NOGO is increased and binds to BACE1 in sporadic inclusion-body myositis and in A beta PP-overexpressing cultured human muscle fibers

Increased amyloid-beta precursor protein (A beta PP) and amyloid-beta (A beta) accumulation appear to be upstream steps in the pathogenesis of sporadic inclusion-body myositis (s-IBM). BACE1, participating in A beta production is also increased in s-IBM muscle fibers. Nogo-B and Nogo-A belong to a family of integral membrane reticulons, and Nogo-B binding to BACE1 blocks BACE1 access to A beta PP, decreasing A beta production. We studied Nogo-B and Nogo-A in s-IBM muscle and in our IBM muscle culture models, based on A beta PP-overexpression or ER-stress-induction in cultured human muscle fibers (CHMFs). We report that: (1) in biopsied s-IBM fibers, Nogo-B is increased, accumulates in aggregates, is immuno-co-localized with BACE1, and binds to BACE1; Nogo-A is undetectable. (2) In CHMFs, (a) A beta PP overexpression increases Nogo-B, Nogo-A, and BACE1, (b) ER stress increases BACE1 but decreases Nogo-B and Nogo-A, (c) Nogo-B and Nogo-A associate with BACE1. Accordingly, two novel mechanisms, A beta PP overexpression and ER stress, are involved in Nogo-B and Nogo-A expression in human muscle. We propose that in s-IBM muscle the Nogo-B increase may represent an attempt by muscle fiber to decrease A beta production. However, the increase of Nogo-B seems insufficient because A beta continues to accumulate and the disease progresses. We propose that manipulations, which increase Nogo-B in s-IBM muscle might offer a new therapeutic opportunity.