Multimodal MRI and (31)P-MRS investigations of the ACTA1(Asp286Gly) mouse model of nemaline myopathy provide evidence of impaired in vivo muscle function, altered muscle structure and disturbed energy metabolism

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 20;8(8):e72294. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072294. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Nemaline myopathy (NM), the most common non-dystrophic congenital disease of skeletal muscle, can be caused by mutations in the skeletal muscle α-actin gene (ACTA1) (~25% of all NM cases and up to 50% of severe forms of NM). Muscle function of the recently generated transgenic mouse model carrying the human Asp286Gly mutation in the ACTA1 gene (Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly)) has been mainly investigated in vitro. Therefore, we aimed at providing a comprehensive picture of the in vivo hindlimb muscle function of Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice by combining strictly noninvasive investigations. Skeletal muscle anatomy (hindlimb muscles, intramuscular fat volumes) and microstructure were studied using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (Dixon, T2, Diffusion Tensor Imaging [DTI]). Energy metabolism was studied using 31-phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS). Skeletal muscle contractile performance was investigated while applying a force-frequency protocol (1-150 Hz) and a fatigue protocol (6 min-1.7 Hz). Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice showed a mild muscle weakness as illustrated by the reduction of both absolute (30%) and specific (15%) maximal force production. Dixon MRI did not show discernable fatty infiltration in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice indicating that this mouse model does not reproduce human MRI findings. Increased T2 values were observed in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice and might reflect the occurrence of muscle degeneration/regeneration process. Interestingly, T2 values were linearly related to muscle weakness. DTI experiments indicated lower λ2 and λ3 values in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice, which might be associated to muscle atrophy and/or the presence of histological anomalies. Finally (31)P-MRS investigations illustrated an increased anaerobic energy cost of contraction in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice, which might be ascribed to contractile and non-contractile processes. Overall, we provide a unique set of information about the anatomic, metabolic and functional consequences of the Asp286Gly mutation that might be considered as relevant biomarkers for monitoring the severity and/or the progression of NM and for assessing the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics*
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Gene Expression
  • Hindlimb
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscle Fatigue
  • Muscle Weakness / metabolism
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Muscular Atrophy / metabolism
  • Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology*
  • Mutation
  • Myopathies, Nemaline / genetics
  • Myopathies, Nemaline / metabolism
  • Myopathies, Nemaline / physiopathology*
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • Actins

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the ERA-NET E-Rare "European research projects on rare diseases" (grant NEMMYOP). Charlotte GINESTE was supported by a fellowship from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and by the Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM). Kristen NOWAK was supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship FT100100734. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.