We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Mitigation of muscular dystrophy in mice by SERCA overexpression in skeletal muscle.
- Authors
Goonasekera, Sanjeewa A; Lam, Chi K; Millay, Douglas P; Sargent, Michelle A; Hajjar, Roger J; Kranias, Evangelia G; Molkentin, Jeffery D
- Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) comprise a group of degenerative muscle disorders characterized by progressive muscle wasting and often premature death. The primary defect common to most MDs involves disruption of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC). This leads to sarcolemmal instability and Ca(2+) influx, inducing cellular necrosis. Here we have shown that the dystrophic phenotype observed in δ-sarcoglycan–null (Sgcd(–/–)) mice and dystrophin mutant mdx mice is dramatically improved by skeletal muscle–specific overexpression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 1 (SERCA1). Rates of myofiber central nucleation, tissue fibrosis, and serum creatine kinase levels were dramatically reduced in Sgcd(–/–) and mdx mice with the SERCA1 transgene, which also rescued the loss of exercise capacity in Sgcd(–/–) mice. Adeno-associated virus–SERCA2a (AAV-SERCA2a) gene therapy in the gastrocnemius muscle of Sgcd(–/–) mice mitigated dystrophic disease. SERCA1 overexpression reversed a defect in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) reuptake that characterizes dystrophic myofibers and reduced total cytosolic Ca(2+). Further, SERCA1 overexpression almost completely rescued the dystrophic phenotype in a mouse model of MD driven solely by Ca(2+) influx. Mitochondria isolated from the muscle of SERCA1-Sgcd(–/–) mice were no longer swollen and calpain activation was reduced, suggesting protection from Ca(2+)-driven necrosis. Our results suggest a novel therapeutic approach using SERCA1 to abrogate the altered intracellular Ca(2+) levels that underlie most forms of MD.
- Publication
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2011, Vol 121, Issue 3, p1044
- ISSN
1558-8238
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1172/JCI43844