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PubMed2025

Individualized patient tumor organoids faithfully preserve human brain tumor ecosystems and predict patient response to therapy.

Tumor organoids are important tools for cancer research, but current models have drawbacks that limit their applications for predicting response to therapy. Here, we developed a fast, efficient, and complex culture system (IPTO, individualized patient tumor organoid) that accurately recapitulates the cellular and molecular pathology of human brain tumors. Patient-derived tumor explants were cultured in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cerebral organoids, thus enabling culture of a wide range of human tumors in the central nervous system (CNS), including adult, pediatric, and metastatic brain cancers. Histopathological, genomic, epigenomic, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses demonstrated that the IPTO model recapitulates cellular heterogeneity and molecular features of original tumors. Crucially, we showed that the IPTO model predicts patient-specific drug responses, including resistance mechanisms, in a prospective patient cohort. Collectively, the IPTO model represents a major breakthrough in preclinical modeling of human cancers, which provides a path toward personalized cancer therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Kinesins in Cancer Drug Resistance: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targeting, and Translational Potential.

Drug resistance in cancer remains a major barrier to durable therapeutic benefits and limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination treatment in multiple malignancies. Increasing evidence indicates that specific kinesin superfamily proteins contribute to tumor adaptation and therapeutic response in a context-dependent manner through their roles in mitotic regulation, intracellular transport, and stress-response pathways. Aberrant expression of multiple kinesin family members has been documented across diverse cancers and is frequently associated with aggressive clinicopathological features, poor prognosis, and resistance to treatment. However, expression alterations alone do not establish functional dependency, and mechanistic validation is required to distinguish true resistance drivers from adaptive tumor states. In this review, we summarize the classification, biological functions, and abnormal expression patterns of kinesins in cancer; discuss the major mechanisms through which they contribute to drug resistance; and examine strategies for targeting kinesins, including natural-product-derived direct inhibitors, small-molecule inhibitor development, rational combination approaches, and structure-guided and computational optimization strategies. We also evaluate the biomarker potential of kinesin dysregulation and the value of advanced preclinical models for mechanistic and translational investigations. Finally, we highlight the major challenges that hinder clinical translation, including target specificity, compensatory resistance, insufficient biomarker validation, and tumor heterogeneity. Future progress will require integration of functional genomics, multiomics profiling, and mechanism-guided therapeutic strategies to determine when kinesin inhibition represents a clinically actionable approach for resistant malignancies.

biomarker potential↗
PubMed1977

The limitations of model systems in prostatic cancer.

The quest for an ideal model useful for designing treatment strategies as well as providing biological information is not a realistic goal. A multitude of models are required to answer a multiplicity of questions. However, given the currently available treatment modalities much can be accomplished directly in man without resorting to preclinical models.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Deciphering mitochondrial metabolic vulnerabilities in ovarian clear cell carcinoma with mass spectrometry-based clinical proteomics.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare gynecologic malignancy with a high mortality rate and a lack of response to standard chemotherapy. Despite the functional association between the loss of ARID1A and mitochondrial dependency, the clinical translation of mitochondria-targeted therapies in OCCC has been hindered by a substantial disconnect between biological insight and therapeutic application. There is an urgent, unmet need to identify novel, more specific and effective therapies targeting the mitochondria-related molecular vulnerabilities of ARID1A-mutant OCCC. AREAS COVERED: This critical perspective is informed by results from PubMed literature searches and recent webinars and presentations providing insight into opportunities for mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic approaches to enhance and accelerate the clinical translation of mitochondria-targeted therapies in OCCC. EXPERT OPINION: The MS-based proteomic analysis of clinically-relevant experimental models of OCCC will provide a unique opportunity to progress beyond simplified preclinical models and incorporate the full spectrum of patient-specific systemic and microenvironmental factors that may influence therapeutic response, including the adipocyte-related metabolic dependencies of OCCC. Targeted MS is a precise and robust approach that can be applied to verify these novel, mechanistic insights into how mitochondria-targeted therapies intersect with tumor metabolism in OCCC.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

LCM-Enriched Proteomic Characterization of Antibody-Mediated Glomerular Damage and Complement Activation in Pre-Clinical Models.

Biologics, lipid nanoparticles, and other therapeutic modalities can result in adverse events, often detected as lesions during preclinical pathology assessments. Characterization of these lesions provides valuable information during drug development to contextualize mechanisms of injury and assess species translatability. Here, we investigated the utility of a laser capture microdissection (LCM)-enriched mass spectrometry proteomics approach to analyze two well-characterized preclinical models of regional (glomerular) injury: Passive Heyman Nephritis in rats and bovine gamma globulin-induced glomerular injury in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Using LCM-enriched proteomics, glomeruli were isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded kidney tissue in the rat model, enabling identification of 4,661 proteins and quantification of 3,410. Proteinuria measurements were compared with digital pathology metrics of glomerular morphology and proteomics results, with all modalities yielding concordant evidence of glomerular injury and proteomics confirming the role of complement activation. The same LCM- enriched proteomics workflow was applied to an NHP model of induced glomerular damage, identifying 4,623 proteins, quantifying 3,000, and confirming qualitative concordance with established features of complement-mediated glomerular injury. Together, these findings illustrate the applicability of LCM-enriched proteomics for region-specific characterization of antibody-mediated tissue injury and support its use as a hypothesis-generating platform in translational toxicologic pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed2022

Organoids and microphysiological systems: Promising models for accelerating AAV gene therapy studies.

The FDA has predicted that at least 10-20 gene therapy products will be approved by 2025. The surge in the development of such therapies can be attributed to the advent of safe and effective gene delivery vectors such as adeno-associated virus (AAV). The enormous potential of AAV has been demonstrated by its use in over 100 clinical trials and the FDA's approval of two AAV-based gene therapy products. Despite its demonstrated success in some clinical settings, AAV-based gene therapy is still plagued by issues related to host immunity, and recent studies have suggested that AAV vectors may actually integrate into the host cell genome, raising concerns over the potential for genotoxicity. To better understand these issues and develop means to overcome them, preclinical model systems that accurately recapitulate human physiology are needed. The objective of this review is to provide a brief overview of AAV gene therapy and its current hurdles, to discuss how 3D organoids, microphysiological systems, and body-on-a-chip platforms could serve as powerful models that could be adopted in the preclinical stage, and to provide some examples of the successful application of these models to answer critical questions regarding AAV biology and toxicity that could not have been answered using current animal models. Finally, technical considerations while adopting these models to study AAV gene therapy are also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

From Gene Function to Precision Intervention: CRISPR/Cas9 and Stem Cell-Based Strategies as Emerging Disease-Modifying Approaches in PMOS.

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting up to 18% of women worldwide and remains the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Despite extensive research, current treatments primarily target symptoms, including menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction, without addressing the underlying molecular and tissue-level disturbances. Advances in multi‑omic profiling have identified disruptions across neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and extracellular matrix pathways, alongside genetic susceptibility at loci such as DENND1A, CYP17A1, LHCGR, FSHR, IRS1, and PPARG. However, the functional roles of many variants remain unresolved. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing enables precise interrogation of these pathways, while stem cell-based platforms, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), exosomes, and gene-edited induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), may serve as complementary platforms for regeneration and disease modeling. Preclinical studies demonstrate that MSCs and their derivatives modulate inflammation, restore ovarian structure, and improve metabolic parameters, while iPSC-based models enable patient-specific investigation of steroidogenic and metabolic abnormalities. Translational challenges remain, including targeted delivery, off-target effects, phenotypic heterogeneity, and regulatory considerations. Integrating CRISPR‑based functional genomics with stem cell research may shift PMOS management from symptom‑focused care to targeted, mechanism‑driven interventions that could modify the course of PMOS (Graphical Abstract).

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy-Derived Lung Cancer Models: A Platform for Precision Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is used for clinical diagnosis and staging in patients with lung cancer. Nevertheless, establishing patient-derived preclinical models using needle biopsy samples remains challenging. This study describes the establishment and utility of patient-derived organoid (PDO) from endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS) specimens and EBUS patient-derived xenograft (PDX). METHODS: A total of 175 EBUS specimens were used to establish PDO and PDX. "Stable establishment" organoids with passage numbers of 10 or greater were used for genomic, transcriptome, and pathologic assessment. Drug sensitivity of EBUS organoids and PDX tumors were compared with those of the matched patient. Drug screening was performed using stably established organoid models. RESULTS: We successfully established a total of 20 EBUS organoids: six EBUS-PDOs and 14 EBUS-xenograft derived organoids. These stable cancer organoid models were validated for cancer cell enrichment and pathologic assessment. Pathologic findings, exome, and transcriptome analysis found a high correlation between EBUS organoids and parental samples. EBUS organoids and PDX indicated consistent drug response patterns with their corresponding patients. A drug screening conducted on an EBUS organoid led to the discovery of potent activity of trametinib to a rare MAP2K1 K57N mutation. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-PDO and -xenograft‒derived organoids are good options to generate stable organoids in patients with advanced stage lung cancer. The models were consistent with the genetic and pathologic features of patient tumors, and the patient's responses to treatment, supporting their utility for novel therapeutic research.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals disease associated changes in brain endothelial cells in the 5XFAD mouse.

Vascular dysfunction is a key contributor to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, where changes to the endothelium and its crucial role in maintaining blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity have been of particular emphasis. The transgenic 5XFAD (5X Familial Alzheimer’s Disease) mouse model, which exhibits AD-related amyloidosis through FAD associated mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin-1 (PS1), has become a widely adopted preclinical model in AD-related research studies. The need for cross-study standardization, accessibility, and data reproducibility has led to the widespread implementation of the C57BL/6J genetic background for maintaining this model. However, its reliability for studying vascular dysfunction and BBB alterations has been questioned due to conflicting reports in the literature. This variation is often attributed to the previously documented protective nature of the C57BL/6J background and loss of genetic background diversity. Since prior studies have mostly relied on imaging or functional assays, we herein utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to investigate AD-related molecular changes to endothelial cell populations in the 5XFAD mouse model. To initially build this resource, we focused on 12-month-old male mice, which revealed differentially expressed genes between 5XFAD and wildtype animals that mapped to signaling pathways involved in DNA damage, immune reactivity, and inflammation, among others. Many of these transcriptomic changes were zonated along the arteriovenous axis and occurred in AD genome-wide association study (GWAS) risk-associated genes. Overall, we anticipate this resource will help clarify the use of the 5XFAD model for studying AD-associated vascular changes and provide the foundation for expanded molecular profiling of brain endothelial cells under AD-associated conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

A novel 2D and 3D model for primary adrenocortical carcinoma of advanced and metastasized stage co-secreting cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, 18-oxocortisol and 18-hydroxycortisol.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with poor survival rates and few treatment options. Preclinical models are indispensable to further strengthen our understanding of disease progression and development of novel therapeutic treatments. Here, we report the establishment of a new cell line named ZUC-1 originating from the resection of an advanced primary ACC and its characterization at the genomic, cellular and molecular level. ZUC-1 cells were successfully propagated as monolayer cultures and three-dimensional spheroids. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed for ZUC-1 cells co-secretion of cortisol, aldosterone and testosterone, and the model represented in direct comparison with other current ACC pre-clinical models furthermore significantly elevated expression of SF-1, CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 genes. Whole genome sequencing identified various mutations in genes linked to DNA repair/stress response, stemness, and also steroidogenesis. Interestingly, ZUC-1 represents genotypic and phenotypic variations that might be of interest beyond ACC, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Moreover, 18-oxocortisol and 18-hydroxycortisol release was detected in ZUC-1, conditions which are often linked to hyperaldosteronism, but forskolin, potassium and, at higher concentration, angiotensin II modulability of CYP11B2 for this model is retained. ZUC-1 spheroids exhibited furthermore an intra-spheroidal heterogeneous mix of canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathway activation. We conclude that due to its origin and unique geno- and phenotypes, ZUC-1 represents an intriguing model to further gain a basic understanding of adrenal function, the pathogenesis of ACC, but it might be also of interest in the context of CAH and PCOS.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Alternative 3' UTR polyadenylation is disrupted in the rNLS8 mouse model of ALS/FTLD.

Recent research has highlighted widespread dysregulation of alternative polyadenylation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP). Here, we identify significant disruptions to 3` UTR polyadenylation in the ALS/FTLD-TDP mouse model rNLS8 that correlate with changes in gene expression and protein levels through the re-analysis of published RNA sequencing and proteomic data. A subset of these changes are shared with TDP-43 knock-down mice suggesting depletion of endogenous mouse TDP-43 is a contributor to polyadenylation dysfunction in rNLS8 mice. Some conservation exists between alternative polyadenylation in rNLS8 mice and human disease models including in disease relevant genes and biological pathways. Together, these findings support both TDP-43 loss and toxic gain-of-function phenotypes as contributors to the neurodegeneration in rNLS8 mice, nominating its continued utility as a preclinical model for investigating mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS/FTLD-TDP.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Exploring the mechanism of Shengmai San in treating lung adenocarcinoma based on bioinformatics and molecular dynamics simulation.

To investigate the mechanism of Shengmai San (SMS) in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on an integrated strategy combining "network pharmacology, bioinformatics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation," aiming to provide a precise combination therapy strategy and identify potential bioactive compounds. Differentially expressed genes in LUAD were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus database using R (originally developed at Bell Laboratories and currently managed by Lucent Technologies). SMS components (ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Schisandra chinensis) were retrieved from encyclopaedia of traditional Chinese medicine, with Lipinski-compliant compounds selected. Compound targets were predicted via SwissTargetPrediction and Similarity Ensemble Approach. Intersecting targets between differentially expressed genes and compound targets were identified for "herbs-compounds-targets-disease" network construction. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed. Hub targets were identified by analyzing the protein-protein interaction network. High-prognostic relevance targets were screened from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Compounds targeting these were identified through the herbs-compounds-targets-disease network, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity-compliant compounds were selected using SwissADME (a web-based tool provided by the Molecular Modeling Group of the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics). Core regulatory targets were identified through molecular docking, with complex stability assessed by molecular dynamics simulations. The key bioactive compounds of SMS for treating LUAD were identified as 7-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, paprazine, and (E)-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enamide. Hub targets included AURKA, CCNA2, CCNB1, CDK1, CHEK1, KIF11, NEK2, PLK1, TTK, and TYMS. Among these, CDK1, CHEK1, and PLK1 demonstrated both high-prognostic relevance and strong binding affinity with SMS, emerging as core regulatory targets for SMS in LUAD treatment. Mechanistically, SMS exerts its anticancer effects primarily by modulating the tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-17, cell cycle, and Lipid and atherosclerosis signaling pathways. The active components of SMS, such as paprazine, may exert antitumor effects partly through downregulating CDK1, CHEK1, and PLK1 expression. Although the present study did not examine drug-resistance models or combination regimens, our findings raise the possibility that, in patients with high expression of these genes, combining SMS with standard chemotherapy or targeted therapy could potentially enhance chemosensitivity and mitigate the development of resistance. This hypothesis, however, requires formal testing in appropriate preclinical models and functional validation studies.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation↗
PubMed2026

Bibliometric analysis of retinoblastoma research over the past decade.

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma (RB), the most prevalent primary intraocular malignancy in children, has emerged as a model disease for exploring the molecular underpinnings of pediatric cancer. Over the past decade, research in this field has accelerated, propelled by advances in genomics, diagnostic imaging, targeted therapies, and global scientific collaboration. METHODS: This study systematically retrieved RB-related publications from 2015 to 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection. A total of 4990 articles were included. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to perform bibliometric and visual analyses across multiple dimensions, including countries, institutions, authors, journals, and thematic evolution. RESULTS: The United States and China were identified as the leading contributors, jointly accounting for over 40.55% of all publications. US-based journals led in both publication volume and citation impact, underscoring their global influence. Cluster analysis revealed 4 major research domains: clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis; molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways; gene and protein function studies; and research methodologies and experimental models. CONCLUSION: RB research is transitioning into an era of precision oncology, characterized by molecular subtyping, novel therapeutic targets, and individualized treatment approaches. While diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes have markedly improved in high-income countries, significant disparities persist in low- and middle-income regions due to limited access to early detection and comprehensive care. Future priorities should include the refinement of preclinical models, investigation of drug resistance mechanisms, and promotion of international collaboration to standardize diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. These efforts are critical to improving global outcomes for children with RB.

Retinoblastoma↗
PubMed2026

A brief history of gene therapy for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.

Gene therapy encompasses the use of nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, as therapeutic agents. This broad category includes approaches that permanently modify the genome to correct pathogenic variants, as well as strategies that restore gene expression without altering genomic DNA. In ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, the most common urea cycle disorder, the goal of somatic gene therapy is to restore hepatic expression of functional OTC enzyme and thereby reestablish urea cycle activity. Both viral and non-viral delivery platforms have been investigated in preclinical models and clinical studies to achieve therapeutic OTC expression. Despite contemporary medical therapy, individuals with OTC deficiency (OTCD) remain at risk for recurrent hyperammonemia which may result in neurocognitive impairment and reduced quality of life. Novel therapy that restores liver OTC expression and lessens chronic disease burden is highly desired. In this manuscript, we summarize the history of gene therapy development for OTC deficiency, spanning early preclinical investigations to contemporary clinical trials. Although a definitive cure through gene therapy has not yet been achieved, substantial progress has been made toward the development of safe and effective liver-directed nucleic acid therapeutics for this disorder.

Adeno-associated virus vector↗
PubMed2026

Pharmacologic inhibition of SOX9-CDK4 by CYD-4-61 impairs gastric adenocarcinoma growth and amplifies anti-PD-1 response.

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, for whom effective therapies are limited. We investigated the therapeutic efficacy and molecular mechanism of CYD-4-61, a BAX activator, using human GAC cell lines, patient-derived xenograft models, genetically engineered mouse models, and a syngeneic mouse model. CYD-4-61 potently inhibited tumor cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed cancer stem cell-like properties, with enhanced activity in radiation-resistant GAC cells. Mechanistically, CYD-4-61 activated the BAX-caspase pathway, leading to SOX9 protein reduction. Integrated bulk and single-cell transcriptomic analyses identified SOX9-dependent transcriptional programs as major targets of CYD-4-61. Functional rescue experiments together with chromatin immunoprecipitation and CUT&RUN analyses supported CDK4 as a SOX9-regulated gene and demonstrated suppression of the SOX9-CDK4 regulatory axis following CYD-4-61 treatment. In multiple preclinical models, CYD-4-61 significantly inhibited tumor growth and improved the therapeutic response to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy while modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. Clinically, co-expression of SOX9 and CDK4 was associated with diffuse-type GAC and poor patient outcomes. These findings identify the BAX-SOX9-CDK4 axis as an important mechanism contributing to the antitumor activity of CYD-4-61 and provide a strong preclinical rationale for its further development as a therapeutic strategy for aggressive GAC.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Intestinal blood vessel-associated macrophages and gut-vascular barrier dysfunction in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial translocation in cirrhosis can trigger infection and hepatic decompensation, leading to systemic inflammation, organ failure and increased mortality. These infections often originate from the gastrointestinal tract after bacteria breach the intestinal barrier and disseminate to systemic sites. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explore the mechanisms underlying intestinal barrier dysfunction in cirrhosis using an experimental cirrhosis model and patient-derived intestinal biopsies. DESIGN: We developed a murine model of cirrhosis through chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride for up to 20 weeks. We investigated both the intestinal epithelial and vascular compartments and performed single-cell transcriptomic profiling of myeloid cells isolated from cirrhotic mice and from individuals with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that bacterial translocation in cirrhosis is the result of failure at multiple checkpoints, including aberrant epithelial cell death, vascular barrier damage and dysfunction of gut-vascular macrophages. In a preclinical model of cirrhosis, macrophages exhibited increased levels of monocyte-attracting chemokines, reduced bacterial clearance and impaired interactions with blood vessels. Importantly, depleting vascular-lining macrophages resulted in bacterial translocation to systemic sites, even in the absence of experimental liver disease. Transcriptional profiling of macrophages from duodenal biopsies of patients with cirrhosis indicated similar dysregulation of pathways supporting blood vessels and elevated expression of chemokines. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasises the critical role of intestinal macrophages in preventing the dissemination of luminal bacteria and highlights the multifaceted breakdown of the intestinal barrier in cirrhosis and the importance of the gut-vascular barrier.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

New approaches to uncover COPD pathobiology and develop therapies.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the third leading cause of global mortality in 2011 but receives limited attention and research funding. This Review describes the current knowledge on COPD risk factors, including genetic and epigenetic determinants and their interactions with the microbiome and environmental exposures. Preclinical models are being refined and single-cell transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomic technologies are being implemented to investigate the molecular mechanisms of disease progression. Patient cohorts to define biomarkers of early disease and the latest approaches to diagnose pre-COPD are essential to accelerate the development of novel and effective therapeutic interventions and translate new findings into clinical trials. This Review is a summary of topics covered by a symposium organized by the COPD-iNET consortium, an international network of researchers who have established a platform that facilitates collaboration of this multidisciplinary group of preclinical, translational, and clinical researchers.

Humans↗
PubMed2024

Progressive cardiomyopathy with intercalated disc disorganization in a rat model of Becker dystrophy.

Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an X-linked disorder due to in-frame mutations in the DMD gene, leading to a less abundant and truncated dystrophin. BMD is less common and severe than Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as well as less investigated. To accelerate the search for innovative treatments, we developed a rat model of BMD by deleting the exons 45-47 of the Dmd gene. Here, we report a functional and histopathological evaluation of these rats during their first year of life, compared to DMD and control littermates. BMD rats exhibit moderate damage to locomotor and diaphragmatic muscles but suffer from a progressive cardiomyopathy. Single nuclei RNA-seq analysis of cardiac samples revealed shared transcriptomic abnormalities in BMD and DMD rats and highlighted an altered end-addressing of TMEM65 and Connexin-43 at the intercalated disc, along with electrocardiographic abnormalities. Our study documents the natural history of a translational preclinical model of BMD and reports a cellular mechanism for the cardiac dysfunction in BMD and DMD offering opportunities to further investigate the organization role of dystrophin in intercellular communication.

Animals↗