Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and fatal muscle wasting disease characterized by a high mutation rate in the gene that encodes the membrane-associated protein dystrophin that results in absence of expressed protein. Although the primary genetic defect for DMD is known, the mechanisms that initiate the onset of DMD are not currently understood. This study tested the hypothesis that pathophysiological processes involved in DMD could be identified by the global expression of mRNA in maturing dystrophin- and utrophin-deficient mouse (mdx:utrn-/-) muscles. Two potential dystrophic onset mechanisms targeted for analysis were (1) disrupted expression of calcium handling proteins; and, (2) increased expression of immune response markers. An mRNA expression profile was developed following isolation of total RNA from control and mdx:utrn-/- triceps surae (TS) muscles at ages 9-10 and 20-21 days using Affymetrix® Mu74Av2 GeneChips®. Compared to control, the mRNA expression profile in mdx:utrn-/- muscles revealed there was a 3-fold increase in the number of gene transcripts differentially expressed more than 2-fold (53 transcripts at ages 9-10 days; 153 at ages 20-21 days). However, there were no changes in the mRNA transcripts for calcium handling proteins. In distinct contrast, there was up-regulation of transcripts that corresponded to an immune response (40 transcripts), extracellular matrix activity (14), and proteolysis (8). Up-regulation of several transcripts corresponded to cytokines and their receptors (11), chemokines and their receptors (5), and lymphoid and myeloid markers (16) suggesting that dystrophic muscle is susceptible to invasion by macrophages, leukocytes, B- and T-cells. These results are consistent with several reports (Spencer et al., 1997; Chen et al., 2000; Porter et al., 2002; Porter et al., 2003a; Porter et al., 2003b; Porter et al., 2004) that indicate the immune system may play an important role in the early pathophysiology of DMD. Understanding the functional aspects of an immune response in DMD onset should lead to more effective therapeutics. / Master of Science

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and a chronic inflammatory response. Sphingolipid metabolites are associated with the generation or perpetuation of low-grade chronic inflammation critical in atherosclerosis, obesity and cancer. Dietary sphingolipids, however, can suppress intestinal inflammation. We hypothesized that dietary sphingomyelin (SM) from bovine milk can modulate the inflammatory signature and improve muscle function in mdx mice, a model of DMD. C57BL10 (WT) and mdx mice were fed AIN 76A diet ± 0.1% SM for 7 weeks starting at age 4 weeks (n=10/group: WT, WT + S, mdx, mdx + S). At ages 5, 7, and 9 weeks, ankle flexor torque was determined in vivo. Mice were euthanized at 11 wks. Serum creatine kinase and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) contractile properties in vitro were determined; Tibialis Anterior (TA) inflammatory markers were profiled by qRT-PCR; TA sections were stained with H&E and immunohistochemistry for p-Akt was performed. At age 9 weeks, in vivo ankle flexor torque at stimulation frequencies 50-150 Hz was greater in mdx+S vs. mdx (P=0.0160) and WT (P<0.0001). At 11 wks, only WT+S EDL stress in vitro was greater than all other groups at 50-150 Hz. The in vitro relative stress-frequency relationship of mdx+S EDL was left shifted from the other treatment groups. Inflammatory genetic markers were increased in mdx+S mice. These data suggest treatment of mdx mice with 0.1% SM improves ankle flexor torque in vivo, causes a left shift of the stress-frequency relationship in vitro, and modulates the inflammatory gene signature. / Master of Science

This written thesis gives an account of the creative production of Two Fingers: Michael's Struggle, a twenty-nine minute documentary video that explores the life of Michael Alan Rasch who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It explains in detail the process of pre-production, production, and post-production of the documentary. It also discuses the integration of theories applied in the documentary. Two Fingers shows that although Michael has lived with the disease almost his entire life, his perspective and attitude are more about living and enjoying life. Through it, the filmmaker intends the viewer to gain a tremendously important lesson about the human spirit.

As distrofias musculares constituem um grupo heterogêneo de doenças genéticas, caracterizadas por uma degeneração progressiva e irreversível dos músculos. Modelos murinos distróficos, como o mdx, SJL/J, Largemyd e Lama2dy-2J/J, são ferramentas importantes para o estudo destas doenças. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em estabelecer parâmetros de avaliação funcional que visem a sua utilização para elucidar os benefícios clínicos de futuras terapias. Para tanto, foram avaliadas as quatro linhagens distróficas, em diferentes idades, e comparadas a controle normal. Os testes padronizados consistiram em nado forçado, avaliação de resistência/equilíbrio pelos membros anteriores e pelos quatro membros, caminhar em plataforma suspensa, suspensão pela cauda, grip strength e rota rod. Comprovou-se a existência de diferentes padrões de força, resistência, coordenação motora e aprendizagem/memória ao longo do tempo de vida de cada linhagem, o que permitiu traçar parâmetros a serem utilizados em futuras pesquisas de terapia celular e farmacológica. / Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases characterized by a progressive and irreversible degeneration of the muscles. Dystrophic mouse models, like the mdx, SJL/J, Largemyd and Lama2dy-2J/J, are important tools for studying these diseases. The aim of this study was to establish parameters for functional evaluation aiming its use to elucidate the clinical benefits of future therapies. Thus, we evaluated the four strains of dystrophic mice, at different ages, and compared to normal control. Standardized tests consisted of forced swimming, evaluation of resistance/balance by forelimb and four members, walking on suspended platform, suspension by the tail, grip strength and rota rod. We observed the existence of different patterns of strength, endurance, coordination and learning / memory over the lifetime of each strain, which allowed tracing parameters to be used in future studies of cell and pharmacology therapies.

As distrofias musculares constituem um grupo heterogêneo de doenças genéticas, caracterizadas por uma degeneração progressiva e irreversível dos músculos. Modelos murinos distróficos, como o mdx, SJL/J, Largemyd e Lama2dy-2J/J, são ferramentas importantes para o estudo destas doenças. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em estabelecer parâmetros de avaliação funcional que visem a sua utilização para elucidar os benefícios clínicos de futuras terapias. Para tanto, foram avaliadas as quatro linhagens distróficas, em diferentes idades, e comparadas a controle normal. Os testes padronizados consistiram em nado forçado, avaliação de resistência/equilíbrio pelos membros anteriores e pelos quatro membros, caminhar em plataforma suspensa, suspensão pela cauda, grip strength e rota rod. Comprovou-se a existência de diferentes padrões de força, resistência, coordenação motora e aprendizagem/memória ao longo do tempo de vida de cada linhagem, o que permitiu traçar parâmetros a serem utilizados em futuras pesquisas de terapia celular e farmacológica. / Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases characterized by a progressive and irreversible degeneration of the muscles. Dystrophic mouse models, like the mdx, SJL/J, Largemyd and Lama2dy-2J/J, are important tools for studying these diseases. The aim of this study was to establish parameters for functional evaluation aiming its use to elucidate the clinical benefits of future therapies. Thus, we evaluated the four strains of dystrophic mice, at different ages, and compared to normal control. Standardized tests consisted of forced swimming, evaluation of resistance/balance by forelimb and four members, walking on suspended platform, suspension by the tail, grip strength and rota rod. We observed the existence of different patterns of strength, endurance, coordination and learning / memory over the lifetime of each strain, which allowed tracing parameters to be used in future studies of cell and pharmacology therapies.

No description available.

Distrofia muscular de Duchenne é uma desordem neuromuscular causada pela mutação ou deleção do gene da distrofina, a qual é ligada ao cromossomo X. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado o importante papel da distrofina no SNC, sendo sua deficiência relacionada com uma variedade de anormalidades na função do SNC, como comportamento e disfunção cognitiva. Os modelos animais mais adequados para esses estudos são os que apresentam o quadro clinico mais semelhante ao da DMD encontrada em humanos, como cães Golden Retriever com distrofia muscular (GRMD). Por não haver ainda estudos a respeito do SNC de animais GRMD, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a morfologia do encéfalo dos GRMD e o de animais não distróficos, através de análise macroscópica, utilizando métodos de medição e registro fotográfico, e análise microscópica, utilizando a técnica de coloração de violeta cresil modificada. Entretanto, usando a metodologia proposta, não foi possível verificar diferenças significativas no encéfalo quando comparados os animais distróficos e os não distróficos, o que está em concordância com a literatura para a DMD usando os mesmos parâmetros. Em tempo, existe uma variação individual na morfologia do encéfalo do cão, independente de serem animais do grupo de distróficos ou controles. Outras técnicas devem ser aplicadas a fim de elucidar as consequências da ausência total ou parcial da distrofina no SNC / Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder caused by the mutation or deletion of the dystrophin gene, which is linked to chromosome X. Recent studies have shown the important role of dystrophin in the CNS, and its related defect with a variety of abnormalities in the function of CNS, such as behavior and cognitive dysfunction. The most suitable animals models for these studies are those with the most similar clinical picture to DMD found in humans, as Golden Retriever dogs with muscular dystrophy (GRMD). There are no further studies on the GRMD animal CNS, and the aim of this study was to analyze the morphology of the brain of GRMD and not dystrophic animals through macroscopic analysis using measurement and photographic registration methods, and microscopic analysis using the modified cresyl violet staining technique. However, using the proposed methodology, we could not find significant differences in the brain when comparing the dystrophic animals and non-dystrophic, which is in agreement with the literature for DMD using the same parameters. In time, there is individual variation in dog brain morphology, whether they are animals of the dystrophic group or controls. Other techniques should be applied in order to elucidate the consequences of the total or partial absence of dystrophin in the CNS

A musculatura estriada de cães Golden Retriever, jovens e adultos, provenientes do Canil GRMD-Brasil, foram analisadas sob microscopia de luz. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras do músculo bíceps femoral de um cão adulto não-acometido e um acometido por distrofia muscular, e dos músculos bíceps femoral, semitendinoso, diafragma e miocárdio ventricular esquerdo de dois cães jovens acometidos, as quais foram coradas pelas técnicas de hematoxilina-eosina, tricrômico de Masson e sirius red F3BA. Todos os músculos examinados do cão adulto e dos jovens portadores de distrofia apresentaram lesões musculares. As lesões observadas na musculatura esquelética de todos os cães acometidos incluíram: perda de organização das fibras musculares, variação no diâmetro das fibras, aumento do tecido conjuntivo perimisial e endomisial, este no animal adulto. As lesões eram mais evidentes no animal adulto. O diafragma apresentou fibras hipercidófilas, com contorno mais definido; necrose envolvendo grupos de fibras musculares; espessamento do conjuntivo perimisial e edema endomisial. A musculatura da língua mostrou variação do diâmetro das fibras; fibrose perimisial e infiltração de tecido adiposo no epimísio. No miocárdio identificou-se leve a moderada fibrose e aumento do espaço endomisial. Nossos achados demonstram as lesões produzidas por essa patologia na musculatura esquelética, comparativamente com a musculatura de animais não-acometidos e corroboram o descrito para cães acometidos por distrofia muscular, GRMD, de outros criatórios / The striated muscle of young and adults Golden Retriever dogs, from the GRMD-Brazil Kennel, had been analyzed under light microscopy. Samples of biceps femoral muscle of a healthy control adult dog and of an adult Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD), and of the femoral, semitendinosus, biceps femoral, diaphragm, and left ventricular myocardium muscles of two young GRMD had been collected to be stained with HE, Masson trichrome and sirius red F3BA stain. All the examined muscles of the adult and young GRMD had presented muscular injuries. The injuries observed in the skeletal musculature included: dearrangement of muscular fibers, variation in the fiber diameter, increase of the perimisial and endomisial connective tissue, the latter in the adult dog. The lesions were more evident in the adult GRMD. The diaphragm presented hyperacidophyly fibers, with more defined contour; necrosis involving groups of muscular fibers; increase of perimisial connective tissue and endomisial edema. The tongue musculature showed variation of the fibers diameter; perimisial fibrosis and fat infiltration in the epimysial space. In the myocardium it was identified moderate fibrosis and increase of the endomysial space. Our findings demonstrate the injuries produced for this pathology in the skeletal musculature, comparatively with the healthy control dog, and corroborate that described for GRMD of other GRMD-kennels

Les dystrophies musculaires de Duchenne (DMD) et de Becker (BMD) sont dues à des mutations dans le gène DMD codant la Dystrophine. De nombreux aspects des mécanismes pathophysiologiques de ces maladies ne sont pas encore expliqués. Nous nous sommes intéressés à l'étude d'ARN non-codants pouvant participer à ces processus. Une première étude a été centrée sur l’identification de micro-ARNs (miARNs) impliqués dans la régulation de l’oxyde nitrique synthase neuronale (nNOS) une protéine partenaire de la Dystrophine et associée à des caractéristiques de ces pathologies telles que la fatigabilité musculaire. 617 miARNs ont été criblés par Taqman Low Density Array dans des muscles de sujets sains et de patients BMDdel45-55. 4 miARNs candidats ont été sélectionnés de cette étude pour leur surexpression chez les patients BMDdel45-55 et leur capacité théorique à cibler nNOS. Des expériences de modulation de l’expression de ces miARNs dans des myoblastes humains sains ou dystrophiques nous ont permis d’identifier que le miR-708-5p et le miR-34-5p pouvaient cibler nNOS et moduler son expression.Un deuxième axe a été mené sur l’étude des longs ARNs non-codants (lncARNs). Les introns 44 et 55, qui bornent les exons 45 à 55 délétés chez les patients BMDdel45-55, sont de grandes régions contenant des lncARNs décrits comme régulant la Dystrophine. Les points de cassure introniques des mutations de ces patients n’étant pas décrites, nous avons supposé l’existence de profils de lncARNs différents. L’analyse de l’ADN de ces patients montre en effet des profils de lncARNs différents, révélant ainsi l’importance d’une étude plus précise des zones de délétion des patients BMDdel45-55. / Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophies are due to mutations in DMD gene, encoding Dystrophin. Many aspects of pathophysiological mechanisms of these diseases are not yet well understood. We were interested in the study of non-coding RNAs that could be involved in these pathological processes. A first study focused on micro-RNAs (miRNAs) that could modulate expression of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), a partner of Dystrophin which is linked to pathological features as muscular fatigability. 617 miRNAs were screened by Taqman Low Density Array in muscle biopsies of healthy subjects or BMDdel45-55 patients. 4 candidate miRNAs were selected from this study since they were overexpressed in BMDdel45-55 patients and for their theoretical ability to target nNOS. Experiments modulating the expression of these miRNAs in healthy or dystrophic human myoblasts enabled us to identify that miR-708-5p and miR-34-5p could target nNOS and modulate its expression.A second axis was conducted on long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Introns 44 and 55, which bound exons 45-55 deleted in BMDdel45-55 patients, are large regions containing lncRNAs described as regulating Dystrophin. Since intronic breakpoints of DMD mutations of these pateints were not described, we have assumed the existence of different profiles of lncRNAs. DNA analysis of these patients actually showed different lncRNAs profiles, thus revealing the significance of a more precise analysis of deletion areas in DMD gene of BMDdel45-55 patients.

A musculatura estriada de cães Golden Retriever, jovens e adultos, provenientes do Canil GRMD-Brasil, foram analisadas sob microscopia de luz. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras do músculo bíceps femoral de um cão adulto não-acometido e um acometido por distrofia muscular, e dos músculos bíceps femoral, semitendinoso, diafragma e miocárdio ventricular esquerdo de dois cães jovens acometidos, as quais foram coradas pelas técnicas de hematoxilina-eosina, tricrômico de Masson e sirius red F3BA. Todos os músculos examinados do cão adulto e dos jovens portadores de distrofia apresentaram lesões musculares. As lesões observadas na musculatura esquelética de todos os cães acometidos incluíram: perda de organização das fibras musculares, variação no diâmetro das fibras, aumento do tecido conjuntivo perimisial e endomisial, este no animal adulto. As lesões eram mais evidentes no animal adulto. O diafragma apresentou fibras hipercidófilas, com contorno mais definido; necrose envolvendo grupos de fibras musculares; espessamento do conjuntivo perimisial e edema endomisial. A musculatura da língua mostrou variação do diâmetro das fibras; fibrose perimisial e infiltração de tecido adiposo no epimísio. No miocárdio identificou-se leve a moderada fibrose e aumento do espaço endomisial. Nossos achados demonstram as lesões produzidas por essa patologia na musculatura esquelética, comparativamente com a musculatura de animais não-acometidos e corroboram o descrito para cães acometidos por distrofia muscular, GRMD, de outros criatórios / The striated muscle of young and adults Golden Retriever dogs, from the GRMD-Brazil Kennel, had been analyzed under light microscopy. Samples of biceps femoral muscle of a healthy control adult dog and of an adult Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD), and of the femoral, semitendinosus, biceps femoral, diaphragm, and left ventricular myocardium muscles of two young GRMD had been collected to be stained with HE, Masson trichrome and sirius red F3BA stain. All the examined muscles of the adult and young GRMD had presented muscular injuries. The injuries observed in the skeletal musculature included: dearrangement of muscular fibers, variation in the fiber diameter, increase of the perimisial and endomisial connective tissue, the latter in the adult dog. The lesions were more evident in the adult GRMD. The diaphragm presented hyperacidophyly fibers, with more defined contour; necrosis involving groups of muscular fibers; increase of perimisial connective tissue and endomisial edema. The tongue musculature showed variation of the fibers diameter; perimisial fibrosis and fat infiltration in the epimysial space. In the myocardium it was identified moderate fibrosis and increase of the endomysial space. Our findings demonstrate the injuries produced for this pathology in the skeletal musculature, comparatively with the healthy control dog, and corroborate that described for GRMD of other GRMD-kennels