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A pharmacological compound for restoring neuromuscular transmission

Researchers from Inserm, CNRS and Paris Descartes University have just demonstrated the beneficial effect of lithium chloride on a group of genetic disorders responsible for muscle dysfunction known as congenital myasthenias. These results, obtained using a new mouse model of the disease, are published in The Journal of Neuroscience, and constitute an important step in the search for treatments for these rare diseases.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) usually begin in the neonatal period, but sometimes begin later in childhood, during adolescence, or even in adulthood. They manifest as muscular weakness in the arms and legs, with involvement of the eyes, and facial and bulbar muscles (sucking, swallowing and vocal function [dysphonia]). They are characterised by dysfunction of neuromuscular transmission. This rare disease affects 1-2 individuals in 500,000 (source: Orphanet).

Fotolia_31590778_S

© Fotolia. Neuron Synapses enable the transmission of neuromuscular messages.


Researchers from the “Centre for Neurophysics, Physiology and Pathology” (French National Centre for Scientific Research [CNRS] / Paris Descartes University) in Paris study the physiopathological mechanisms of these diseases of neuromuscular transmission.

Using a transgenic mouse model of the disease, they have just shown the beneficial effect of a pharmacological compound known as lithium chloride (LiCl). Lithium chloride was already known as a treatment for some diseases of the central nervous system, such as depression and bipolar disorder.

“Treating these mice with lithium chloride reduces muscle weakness and fatigability,” explains Laure Strochlic, Inserm researcher.

Specifically, the researchers injected the product once a day into the peritoneum of the mice. The compound substantially restores the altered structures of the synapses, the structures that allow the transmission of information between nerve cells. It acts by inhibiting an enzyme known as “GSK3” in the muscle, making it possible to restore the motor deficit caused by the disease.

The researchers are now working to see if these results can be reproduced in other models of congenital myasthenia, and are adjusting the dose and duration of treatment. They are planning a clinical trial to test the efficacy of LiCl and other inhibitors of the GSK3 enzyme in 2-3 years’ time.

These results are protected by a patent filed by Inserm Transfert.

Medias
Researcher Contact
Laure Strochlic
Chercheur Inserm
UMR8194 Centre de neurophysique, physiologie, pathologie (CNRS/Université Paris Descartes)
+33 (0)1 42 86 40 95
ynher.fgebpuyvp@vafrez.se
Press Contact
Juliette Hardy
+33 (0)1 44 23 60 98
cerffr@vafrez.se
Sources
MuSK Frizzled-like Domain Is Critical for Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction Formation and Maintenance Julien Messéant,1 Alexandre Dobbertin,1 Emmanuelle Girard,2 Perrine Delers,1 Marin Manuel,1 Francesca Mangione,3 Alain Schmitt,4 Dominique Le Denmat,3 Jordi Molgo´,5 Daniel Zytnicki,1 Laurent Schaeffer,2 Claire Legay,1 and Laure Strochlic1 1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 8119, Université Paris Descartes, PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France, 2Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 5239, Université Lyon 1, ENS, Lyon, France, 3EA 2496-PIPA, Université Paris Descartes, PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France, 4Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 8104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France, and 5 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Neurobiologie et Développement, UPR 3294, Gif sur Yvette, France The Journal of Neuroscience, 25 mars 2015
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