scholarly journals Generation and phenotyping of a novel knock-in mouse model of desmoplakin dependent arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Di Bona ◽  
A Scalco ◽  
R Bariani ◽  
N Kuperwasser ◽  
P David ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mouse Strain ◽  
Sympathetic Neurons ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mechanistic Study ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
National Budget ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Substrate ◽  
Fatty Replacement

Abstract Background Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (AC) is a genetic cardiac disorder, mainly caused by mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins, and accounts for most stress-related arrhythmic sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) in the young and athletes. The AC myocardium is hallmarked by cardiomyocyte (CM) death and fibro-fatty replacement, which generate a pro-arrhythmogenic substrate. Several pathogenetic factors in AC remain obscure and better understanding of the disease mechanisms is required to develop novel efficacious therapies to prevent SCD, which are sorely missing. The lexical analogy between desmosomes and desmosomal proteins has originally biased AC research towards CMs, the paradigmatic desmosome-bearing cells in heart. However, the myocardium is composed by different cell types, many of which express desmosomal proteins, albeit in the absence of desmosomes, including CMs, sympathetic neurons, vascular cells and fibroblasts. Notably, AC mutations are transmitted at germline, and thus may manifest in all cell types expressing desmosomal proteins. This might explain why the majority of preclinical AC models, using CM specific over-expression or deletion of the disease-causing mutation, failed to fully recapitulate the human disease phenotype. Hypothesis On these bases, we aimed to generate a knock-in (KI) AC mouse model for comprehensively studying AC pathogenesis. Methods As Desmoplakin (DSP) mutations occur in a large part of the Italian AC population, we used CRISP/Cas9 to generate a KI mouse strain harboring the Serine-to-Alanine substitution of S311, the murine homolog of human S299 [Bauce et al, 2005]. We successfully obtained DSPS311A/WT KI founders, which were viable and fertile and after backcrossing for >10 generations, used to expand the new mouse strain. Mouse cardiac phenotype was characterized, at different stages (1,2,4,6,9 mo.) by functional (i.e. ECHO, telemetry-ECG, chronic exercise) and structural (i.e. EM, standard histology, confocal IF, TUNEL assay) analyses. Molecular/biochemical analyses probed the state of the main pathways involved in AC. Results Our analyses showed that, starting from 4 mo., DSP homozygous KI mice display contractile dysfunction, worsening during aging, and fibrotic myocardial remodelling with focal fatty lesions, accompanied by frequent arrhythmic beats, which become sustained ventricular arrhythmias upon Noradrenaline administration. Hearts showed desmosome alterations, particularly at advanced disease stages, and lateralization of cx43, which corresponded to the phenotype of human AC hearts. Heterozygous mice showed similar alterations, which only took longer to appear. Exercise accelerated disease progression and increased the incidence of SCD (DSPS311A: SCD=63%, n=11; ctrls: SCD=8%, n=12). Conclusion Our KI mice replicate the clinical and pathological phenotype of DSP-linked biventricular AC and are thus suited for the mechanistic study of the multicellular origin of the disease. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): PRIN Miur 2015

scholarly journals Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Extensive Progenitor Cell Deficiencies in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Metabolites ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiane Joseph ◽  
Dong Cho ◽  
Jason Doles
Keyword(s):  
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Progenitor Cell ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mdx Mouse ◽  
Mdx Mice ◽  
Metabolic Alterations ◽  
Potential Contributor

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes severe morbidity and reduced lifespan. Individuals with DMD have an X-linked mutation that impairs their ability to produce functional dystrophin protein in muscle. No cure exists for this disease and the few therapies that are available do not dramatically delay disease progression. Thus, there is a need to better understand the mechanisms underlying DMD which may ultimately lead to improved treatment options. The muscular dystrophy (MDX) mouse model is frequently used to explore DMD disease traits. Though some studies of metabolism in dystrophic mice exist, few have characterized metabolic profiles of supporting cells in the diseased environment. Using nontargeted metabolomics we characterized metabolic alterations in muscle satellite cells (SCs) and serum of MDX mice. Additionally, live-cell imaging revealed MDX-derived adipose progenitor cell (APC) defects. Finally, metabolomic studies revealed a striking elevation of acylcarnitines in MDX APCs, which we show can inhibit APC proliferation. Together, these studies highlight widespread metabolic alterations in multiple progenitor cell types and serum from MDX mice and implicate dystrophy-associated metabolite imbalances in APCs as a potential contributor to adipose tissue disequilibrium in DMD.

Development to term of mouse androgenetic aggregation chimeras

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 1325-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Mann ◽  
C.L. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Strain ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Considerable Improvement ◽  
Es Cell ◽  
Partial Explanation ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Skeletal Abnormalities ◽  
Embryonic Tissues

Diploid androgenetic eggs contain two sperm-derived genomes, and only rarely develop to the early somite stage. Also, previous studies have indicated that androgenetic eggs cannot be rescued in aggregation chimeras beyond embryonic stages. Paradoxically, in blastocyst injection chimeras made with androgenetic embryonic stem (ES) cells of the 129/Sv strain, we previously obtained considerable improvement in developmental potential. Although considerable death occurred in utero, overtly normal chimeric fetuses and occasional postnatal chimeras that developed skeletal abnormalities were observed. Consequently, we have re-evaluated the developmental potential of androgenetic aggregation chimeras utilizing androgenetic eggs of the 129/Sv strain, and of the BALB/c and CD-1 strains for comparison. Regardless of strain, androgenetic aggregation chimeras were generally more inviable than previously observed with androgenetic ES cell chimeras, and often the embryoproper was abnormal even when an androgenetic contribution was detected only in the extra-embryonic membranes. This is at least a partial explanation of the greater viability of androgenetic ES cell chimeras, as ES cells do not colonize significantly certain extra-embryonic tissues. Nevertheless, in the 129/Sv strain, occasional development of chimeras to term was obtained, and one chimera that survived postnatally developed identical skeletal abnormalities to those observed previously in androgenetic ES cell chimeras. This result demonstrates that at least one example of paternal imprinting is faithfully conserved in androgenetic ES cells. Also, the postnatal chimerism shows that androgenetic eggs can give rise to terminally differentiated cell types, and are therefore pluripotent. In contrast, only possibly one BALB/c and no CD-1 androgenetic aggregation chimeras developed to term. Therefore, the developmental potential of androgenetic aggregation chimeras is to some extent dependent on mouse strain.

The Uptake and Localization of Catecholamines in Chick Embryo Sympathetic Neurons in Tissue Culture

1969 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 677-691
Author(s):  
J. M. ENGLAND ◽  
M. N. GOLDSTEIN
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Chick Embryo ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Sympathetic Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Axon Terminals ◽  
Dense Core Granules ◽  
Insoluble Compounds ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells

The uptake of exogenous [3H]dopamine, [3H]norepinephrine,[3H]epinephrine by dissociated chick embryo sympathetic neurons growing in tissue culture was studied by autoradiography. The neurons, growing in a medium containing nerve growth factor, rapidly and specifically took up all three catecholamines for at least 60 days, while no uptake was observed in several other cell types, including satellite cells and chick dorsal-root ganglion cells. The uptake was dependent on the concentration of the catecholamine and the duration of the pulse and was inhibited by cocaine and several sympathomimetic amines. Labelling was visualized only with fixatives which react with catecholamines to form water-insoluble compounds. Autoradiographs showed that the label was much denser over the axons than the cell bodies. The label was distributed uniformly along the axons and did not seem to be preferentially localized at the axon terminals or varicosities which contain aggregates of dense core granules. These observations indicate that a large portion of the exogenous 3[H]catecholamine is localized in an extragranular compartment and suggest that the differentiated function of the sympathetic neuronal cell membrane, which plays an important role in uptake, is retained after prolonged tissue culture.

scholarly journals Pharmacological myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition in an obese/hypertensive mouse model attenuates obesity and liver damage, but not cardiac remodeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Piek ◽  
Debby P. Y. Koonen ◽  
Elisabeth-Maria Schouten ◽  
Eva L. Lindtstedt ◽  
Erik Michaëlsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
The Body ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Low Fat Diet ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

AbstractLifestyle factors are important drivers of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular syndromes, with low grade inflammation as a central player. Attenuating myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an inflammatory enzyme associated with obesity, hypertension and heart failure, could have protective effects on multiple organs. Herein, the effects of the novel oral available MPO inhibitor AZM198 were studied in an obese/hypertensive mouse model which displays a cardiac phenotype. Eight week old male C57BL6/J mice received 16 weeks of high fat diet (HFD) combined with angiotensin II (AngII) infusion during the last 4 weeks, with low fat diet and saline infusion as control. Treated animals showed therapeutic AZM198 levels (2.1 µM), corresponding to 95% MPO inhibition. AZM198 reduced elevated circulating MPO levels in HFD/AngII mice to normal values. Independent of food intake, bodyweight increase and fat accumulation were attenuated by AZM198, alongside with reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation and attenuated severity of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The HFD/AngII perturbation caused impaired cardiac relaxation and contraction, and increased cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. AZM198 treatment did, however, not improve these cardiac parameters. Thus, AZM198 had positive effects on the main lipid controlling tissues in the body, namely adipose tissue and liver. This did, however, not directly result in improved cardiac function.

scholarly journals Effect of genetic background on the cardiac phenotype in a mouse model of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 100664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Vignier ◽  
Nathalie Mougenot ◽  
Gisèle Bonne ◽  
Antoine Muchir
Keyword(s):  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Genetic Background ◽  
Cardiac Phenotype

scholarly journals Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Molecular Insights for Improved Therapeutic Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Stevens ◽  
Michael J. Wallace ◽  
Mona El Refaey ◽  
Jason D. Roberts ◽  
Sara N. Koenig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Mendelian Inheritance ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Fatty Replacement ◽  
Mechanistic Basis

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited disorder characterized by structural and electrical cardiac abnormalities, including myocardial fibro-fatty replacement. Its pathological ventricular substrate predisposes subjects to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). ACM is a notorious cause of SCD in young athletes, and exercise has been documented to accelerate its progression. Although the genetic culprits are not exclusively limited to the intercalated disc, the majority of ACM-linked variants reside within desmosomal genes and are transmitted via Mendelian inheritance patterns; however, penetrance is highly variable. Its natural history features an initial “concealed phase” that results in patients being vulnerable to malignant arrhythmias prior to the onset of structural changes. Lack of effective therapies that target its pathophysiology renders management of patients challenging due to its progressive nature, and has highlighted a critical need to improve our understanding of its underlying mechanistic basis. In vitro and in vivo studies have begun to unravel the molecular consequences associated with disease causing variants, including altered Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Characterization of ACM mouse models has facilitated the evaluation of new therapeutic approaches. Improved molecular insight into the condition promises to usher in novel forms of therapy that will lead to improved care at the clinical bedside.

scholarly journals Structure and expression of a gene encoding a putative GTP-binding protein identified by provirus integration in a transgenic mouse strain.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 886-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Mooslehner ◽  
U Müller ◽  
U Karls ◽  
L Hamann ◽  
K Harbers
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Strain ◽  
Embryonal Carcinoma ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Mutagenic Effect ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Transcription Unit ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Gtp Binding

The Mov-10 mouse strain was derived by infection of preimplantation embryos with the Moloney murine leukemia virus and carries one copy of the provirus in its germ line. Here we show that the provirus has integrated into an evolutionarily conserved gene that can code for a protein of 110 kDa containing the three consensus elements characteristic for GTP-binding proteins. The Mov-10 locus was expressed in a variety of cell types, including embryonal carcinoma and embryonic stem cells. Transcription of the gene was down-regulated about 10-fold when F9 embryonal carcinoma cells are differentiated into parietal endodermlike cells and about 2-fold when they are differentiated into visceral endodermlike cells. High levels of Mov-10 transcripts were also found at different stages of embryonal development and in the testes and thymus of adult animals. Expression was cell cycle controlled, with steady-state RNA levels significantly higher in growth-arrested than in growth-stimulated cells. The results suggest that the Mov-10 locus has an important function in development and/or control of cell proliferation. The provirus was shown to have integrated into intron 1 of the gene without disrupting expression, indicating that integration into intronic sequences of a transcription unit does not necessarily affect transcription. This result together with previous results from the Mov-13 mouse strain suggested that proviruses exert their mutagenic effect only by integration in specific sites, such as cis-regulatory DNA elements.

scholarly journals The protein bcl-2 alpha does not require membrane attachment, but two conserved domains to suppress apoptosis.

1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 1059-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Borner ◽  
I Martinou ◽  
C Mattmann ◽  
M Irmler ◽  
E Schaerer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sympathetic Neurons ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Full Activity ◽  
Membrane Attachment ◽  
Hydrophobic Tail ◽  
Critical Regions

Bcl-2 is a mitochondrial- and perinuclear-associated protein that prolongs the lifespan of a variety of cell types by interfering with programmed cell death (apoptosis). Bcl-2 seems to function in an antioxidant pathway, and it is believed that membrane attachment mediated by a COOH-terminal hydrophobic tail is required for its full activity. To identify critical regions in bcl-2 alpha for subcellular localization, activity, and/or interaction with other proteins, we created, by site-directed mutagenesis, various deletion, truncation, and point mutations. We show here that membrane attachment is not required for the survival activity of bcl-2 alpha. A truncation mutant of bcl-2 alpha lacking the last 33 amino acids (T3.1) including the hydrophobic COOH terminus shows full activity in blocking apoptosis of nerve growth factor-deprived sympathetic neurons or TNF-alpha-treated L929 fibroblasts. Confocal microscopy reveals that the T3 mutant departs into the extremities of neurites in neurons and filopodias in fibroblasts. Consistently, T3 is predominantly detected in the soluble fraction by Western blotting, and is not inserted into microsomes after in vitro transcription/translation. We further provide evidence for motifs (S-N and S-II) at the NH2 and COOH terminus of bcl-2, which are crucial for its activity.

scholarly journals A new mouse model to study restoration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in a Cre-dependent manner: microglial IL-6 regulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Sanchis ◽  
Olaya Fernández-Gayol ◽  
Gemma Comes ◽  
Kevin Aguilar ◽  
Anna Escrig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Recovery Of Function ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

Abstract Background Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that controls numerous physiological processes both in basal and neuroinflammatory conditions, including the inflammatory response to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). IL-6 is produced by multiple peripheral and central cells, and until now, the putative roles of IL-6 from different cell types have been evaluated through conditional cell-specific IL-6 knockout mice. Nevertheless, these mice probably undergo compensatory responses of IL-6 from other cells, which makes it difficult to assess the role of each source of IL-6. Methods To give some insight into this problem, we have produced a novel mouse model: a conditional reversible IL-6 KO mouse (IL6-DIO-KO). By using double-inverted, open-reading-frame (DIO) technology, we created a mouse line with the loss of Il6 expression in all cells that can be restored by the action of Cre recombinase. Since microglia are one of the most important sources and targets of IL-6 into the central nervous system, we have recovered microglial Il6 expression in IL6-DIO-KO mice through breeding to Cx3cr1-CreER mice and subsequent injection of tamoxifen (TAM) when mice were 10–16 weeks old. Then, they were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide (MOG35-55) 7 weeks after TAM treatment to induce EAE. Clinical symptoms and demyelination, CD3 infiltration, and gliosis in the spinal cord were evaluated. Results IL6-DIO-KO mice were resistant to EAE, validating the new model. Restoration of microglial Il6 was sufficient to develop a mild version of EAE-related clinical symptoms and neuropathology. Conclusions IL6-DIO-KO mouse is an excellent model to understand in detail the role of specific cellular sources of IL-6 within a recovery-of-function paradigm in EAE.

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