Project Summary
Laminin-α2-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD), also known as Merosin Deficient
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A), is a devastating neuromuscular disease characterized by
progressive muscle weakness from birth. LAMA2-CMD is caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene, which results
in the loss of the Laminin-α2 protein. Laminin-α2 is critical for the formation of laminin-211 and laminin-221
heterotrimers, which are major components of the muscle basal lamina that support muscle structure and
function. LAMA2-CMD patients exhibit muscle weakness from birth, loose ambulation, require ventilator support,
feeding tube insertion and die prematurely. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for LAMA2-
CMD and patients die as young as the first decade of life. Laminin-111 is functionally similar to Laminin-211
and found abundantly the basement membrane of kidneys. Laminin-111 is therefore unlikely to trigger and
immune response in the adult compared to Laminin-211 replacement in LAMA2-CMD. We have shown that
treatment with EH&S derived mouse Laminin-111, a form of laminin found in embryonic muscle, reduces muscle
pathology, maintains muscle strength and dramatically increases life expectancy in a mouse model of LAMA2-
CMD. We have shown that mouse Laminin-111 treatment can functionally substitute for Laminin-211 to slow
muscle disease progression after disease onset in the dyW-/- mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. Finally, we have
demonstrated mouse Laminin-111 protein therapy is scalable and promotes muscle regeneration in the GRMD
dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together these data support the idea that Laminin-111 could serve
as an effective protein substitution therapy for LAMA2-CMD. Recently, large quantities of recombinant human
Laminin-111 (rhLAM-111) have been produced in using a propriety cell line and purification strategy. Our studies
have shown rhLAM-111 treatment improved the activity of dyW-/- mice, reduced kyphosis and increased the
strength of Laminin-2 deficient muscle. These studies have also raised important questions concerning the
biological role that Laminin isoforms play in myomatrix remodeling, muscle cell signaling, myogenesis, motor
neuron myelination and nerve conduction. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that recombinant
human laminin can restore the myomatrix, promote muscle regeneration and improve neuromuscular
function in a mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. This hypothesis will be tested in three specific aims: First, we will
examine and quantify changes to the muscle myomatrix and muscle signaling pathways with rhLAM-111 or
rhLAM-211 treatment using CosMx digital spatial profiling and super-resolution microscopy. Second, we will
investigate if rhLAM-111 or rhLAM-211 protein therapy restores myogenic repair program by assaying myogenic
renewal and muscle repair in a mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. Finally, we will determine if rhLAM-111 or rhLAM-
211 protein therapy restores motor neuron myelination and nerve conduction in a mouse model of LAMA2-CMD.
Together, this study will contribute to our understanding of how laminin treatment can remodel the extracellular
matrix, the role laminin plays in muscle regeneration, and if laminin treatment can improve nerve conduction and
restore neuromuscular function.
