GSK3 inhibition improves skeletal muscle function and whole-body metabolism in male mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Bianca M. Marcella, Briana L. Hockey, Jessica L. Braun, Kennedy C. Whitley, Mia S. Geromella, Ryan W. Baranowski, Colton J. F. Watson, Sebastian Silvera, Sophie I. Hamstra, Luc J. Wasilewicz, Robert W. E. Crozier, Amélie A. T. Marais, Kun Ho Kim, Gabsang Lee, Rene Vandenboom, Brian D. Roy, Adam J. MacNeil, Rebecca E. K. MacPherson and Val A. Fajardo ()
Additional contact information
Bianca M. Marcella: Brock University
Briana L. Hockey: Brock University
Jessica L. Braun: Brock University
Kennedy C. Whitley: Brock University
Mia S. Geromella: Brock University
Ryan W. Baranowski: Brock University
Colton J. F. Watson: Brock University
Sebastian Silvera: Brock University
Sophie I. Hamstra: Brock University
Luc J. Wasilewicz: Brock University
Robert W. E. Crozier: Brock University
Amélie A. T. Marais: Brock University
Kun Ho Kim: Institute for Cell Engineering Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Gabsang Lee: Institute for Cell Engineering Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Rene Vandenboom: Brock University
Brian D. Roy: Brock University
Adam J. MacNeil: Brock University
Rebecca E. K. MacPherson: Brock University
Val A. Fajardo: Brock University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) improves muscle function, metabolism, and bone health in many diseases and conditions; however, whether GSK3 should be targeted for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe muscle wasting disorder with no cure, remains unknown. Here, we show the effects of GSK3 inhibition in male DBA/2J (D2) and C57BL/10 (C57) mdx mice. Treating D2 mdx mice with GSK3 inhibitors alone or in combination with aerobic exercise improves muscle strength, endurance, and morphology, attenuates the hypermetabolic phenotype, and enhances insulin sensitivity. GSK3 inhibition in C57 mdx mice also improves muscle fatigue resistance and increases cage ambulation. Moreover, muscle-specific GSK3 knockdown in mdx mice augments muscle force production and endurance. In both mdx strains, GSK3 inhibition increases bone mineral content and density. Overall, these improvements to muscle, metabolic, and bone health with GSK3 inhibition in mdx mice may have clinical implications for patients with DMD, where the current standard of care, glucocorticoids, delay the loss of ambulation but increase the risk for insulin resistance and osteoporosis. Along with our observation of lowered β-catenin content in DMD myoblasts, a known cellular target for GSK3, this study provides ample evidence in support of inhibiting GSK3 for this disease.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53886-y

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