Recent Progress and Challenges in the Development of Antisense Therapies for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a dominant genetic disease in which the expansion of long CTG trinucleotides in the 3' UTR of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase () gene results in toxic RNA gain-of-function and gene mis-splicing affecting mainly the muscles, the heart, and the brain. The CUG-expanded transcripts are a suitable target for the development of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies. Various chemical modifications of the sugar-phosphate backbone have been reported to significantly enhance the affinity of ASOs for RNA and their resistance to nucleases, making it possible to reverse DM1-like symptoms following systemic administration in different transgenic mouse models.

Enhanced Delivery of Ligand-Conjugated Antisense Oligonucleotides (C16-HA-ASO) Targeting Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase Transcripts for the Treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disorder that affects many organs. It is caused by the expansion of a cytosine-thymine-guanine triplet repeat in the 3' untranslated region of the human dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (h) gene, which results in a toxic gain of function of mutant h RNA transcripts. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have emerged in recent years as a potential gene therapy to treat DM1.

Antisense oligonucleotides as a potential treatment for brain deficits observed in myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy, or dystrophia myotonica type 1 (DM1), is a multi-systemic disorder and is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy. It affects not only muscles but also many organs, including the brain. Cerebral impairments include cognitive deficits, daytime sleepiness, and loss of visuospatial and memory functions.

Lymphoblastoids cell lines - Derived iPSC line from a 26-year-old myotonic dystrophy type 1 patient carrying (CTG) expansion in the DMPK gene: CHUQi001-A.

Human immortalized Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lymphoblastoids cells line (LCLs) from a 26-year- old male affected by an adult form of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) disease and carrying 200 CTG repeats mutation in the blood was used to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using the Sendai virus expressing KLF4, OCT4, SOX2 and C-MYC. The resulting iPSCs were EBV free, expressed the pluripotency markers, could be differentiated into the three germ layers in vitro, had a normal karyotype, and retained the genetic DM1 mutation. This iPSC line could be useful for the investigation of DM1 mechanisms.

Stimulation of ENaC activity by rosiglitazone is PPARγ-dependent and correlates with SGK1 expression increase.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes. TZD treatment induces side effects such as peripheral fluid retention, often leading to discontinuation of therapy. Previous studies have shown that PPARγ activation by TZD enhances the expression or function of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) through different mechanisms.