Mutations in myotubularin cause X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), a devastating congenital muscle disorder causing severe muscle weakness and premature death from respiratory muscle failure. Only supportive, palliative care is available. We have shown that AAV-mediated gene replacement rescued severe muscle weakness in myotubularin-deficient mice. New data show that a single systemic treatment with rAAV-MTM1 sufficed for long-term (at least one year) survival and essentially complete amelioration of symptoms of mice with myotubularin-deficient muscles. However, for eventual therapy of XLMTM patients, it is imperative to employ a predictive large animal model to refine the delivery system, assess critical safety parameters such as the potential host immune response to vector and transgene, and optimize efficacy measurements. We, therefore, developed a breeding colony in which affected male dogs display a phenotype directly analogous to human XLMTM. In preliminary studies we confirmed that local gene replacement therapy, delivered intramuscularly in the hind limb of young dogs, improved both function and pathology in myotubularin-deficient skeletal muscles. Moreover, the first XLMTM dog in which rAAV-MTM1 was delivered systemically maintained nearly normal strength in all four limbs, and normal respiratory function for more than 6 months surviving > 4 months longer than any untreated mutant dog in our colony. The positive observations in the murine and canine models drive us to focus on the development of systemic rAAV-MTM1 gene therapy. We hypothesize that modest levels of myotubularin will suffice to sustain long-term functionality of striated muscles throughout the body, including the vital respiratory muscles. We propose to utilize the canine system to test this hypothesis and to optimize vector selection (Aim 1) and dosing (Aim 2), while assessing potential safety concerns. Towards this end our Specific Aims are:
Aim 1. Test systemic MTM1 gene replacement in the canine model using a novel rAAV vector (serotype 2i8) engineered for effective delivery to skeletal muscle while avoiding the liver Aim 2. Determine dose-response relationships for safety, efficacy, and immune response parameters over a period of at least 32 weeks after systemic MTM1 gene replacement in young XLMTM dogs
The goals of this translational study are to address the hurdles required for gene replacement therapy delivered into vital respiratory muscles for patients with myotubular myopathy. Experiments are performed in a canine model.
| Mack, David L; Poulard, Karine; Goddard, Melissa A et al. (2017) Systemic AAV8-Mediated Gene Therapy Drives Whole-Body Correction of Myotubular Myopathy in Dogs. Mol Ther 25:839-854 |
| Elverman, Matthew; Goddard, Melissa A; Mack, David et al. (2017) Long-term effects of systemic gene therapy in a canine model of myotubular myopathy. Muscle Nerve 56:943-953 |
| Guan, Xuan; Goddard, Melissa A; Mack, David L et al. (2016) Gene therapy in monogenic congenital myopathies. Methods 99:91-8 |
| Lawlor, Michael W; Beggs, Alan H; Buj-Bello, Ana et al. (2016) Skeletal Muscle Pathology in X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy: Review With Cross-Species Comparisons. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 75:102-10 |
| Sarwal, Aarti; Cartwright, Michael S; Mitchell, Erin et al. (2015) Guiding intramuscular diaphragm injections using real-time ultrasound and electromyography. Muscle Nerve 51:287-9 |
| Snead, E C R; Taylor, S M; van der Kooij, M et al. (2015) Clinical phenotype of X-linked myotubular myopathy in Labrador Retriever puppies. J Vet Intern Med 29:254-60 |
| Snyder, Jessica M; Meisner, Allison; Mack, David et al. (2015) Validity of a Neurological Scoring System for Canine X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy. Hum Gene Ther Clin Dev 26:131-7 |
| Braun, Robynne; Wang, Zejing; Mack, David L et al. (2014) Gene therapy for inherited muscle diseases: where genetics meets rehabilitation medicine. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 93:S97-107 |
| Goddard, Melissa A; Burlingame, Emily; Beggs, Alan H et al. (2014) Gait characteristics in a canine model of X-linked myotubular myopathy. J Neurol Sci 346:221-6 |
| Sarwal, Aarti; Cartwright, Michael S; Walker, Francis O et al. (2014) Ultrasound assessment of the diaphragm: Preliminary study of a canine model of X-linked myotubular myopathy. Muscle Nerve 50:607-9 |
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