Fukuyama-type Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Research Articles

Assessment of the upper limb muscles in patients with Fukuyama muscular dystrophy: Noninvasive assessment using visual ultrasound muscle analysis and shear wave elastography

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is severe, childhood-onset muscular dystrophy. Recently, our group has discovered a potential treatment using antisense oligonucleotides. Therefore, an effective, reliable, and objective method of assessing muscle is needed. Ultrasound is a minimally invasive tool that can be applied without radiation exposure or pain. Evaluating tissue stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE) has especially recently attracted attention. Here, we aimed to evaluate SWE value of the upper limb muscles: biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachioradialis, abductor pollicis brevis, and abductor finger muscle in patients with FCMD. Upper extremity function was evaluated by visual muscle ultrasound analysis (VMUA) and SWE in 13 patients with FCMD and 20 healthy controls. The motor function evaluation tool was used to evaluate motor function, and the correlation with the dynamics of the SWE was determined. VMUA scaled using the Heckmatt scale was higher in patients with FCMD. SWE was also significantly higher and stiffer in the biceps brachii and brachioradialis in patients with FCMD. Furthermore, the severity of FCMD symptoms was correlated with muscle stiffness. We conclude that VMUA and SWE can be useful tools for monitoring muscle atrophy and upper limb function in patients with FCMD.

Secreted Signaling Molecules at the Neuromuscular Junction in Physiology and Pathology.

Signal transduction at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is affected in many human diseases, including congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS), myasthenia gravis, Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome, Isaacs’ syndrome, Schwartz–Jampel syndrome, Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and sarcopenia. The NMJ is a prototypic cholinergic synapse between the motor neuron and the skeletal muscle. Synaptogenesis of the NMJ has been extensively studied, which has also been extrapolated to further understand synapse formation in the central nervous system. Studies of genetically engineered mice have disclosed crucial roles of secreted molecules in the development and maintenance of the NMJ. In this review, we focus on the secreted signaling molecules which regulate the clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the NMJ. We first discuss the signaling pathway comprised of neural agrin and its receptors, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4) and muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK). This pathway drives the clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) to ensure efficient signal transduction at the NMJ. We also discuss three secreted molecules (Rspo2, Fgf18, and connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf)) that we recently identified in the Wnt/β-catenin and fibroblast growth factors (FGF) signaling pathways. The three secreted molecules facilitate the clustering of AChRs by enhancing the agrin-Lrp4-MuSK signaling pathway.

BiAb Mediated Restoration of the Linkage between Dystroglycan and Laminin-211 as a Therapeutic Approach for α-Dystroglycanopathies.

Patients with α-dystroglycanopathies, a subgroup of rare congenital muscular dystrophies, present with a spectrum of clinical manifestations that includes muscular dystrophy as well as CNS and ocular abnormalities. Although patients with α-dystroglycanopathies are genetically heterogeneous, they share a common defect of aberrant post-translational glycosylation modification of the dystroglycan alpha-subunit, which renders it defective in binding to several extracellular ligands such as laminin-211 in skeletal muscles, agrin in neuromuscular junctions, neurexin in the CNS, and pikachurin in the eye, leading to various symptoms. The genetic heterogeneity associated with the development of α-dystroglycanopathies poses significant challenges to developing a generalized treatment to address the spectrum of genetic defects. Here, we propose the development of a bispecific antibody (biAb) that functions as a surrogate molecular linker to reconnect laminin-211 and the dystroglycan beta-subunit to ameliorate sarcolemmal fragility, a primary pathology in patients with α-dystroglycan-related muscular dystrophies. We show that the treatment of LARGEmyd-3J mice, an α-dystroglycanopathy model, with the biAb improved muscle function and protected muscles from exercise-induced damage. These results demonstrate the viability of a biAb that binds to laminin-211 and dystroglycan simultaneously as a potential treatment for patients with α-dystroglycanopathy.

P.102 - Registry of congenital neuromuscular disorders in Japan: establishment and implementation

Congenital neuromuscular disorders are rare, making clinical studies and recruitment of patients for clinical trials difficult. To facilitate research, we established a Japanese registry of congenital neuromuscular disorders. The registry included patients with congenital neuromuscular disorder whose clinical presentation was consistent with the known pathology, genetic diagnosis, or clinical diagnosis. Patients with dystrophinopathy, myotonic dystrophy, Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy, or spinal muscular atrophy were excluded because separate registries are available for these disorders. Patients to be included in this registry should have undergone genetic diagnosis and at least one muscular pathological examination. However, patients with only a clinical diagnosis were also included in the registry. To assure the accuracy of diagnosis prior to registration, patients were stratified into 3 levels: 1) diagnostic category A (definitive diagnosis based on neuromuscular pathological examination after muscle biopsy and/or identification of the responsible gene by genetic analysis, without any discrepancy from the known clinical course); 2) category B (no discrepancy from the known clinical symptoms or test findings but failure to identify the cause with muscle biopsy or genetic analysis); and 3) category C (patients who had not undergone diagnostic or genetic analysis based on muscle biopsy, but were clinically diagnosed by experts as not contradicting the known clinical symptoms or test findings of the disease). The registry was established in September 2016. To date, 13 patients have been registered, including 3 with muscular dystrophy, 7 with congenital myopathy, 1 with congenital myasthenia, and 2 with myofibrillar myopathy. This registry should stimulate research on congenital neuromuscular disorders. An important task of this registry will be rapid dissemination of data/materials on clinical trials, treatment, and education.

Antiracist Knowledge Production: Bridging Subdisciplines and Regions

Antiracist Knowledge Production: Bridging Subdisciplines and Regions

Carnitine-related hypoglycemia caused by 3\xa0days of pivalate antibiotic therapy in a patient with severe muscular dystrophy: a case report

BackgroundLong-term treatment with antibiotics containing pivalic acid may decrease serum carnitine concentration and can sometimes be associated with severe hypoglycemia and encephalopathy in infants. Little has been reported, however, on severe hypocarnitinemia induced by acute administration in older children.Case presentationWe describe a 6-year-old Japanese girl with Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy who lost consciousness after 3 days of treatment with an antibiotic containing pivalic acid (cefditoren pivoxil). Investigations at the onset of unconsciousness revealed hypoglycemia (free plasma glucose concentration: 31 mg/dL) and hypocarnitinemia (serum free carnitine concentration: 6.2 μmol/L). Intravenous administration of glucose rapidly improved her symptoms without any complications. Serum free carnitine concentration was 29.0 μmol/L immediately prior to the initiation of cefditoren pivoxil. Computed tomography scanning showed severe peripheral skeletal muscle atrophy, indicating the likelihood of decreased carnitine stores in skeletal muscle.ConclusionsAlthough serum carnitine concentration can appear deceptively normal, skeletal muscle carnitine stores can be reduced in patients with severe muscular atrophy. Even a short course of a pivalate-containing antibiotic can lead to life-threatening hypocarnitinemia in older children with severe muscular dystrophy.

Case study of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy receiving prolonged respiratory physiotherapy

Case study of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy receiving prolonged respiratory physiotherapy

Characteristic expression of fukutin in gastric cancer among atomic bomb survivors.

Approximately 70 years have passed since the atomic bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. To elucidate potential biomarkers and possible mechanisms of radiation-induced cancer, the expression of FKTN, which encodes fukutin protein and causes Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy, was analyzed in gastric cancer (GC) tissue samples from atomic bomb survivors. Expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) 10 was also evaluated, as it has previously been observed that positive fukutin expression was frequently noted in CD10-positive GC cases. In the first cohort from Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital and Atomic-Bomb Survivors Hospital (Hiroshima, Japan; n=92), 102 (53%) of the GC cases were positive for fukutin. Expression of fukutin was not associated with exposure status, but was associated with CD10 expression (P=0.0001). The second cohort was from Hiroshima University Hospital (Hiroshima, Japan; n=86), and these patients were also in the Life Span Study cohort, in which atomic bomb radiation doses were precisely estimated using the DS02 system. Expression of fukutin was detected in 58 (67%) of GC cases. GC cases positive for fukutin were observed more frequently in the low dose-exposed group than in the high dose-exposed group (P=0.0001). Further studies with a larger cohort, including precise radiation dose estimation, may aid in clarifying whether fukutin could serve as a potential biomarker to define radiation-induced GC in atomic-bomb survivors.

Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy and associated with neuropathological anomalies such as polymicrogyria and pachygria. Cerebral abnormalities in FCMD have been well documented by neuropathological examinations and cranial imaging studies. However, the pathologic mechanism of white matter lesions remains controversial. In the present study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a 7-month-old boy with FCMD showed the previously reviewed characteristic morphological features such as thick cortices with shallow sulci corresponding to polymicrogyria involving the frontal lobe. MRI also showed markedly prolonged T1 and T2 signals in the white matter, while diffusion-weighted images showed no abnormalities. The results of magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed an increase in choline and N-acetylaspartate resonances but normal myo -inositol resonance. The simulation of these findings with those of merosin-negative congenital muscular dystrophy should suggest a further study with larger population using a combination of different imaging techniques.

MRI findings in Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy of Chinese

Objective To investigate the MRI features of Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy(FCMD) in Chinese. Methods The MRI and clinical data of 3 patients with FCMD which had been diagnosed by gene analysis were retrospectively analyzed.Two females and one male were included in this study, and they underwent MR examination at 0.5,2.3,5.0 years old respectively. The main clinical manifestations were muscular hypotonia and severe developmental delay. Abnormalities on MR images were analyzed and recorded by two experienced radiologists. Results Unlayerdpoly microgyria involved in frontal lobes, numerous intraparenchymal cysts at the peripheral hemispheres and prolonged T1 and T2 signal in the white matter were found in all the 3 cases. Disorganized cerebellar folia, lissencephaly of cerebral cortices, flattened pons were detected in 2 cases. Cystic region of white matter incerebral cortices and enlarged fourth ventricle could be seen in one case. Conclusion There are typical MR imaging featuresof FCMD, and preliminary diagnosis can be made by the combination with clinical symptoms and biochemical analysis. Key words: Muscular dystrophies; Brain; Magnetic resonance imaging

O-010 Comparative Neuropathology Of Lissencephaly With Arx Mutation: Consideration Of Neocortical Interneuron Distribution

Background X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia (XLAG) is established as one disease entity. XLAG, showing severe neonatal seizure and developmental delay, is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the aristaless-related homeobox ( ARX ) gene, located in Xp22.13. Arx -null mice for human XLAG model showed loss of tangential migration of GABAergic interneurons. Objectives We investigated subpopulation of GABAergic interneurons in the brain of an infant with XLAG, who had a nonsense mutation of the ARX gene, compared with those of age-matched normal control, Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) as a type I lissencephaly, and polymicrogyria of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) as a type II lissencephaly. Methods We used paraffin-embeded brain tissues of two XLAG, three MDS and four FCMD, with an informed consent of their parents. We performed immunocytochemistry for interneuron and migration markers. Results Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and calretinin (CR) containing (+) cells were significantly very few in the neocortex and located in the white matter and neocortical subventricular zone. In the neocortical subventricular region, the GAD+ and CR+ cells had Mash -1 protein, like a radial migration marker, and nestin protein. On the contrary, MDS showed relative low concentration of GAD+ cells. FCMD revealed random distribution of these marked cells. Conclusions ARX controls not only tangential migration of GABAergic interneurons from the ganglionic eminence, but also may serve to induce radial migration from the neocortical subventricular zone. MDS and FCMD also demonstrated abnormal distribution of neocortical interneurons, but those severities are different in each type of lissencephaly.

Overexpression of LARGE suppresses muscle regeneration via down-regulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 and aggravates muscular dystrophy in mice.

Several types of muscular dystrophy are caused by defective linkage between α-dystroglycan (α-DG) and laminin. Among these, dystroglycanopathy, including Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), results from abnormal glycosylation of α-DG. Recent studies have shown that like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (LARGE) strongly enhances the laminin-binding activity of α-DG. Therefore, restoration of the α-DG-laminin linkage by LARGE is considered one of the most promising possible therapies for muscular dystrophy. In this study, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress LARGE (LARGE Tg) and crossed them with dy(2J) mice and fukutin conditional knockout mice, a model for laminin α2-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A) and FCMD, respectively. Remarkably, in both the strains, the transgenic overexpression of LARGE resulted in an aggravation of muscular dystrophy. Using morphometric analyses, we found that the deterioration of muscle pathology was caused by suppression of muscle regeneration. Overexpression of LARGE in C2C12 cells further demonstrated defects in myotube formation. Interestingly, a decreased expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was identified in both LARGE Tg mice and LARGE-overexpressing C2C12 myotubes. Supplementing the C2C12 cells with IGF-1 restored the defective myotube formation. Taken together, our findings indicate that the overexpression of LARGE aggravates muscular dystrophy by suppressing the muscle regeneration and this adverse effect is mediated via reduced expression of IGF-1.

Novel mutation in the fukutin gene in an Egyptian family with Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy and microcephaly

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD, MIM#253800) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe muscular dystrophy associated with brain malformations. FCMD is the second most common form of muscular dystrophy after Duchenne muscular dystrophy and one of the most common autosomal recessive diseases among the Japanese population, and yet few patients outside of Japan had been reported with this disorder. We report the first known Egyptian patient with FCMD, established by clinical features of generalized weakness, pseudohypertrophy of calf muscles, progressive joint contractures, severe scoliosis, elevated serum creatine kinase level, myopathic electrodiagnostic changes, brain MRI with cobblestone complex, and mutation in the fukutin gene. In addition, our patient displayed primary microcephaly, not previously reported associated with fukutin mutations. Our results expand the geographic and clinical spectrum of fukutin mutations.

Autonomic regulation in muscular dystrophy

Autonomic regulation in muscular dystrophy

Rhabdomyolysis Associated With Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in a Patient With Fukuyama-Type Congenital Muscular Dystrophy

Patients with Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy sometimes experience transient exacerbations of muscle weakness. We took care of a 9-year-old boy with Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy who presented with acute respiratory failure and decreased exercise ability with marked elevation of serum creatine kinase indicating rhabdomyolysis. At that time, his younger sister suffered from erythema infectiosum. Although he had no particular symptoms, he was tested and proven to have acute human parvovirus B19 infection based on detection of anti-B19 IgM and parvovirus B19 DNA in his serum. His acute rhabdomyolysis was possibly triggered by human parvovirus B19 infection.

후쿠야마 선천성 근이영양증 환자의 프로포폴을 이용한 전정맥마취 하 치과치료

근이영양증은 점진적인 근육 약화를 특징으로 하는 유전질환이다. 그 중 후쿠야마 선천성 근이영양증은 상염색체 열성으로 유전되며, 영아기 초기부터 시작되어 중추신경계, 안면근 등에도 이환되고 다발성 관절구축도 나타난다. 근이영양증 환자는 호흡기계나 심장 등의 합병증 발생 위험이 있으며, 특히 흡입마취제를 이용한 전신마취 시 악성고열증 가능성이 문제가 된다. 본 증례에서는 후쿠야마 선천성 근이영양증을 가진 3세 9개월 여아의 다발성 우식증을 전정맥마취 하에 치료하였다. 전신마취 유도 및 유지를 위해 프로포폴을 효과처 농도 <TEX>$3{\sim}3.5{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>, 진통 효과를 위해 레미펜타닐을 1.5 ng/mL 목표농도 조절주입하였다. 적절한 마취 심도와 안정적인 생징후를 유지하며 합병증 발생없이, 후쿠야마 선천성 근이영양증 환아의 전정맥마취하 다발성 치아우식 치료가 성공적으로 이루어져 이를 보고하고자 한다. Muscular dystrophy is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness of variable distribution and severity. Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is an unusual form of muscular dystrophy with autosomal recessive inheritance and is clinically characterized by an early age of onset, severe central nervous system involvement, facial muscle weakness, and multiple joint contractures. Muscular dystrophy is susceptible to perioperative respiratory, cardiac and other complications. Patients with FCMD have upper airway muscle weakness, therefore general anesthesia is preferred to sedation regarding maintaining the airway when treating these patients. The development of malignant hyperthermia in general anesthesia for patients with muscular dystrophy is a concern. Total intravenous anesthesia should be used instead of inhaled anesthetics because of the risk of malignant hyperthermia. A 3-year-9-month old, 13kg girl with Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy was scheduled for dental treatment under general anesthesia. She had multiple caries and 14 primary teeth needed caries treatment. Prior to general anesthesia, oral premedication with 9 mg midazolam was given. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with target controlled infusion of propofol <TEX>$3{\sim}3.5{\mu}g/mL$</TEX>. The patient with progressive muscular dystrophy was successfully treated under total intravenous anesthesia with a target controlled infusion of propofol. There were no complications related to anesthesia and dental treatment during or after the operation. This case suggests that target controlled infusion of propofol is a safe and appropriate anesthetic technique in FCMD patients for dental treatment.

A case of gastric wall perforation associated with nasogastric intubation in Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy.

A case of gastric wall perforation associated with nasogastric intubation in Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy.

Identification of Mutations in TMEM5 and ISPD as a Cause of Severe Cobblestone Lissencephaly

Cobblestone lissencephaly is a peculiar brain malformation with characteristic radiological anomalies. It is defined as cortical dysplasia that results when neuroglial overmigration into the arachnoid space forms an extracortical layer that produces agyria and/or a "cobblestone" brain surface and ventricular enlargement. Cobblestone lissencephaly is pathognomonic of a continuum of autosomal-recessive diseases characterized by cerebral, ocular, and muscular deficits. These include Walker-Warburg syndrome, muscle-eye-brain disease, and Fukuyama muscular dystrophy. Mutations in POMT1, POMT2, POMGNT1, LARGE, FKTN, and FKRP identified these diseases as alpha-dystroglycanopathies. Our exhaustive screening of these six genes, in a cohort of 90 fetal cases, led to the identification of a mutation in only 53% of the families, suggesting that other genes might also be involved. We therefore decided to perform a genome-wide study in two multiplex families. This allowed us to identify two additional genes: TMEM5 and ISPD. Because TMEM has a glycosyltransferase domain and ISPD has an isoprenoid synthase domain characteristic of nucleotide diP-sugar transferases, these two proteins are thought to be involved in the glycosylation of dystroglycan. Further screening of 40 families with cobblestone lissencephaly identified nonsense and frameshift mutations in another four unrelated cases for each gene, increasing the mutational rate to 64% in our cohort. All these cases displayed a severe phenotype of cobblestone lissencephaly A. TMEM5 mutations were frequently associated with gonadal dysgenesis and neural tube defects, and ISPD mutations were frequently associated with brain vascular anomalies.

Mislocalization of Fukutin Protein by Disease-causing Missense Mutations Can Be Rescued with Treatments Directed at Folding Amelioration

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), the second most common childhood muscular dystrophy in Japan, is caused by alterations in the fukutin gene. Mutations in fukutin cause abnormal glycosylation of α-dystroglycan, a cell surface laminin receptor; however, the exact function and pathophysiological role of fukutin are unclear. Although the most prevalent mutation in Japan is a founder retrotransposal insertion, point mutations leading to abnormal glycosylation of α-dystroglycan have been reported, both in Japan and elsewhere. To understand better the molecular pathogenesis of fukutin-deficient muscular dystrophies, we constructed 13 disease-causing missense fukutin mutations and examined their pathological impact on cellular localization and α-dystroglycan glycosylation. When expressed in C2C12 myoblast cells, wild-type fukutin localizes to the Golgi apparatus, whereas the missense mutants A170E, H172R, H186R, and Y371C instead accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum. Protein O-mannose β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (POMGnT1) also mislocalizes when co-expressed with these missense mutants. The results of nocodazole and brefeldin A experiments suggested that these mutant proteins were not transported to the Golgi via the anterograde pathway. Furthermore, we found that low temperature culture or curcumin treatment corrected the subcellular location of these missense mutants. Expression studies using fukutin-null mouse embryonic stem cells showed that the activity responsible for generating the laminin-binding glycan of α-dystroglycan was retained in these mutants. Together, our results suggest that some disease-causing missense mutations cause abnormal folding and localization of fukutin protein, and therefore we propose that folding amelioration directed at correcting the cellular localization may provide a therapeutic benefit to glycosylation-deficient muscular dystrophies.

Post‐transcriptional regulation of fukutin in an astrocytoma cell line

Fukutin is the gene responsible for Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), an autosomal recessive disease associated with central nervous system (CNS) and eye anomalies. Fukutin is involved in basement membrane formation via the glycosylation of α-dystroglycan (α-DG), and hypoglycosylation of α-DG provokes the muscular, CNS and eye lesions of FCMD. Astrocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of the CNS lesions, but the post-transcriptional regulation of fukutin mRNA has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of fukutin mRNA using an astrocytoma cell line that expresses fukutin and glycosylated α-DG. The glycosylation of α-DG was considered to be increased by over-expression of fukutin and decreased by knockdown of fukutin. Knockdown of Musashi-1, one of the RNA-binding proteins involved in the regulation of neuronal differentiation, induced a decrease in fukutin mRNA. Immunoprecipitation and ELISA-based RNA-binding assay demonstrated possible binding between fukutin mRNA and Musashi-1 protein. A relationship between fukutin mRNA and vimentin protein was also proposed. In situ hybridization for fukutin mRNA showed a positive cytoplasmic reaction including cytoplasmic processes. From these results, fukutin mRNA is suggested to be a localized mRNA up-regulated by Musashi-1 and to be a component of a mRNA-protein complex which includes Musashi-1 and (presumably) vimentin proteins.