Macrophages: a minimally invasive tool for monitoring collagen VI myopathies.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Collagen VI expression was tested in peripheral blood macrophages from patients with collagen VI-related myopathies and compared with muscle biopsy.

METHODS:

RNA and protein studies were performed in blood macrophages from 5 patients previously diagnosed with either Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) or Bethlem myopathy (BM). The full spectrum of possible genotypes was considered, including both dominant and recessive UCMD and BM cases.

RESULTS:

In the dominant BM patient, no collagen VI alterations were detectable in macrophages or muscle biopsy. In the remaining patients, the protein defect caused by the selected mutations, as well as the transcriptional abnormalities, were readily detectable in macrophages, at levels comparable to those observed in muscle biopsy samples and cultured skin fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data support the suitability of peripheral blood macrophages as a reliable, minimally invasive tool for supplementing or replacing muscle/skin biopsies in the diagnosis and monitoring of collagen VI-related myopathies.

• Authors: Francesca Gualandi, Rosa Curci, Patrizia Sabatelli, Elena Martoni, Matteo Bovolenta, Mario N Maraldi, Luciano Merlini, And Alessandra Ferlini
• Journal: Muscle & nerve (Muscle Nerve) Vol. 44 Issue 1 Pg. 80-4 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 1097-4598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21488057 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Collagen Type VI

Topics

• Adult
• Cells, Cultured
• Child
• Collagen Type VI (biosynthesis, blood)
• Humans
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (metabolism, pathology)
• Macrophages (metabolism, pathology)
• Muscle, Skeletal (metabolism, pathology)
• Muscular Diseases (blood, pathology)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Pilot Projects