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2007 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Studies on pathophysiology and experimental therapy of Ullrich's disease and Bethlem myopathy

Research Project

Project/Area Number 18590953
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Neurology
Research InstitutionKagoshima University

Principal Investigator

HIGUCHI Itsuro  Kagoshima University, Medical and Dental Hospital, Senior Assistant Professor (80183573)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) TAKASHIMA Hiroshi  Kagoshima University, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Assistant Professor (80372803)
ARIMURA Kimiyoshi  Kagoshima University, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Associate Professor (20159510)
Project Period (FY) 2006 – 2007
KeywordsUllrich's disease / Bethlem mvonath / collagen VI / HSP47 / siRNA / extracellular matrix
Research Abstract

Collagenopathies with collagen VI mutations include Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (Ullrich's disease) and Bethlem myopathy. Patients with Ullrich's disease have generalized muscle weakness, multiple contractures of the proximal joints and hyperextensibility of the distal joints. Bethlem myopathy is characterized by the combination of proximal muscle weakness and contractures of finger, elbow, and ankle joints. We found for the first time a deficiency of collagen VI in Ullrich's disease. We found an overexpression of HSP47 in fibrous connective tissue and in the adjacent muscle membrane in various muscular dystrophies. However, in Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), the overexpression of HSP47 was found only in the connective tissue, and not in the muscle membrane. Since the importance of basement membrane is well known during the regeneration of damaged skeletal muscle, the poor expression of HSP47 in the muscle basement membrane may also be related to the pathogenesis of Ullrich's disease. We show that siRNA-mediated knockdowns of hSMG-1 or hUPF1 cause up-regulation of the mutant triple helical collagen VI, resulting in the formation of partially functional extracellular matrix in Ullrich's disease. We conclude that the inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) can be used as a therapeutic approach to rescue some human genetic diseases exacerbated by NMD.

  • Research Products

    (7 results)

All 2007 2006

All Journal Article (6 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 3 results) Presentation (1 results)

  • [Journal Article] Different pattern of HSP47 expression in skeletal muscle of patients with neuromuscular diseases2007

    • Author(s)
      Higuch I, Hashiguchi A, Matsuura E, Higashi K, et. al.
    • Journal Title

      Neuromuscul Disord 17

      Pages: 221-226

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Different pattern of HSP47 expression in skeletal muscle of patients with neuromuscular diseases2007

    • Author(s)
      Higuchi, I, Hashiguchi, A, Matsuura, E, Higashi, K, et. al.
    • Journal Title

      Neuromuscul Disord 17

      Pages: 221-226

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Molecular mechanism of rigid spine with muscular dystrophy type l caused by novel mutations of selenoprotein N gene2006

    • Author(s)
      Okamoto Y, Takashima H, Higuchi I, et. al.
    • Journal Title

      Neurogenetics 7

      Pages: 175-183

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Specific inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay components, SMG-1 or Upf1, rescues the phenotype of Ullrich disease fibroblasts2006

    • Author(s)
      Usuki F, Yamashita A, Kashima I, Higuchi I, et. al.
    • Journal Title

      Mol Ther 14

      Pages: 351-360

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Molecular mechanism of rigid spine with muscular dystrophy type 1 caused by novel mutations of selenoprotein N gene2006

    • Author(s)
      Okamoto, Y, Takashima, H, Higuchi, I, et. al.
    • Journal Title

      Neurogenetics 7

      Pages: 175-183

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Specific inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay components, SMG-1 or Upfl, rescues the phenotype of Ullrich disease fibroblasts2006

    • Author(s)
      Usuki, F, Yamashita, A, Kashima, I, Higuchi, I, et. al.
    • Journal Title

      Mol Ther 14

      Pages: 351-360

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Presentation] 筋疾患におけるheatshockprotein47の局在に関する研究2007

    • Author(s)
      樋口 逸郎, 他
    • Organizer
      第48回日本神経学会総会
    • Place of Presentation
      名古屋
    • Year and Date
      20070500
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より

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Published: 2010-02-04  

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