Research Institute of the MUHC/McGill University study proves that muscle atrophy in cystic fibrosis patients is genetic in origin.
Montreal, July 31, 2009 - Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) usually experience significant muscle loss, a symptom traditionally considered to be a secondary complication of the devastating genetic disease. However, a recent study by Dr. Basil Petrof reverses the equation: his results show that muscle atrophy and weakness may be a primary symptom caused by the effects of CFTR gene mutations on the muscle itself. Dr. Petrof's findings will be published on July 31 in Public Library of Science - Genetics.
Cystic fibrosis is known to be caused by a specific mutation on the CFTR gene. Dr. Petrof's study demonstrates for the first time that the CFTR gene is also present in skeletal muscles, where it plays a role in calcium regulation.
"After analyzing our results, we believe that defects in the CFTR gene are directly involved in the skeletal muscle wasting and weakness seen in many CF patients," Dr. Petrof explained. "And in the specific case of the diaphragm, a muscle required for breathing, this can potentially lead to fatal respiratory failure when the lungs are infected."
The researchers' data also show that lung infection and increased inflammation in the body are major triggers which interact with the genetic mutation to cause muscle atrophy and weakness in CF mice. These results are also applicable to humans.
"Our study suggests that one way to fight CF-related muscle atrophy is to aggressively control inflammation and infection in our patients. In fact", continued Dr. Petrof, "this is what current treatments already try to do; we simply need to reinforce them. In addition, our study suggests that a new way to treat the problem in the future may be to use drugs which can prevent an excess calcium build-up in their muscle cells."
These new findings run contrary to the traditional belief that muscle atrophy in CF patients is simply the consequence of a lack of exercise or poor nutrient absorption. Although these explanations undoubtedly play a role in some patients, it now appears that a primary cause of the muscle loss could actually be genetic in origin. This new evidence that the CFTR gene plays a role in skeletal muscle could help researchers to develop novel therapies for improving the function of the diaphragm and other muscles in CF patients.
CF is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. This gene is involved in the movement of chloride and other ions across cell membranes; its mutation causes a thickening of secretions in the lungs and other organs. In the lungs, these thicker secretions clog and block air passages which promote respiratory infections.
Dr. Basil Petrof
Dr. Basil Petrof is the Associate Director of the Meakins-Christie Laboratories, in the Respiratory Health Axis of the Research Institute of the MUHC. He also practices respiratory medicine at the McGill University Health Centre and is a Professor of Medicine at McGill University.
Funding
This study was funded by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and BREATHE program, the Quebec Respiratory Health Network of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ), and a Chercheur National Award from the FRSQ to Dr. Basil Petrof.
Partners
This article was co-authored by Dr. Maziar Divangahi, Dr. Haouaria Balghi (co-first authors), Dr. Gawiyou Danialou, Dr. Alain Comtois, Dr. Alexandre Demoule, Dr. Sheila Ernest, Dr. Christina Haston, Dr. Danuta Radzioch and Dr. Basil Petrof of the Research Institute of the MUHC, as well as by Dr. Renaud Robert and Dr. John W. Hanrahan of McGill University.
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and health-care hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Institute is the research arm of the MUHC, the university health centre affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The Institute supports over 600 researchers, nearly 1200 graduate and post-doctoral students and operates more than 300 laboratories devoted to a broad spectrum of fundamental and clinical research. The Research Institute operates at the forefront of knowledge, innovation and technology and is inextricably linked to the clinical programs of the MUHC, ensuring that patients benefit directly from the latest research-based knowledge.
The Research Institute of the MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.
About McGill University
McGill University, founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, is Canada's leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 34,000 students. McGill attracts students from more than 160 countries around the world. Almost half of McGill students claim a first language other than English - including 6,000 francophones - with more than 6,400 international students making up almost 20 per cent of the student body.
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