Laminin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology
D007797:Laminin; C102645:laminin alpha 2; C084098:laminin A; D003402:Creatine Kinase