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M Fardeau

Publications and source records attributed to M Fardeau.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Deletions of mitochondrial DNA in Kearns-Sayre syndrome and ocular myopathies: genetic, biochemical and morphological studies.

Genetic, biochemical and morphological investigations were conducted on skeletal muscle mitochondria from 6 cases of ocular myopathy: 4 cases with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) and 2 with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia. All of these 6 cases showed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in addition to normal sized DNA in the quadriceps muscle. The deletions ranging from 3 to 8 kbp were also mapped between nucleotides 5500 and 16000 by Southern blot. The deleted genes encoded for some subunits of complexes I, IV, V and 5-10 tRNAS. The boundaries of the deletions have been sequenced in three patients. Five patients had mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency in complex I as shown by the low oxygen consumption in isolated mitochondria using three NAD(+)-linked substrates. Mitochondria with an abnormal ultrastructure were also observed in 2 cases. A good relationship between the cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and the amount of deleted mtDNA was shown in our present investigations.

Adult↗

Genetic biochemical and pathophysiological characterization of a familial mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MERRF).

Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by mitochondrial myopathy and progressive myoclonus epilepsy. A heteroplasmic A to G transition mutation in the mitochondrial encoded tRNA(Lys) gene at nucleotide pair 8344 has been suggested to be linked to the MERRF-syndrome. We have investigated biochemically and histochemically muscle biopsies and studied the mitochondrial genomes of hair, blood and muscle tissue of a family including three cases of MERRF-syndrome as well as unaffected relatives within the maternal lineage. Sequence analysis of the mtDNAs, performed after amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), confirmed the A to G transition mutation in the tRNA(Lys) gene at position 8344. The additional point mutation at nucleotide pair 750 in the 12 S rRNA gene, which was also found by Shoffner et al. (1990), however, was absent in all investigated tissues. Quantitative analysis of the percentage of mutated mtDNA by mispairing PCR (Seibel et al., 1990) revealed variable contents in different tissues and individuals, including unaffected family members. Mitochondrial protein synthesis in cultured fibroblasts from MERRF patients revealed diminished incorporation of 35S-methionine into lysine-containing peptides.

Adolescent↗

Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and carriers.

The expression of MHC isoforms in the skeletal muscles of nine patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) (from 2.5 to 15 yr of age) and three DMD carriers was studied using different specific anti-MHC MAbs. We also analyzed muscle fiber size and fiber reactivity with acridine orange and/or with a surface antigen marker. One-quarter of all fibers of DMD patients, or less with age, were of normal size and contained only adult slow MHC. Half of the muscle fibers contained adult and developmental MHCs. Only half of these fibers were representative of an active regenerative process. MHC co-expression also altered the proportion of normal fast or slow fibers. Adult fast MHCs were expressed as unique MHC only in small and very small fibers in the oldest DMD patients. In DMD carrier muscles, the greatest alterations in MHC expression were observed in patients with the most reduced dystrophin expression. However, MHC changes in dystrophin-positive fibers were similar to those observed in dystrophin-free fibers. In conclusion, disruptions or delays in the switching of all genes coding for adult fast and slow MHC and developmental MHC coincided with dystrophin deletion and with perturbations in its expression.

Adolescent↗

Immunolocalization and developmental expression of dystrophin related protein in skeletal muscle.

Dystrophin Related Protein is the recently identified protein product of a large autosomal transcript, showing significant similarity to dystrophin at the carboxyl terminus. Dystrophin related protein and dystrophin share a similar abundance and molecular weight, however, they differ both in their tissue distribution and expression in Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy. Here we define the immunolocalization of dystrophin related protein to neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions, along with peripheral nerves and vasculature of skeletal muscle. Groups of regenerating muscle fibres as well as embryonic and neonatal muscle express far greater amounts of dystrophin related protein compared with adult mdx mice. These findings may explain the paradoxical labelling seen using dystrophin antibodies in Duchenne patients and dystrophin deficient mdx mice. Finally, no abnormalities of dystrophin related protein expression were detected in three patients with Duchenne-like autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy.

Animals↗

Diagnosis of muscular glycogenosis by in vivo natural abundance 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Natural abundance 13C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy was used to distinguish patients suffering from muscle glycogenosis type V (McArdle's disease) from normal subjects by measuring their muscle glycogen content at rest. Proton-decoupled 13C spectra were obtained in 10-15 min from calf muscles at rest. The ratio of the glycogen/creatine signal areas was 12.9 +/- 1.7 in four McArdle's disease patients and 2.0 +/- 0.7 in seven normal subjects. This technique thus allows the non-invasive diagnosis of muscle glycogenosis.

Adult↗

Distinct contractile protein profile in congenital myotonic dystrophy and X-linked myotubular myopathy.

The contractile proteins present in muscle biopsies taken from infants suffering either from congenital myotonic dystrophy or X-linked myotubular myopathy were compared using biochemical and immunocytochemical techniques. Two-dimensional gel analysis has revealed that in all cases of X-linked myotubular myopathy the pattern of expression of myosin light chains, tropomyosin and troponin was roughly similar to that of normal age matched control muscle. However, biopsies from infants affected by congenital myotonic dystrophy demonstrated a predominance of most fast contractile protein isoforms. Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of both fast and slow myosin isoforms in X-linked myotubular myopathy. Fetal myosin was also present but in amounts higher than that found in normal muscles of the same age. In congenital myotonic dystrophy fetal and fast myosin were the predominant isoforms detected by native gel electrophoresis. These results were confirmed by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis using antibodies specific for the different myosin isoforms.

Blotting, Western↗

Role of persisting basement membrane in the reorganization of myofibres originating from myogenic cell grafts in the rat.

Satellite cells grafted at the site of an irreversible muscle injury regenerate normal myofibres that become organized in fascicles. The role of the basement membrane in organization of the newly formed muscle fibres was investigated using polyclonal antibodies against laminin, fibronectin, type IV collagen and heparan sulphate proteoglycan. In ungrafted muscles, original basement membranes were reactive to these antibodies at 7, 14 and 45 days after injury. Labelling of satellite cells with FITC-latex beads showed the labelled myoblasts and new myofibres within the remnants of old basement membranes at 7 days after cell implantation and thereafter. Electron microscopy of injured-ungrafted muscles showed persistence of electron dense material corresponding to thin layers of old basal laminae partially interrupted. After cell grafting, myotubes developed within these structures and were surrounded by redundant basal laminae. These results suggest that grafted cells are able to migrate inside the basement membranes which serve as scaffolding for their development.

Animals↗

[Clinical and electrophysiologic study of the peripheral nerve in 28 cases of mitochondrial disease].

Twenty-eight patients with mitochondrial disease were systematically investigated on clinical and electrophysiological grounds for peripheral neuropathy (PN): 25 had predominant ophthalmoplegia (including 4 with Kearns-Sayre syndrome) and 3 had predominant central nervous system involvement. There were 11 men and 17 women, mean age 43 years. Nine of the 28 patients had signs of sensory polyneuropathy involving mainly the lower limbs. These 9 patients and another asymptomatic patient had electrophysiological abnormalities: in the lower limbs, sensory potentials were absent or decreased in amplitude in all cases. In peroneal nerves, motor conduction nerve velocities were decreased in 4/10 cases. These data were consistent with an axonopathy. No correlation was found between the presence of PN and the clinical features of the mitochondrial diseases or with the respiratory chain defect (studied in 14 cases).

Action Potentials↗

[Mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA in a series of 64 patients suspected of having mitochondrial myopathy].

Biochemical results concerning 64 patients suspected of mitochondrial myopathies are presented. Four clinical groups were studied including 21 encephalomyopathies, 42 ocular myopathies, 8 isolated myopathies and 3 cardiomyopathies. In 26 cases, the coexistence of a normal mitochondrial DNA and a mutated mitochondrial DNA (heteroplasmy) was found (19 simple deletions, 4 multiple deletions and 3 punctual mutations) and all cases presented with ocular disorders (excepted 2 cases with MERRF). Furthermore, 1 complex I deficiency (1 ocular myopathy), 1 complex IV deficiency (1 adult encephalomyopathy type Leigh), 3 complexes I + IV deficiencies (2 cases with a cardiomyopathy and 1 familial MELAS) and 2 pyruvate (1 adult from of Leigh's encephalomyopathy) dehydrogenase deficiencies (clinically and genetically different) did not show evidence of mitochondrial DNA mutation.

Blotting, Western↗

Gene for chronic proximal spinal muscular atrophies maps to chromosome 5q.

Proximal spinal muscular atrophies represent the second most common fatal, autosomal recessive disorder after cystic fibrosis. The childhood form is classically subdivided into three groups: acute Werdnig-Hoffmann (type I), intermediate Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (type II) and Kugelberg-Welander disease (type III). These different clinical forms have previously been attributed to either genetic heterogeneity or variable expression of different mutations at the same locus. Research has been hindered because the underlying biochemical defect is unknown, and there are insufficient large pedigrees with the most common and severe form (type I) available for study. Therefore, we have undertaken a genetic linkage analysis of the chronic forms of the disease (types II and III) as an initial step towards the ultimate goal of characterizing the gene(s) responsible for all three types. We report here the assignment of the locus for the chronic forms to the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q12-q14), with the anonymous DNA marker D5S39, in 24 multiplex families of distinct ethnic origin. Furthermore, no evidence for genetic heterogeneity was found for types II and III in our study, suggesting that these two forms are allelic disorders.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Immunohistochemical demonstration of fibre type-specific isozymes of cytochrome c oxidase in human skeletal muscle.

The immunohistochemical reaction of monoclonal as well as polyclonal antibodies against cytochrome c oxidase (COX) subunits with serial sections of normal human skeletal muscle was investigated. The stronger reactivity of polyclonal antibodies to COX subunits II-III and VIIbc with type I as compared to type II fibres, correlated well with the higher histochemical reactivity of NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase in type I fibres. In contrast an almost exclusive reaction of a monoclonal antibody against subunit IV with type I fibre and a preponderant reaction of a polyclonal antibody against subunits Vab with type II fibres was obtained. Antibodies against subunits I, Vb and VIc did not reveal a fibre-type-specific reactivity. The data indicate in human muscle the occurrence of fibre type-specific isozymes of cytochrome c oxidase differing in subunits IV and Va or Vb.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Changes in surface morphology and basal lamina of cultured muscle cells from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

Cultured muscle cells from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients show altered growth from the mononucleated stage: abnormal morphology, decreased adhesiveness, reduced number of population doublings and delayed fusion. On the basis of these findings, a study was undertaken to observe cell shape and surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy and to define the immunocytochemical localization of 4 basal lamina components (type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG]. Eight DMD muscle cultures with fusion indices higher than 65% were compared to muscle cultures from 10 age-matched controls. The following results were noted for the dystrophic muscle cells: (1) the cell surface was smooth with a few slender cell processes and anchorage extensions; (2) distribution of type IV collagen and laminin was heterogenous, with large patches (type IV collagen) or a reticulum (laminin); (3) in contrast, fibronectin and HSPG levels were clearly decreased. These molecules did not form a network but rather were arranged in thick filaments and patches. Cell surface morphology may be related to the decreases in fibronectin and HSPG, which could reflect a more general decrease in basal lamina. Such findings could explain the low adhesiveness of the cells from dystrophic cultures and the delayed fusion of myoblasts. Although these abnormalities were maximally expressed after myoblast fusion, they were already present in mononucleated cells and their connection with the primary defect in DMD, i.e., lack of dystrophin, must now be clarified.

Basement Membrane↗

[Presence of dystrophine-like protein at the neuromuscular junction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and in "mdx" mutant mice].

We have studied by indirect immunofluorescence, using three different polyclonal antidystrophin antibodies raised against fusion proteins, the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in muscle biopsies from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, from human controls and mutant "mdx" mice and normal mice. In controls the periphery of all muscle fibres was strongly labelled by the three dystrophin antibodies and there was a high concentration of labelling at the NMJs (where it was co-localized with acetylcholine receptor labelled by the alpha-bungarotoxin). In DMD and in "mdx" mice the NMJs were equally labelled whereas there was an absence of reaction at the periphery of all (DMD) or most ("mdx" mice) muscle fibers. These findings suggest that a dystrophin-like protein, which was identified by the antibodies we have used, is present at the NMJs in the Duchenne's myopathy and "mdx" mice.

Animals↗

[Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. A census of French families and genealogic study].

The first results of a collaborative study aimed at collecting all French families affected by oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) and their genealogy are presented. The study was carried out in 28 families in whom the diagnosis of OPMD in the propositus was confirmed by the presence of typical intranuclear tubulo-filamentous inclusions in the muscle biopsy. Results suggest that the prevalence of OPMD in France is at least of 1/200,000. The disease has been observed in many countries but to our knowledge no epidemiological studies have been reported so far. However, it is known to be particularly frequent in the French-Canadian community living in Canada and USA. In the present study genealogical researches were carried out in 18 families. Three families were of Italian and two of Armenian origin. Amongst the 13 families of French ascent, 3 familial relationships were found: one from a couple married in 1783. In the other 10 French families, no interlineage was discovered in a genealogical enquiry pursued back to the 18th century. Further studies are needed to find out whether there was only one mutation responsible for all French cases or whether several mutations occurred in France, as suggested by the present study. It would be also interesting to ascertain whether there is a parental link between the French and the French-Canadian OPMD patients, the latter considered to be descendants of a couple who emigrated to Quebec in 1634.

Blepharoptosis↗