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MicroRNA-29 overexpression by adeno-associated virus suppresses fibrosis and
restores muscle function in combination with micro-dystrophin
#MMPMID28469083
Heller KN
; Mendell JT
; Mendell JR
; Rodino-Klapac LR
JCI Insight
2017[May]; 2
(9
): ? PMID28469083
show ga
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by dystrophin deficiency resulting in
progressive muscle weakness and fibrotic scarring. Muscle fibrosis impairs blood
flow, hampering muscle repair and regeneration. Irrespective of the success of
gene restoration, functional improvement is limited without reducing fibrosis.
The levels of miR-29c, a known regulator of collagen, are reduced in DMD. Our
goal is to develop translational, antifibrotic therapy by overexpressing miR-29c.
We injected the gastrocnemius muscle with either self-complementary
AAV.CMV.miR-29c or single-stranded AAV.MCK.micro-dystrophin alone or in
combination in the mdx/utrn+/- mouse, a DMD mouse model. Treatment of 3-month-old
mdx/utrn+/- mice with AAV.miR-29c showed a reduction in collagen and increased
absolute and specific force compared with untreated animals, but neither
parameter reached WT levels. Combinatorial gene delivery in 3-month-old
mdx/utrn+/- mice further decreased fibrosis, and showed a reduction of transcript
levels for Col1A, Col3A, fibronectin, and Tgfb1. In addition, absolute and
specific force was normalized and equivalent to WT. However, protection against
eccentric contraction fell short of WT levels at this time point. When this same
mouse model was treated with miR-29c/micro-dystrophin combinatorial therapy at 1
month of age, there was complete normalization of specific and absolute force and
protection against eccentric contraction-induced injury was comparable to WT.
These findings highlight the potential for miR-29c as an important addition to
the armamentarium for translational gene therapy, especially when used in
combination with micro-dystrophin in DMD.