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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Giorgio TascaORCiD
© 2017 The Author(s).Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons followed by muscle weakness, paralysis and death. The disease progression is extremely variable among patients, and reliable prognostic markers have not been identified. The aim of the study was to functionally characterize selected genes and microRNAs acting in the skeletal muscle of ALS patients, taking into account the duration and evolution of the disease, in order to obtain information regarding the muscle response to ALS progression. This prospective, longitudinal study enrolled 14 ALS patients and 24 age- A nd sex-matched healthy controls. Gene expression and histological analysis indicated an increase of MIR208B and MIR499 levels and the predominance of slow fibres, respectively, in the muscles of patients with a slower disease progression. A decreased expression of MIR206 and increased levels of HDAC4, during the progression of the disease were also observed. Taken together, our data suggest that the molecular signalling that regulates re-innervation and muscle regeneration is hampered during the progression of skeletal muscle impairment in ALS. This could provide precious hints towards defining prognostic protocols, and designing novel tailored therapeutic approaches, to improve ALS patients' care and delay disease progression.
Author(s): Di Pietro L, Baranzini M, Berardinelli MG, Lattanzi W, Monforte M, Tasca G, Conte A, Logroscino G, Michetti F, Ricci E, Sabatelli M, Bernardini C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Scientific Reports
Year: 2017
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Online publication date: 25/08/2017
Acceptance date: 03/08/2017
Date deposited: 01/03/2023
ISSN (electronic): 2045-2322
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-10161-z
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10161-z
PubMed id: 28842714
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