Understanding and Ameliorating Pathogenesis in FSHD

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Diseases can be treated more effectively if the causes/mechanisms underlying the symptoms are known. For muscular dystrophy, the primary defect is changes in genes or DNA. However, it is poorly understood how such defects cause the progressive skeletal muscle weakness and wasting typical of muscular dystrophies. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by production of a protein (DUX4) that is not normally present in muscle. DUX4 is a 'transcription factor' that controls other genes, thus upsetting the carefully coordinated pattern of gene expression in muscle, leading to weakness and wasting. One the many proteins that DUX4 controls is called HIF1alpha. This protein is very important in the way that a cell responds to low oxygen levels. However, abnormal sustained HIF1alpha levels can lead to cell death. FSHD cells are also less efficient at dealing with by-products of metabolism/respiration called reactive oxygen species (oxidative stress), which are normally dealt with by compounds called anti-oxidants, such as Vitamin C. Importantly, a recent clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT01596803) reported that administration of Vitamin C, as part of a panel of anti-oxidants, improved muscle function in FSHD patients.This project will help better understand the mechanism behind this encouraging observation in exploring the effects of manipulating HIF1aplha levels and associated signalling factors and how Vitamin C exerts its effects in improving musclefunction in FSHD.Thus in summary, we will generate tools and models of FSHD that will both further reveal disease mechanisms and also provide a platform for testing potential therapies for FSHD. Better understanding the disease mechanism in FSHD may also highlight other potential therapeutic interventions.