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Effect of salbutamol on neuromuscular junction function and structure in a mouse model of DOK7 congenital myasthenia.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Webster, Richard G 
Vanhaesebrouck, An E 
Maxwell, Susan E 
Cossins, Judith A 
Liu, Weiwei 

Abstract

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are characterized by fatigable muscle weakness resulting from impaired neuromuscular transmission. β2-adrenergic agonists are an effective treatment for DOK7-CMS. DOK7 is a component within the AGRN-LRP4-MUSK-DOK7 signalling pathway that is key for the formation and maintenance of the synaptic structure of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The precise mechanism of action of β2-adrenergic agonists at the NMJ is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether β2-adrenergic agonists improve both neurotransmission and structural integrity of the NMJ in a mouse model of DOK7-CMS. Ex-vivo electrophysiological techniques and microscopy of the NMJ were used to study the effect of salbutamol, a β2-adrenergic agonist, on synaptic structure and function. DOK7-CMS model mice displayed a severe phenotype with reduced weight gain and perinatal lethality. Salbutamol treatment improved weight gain and survival in DOK7 myasthenic mice. Model animals had fewer active NMJs, detectable by endplate recordings, compared with age-matched wild-type littermates. Salbutamol treatment increased the number of detectable NMJs during endplate recording. Correspondingly, model mice had fewer acetylcholine receptor-stained NMJs detected by fluorescent labelling, but following salbutamol treatment an increased number were detectable. The data demonstrate that salbutamol can prolong survival and increase NMJ number in a severe model of DOK7-CMS.

Description

Keywords

Albuterol, Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Humans, Mice, Muscle Proteins, Myasthenic Syndromes, Congenital, Neuromuscular Junction, Pregnancy, Receptors, Cholinergic, Signal Transduction, Synaptic Transmission

Journal Title

Hum Mol Genet

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0964-6906
1460-2083

Volume Title

29

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (103406/Z/13/Z)