Molecular and Genetic Studies of Congenital Myopathies

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00272883
• Recruitment Status: Recruiting
• First Posted: January 9, 2006
• Last Update Posted: July 23, 2019
• Sponsor: Boston Children’s Hospital
• Collaborator: Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Alan H. Beggs, Boston Children’s Hospital

Tracking Information

• First Submitted Date: January 5, 2006
• First Posted Date: January 9, 2006
• Last Update Posted Date: July 23, 2019
• Study Start Date: August 2003
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: January 2050 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Current Primary Outcome Measures (submitted: July 27, 2015)

Identification of Neuromuscular Disease Genes [ Time Frame: The time frame for disease gene discovery is unpredictable and may range from several days to several decades. ]

This is an ongoing genetic discovery study aimed at finding and confirming pathogenic mutations in known and new disease genes.

• Original Primary Outcome Measures: Not Provided
• Change History: Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00272883 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site

Current Secondary Outcome Measures (submitted: July 27, 2015)

Characterization of Clinical Features of Congenital Myopathies [ Time Frame: The time frame for disease classifacation and genotype-phenotype correlation is unpredictable and may range from several days to several decades. ]

As known as known and new disease genes are identified the resulting genotypes are correlated with subject phenotypes.

• Original Secondary Outcome Measures: Not Provided
• Current Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures: Not Provided
• Original Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures: Not Provided

Descriptive Information

• Brief Title: Molecular and Genetic Studies of Congenital Myopathies
• Official Title: Molecular Analysis of Neuromuscular Disease
• Brief Summary: In the Congenital Myopathy Research Program at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the researchers are studying the congenital myopathies (neuromuscular diseases present from birth), including central core disease, centronuclear/myotubular myopathy, congenital fiber type disproportion, multiminicore disease, nemaline myopathy, rigid spine muscular dystrophy, SELENON (SEPN1) and RYR1 myopathy and undefined congenital myopathies. The primary goal of the research is to better understand the genes and proteins (gene products) involved in muscle functioning and disease. The researchers hope that our studies will allow for improved diagnosis and treatment of individuals with congenital myopathies in the future. For more information, visit the Laboratory Website at www.childrenshospital.org/research/beggs

Detailed Description

The Congenital Myopathy Research Program consists of a group of scientists and healthcare providers all working to better understand the congenital myopathies. We are taking two approaches to reach our research goals. The first involves identifying and describing new genes and proteins involved in the skeletal muscles that allow our bodies to move. Simultaneously, studies are underway to identify genetic changes (mutations) that cause human neuromuscular disease. Thus, our second approach is to identify mutations, learn how they are inherited in families, and understand how they lead to weakness in individuals with neuromuscular disease. These approaches allow correlation of our basic muscle biology findings with our studies on muscle tissue of affected individuals.

Our research would not be possible without the generous participation of individuals and families with congenital myopathies. Participation in our studies is free of charge. Travel to Boston is not required, and we welcome the participation of individuals from around the world.

We appreciate the participation of all individuals with a congenital myopathy, as well as their first-degree relatives. Participants with a congenital myopathy are asked to donate medical records, a blood or saliva sample, and a muscle tissue sample (if available). Participating relatives are asked to donate a blood sample. The blood/saliva sample is used to acquire DNA (genetic material) which can be used to identify genetic changes and to study how a disease is inherited in a family. The medical records are employed to understand a participant's symptoms. The muscle tissue is used to better understand the disease at the muscular level by studying the gene expression and protein levels in individuals with congenital myopathies.

For more information, visit the Laboratory Website at www.childrenshospital.org/research/beggs.

• Study Type: Observational
• Study Design: Observational Model: Case-Only; Time Perspective: Other
• Target Follow-Up Duration: Not Provided

Biospecimen

Retention:   Samples With DNA

Description:

The primary biospecimens retained are blood, saliva and muscle tissue samples. Other specimens are retained on a case-by-case basis.

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample
• Study Population: Individuals with a clinical or suspected diagnosis of a congenital myopathy and their family members.

Condition

• Central Core Disease
• Centronuclear Myopathy
• Congenital Fiber Type Disproportion
• Multiminicore Disease
• Myotubular Myopathy
• Nemaline Myopathy
• Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy
• Undefined Congenital Myopathy

• Intervention: Not Provided
• Study Groups/Cohorts: Not Provided

Publications *

• Pierson CR, Tomczak K, Agrawal P, Moghadaszadeh B, Beggs AH. X-linked myotubular and centronuclear myopathies. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2005 Jul;64(7):555-64. Review.
• Agrawal PB, Strickland CD, Midgett C, Morales A, Newburger DE, Poulos MA, Tomczak KK, Ryan MM, Iannaccone ST, Crawford TO, Laing NG, Beggs AH. Heterogeneity of nemaline myopathy cases with skeletal muscle alpha-actin gene mutations. Ann Neurol. 2004 Jul;56(1):86-96.
• Ryan MM, Ilkovski B, Strickland CD, Schnell C, Sanoudou D, Midgett C, Houston R, Muirhead D, Dennett X, Shield LK, De Girolami U, Iannaccone ST, Laing NG, North KN, Beggs AH. Clinical course correlates poorly with muscle pathology in nemaline myopathy. Neurology. 2003 Feb 25;60(4):665-73.
• Ryan MM, Schnell C, Strickland CD, Shield LK, Morgan G, Iannaccone ST, Laing NG, Beggs AH, North KN. Nemaline myopathy: a clinical study of 143 cases. Ann Neurol. 2001 Sep;50(3):312-20. Review.
• Sanoudou D, Frieden LA, Haslett JN, Kho AT, Greenberg SA, Kohane IS, Kunkel LM, Beggs AH. Molecular classification of nemaline myopathies: "nontyping" specimens exhibit unique patterns of gene expression. Neurobiol Dis. 2004 Apr;15(3):590-600.
• Sanoudou D, Haslett JN, Kho AT, Guo S, Gazda HT, Greenberg SA, Lidov HG, Kohane IS, Kunkel LM, Beggs AH. Expression profiling reveals altered satellite cell numbers and glycolytic enzyme transcription in nemaline myopathy muscle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Apr 15;100(8):4666-71. Epub 2003 Apr 3.
• Wattanasirichaigoon D, Swoboda KJ, Takada F, Tong HQ, Lip V, Iannaccone ST, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Laing NG, Beggs AH. Mutations of the slow muscle alpha-tropomyosin gene, TPM3, are a rare cause of nemaline myopathy. Neurology. 2002 Aug 27;59(4):613-7.
• Nowak KJ, Wattanasirichaigoon D, Goebel HH, Wilce M, Pelin K, Donner K, Jacob RL, Hübner C, Oexle K, Anderson JR, Verity CM, North KN, Iannaccone ST, Müller CR, Nürnberg P, Muntoni F, Sewry C, Hughes I, Sutphen R, Lacson AG, Swoboda KJ, Vigneron J, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Beggs AH, Laing NG. Mutations in the skeletal muscle alpha-actin gene in patients with actin myopathy and nemaline myopathy. Nat Genet. 1999 Oct;23(2):208-12.
• North KN, Yang N, Wattanasirichaigoon D, Mills M, Easteal S, Beggs AH. A common nonsense mutation results in alpha-actinin-3 deficiency in the general population. Nat Genet. 1999 Apr;21(4):353-4.
• Pelin K, Hilpelä P, Donner K, Sewry C, Akkari PA, Wilton SD, Wattanasirichaigoon D, Bang ML, Centner T, Hanefeld F, Odent S, Fardeau M, Urtizberea JA, Muntoni F, Dubowitz V, Beggs AH, Laing NG, Labeit S, de la Chapelle A, Wallgren-Pettersson C. Mutations in the nebulin gene associated with autosomal recessive nemaline myopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Mar 2;96(5):2305-10.
• Ottenheijm CA, Lawlor MW, Stienen GJ, Granzier H, Beggs AH. Changes in cross-bridge cycling underlie muscle weakness in patients with tropomyosin 3-based myopathy. Hum Mol Genet. 2011 May 15;20(10):2015-25. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddr084. Epub 2011 Feb 28.
• Lawlor MW, Dechene ET, Roumm E, Geggel AS, Moghadaszadeh B, Beggs AH. Mutations of tropomyosin 3 (TPM3) are common and associated with type 1 myofiber hypotrophy in congenital fiber type disproportion. Hum Mutat. 2010 Feb;31(2):176-83. doi: 10.1002/humu.21157.
• Ottenheijm CA, Hooijman P, DeChene ET, Stienen GJ, Beggs AH, Granzier H. Altered myofilament function depresses force generation in patients with nebulin-based nemaline myopathy (NEM2). J Struct Biol. 2010 May;170(2):334-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2009.11.013. Epub 2009 Nov 26.
• Laing NG, Dye DE, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Richard G, Monnier N, Lillis S, Winder TL, Lochmüller H, Graziano C, Mitrani-Rosenbaum S, Twomey D, Sparrow JC, Beggs AH, Nowak KJ. Mutations and polymorphisms of the skeletal muscle alpha-actin gene (ACTA1). Hum Mutat. 2009 Sep;30(9):1267-77. doi: 10.1002/humu.21059.
• Ottenheijm CA, Witt CC, Stienen GJ, Labeit S, Beggs AH, Granzier H. Thin filament length dysregulation contributes to muscle weakness in nemaline myopathy patients with nebulin deficiency. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Jul 1;18(13):2359-69. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp168. Epub 2009 Apr 4.
• Lehtokari VL, Greenleaf RS, DeChene ET, Kellinsalmi M, Pelin K, Laing NG, Beggs AH, Wallgren-Pettersson C. The exon 55 deletion in the nebulin gene--one single founder mutation with world-wide occurrence. Neuromuscul Disord. 2009 Mar;19(3):179-81. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2008.12.001. Epub 2009 Feb 15.
• Pierson CR, Agrawal PB, Blasko J, Beggs AH. Myofiber size correlates with MTM1 mutation type and outcome in X-linked myotubular myopathy. Neuromuscul Disord. 2007 Jul;17(7):562-8. Epub 2007 May 29. Erratum in: Neuromuscul Disord. 2008 Jun;18(6):519.
• Agrawal PB, Greenleaf RS, Tomczak KK, Lehtokari VL, Wallgren-Pettersson C, Wallefeld W, Laing NG, Darras BT, Maciver SK, Dormitzer PR, Beggs AH. Nemaline myopathy with minicores caused by mutation of the CFL2 gene encoding the skeletal muscle actin-binding protein, cofilin-2. Am J Hum Genet. 2007 Jan;80(1):162-7. Epub 2006 Nov 14.

Recruitment Information

• Recruitment Status: Recruiting
• Estimated Enrollment (submitted: July 27, 2015): 4000
• Original Enrollment (submitted: January 5, 2006): 1000
• Estimated Study Completion Date: January 2050
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: January 2050 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with a clinical or suspected diagnosis of a congenital myopathy and their family members

Exclusion Criteria:

• No specific exclusion criteria. Our studies do not include myotonia congenita or related conditions.

Sex/Gender

• Sexes Eligible for Study: All

• Ages: Child, Adult, Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Contacts

Contact: Casie Genetti, M.S. C.G.C.; (617) 919-2169; cgenetti@enders.tch.harvard.edu

Contact: Beggs lab; beggslab@enders.tch.harvard.edu

• Listed Location Countries: United States

Administrative Information

• NCT Number: NCT00272883
• Other Study ID Numbers: 03-08-128R; AR44345; NS40828
• Has Data Monitoring Committee: No
• U.S. FDA-regulated Product: Not Provided
• IPD Sharing Statement: Not Provided
• Responsible Party: Alan H. Beggs, Boston Children’s Hospital
• Study Sponsor: Boston Children’s Hospital
• Collaborators: Muscular Dystrophy Association

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Alan H. Beggs, Ph.D.; Children's Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School

• PRS Account: Boston Children’s Hospital
• Verification Date: July 2019