This project is co-funded by Muscular Dystrophy UK and Cure CMD – a collaborative partnership established to support world-class research in the search for treatments and eventually cures for LMNA-CMD.
What are the aims of the project?
Changes (mutations) in the LMNA gene cause a group of muscle-wasting conditions called laminopathies. People with laminopathies can be affected very differently – even if they have exactly the same LMNA mutation. In this research project Dr Bonne and her team will investigate why this is the case.
What will the researchers do?
The researchers will use next generation sequencing to search for changes within the DNA of people with laminopathies that may worsen (or lessen) the effect of the LMNA mutation, leading to more (or less) severe symptoms. These genetic changes are known as modifiers. The team will also investigate how these modifiers affect the function of muscle cells with LMNA mutations.
This research project will use valuable tools, such as the Congenital Muscle Disease International Registry (CMDIR), to learn about different mutations that cause LMNA-CMD and access samples that have been donated by people with the condition.
Why is this research important?
Information about modifiers will improve our understanding of what causes the symptoms of LMNA-CMD. Importantly, this will help clinicians and families to have a better idea of the clinical course (prognosis) of an individual’s CMD, and so more tailored care and management can be put in place. In the future, the information from this project may also help in the design of clinical trials and potential therapies. For example, if the researchers identify a ‘protective’ genetic modifier, they may be able to design a therapy that targets this.
How might this research impact on other neuromuscular conditions?
The laminopathies are a spectrum of muscular dystrophies that vary in severity and age of onset:
- LMNA-CMD (severe congenital-onset)
- Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (childhood-onset)
- Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B (milder, adult onset)
This project may identify modifiers that play a role in these conditions, helping us to better understand their symptoms.
Grant information
Project leader: Dr Gisèle Bonne
Institute: INSERM, Paris
Condition: LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy
Duration: Two years
Total cost (£): 150,000
Official title: Identification of genetic modifiers modulating the diseases severity of LMNA-CMD
For further information
Read more about Dr Bonne and some of the families supporting this project in our feature article
If you would like further details about this research project, please contact the MDUK Research Line on 02078034813 or email research@musculardystrophyuk.org
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