HANAC Col4a1 Mutation in Mice Leads to Skeletal Muscle Alterations due to a Primary Vascular Defect

Collagen IV is a major component of basement membranes (BMs). The alpha l(IV) chain, encoded by the COL4A1 gene, is expressed ubiquitously and associates with the alpha 2(IV) chain to form the alpha 1 alpha 1 alpha 2(IV) heterotrimer. Several COL4A1 mutations affecting a conformational domain containing integrin-binding sites are responsible for the systemic syndrome of hereditary angiopathy, nephropathy, aneurysms, and cramps (HANAC). To analyze the pathophysiology of HANAC, Col4a1 mutant mice bearing the p.Gly498Val mutation were generated. Analysis of the skeletal muscles of Cot4a1(G498v) mutant animals showed morphologic characteristics of a muscular dystrophy phenotype with myofiber atrophy, centronucleation, focal inflammatory infiltrates, and fibrosis. Abnormal ultrastructural aspects of muscle BMs was associated with reduced extracellular secretion of the mutant alpha 1 alpha 1 alpha 2(IV) trimer. In addition to muscular dystrophic features, endothelial cell defects of the muscle capillaries were observed, with intracytoplasmic accumulation of the mutant alpha 1 alpha 1 alpha 2(IV) molecules, endoplasmic reticulum cisternae dilation, and up-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers. Induction of the unfolded protein response in Col4a1 mutant muscle tissue resulted in an excess of apoptosis in endothelial cells. HANAC mutant animals also presented with a muscular functional impairment and increased serum creatine kinase Levels reflecting altered muscle fiber sarcolemma. This extensive description of the muscular phenotype of the Col4a1 HANAC murine model suggests a potential contribution of primary endothelial cell defects, together with muscle BM alterations, to the development of COL4A1-related myopathy.