JAX performs efficacy studies on mouse models for these diseases: C57BL10.mdx and D2.mdx for DMD, DyW for CMD1A, and A/J for dysferlinopathy. Additional mouse mutants are available for studies.
Efficacy studies performed by JAX® In Vivo Services evaluate muscle function with readouts such as rotarod performance, time to exhaustion with forced exercise, grip strength, and locomotor testing in response to therapeutics. Assessment of inflammation and fibrosis are new offerings to determine amelioration following treatment. Available tests include:
Strain | Ambulation & Strength | Serum CK | Fibrosis | Inflammation | Morphometry |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B10.mdx (001801) | No loss | Very High | Mild | Very high | Hypertrophy |
D2.mdx (013141) | Loss | High | Severe | High | Atrophy |
A/J (000646) | No loss | High | Mild | High | Atrophy |
DyW (013786) * |
Severe loss | High | Severe | High | Atrophy |
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common lethal genetic disease of childhood. It is an inherited X-linked disorder that results in the loss of or aberrant function of dystrophin, a protein involved in maintaining muscle integrity. Onset occurs in infancy and disease phenotypes include muscle weakness, loss of locomotion, and inflammation of the muscles. The following mouse models mimic various aspects of the human disease:
View the publication Effect of genetic background on the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice in the Oxford Journals.
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy onset occurs at birth. Disease phenotypes include diminished muscle tone and muscle degeneration. The following mouse models mimic various aspects of the human disease:
Dysferlinopathy, or Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B) onset occurs in young adults. The progressive muscle wasting is variable between patients. The following mouse models mimic various aspects of the human disease:
Examples of necrosis and fibers atrophy (top, right), fat infiltration (bottom left) and inflammation (bottom right), hallmarks of the muscle disease in different strains. The pathology of the B10.mdx (top left) is comparatively mild.
Ground MD, et al. 2008. Towards developing standard operating procedures for pre-clinical testing in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurobiol Dis 31:1-19 PMID: 18499465
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