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Splice modulation therapy has shown great clinical promise in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, resulting in the production of dystrophin protein. Despite this, the relationship between restoring dystrophin to established dystrophic muscle and its ability to induce clinically relevant changes in muscle function is poorly understood. In order to robustly evaluate functional improvement, we used in situ protocols in the mdx mouse to measure muscle strength and resistance to eccentric contraction-induced damage. Here, we modelled the treatment of muscle with pre-existing dystrophic pathology using antisense oligonucleotides conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide. We reveal that 15% homogeneous dystrophin expression is sufficient to protect against eccentric contraction-induced injury. In addition, we demonstrate a >40% increase in specific isometric force following repeated administrations. Strikingly, we show that changes in muscle strength are proportional to dystrophin expression levels. These data define the dystrophin restoration levels required to slow down or prevent disease progression and improve overall muscle function once a dystrophic environment has been established in the mdx mouse model.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/hmg/ddv155

Type

Journal article

Journal

Hum Mol Genet

Publication Date

01/08/2015

Volume

24

Pages

4225 - 4237

Keywords

Animals, Cell-Penetrating Peptides, Disease Models, Animal, Dystrophin, Gene Expression Regulation, Genetic Therapy, Humans, Mice, Mice, Inbred mdx, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscular Dystrophy, Animal, Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne, Oligonucleotides, Antisense