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Isaac R, Bandyopadhyay G, Rohm TV, Kang S, Wang J, Pokhrel N, Sakane S, Zapata R, Libster AM, Vinik Y, Berhan A, Kisseleva T, Borok Z, Zick Y, Telese F, Webster NJG, Olefsky JM. TM7SF3 controls TEAD1 splicing to prevent MASH-induced liver fibrosis. Cell Metab 2024; 36:1030-1043.e7. [PMID: 38670107 PMCID: PMC11113091 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and the development of liver fibrosis are not fully understood. Here, we show that deletion of a nuclear seven transmembrane protein, TM7SF3, accelerates HSC activation in liver organoids, primary human HSCs, and in vivo in metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) mice, leading to activation of the fibrogenic program and HSC proliferation. Thus, TM7SF3 knockdown promotes alternative splicing of the Hippo pathway transcription factor, TEAD1, by inhibiting the splicing factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU). This results in the exclusion of the inhibitory exon 5, generating a more active form of TEAD1 and triggering HSC activation. Furthermore, inhibiting TEAD1 alternative splicing with a specific antisense oligomer (ASO) deactivates HSCs in vitro and reduces MASH diet-induced liver fibrosis. In conclusion, by inhibiting TEAD1 alternative splicing, TM7SF3 plays a pivotal role in mitigating HSC activation and the progression of MASH-related fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Isaac
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gautam Bandyopadhyay
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Theresa V Rohm
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sion Kang
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jinyue Wang
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Narayan Pokhrel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rizaldy Zapata
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Avraham M Libster
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yaron Vinik
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Asres Berhan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine and Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tatiana Kisseleva
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zea Borok
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine and Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yehiel Zick
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Francesca Telese
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nicholas J G Webster
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jerrold M Olefsky
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Hann SH, Kim SY, Kim YL, Jo YW, Kang JS, Park H, Choi SY, Kong YY. Depletion of SMN protein in mesenchymal progenitors impairs the development of bone and neuromuscular junction in spinal muscular atrophy. eLife 2024; 12:RP92731. [PMID: 38318851 PMCID: PMC10945524 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by the deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which leads to motor neuron dysfunction and muscle atrophy. In addition to the requirement for SMN in motor neurons, recent studies suggest that SMN deficiency in peripheral tissues plays a key role in the pathogenesis of SMA. Using limb mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC)-specific SMN-depleted mouse models, we reveal that SMN reduction in limb MPCs causes defects in the development of bone and neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Specifically, these mice exhibited impaired growth plate homeostasis and reduced insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling from chondrocytes, rather than from the liver. Furthermore, the reduction of SMN in fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) resulted in abnormal NMJ maturation, altered release of neurotransmitters, and NMJ morphological defects. Transplantation of healthy FAPs rescued the morphological deterioration. Our findings highlight the significance of mesenchymal SMN in neuromusculoskeletal pathogenesis of SMA and provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies targeting mesenchymal cells for the treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hyeon Hann
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Yong Kim
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Lynne Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Woo Jo
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Seol Kang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyerim Park
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Choi
- Department of Physiology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Yun Kong
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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3
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Signoria I, van der Pol WL, Groen EJN. Innovating spinal muscular atrophy models in the therapeutic era. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050352. [PMID: 37787662 PMCID: PMC10565113 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe, monogenetic, neuromuscular disease. A thorough understanding of its genetic cause and the availability of robust models has led to the development and approval of three gene-targeting therapies. This is a unique and exciting development for the field of neuromuscular diseases, many of which remain untreatable. The development of therapies for SMA not only opens the door to future therapeutic possibilities for other genetic neuromuscular diseases, but also informs us about the limitations of such treatments. For example, treatment response varies widely and, for many patients, significant disability remains. Currently available SMA models best recapitulate the severe types of SMA, and these models are genetically and phenotypically more homogeneous than patients. Furthermore, treating patients is leading to a shift in phenotypes with increased variability in SMA clinical presentation. Therefore, there is a need to generate model systems that better reflect these developments. Here, we will first discuss current animal models of SMA and their limitations. Next, we will discuss the characteristics required to future-proof models to assist the field in the development of additional, novel therapies for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Signoria
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - W. Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ewout J. N. Groen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Yesbek Kaymaz A, Kostel Bal S, Bora G, Talim B, Ozon A, Alikasifoglu A, Topaloglu H, Erdem Yurter H. Alterations in insulin-like growth factor system in spinal muscular atrophy. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:631-638. [PMID: 36050898 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disease caused by survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a myotrophic and neurotrophic factor that has been reported to be dysregulated in in vivo SMA model systems. However, detailed analyses of the IGF-I system in SMA patients are missing. In this study, we analyzed the components of the IGF-I system in serum and archived skeletal muscle biopsies of SMA patients. METHODS Serum IGF-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, and IGFBP-5 levels were analyzed in 11 SMA patients and 13 healthy children by immunoradiometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The expression of IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, and IGFBP-5 proteins was investigated by immunofluorescence analysis in the archived skeletal muscle biopsies of 9 SMA patients, 6 patients with non-SMA-related neuromuscular disease and atrophic fibers in muscle biopsy, and 4 controls. RESULTS A significant decrease in IGF-I levels (mean ± SD: -1.39 ± 1.46 vs. 0.017 ± 0.83, p = 0.02) and increase in IGFBP-5 levels (mean ± SD: 2358.5 ± 1617.4 ng/mL vs. 1003.4 ± 274.3 ng/mL, p=0.03) were detected in serum samples of SMA patients compared to healthy controls. Increased expression of IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, and IGFBP-5 was detected in skeletal muscle biopsies of SMA patients and non-SMA neuromuscular diseases, indicating atrophy-specific alterations in the pathway. DISCUSSION Our findings suggested that the components of the IGF-I system are altered in SMA patients at both the systemic and tissue-specific levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Yesbek Kaymaz
- Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevgi Kostel Bal
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Unit, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gamze Bora
- Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Beril Talim
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pathology Unit, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Alev Ozon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayfer Alikasifoglu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Haluk Topaloglu
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Unit, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hayat Erdem Yurter
- Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Metabolic Dysfunction in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115913. [PMID: 34072857 PMCID: PMC8198411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder leading to paralysis, muscle atrophy, and death. Significant advances in antisense oligonucleotide treatment and gene therapy have made it possible for SMA patients to benefit from improvements in many aspects of the once devastating natural history of the disease. How the depletion of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the product of the gene implicated in the disease, leads to the consequent pathogenic changes remains unresolved. Over the past few years, evidence toward a potential contribution of gastrointestinal, metabolic, and endocrine defects to disease phenotype has surfaced. These findings ranged from disrupted body composition, gastrointestinal tract, fatty acid, glucose, amino acid, and hormonal regulation. Together, these changes could have a meaningful clinical impact on disease traits. However, it is currently unclear whether these findings are secondary to widespread denervation or unique to the SMA phenotype. This review provides an in-depth account of metabolism-related research available to date, with a discussion of unique features compared to other motor neuron and related disorders.
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6
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Deguise MO, Pileggi C, De Repentigny Y, Beauvais A, Tierney A, Chehade L, Michaud J, Llavero-Hurtado M, Lamont D, Atrih A, Wishart TM, Gillingwater TH, Schneider BL, Harper ME, Parson SH, Kothary R. SMN Depleted Mice Offer a Robust and Rapid Onset Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 12:354-377.e3. [PMID: 33545428 PMCID: PMC8257458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a health epidemic with potential devastating effects on the patients and the healthcare systems. Current preclinical models of NAFLD are invariably imperfect and generally take a long time to develop. A mouse model of survival motor neuron (SMN) depletion (Smn2B/- mice) was recently shown to develop significant hepatic steatosis in less than 2 weeks from birth. The rapid onset of fatty liver in Smn2B/- mice provides an opportunity to identify molecular markers of NAFLD. Here, we investigated whether Smn2B/- mice display typical features of NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS Biochemical, histologic, electron microscopy, proteomic, and high-resolution respirometry were used. RESULTS The Smn2B/- mice develop microvesicular steatohepatitis within 2 weeks, a feature prevented by AAV9-SMN gene therapy. Although fibrosis is not overtly apparent in histologic sections of the liver, there is molecular evidence of fibrogenesis and presence of stellate cell activation. The consequent liver damage arises from mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and results in hepatic dysfunction in protein output, complement, coagulation, iron homeostasis, and insulin-like growth factor-1 metabolism. The NAFLD phenotype is likely due to non-esterified fatty acid overload from peripheral lipolysis subsequent to hyperglucagonemia compounded by reduced muscle use and insulin resistance. Despite the low hepatic mitochondrial content, isolated mitochondria show enhanced β-oxidation, likely as a compensatory response, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species. In contrast to typical NAFLD/NASH, the Smn2B/- mice lose weight because of their associated neurological condition (spinal muscular atrophy) and develop hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS The Smn2B/- mice represent a good model of microvesicular steatohepatitis. Like other models, it is not representative of the complete NAFLD/NASH spectrum. Nevertheless, it offers a reliable, low-cost, early-onset model that is not dependent on diet to identify molecular players in NAFLD pathogenesis and can serve as one of the very few models of microvesicular steatohepatitis for both adult and pediatric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Olivier Deguise
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chantal Pileggi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yves De Repentigny
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariane Beauvais
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Tierney
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lucia Chehade
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Michaud
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maica Llavero-Hurtado
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas Lamont
- FingerPrints Proteomics Facility, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Abdelmadjid Atrih
- FingerPrints Proteomics Facility, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas M. Wishart
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bernard L. Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland,Bertarelli Foundation Gene Therapy Platform, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mary-Ellen Harper
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon H. Parson
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Rashmi Kothary, PhD, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6. fax: (613) 737-8803.
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Raimer AC, Singh SS, Edula MR, Paris-Davila T, Vandadi V, Spring AM, Matera AG. Temperature-sensitive spinal muscular atrophy-causing point mutations lead to SMN instability, locomotor defects and premature lethality in Drosophila. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm043307. [PMID: 32501283 PMCID: PMC7325441 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of death in young children, arising from homozygous deletion or mutation of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMN protein expressed from a paralogous gene, SMN2, is the primary genetic modifier of SMA; small changes in overall SMN levels cause dramatic changes in disease severity. Thus, deeper insight into mechanisms that regulate SMN protein stability should lead to better therapeutic outcomes. Here, we show that SMA patient-derived missense mutations in the Drosophila SMN Tudor domain exhibit a pronounced temperature sensitivity that affects organismal viability, larval locomotor function and adult longevity. These disease-related phenotypes are domain specific and result from decreased SMN stability at elevated temperature. This system was utilized to manipulate SMN levels during various stages of Drosophila development. Owing to a large maternal contribution of mRNA and protein, Smn is not expressed zygotically during embryogenesis. Interestingly, we find that only baseline levels of SMN are required during larval stages, whereas high levels of the protein are required during pupation. This previously uncharacterized period of elevated SMN expression, during which the majority of adult tissues are formed and differentiated, could be an important and translationally relevant developmental stage in which to study SMN function. Taken together, these findings illustrate a novel in vivo role for the SMN Tudor domain in maintaining SMN homeostasis and highlight the necessity for high SMN levels at crucial developmental time points that are conserved from Drosophila to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Raimer
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Suhana S Singh
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Maina R Edula
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tamara Paris-Davila
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Vasudha Vandadi
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ashlyn M Spring
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A Gregory Matera
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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8
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Deguise MO, De Repentigny Y, Tierney A, Beauvais A, Michaud J, Chehade L, Thabet M, Paul B, Reilly A, Gagnon S, Renaud JM, Kothary R. Motor transmission defects with sex differences in a new mouse model of mild spinal muscular atrophy. EBioMedicine 2020; 55:102750. [PMID: 32339936 PMCID: PMC7184161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mouse models of mild spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have been extremely challenging to generate. This paucity of model systems has limited our understanding of pathophysiological events in milder forms of the disease and of the effect of SMN depletion during aging. Methods A mild mouse model of SMA, termed Smn2B/−;SMN2+/−, was generated by crossing Smn−/−;SMN2 and Smn2B/2B mice. This new model was characterized using behavioral testing, histology, western blot, muscle-nerve electrophysiology as well as ultrasonography to study classical SMA features and extra-neuronal involvement. Findings Smn2B/−;SMN2+/− mice have normal survival, mild but sustained motor weakness, denervation and neuronal/neuromuscular junction (NMJ) transmission defects, and neurogenic muscle atrophy that are more prominent in male mice. Increased centrally located nuclei, intrinsic contractile and relaxation muscle defects were also identified in both female and male mice, with some male predominance. There was an absence of extra-neuronal pathology. Interpretation The Smn2B/−;SMN2+/− mouse provides a model of mild SMA, displaying some hallmark features including reduced weight, sustained motor weakness, electrophysiological transmission deficit, NMJ defects, and muscle atrophy. Early and prominent increase central nucleation and intrinsic electrophysiological deficits demonstrate the potential role played by muscle in SMA disease. The use of this model will allow for the understanding of the most susceptible pathogenic molecular changes in motor neurons and muscles, investigation of the effects of SMN depletion in aging, sex differences and most importantly will provide guidance for the currently aging SMA patients treated with the recently approved genetic therapies. Funding : This work was supported by Cure SMA/Families of SMA Canada (grant numbers KOT-1819 and KOT-2021); Muscular Dystrophy Association (USA) (grant number 575466); and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (grant number PJT-156379).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Olivier Deguise
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Yves De Repentigny
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Alexandra Tierney
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ariane Beauvais
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jean Michaud
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Lucia Chehade
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Mohamed Thabet
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Brittany Paul
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Aoife Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Sabrina Gagnon
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jean-Marc Renaud
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada.
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9
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Yamanaka K. Animal models for neurodegenerative disorders. Anim Biotechnol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811710-1.00003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Donadon I, Bussani E, Riccardi F, Licastro D, Romano G, Pianigiani G, Pinotti M, Konstantinova P, Evers M, Lin S, Rüegg MA, Pagani F. Rescue of spinal muscular atrophy mouse models with AAV9-Exon-specific U1 snRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7618-7632. [PMID: 31127278 PMCID: PMC6698663 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy results from loss-of-function mutations in SMN1 but correcting aberrant splicing of SMN2 offers hope of a cure. However, current splice therapy requires repeated infusions and is expensive. We previously rescued SMA mice by promoting the inclusion of a defective exon in SMN2 with germline expression of Exon-Specific U1 snRNAs (ExspeU1). Here we tested viral delivery of SMN2 ExspeU1s encoded by adeno-associated virus AAV9. Strikingly the virus increased SMN2 exon 7 inclusion and SMN protein levels and rescued the phenotype of mild and severe SMA mice. In the severe mouse, the treatment improved the neuromuscular function and increased the life span from 10 to 219 days. ExspeU1 expression persisted for 1 month and was effective at around one five-hundredth of the concentration of the endogenous U1snRNA. RNA-seq analysis revealed our potential drug rescues aberrant SMA expression and splicing profiles, which are mostly related to DNA damage, cell-cycle control and acute phase response. Vastly overexpressing ExspeU1 more than 100-fold above the therapeutic level in human cells did not significantly alter global gene expression or splicing. These results indicate that AAV-mediated delivery of a modified U1snRNP particle may be a novel therapeutic option against SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving Donadon
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Erica Bussani
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Riccardi
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Danilo Licastro
- CBM S.c.r.l., Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Romano
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Pianigiani
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mirko Pinotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pavlina Konstantinova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Melvin Evers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shuo Lin
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus A Rüegg
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franco Pagani
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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11
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Lopez Soto EJ, Gandal MJ, Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis T, Heller EA, Luo D, Zheng S. Mechanisms of Neuronal Alternative Splicing and Strategies for Therapeutic Interventions. J Neurosci 2019; 39:8193-8199. [PMID: 31619487 PMCID: PMC6794923 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1149-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cellular and physiological processes are coordinated by regulatory networks that produce a remarkable complexity of transcript isoforms. In the mammalian nervous system, alternative pre-mRNA splicing generates functionally distinct isoforms that play key roles in normal physiology, supporting development, plasticity, complex behaviors, and cognition. Neuronal splicing programs controlled by RNA-binding proteins, are influenced by chromatin modifications and can exhibit neuronal subtype specificity. As highlighted in recent publications, aberrant alternative splicing is a major contributor to disease phenotypes. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms of alternative splicing regulation and identifying functional splicing isoforms with critical phenotypic roles are expected to provide a comprehensive resource for therapeutic development, as illuminated by recent successful interventions of spinal muscular atrophy. Here, we discuss the latest progress in the study of the emerging complexity of alternative splicing mechanisms in neurons, and how these findings inform new therapies to correct and control splicing defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | | | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-5158
| | - Diou Luo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, and
| | - Sika Zheng
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
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12
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Houdebine L, D'Amico D, Bastin J, Chali F, Desseille C, Rumeau V, Soukkari J, Oudot C, Rouquet T, Bariohay B, Roux J, Sapaly D, Weill L, Lopes P, Djouadi F, Bezier C, Charbonnier F, Biondi O. Low-Intensity Running and High-Intensity Swimming Exercises Differentially Improve Energy Metabolism in Mice With Mild Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1258. [PMID: 31632295 PMCID: PMC6781613 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of spinal-cord motor-neurons, is caused by mutations on Survival-of-Motor Neuron (SMN)-1 gene. The expression of SMN2, a SMN1 gene copy, partially compensates for SMN1 disruption due to exon-7 excision in 90% of transcripts subsequently explaining the strong clinical heterogeneity. Several alterations in energy metabolism, like glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia, have been reported in SMA at both systemic and cellular level, prompting questions about the potential role of energy homeostasis and/or production involvement in disease progression. In this context, we have recently reported the tolerance of mild SMA-like mice (SmnΔ7/Δ7; huSMN2+/+) to 10 months of low-intensity running or high-intensity swimming exercise programs, respectively involving aerobic and a mix aerobic/anaerobic muscular metabolic pathways. Here, we investigated whether those exercise-induced benefits were associated with an improvement in metabolic status in mild SMA-like mice. We showed that untrained SMA-like mice exhibited a dysregulation of lipid metabolism with an enhancement of lipogenesis and adipocyte deposits when compared to control mice. Moreover, they displayed a high oxygen consumption and energy expenditure through β-oxidation increase yet for the same levels of spontaneous activity. Interestingly, both exercises significantly improved lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis in SMA-like mice, and enhanced oxygen consumption efficiency with the maintenance of a high oxygen consumption for higher levels of spontaneous activity. Surprisingly, more significant effects were obtained with the high-intensity swimming protocol with the maintenance of high lipid oxidation. Finally, when combining electron microscopy, respiratory chain complexes expression and enzymatic activity measurements in muscle mitochondria, we found that (1) a muscle-specific decreased in enzymatic activity of respiratory chain I, II, and IV complexes for equal amount of mitochondria and complexes expression and (2) a significant decline in mitochondrial maximal oxygen consumption, were reduced by both exercise programs. Most of the beneficial effects were obtained with the high-intensity swimming protocol. Taking together, our data support the hypothesis that active physical exercise, including high-intensity protocols, induces metabolic adaptations at both systemic and cellular levels, providing further evidence for its use in association with SMN-overexpressing therapies, in the long-term care of SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léo Houdebine
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Domenico D'Amico
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Jean Bastin
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Farah Chali
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Céline Desseille
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Valentin Rumeau
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Judy Soukkari
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Carole Oudot
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Thaïs Rouquet
- Biomeostasis CRO, Nutritional Behavior and Metabolic Disorders, La Penne-sur-Huveaune, France
| | - Bruno Bariohay
- Biomeostasis CRO, Nutritional Behavior and Metabolic Disorders, La Penne-sur-Huveaune, France
| | - Julien Roux
- Biomeostasis CRO, Nutritional Behavior and Metabolic Disorders, La Penne-sur-Huveaune, France
| | - Delphine Sapaly
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Laure Weill
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lopes
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.,UFR STAPS, Université d'Evry Val-d'Essonne, Evry, France
| | - Fatima Djouadi
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Cynthia Bezier
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.,Biophytis, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Charbonnier
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Biondi
- UMR-S1124, INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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13
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Wan B, Feng P, Guan Z, Sheng L, Liu Z, Hua Y. A severe mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy develops early systemic inflammation. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:4061-4076. [PMID: 30137324 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a fatal genetic disease, mainly affecting children. A number of recent studies show, aside from lower motor neuron degeneration and atrophy of skeletal muscles, widespread defects present in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral non-neuronal cell types of SMA patients and mouse models, particularly of severe forms. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the multi-organ manifestations of SMA were hardly understood. Here, using histology, flow cytometry and gene expression analysis in both messenger RNA and protein levels in various tissues, we found that a severe SMA mouse model develops systemic inflammation in early symptomatic stages. SMA mice had an enhanced intestinal permeability, resulting in microbial invasion into the circulatory system. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines was increased in all tissues and the acute phase response in the liver was activated. Systemic inflammation further mobilized glucocorticoid signaling and in turn led to dysregulation of a large set of genes, including robust upregulation of FAM107A in the spinal cord, increased expression of which has been implicated in neurodegeneration. Moreover, we show that lipopolysaccharide challenge markedly suppressed survival of motor neuron 2 exon 7 splicing in all examined peripheral and CNS tissues, resulting in global survival of motor neuron level reduction. Therefore, we identified a novel pathological mechanism in a severe SMA mouse model, which affects phenotypic severity through multiple paths and should contribute to progression of broad neuronal and non-neuronal defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Department of Neurology and Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengchao Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Department of Neurology and Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zeyuan Guan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Department of Neurology and Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Sheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Department of Neurology and Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yimin Hua
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Department of Neurology and Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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14
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Poirier A, Weetall M, Heinig K, Bucheli F, Schoenlein K, Alsenz J, Bassett S, Ullah M, Senn C, Ratni H, Naryshkin N, Paushkin S, Mueller L. Risdiplam distributes and increases SMN protein in both the central nervous system and peripheral organs. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018; 6:e00447. [PMID: 30519476 PMCID: PMC6262736 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disease caused by deletion and/or mutation of the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A second gene, SMN2, produces low levels of functional SMN protein that are insufficient to fully compensate for the lack of SMN1. Risdiplam (RG7916; RO7034067) is an orally administered, small-molecule SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing modifier that distributes into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. To further explore risdiplam distribution, we assessed in vitro characteristics and in vivo drug levels and effect of risdiplam on SMN protein expression in different tissues in animal models. Total drug levels were similar in plasma, muscle, and brain of mice (n = 90), rats (n = 148), and monkeys (n = 24). As expected mechanistically based on its high passive permeability and not being a human multidrug resistance protein 1 substrate, risdiplam CSF levels reflected free compound concentration in plasma in monkeys. Tissue distribution remained unchanged when monkeys received risdiplam once daily for 39 weeks. A parallel dose-dependent increase in SMN protein levels was seen in CNS and peripheral tissues in two SMA mouse models dosed with risdiplam. These in vitro and in vivo preclinical data strongly suggest that functional SMN protein increases seen in patients' blood following risdiplam treatment should reflect similar increases in functional SMN protein in the CNS, muscle, and other peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Poirier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Katja Heinig
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Franz Bucheli
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Kerstin Schoenlein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jochem Alsenz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Simon Bassett
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Mohammed Ullah
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Claudia Senn
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Hasane Ratni
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Lutz Mueller
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
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15
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Ratni H, Ebeling M, Baird J, Bendels S, Bylund J, Chen KS, Denk N, Feng Z, Green L, Guerard M, Jablonski P, Jacobsen B, Khwaja O, Kletzl H, Ko CP, Kustermann S, Marquet A, Metzger F, Mueller B, Naryshkin NA, Paushkin SV, Pinard E, Poirier A, Reutlinger M, Weetall M, Zeller A, Zhao X, Mueller L. Discovery of Risdiplam, a Selective Survival of Motor Neuron-2 ( SMN2) Gene Splicing Modifier for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). J Med Chem 2018; 61:6501-6517. [PMID: 30044619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SMA is an inherited disease that leads to loss of motor function and ambulation and a reduced life expectancy. We have been working to develop orally administrated, systemically distributed small molecules to increase levels of functional SMN protein. Compound 2 was the first SMN2 splicing modifier tested in clinical trials in healthy volunteers and SMA patients. It was safe and well tolerated and increased SMN protein levels up to 2-fold in patients. Nevertheless, its development was stopped as a precautionary measure because retinal toxicity was observed in cynomolgus monkeys after chronic daily oral dosing (39 weeks) at exposures in excess of those investigated in patients. Herein, we describe the discovery of 1 (risdiplam, RG7916, RO7034067) that focused on thorough pharmacology, DMPK and safety characterization and optimization. This compound is undergoing pivotal clinical trials and is a promising medicine for the treatment of patients in all ages and stages with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasane Ratni
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Martin Ebeling
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - John Baird
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. , 100 Corporate Court , South Plainfield , New Jersey 07080 , United States
| | - Stefanie Bendels
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Johan Bylund
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Karen S Chen
- SMA Foundation , 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400 , New York , New York 10019 , United States
| | - Nora Denk
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , California 90089 , United States
| | - Luke Green
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Melanie Guerard
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Philippe Jablonski
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Bjoern Jacobsen
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Omar Khwaja
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Heidemarie Kletzl
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , California 90089 , United States
| | - Stefan Kustermann
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Anne Marquet
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Metzger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Barbara Mueller
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Nikolai A Naryshkin
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. , 100 Corporate Court , South Plainfield , New Jersey 07080 , United States
| | - Sergey V Paushkin
- SMA Foundation , 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400 , New York , New York 10019 , United States
| | - Emmanuel Pinard
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Agnès Poirier
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Michael Reutlinger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. , 100 Corporate Court , South Plainfield , New Jersey 07080 , United States
| | - Andreas Zeller
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Xin Zhao
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. , 100 Corporate Court , South Plainfield , New Jersey 07080 , United States
| | - Lutz Mueller
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development , Roche Innovation Center Basel , Grenzacherstrasse 124 , 4070 Basel , Switzerland
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16
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Cerveró C, Blasco A, Tarabal O, Casanovas A, Piedrafita L, Navarro X, Esquerda JE, Calderó J. Glial Activation and Central Synapse Loss, but Not Motoneuron Degeneration, Are Prevented by the Sigma-1 Receptor Agonist PRE-084 in the Smn2B/- Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2018; 77:577-597. [PMID: 29767748 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nly033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by the loss of α-motoneurons (MNs) with concomitant muscle denervation. MN excitability and vulnerability to disease are particularly regulated by cholinergic synaptic afferents (C-boutons), in which Sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R) is concentrated. Alterations in Sig1R have been associated with MN degeneration. Here, we investigated whether a chronic treatment with the Sig1R agonist PRE-084 was able to exert beneficial effects on SMA. We used a model of intermediate SMA, the Smn2B/- mouse, in which we performed a detailed characterization of the histopathological changes that occur throughout the disease. We report that Smn2B/- mice exhibited qualitative differences in major alterations found in mouse models of severe SMA: Smn2B/- animals showed more prominent MN degeneration, early motor axon alterations, marked changes in sensory neurons, and later MN deafferentation that correlated with conspicuous reactive gliosis and altered neuroinflammatory M1/M2 microglial balance. PRE-084 attenuated reactive gliosis, mitigated M1/M2 imbalance, and prevented MN deafferentation in Smn2B/- mice. These effects were also observed in a severe SMA model, the SMNΔ7 mouse. However, the prevention of gliosis and MN deafferentation promoted by PRE-084 were not accompanied by any improvements in clinical outcome or other major pathological changes found in SMA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clàudia Cerveró
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alba Blasco
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Olga Tarabal
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anna Casanovas
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lídia Piedrafita
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Group of Neuroplasticity and Regeneration, Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERNED, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josep E Esquerda
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Calderó
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLEIDA), Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
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17
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Pinard E, Green L, Reutlinger M, Weetall M, Naryshkin NA, Baird J, Chen KS, Paushkin SV, Metzger F, Ratni H. Discovery of a Novel Class of Survival Motor Neuron 2 Splicing Modifiers for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Med Chem 2017; 60:4444-4457. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Pinard
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luke Green
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Reutlinger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Nikolai A. Naryshkin
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - John Baird
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Karen S. Chen
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh
Avenue, Suite 400, New York, New York 10019, United States
| | - Sergey V. Paushkin
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh
Avenue, Suite 400, New York, New York 10019, United States
| | - Friedrich Metzger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hasane Ratni
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
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18
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Jangi M, Fleet C, Cullen P, Gupta SV, Mekhoubad S, Chiao E, Allaire N, Bennett CF, Rigo F, Krainer AR, Hurt JA, Carulli JP, Staropoli JF. SMN deficiency in severe models of spinal muscular atrophy causes widespread intron retention and DNA damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E2347-E2356. [PMID: 28270613 PMCID: PMC5373344 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613181114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease, is the leading monogenic cause of infant mortality. Homozygous loss of the gene survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) causes the selective degeneration of lower motor neurons and subsequent atrophy of proximal skeletal muscles. The SMN1 protein product, survival of motor neuron (SMN), is ubiquitously expressed and is a key factor in the assembly of the core splicing machinery. The molecular mechanisms by which disruption of the broad functions of SMN leads to neurodegeneration remain unclear. We used an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based inducible mouse model of SMA to investigate the SMN-specific transcriptome changes associated with neurodegeneration. We found evidence of widespread intron retention, particularly of minor U12 introns, in the spinal cord of mice 30 d after SMA induction, which was then rescued by a therapeutic ASO. Intron retention was concomitant with a strong induction of the p53 pathway and DNA damage response, manifesting as γ-H2A.X positivity in neurons of the spinal cord and brain. Widespread intron retention and markers of the DNA damage response were also observed with SMN depletion in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons. We also found that retained introns, high in GC content, served as substrates for the formation of transcriptional R-loops. We propose that defects in intron removal in SMA promote DNA damage in part through the formation of RNA:DNA hybrid structures, leading to motor neuron death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Jangi
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Christina Fleet
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Patrick Cullen
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Shipra V Gupta
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | | | - Eric Chiao
- Stem Cell Research, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Norm Allaire
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - C Frank Bennett
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008
| | - Frank Rigo
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008
| | | | - Jessica A Hurt
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - John P Carulli
- Computational Biology & Genomics, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142;
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19
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Robin V, Griffith G, Carter JPL, Leumann CJ, Garcia L, Goyenvalle A. Efficient SMN Rescue following Subcutaneous Tricyclo-DNA Antisense Oligonucleotide Treatment. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017. [PMID: 28624227 PMCID: PMC5415958 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a recessive disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which encodes the protein survival motor neuron (SMN), whose absence dramatically affects the survival of motor neurons. In humans, the severity of the disease is lessened by the presence of a gene copy, SMN2. SMN2 differs from SMN1 by a C-to-T transition in exon 7, which modifies pre-mRNA splicing and prevents successful SMN synthesis. Splice-switching approaches using antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) have already been shown to correct this SMN2 gene transition, providing a therapeutic avenue for SMA. However, AON administration to the CNS presents additional hurdles. In this study, we show that systemic delivery of tricyclo-DNA (tcDNA) AONs in a type III SMA mouse augments retention of exon 7 in SMN2 mRNA both in peripheral organs and the CNS. Mild type III SMA mice were selected as opposed to the severe type I model in order to test tcDNA efficacy and their ability to enter the CNS after maturation of the blood brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, subcutaneous treatment significantly improved the necrosis phenotype and respiratory function. In summary, our data support that tcDNA oligomers effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and offer a promising systemic alternative for treating SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Robin
- Université Versailles Saint Quentin, INSERM U1179, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
| | - Graziella Griffith
- Université Versailles Saint Quentin, INSERM U1179, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - John-Paul L Carter
- Université Versailles Saint Quentin, INSERM U1179, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Christian J Leumann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis Garcia
- Université Versailles Saint Quentin, INSERM U1179, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- Université Versailles Saint Quentin, INSERM U1179, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
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20
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d'Ydewalle C, Ramos DM, Pyles NJ, Ng SY, Gorz M, Pilato CM, Ling K, Kong L, Ward AJ, Rubin LL, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Sumner CJ. The Antisense Transcript SMN-AS1 Regulates SMN Expression and Is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Neuron 2016; 93:66-79. [PMID: 28017471 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular disorder spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the most common inherited killer of infants, is caused by insufficient expression of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMA therapeutics development efforts have focused on identifying strategies to increase SMN expression. We identified a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that arises from the antisense strand of SMN, SMN-AS1, which is enriched in neurons and transcriptionally represses SMN expression by recruiting the epigenetic Polycomb repressive complex-2. Targeted degradation of SMN-AS1 with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) increases SMN expression in patient-derived cells, cultured neurons, and the mouse central nervous system. SMN-AS1 ASOs delivered together with SMN2 splice-switching oligonucleotides additively increase SMN expression and improve survival of severe SMA mice. This study is the first proof of concept that targeting a lncRNA to transcriptionally activate SMN2 can be combined with SMN2 splicing modification to ameliorate SMA and demonstrates the promise of combinatorial ASOs for the treatment of neurogenetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin d'Ydewalle
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel M Ramos
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Noah J Pyles
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shi-Yan Ng
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mariusz Gorz
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Celeste M Pilato
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Karen Ling
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Lingling Kong
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Amanda J Ward
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lee L Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - C Frank Bennett
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Charlotte J Sumner
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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21
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Doktor TK, Hua Y, Andersen HS, Brøner S, Liu YH, Wieckowska A, Dembic M, Bruun GH, Krainer AR, Andresen BS. RNA-sequencing of a mouse-model of spinal muscular atrophy reveals tissue-wide changes in splicing of U12-dependent introns. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 45:395-416. [PMID: 27557711 PMCID: PMC5224493 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by insufficient levels of the Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is expressed ubiquitously and functions in RNA processing pathways that include trafficking of mRNA and assembly of snRNP complexes. Importantly, SMA severity is correlated with decreased snRNP assembly activity. In particular, the minor spliceosomal snRNPs are affected, and some U12-dependent introns have been reported to be aberrantly spliced in patient cells and animal models. SMA is characterized by loss of motor neurons, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. It is likely that aberrant splicing of genes expressed in motor neurons is involved in SMA pathogenesis, but increasing evidence indicates that pathologies also exist in other tissues. We present here a comprehensive RNA-seq study that covers multiple tissues in an SMA mouse model. We show elevated U12-intron retention in all examined tissues from SMA mice, and that U12-dependent intron retention is induced upon siRNA knock-down of SMN in HeLa cells. Furthermore, we show that retention of U12-dependent introns is mitigated by ASO treatment of SMA mice and that many transcriptional changes are reversed. Finally, we report on missplicing of several Ca2+ channel genes that may explain disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis in SMA and activation of Cdk5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Koed Doktor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Yimin Hua
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Henriette Skovgaard Andersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Sabrina Brøner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ying Hsiu Liu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Anna Wieckowska
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Division of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-243 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Maja Dembic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Gitte Hoffmann Bruun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark.,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Adrian R Krainer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Brage Storstein Andresen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark .,The Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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22
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Ratni H, Karp GM, Weetall M, Naryshkin NA, Paushkin SV, Chen KS, McCarthy KD, Qi H, Turpoff A, Woll MG, Zhang X, Zhang N, Yang T, Dakka A, Vazirani P, Zhao X, Pinard E, Green L, David-Pierson P, Tuerck D, Poirier A, Muster W, Kirchner S, Mueller L, Gerlach I, Metzger F. Specific Correction of Alternative Survival Motor Neuron 2 Splicing by Small Molecules: Discovery of a Potential Novel Medicine To Treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6086-100. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hasane Ratni
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gary M. Karp
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Nikolai A. Naryshkin
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Sergey V. Paushkin
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh
Avenue, Suite 400, New York, New York 10019, United States
| | - Karen S. Chen
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh
Avenue, Suite 400, New York, New York 10019, United States
| | - Kathleen D. McCarthy
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh
Avenue, Suite 400, New York, New York 10019, United States
| | - Hongyan Qi
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Anthony Turpoff
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Matthew G. Woll
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Nanjing Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Tianle Yang
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Amal Dakka
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Priya Vazirani
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Xin Zhao
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., 100
Corporate Court, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080, United States
| | - Emmanuel Pinard
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luke Green
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascale David-Pierson
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dietrich Tuerck
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Agnes Poirier
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Muster
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Kirchner
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lutz Mueller
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene Gerlach
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Metzger
- pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Havens MA, Hastings ML. Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutic drugs. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:6549-63. [PMID: 27288447 PMCID: PMC5001604 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) are short, synthetic, antisense, modified nucleic acids that base-pair with a pre-mRNA and disrupt the normal splicing repertoire of the transcript by blocking the RNA–RNA base-pairing or protein–RNA binding interactions that occur between components of the splicing machinery and the pre-mRNA. Splicing of pre-mRNA is required for the proper expression of the vast majority of protein-coding genes, and thus, targeting the process offers a means to manipulate protein production from a gene. Splicing modulation is particularly valuable in cases of disease caused by mutations that lead to disruption of normal splicing or when interfering with the normal splicing process of a gene transcript may be therapeutic. SSOs offer an effective and specific way to target and alter splicing in a therapeutic manner. Here, we discuss the different approaches used to target and alter pre-mRNA splicing with SSOs. We detail the modifications to the nucleic acids that make them promising therapeutics and discuss the challenges to creating effective SSO drugs. We highlight the development of SSOs designed to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, which are currently being tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory A Havens
- Department of Biology, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL 60446, USA
| | - Michelle L Hastings
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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24
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Butchbach MER, Lumpkin CJ, Harris AW, Saieva L, Edwards JD, Workman E, Simard LR, Pellizzoni L, Burghes AHM. Protective effects of butyrate-based compounds on a mouse model for spinal muscular atrophy. Exp Neurol 2016; 279:13-26. [PMID: 26892876 PMCID: PMC4834225 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a childhood-onset degenerative disease resulting from the selective loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. SMA is caused by the loss of SMN1 (survival motor neuron 1) but retention of SMN2. The number of copies of SMN2 modifies disease severity in SMA patients as well as in mouse models, making SMN2 a target for therapeutics development. Sodium butyrate (BA) and its analog (4PBA) have been shown to increase SMN2 expression in SMA cultured cells. In this study, we examined the effects of BA, 4PBA as well as two BA prodrugs-glyceryl tributyrate (BA3G) and VX563-on the phenotype of SMNΔ7 SMA mice. Treatment with 4PBA, BA3G and VX563 but not BA beginning at PND04 significantly improved the lifespan and delayed disease end stage, with administration of VX563 also improving the growth rate of these mice. 4PBA and VX563 improved the motor phenotype of SMNΔ7 SMA mice and prevented spinal motor neuron loss. Interestingly, neither 4PBA nor VX563 had an effect on SMN expression in the spinal cords of treated SMNΔ7 SMA mice; however, they inhibited histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and restored the normal phosphorylation states of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β, both of which are altered by SMN deficiency in vivo. These observations show that BA-based compounds with favorable pharmacokinetics ameliorate SMA pathology possibly by modulating HDAC and Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E R Butchbach
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Center for Pediatric Research, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Casey J Lumpkin
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Ashlee W Harris
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Luciano Saieva
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan D Edwards
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Eileen Workman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Louise R Simard
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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25
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Feng Z, Ling KKY, Zhao X, Zhou C, Karp G, Welch EM, Naryshkin N, Ratni H, Chen KS, Metzger F, Paushkin S, Weetall M, Ko CP. Pharmacologically induced mouse model of adult spinal muscular atrophy to evaluate effectiveness of therapeutics after disease onset. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:964-75. [PMID: 26758873 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease characterized by atrophy of muscle and loss of spinal motor neurons. SMA is caused by deletion or mutation of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, and the nearly identical SMN2 gene fails to generate adequate levels of functional SMN protein due to a splicing defect. Currently, several therapeutics targeted to increase SMN protein are in clinical trials. An outstanding issue in the field is whether initiating treatment in symptomatic older patients would confer a therapeutic benefit, an important consideration as the majority of patients with milder forms of SMA are diagnosed at an older age. An SMA mouse model that recapitulates the disease phenotype observed in adolescent and adult SMA patients is needed to address this important question. We demonstrate here that Δ7 mice, a model of severe SMA, treated with a suboptimal dose of an SMN2 splicing modifier show increased SMN protein, survive into adulthood and display SMA disease-relevant pathologies. Increasing the dose of the splicing modifier after the disease symptoms are apparent further mitigates SMA histopathological features in suboptimally dosed adult Δ7 mice. In addition, inhibiting myostatin using intramuscular injection of AAV1-follistatin ameliorates muscle atrophy in suboptimally dosed Δ7 mice. Taken together, we have developed a new murine model of symptomatic SMA in adolescents and adult mice that is induced pharmacologically from a more severe model and demonstrated efficacy of both SMN2 splicing modifiers and a myostatin inhibitor in mice at later disease stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Feng
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520, USA
| | - Karen K Y Ling
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Chunyi Zhou
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520, USA
| | - Gary Karp
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Ellen M Welch
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | | | - Hasane Ratni
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland and
| | - Karen S Chen
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Friedrich Metzger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland and
| | - Sergey Paushkin
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520, USA,
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26
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Zhou H, Meng J, Marrosu E, Janghra N, Morgan J, Muntoni F. Repeated low doses of morpholino antisense oligomer: an intermediate mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy to explore the window of therapeutic response. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6265-77. [PMID: 26264577 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The human SMN2 transgenic mice are well-established models of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). While the severe type I mouse model has a rapidly progressive condition mimicking type I SMA in humans, the mild type III mice do not faithfully recapitulate chronic SMA variants affecting children. A SMA mouse model that clinically mimics the features of type II and III SMA in human is therefore needed. In this study, we generated intermediately affected SMA mice by delivering low-dose morpholino oligomer (PMO25) into the existing severe SMA mice. We show that a single low-dose administration of PMO25 moderately extended the survival of severe type I SMA mice. The neuromuscular pathology is also modestly but significantly improved in these mice. A second administration of PMO25 at postnatal day 5 (PND5) demonstrated an additive effect on survival. Additional systemic administration of low-dose PMO25 at 2-week intervals suppressed the occurrence of distal necrosis beyond postnatal day 100, and induced more complete phenotypic rescue than a single bolus high-dose injection at PND0. Our study demonstrates that survival of motor neuron (SMN) is required early at a critical threshold to prevent symptoms and suggests that subsequent systemic administration of low-dose PMO25 in SMA mice can provide therapeutic benefit and phenotypic rescue, presumably via peripheral SMN restoration. Our work also provides additional insight into the time window of response to administration of antisense oligonucleotides to SMA mice with an intermediate phenotype. This information is crucial at a time when a number of therapeutic interventions are in clinical trials in SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhou
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jinhong Meng
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Elena Marrosu
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Narinder Janghra
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jennifer Morgan
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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27
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Sahashi K, Katsuno M, Hung G, Adachi H, Kondo N, Nakatsuji H, Tohnai G, Iida M, Bennett CF, Sobue G. Silencing neuronal mutant androgen receptor in a mouse model of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5985-94. [PMID: 26231218 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease that affects males, results from a CAG triplet repeat/polyglutamine expansions in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Patients develop progressive muscular weakness and atrophy, and no effective therapy is currently available. The tissue-specific pathogenesis, especially relative pathological contributions between degenerative motor neurons and muscles, remains inconclusive. Though peripheral pathology in skeletal muscle caused by toxic AR protein has been recently reported to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SBMA using mouse models, the role of motor neuron degeneration in SBMA has not been rigorously investigated. Here, we exploited synthetic antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit the RNA levels of mutant AR in the central nervous system (CNS) and explore its therapeutic effects in our SBMA mouse model that harbors a mutant AR gene with 97 CAG expansions and characteristic SBMA-like neurogenic phenotypes. A single intracerebroventricular administration of the antisense oligonucleotides in the presymptomatic phase efficiently suppressed the mutant gene expression in the CNS, and delayed the onset and progression of motor dysfunction, improved body weight gain and survival with the amelioration of neuronal histopathology in motor units such as spinal motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions and skeletal muscle. These findings highlight the importance of the neurotoxicity of mutant AR protein in motor neurons as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Sahashi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan,
| | - Gene Hung
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA and
| | - Hiroaki Adachi
- Department of Neurology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health School of Medicine, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Naohide Kondo
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakatsuji
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Genki Tohnai
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Madoka Iida
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | | | - Gen Sobue
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan,
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28
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Staropoli JF, Li H, Chun SJ, Allaire N, Cullen P, Thai A, Fleet CM, Hua Y, Bennett CF, Krainer AR, Kerr D, McCampbell A, Rigo F, Carulli JP. Rescue of gene-expression changes in an induced mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy by an antisense oligonucleotide that promotes inclusion of SMN2 exon 7. Genomics 2015; 105:220-8. [PMID: 25645699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by disruption of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, partly compensated for by the paralogous gene SMN2. Exon 7 inclusion is critical for full-length SMN protein production and occurs at a much lower frequency for SMN2 than for SMN1. Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated blockade of an intron 7 splicing silencer was previously shown to promote inclusion of SMN2 exon 7 in SMA mouse models and mediate phenotypic rescue. However, downstream molecular consequences of this ASO therapy have not been defined. Here we characterize the gene-expression changes that occur in an induced model of SMA and show substantial rescue of those changes in central nervous system tissue upon intracerebroventricular administration of an ASO that promotes inclusion of exon 7, with earlier administration promoting greater rescue. This study offers a robust reference set of preclinical pharmacodynamic gene expression effects for comparison of other investigational therapies for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Staropoli
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Huo Li
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Seung J Chun
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Norm Allaire
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Patrick Cullen
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Alice Thai
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Christina M Fleet
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yimin Hua
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - C Frank Bennett
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Adrian R Krainer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Doug Kerr
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alexander McCampbell
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - John P Carulli
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Biogen Idec, 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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29
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Hua Y, Liu YH, Sahashi K, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Krainer AR. Motor neuron cell-nonautonomous rescue of spinal muscular atrophy phenotypes in mild and severe transgenic mouse models. Genes Dev 2015; 29:288-97. [PMID: 25583329 PMCID: PMC4318145 DOI: 10.1101/gad.256644.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Survival of motor neuron (SMN) deficiency causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but restoring SMN in motor neurons only partially rescues SMA in mouse models. Hua et al. address the relative importance of SMN restoration in the CNS versus peripheral tissues in mouse models by using a therapeutic splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide to restore SMN and a complementary decoy oligonucleotide to neutralize its effects in the CNS. Increasing SMN exclusively in peripheral tissues completely rescued necrosis in mild SMA mice and robustly extended survival in severe SMA mice, with significant improvements in vulnerable tissues and motor function. Survival of motor neuron (SMN) deficiency causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but the pathogenesis mechanisms remain elusive. Restoring SMN in motor neurons only partially rescues SMA in mouse models, although it is thought to be therapeutically essential. Here, we address the relative importance of SMN restoration in the central nervous system (CNS) versus peripheral tissues in mouse models using a therapeutic splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide to restore SMN and a complementary decoy oligonucleotide to neutralize its effects in the CNS. Increasing SMN exclusively in peripheral tissues completely rescued necrosis in mild SMA mice and robustly extended survival in severe SMA mice, with significant improvements in vulnerable tissues and motor function. Our data demonstrate a critical role of peripheral pathology in the mortality of SMA mice and indicate that peripheral SMN restoration compensates for its deficiency in the CNS and preserves motor neurons. Thus, SMA is not a cell-autonomous defect of motor neurons in SMA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Hua
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, China; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA;
| | - Ying Hsiu Liu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Kentaro Sahashi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California 92010, USA
| | | | - Adrian R Krainer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA;
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30
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A sensitive assay system to test antisense oligonucleotides for splice suppression therapy in the mouse liver. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2014; 3:e193. [PMID: 25226162 PMCID: PMC4222650 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2014.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of antisense therapy for splicing defects in cellular models of metabolic diseases, suppressing the use of cryptic splice sites or pseudoexon insertions. To date, no animal models with these defects are available. Here, we propose exon skipping of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (Pah) gene expressed in liver and kidney to generate systemic hyperphenylalaninemia in mice as a sensitive in vivo assay to test splice suppression. Systemic elevation of blood L-Phe can be quantified using tandem MS/MS. Exon 11 and/or 12 skipping for the normal PAH gene was validated in hepatoma cells for comparing two oligonucleotide chemistries, morpholinos and locked nucleic acids. Subsequently, Vivo-morpholinos (VMO) were tested in wild-type and in phenotypically normal Pahenu2/+ heterozygous mice to target exon 11 and/or 12 of the murine Pah gene using different VMO dosing, mode of injection and treatment regimes. Consecutive intravenous injections of VMO resulted in transient hyperphenylalaninemia correlating with complete exon skipping and absence of PAH protein and enzyme activity. Sustained effect required repeated injection of VMOs. Our results provide not only a sensitive in vivo assay to test for splice-modulating antisense oligonucleotides, but also a simple method to generate murine models for genetic liver diseases.
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31
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Naryshkin NA, Weetall M, Dakka A, Narasimhan J, Zhao X, Feng Z, Ling KKY, Karp GM, Qi H, Woll MG, Chen G, Zhang N, Gabbeta V, Vazirani P, Bhattacharyya A, Furia B, Risher N, Sheedy J, Kong R, Ma J, Turpoff A, Lee CS, Zhang X, Moon YC, Trifillis P, Welch EM, Colacino JM, Babiak J, Almstead NG, Peltz SW, Eng LA, Chen KS, Mull JL, Lynes MS, Rubin LL, Fontoura P, Santarelli L, Haehnke D, McCarthy KD, Schmucki R, Ebeling M, Sivaramakrishnan M, Ko CP, Paushkin SV, Ratni H, Gerlach I, Ghosh A, Metzger F. Motor neuron disease. SMN2 splicing modifiers improve motor function and longevity in mice with spinal muscular atrophy. Science 2014; 345:688-93. [PMID: 25104390 DOI: 10.1126/science.1250127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease caused by mutation or deletion of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A paralogous gene in humans, SMN2, produces low, insufficient levels of functional SMN protein due to alternative splicing that truncates the transcript. The decreased levels of SMN protein lead to progressive neuromuscular degeneration and high rates of mortality. Through chemical screening and optimization, we identified orally available small molecules that shift the balance of SMN2 splicing toward the production of full-length SMN2 messenger RNA with high selectivity. Administration of these compounds to Δ7 mice, a model of severe SMA, led to an increase in SMN protein levels, improvement of motor function, and protection of the neuromuscular circuit. These compounds also extended the life span of the mice. Selective SMN2 splicing modifiers may have therapeutic potential for patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Amal Dakka
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Jana Narasimhan
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Karen K Y Ling
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Gary M Karp
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Hongyan Qi
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Matthew G Woll
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Guangming Chen
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Nanjing Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | | | - Priya Vazirani
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | | | - Bansri Furia
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Nicole Risher
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Josephine Sheedy
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Ronald Kong
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Jiyuan Ma
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Anthony Turpoff
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Chang-Sun Lee
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Young-Choon Moon
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | | | - Ellen M Welch
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Joseph M Colacino
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - John Babiak
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Neil G Almstead
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Stuart W Peltz
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA.
| | - Loren A Eng
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Karen S Chen
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Jesse L Mull
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Maureen S Lynes
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Lee L Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Paulo Fontoura
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Santarelli
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Haehnke
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Roland Schmucki
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ebeling
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manaswini Sivaramakrishnan
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sergey V Paushkin
- SMA Foundation, 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Hasane Ratni
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene Gerlach
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anirvan Ghosh
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Metzger
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
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32
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SMA-causing missense mutations in survival motor neuron (Smn) display a wide range of phenotypes when modeled in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004489. [PMID: 25144193 PMCID: PMC4140637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human survival motor neuron 1 (SMN) gene are the primary cause of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a devastating neuromuscular disorder. SMN protein has a well-characterized role in the biogenesis of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), core components of the spliceosome. Additional tissue-specific and global functions have been ascribed to SMN; however, their relevance to SMA pathology is poorly understood and controversial. Using Drosophila as a model system, we created an allelic series of twelve Smn missense mutations, originally identified in human SMA patients. We show that animals expressing these SMA-causing mutations display a broad range of phenotypic severities, similar to the human disease. Furthermore, specific interactions with other proteins known to be important for SMN's role in RNP assembly are conserved. Intragenic complementation analyses revealed that the three most severe mutations, all of which map to the YG box self-oligomerization domain of SMN, display a stronger phenotype than the null allele and behave in a dominant fashion. In support of this finding, the severe YG box mutants are defective in self-interaction assays, yet maintain their ability to heterodimerize with wild-type SMN. When expressed at high levels, wild-type SMN is able to suppress the activity of the mutant protein. These results suggest that certain SMN mutants can sequester the wild-type protein into inactive complexes. Molecular modeling of the SMN YG box dimer provides a structural basis for this dominant phenotype. These data demonstrate that important structural and functional features of the SMN YG box are conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates, emphasizing the importance of self-interaction to the proper functioning of SMN. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a prevalent childhood neuromuscular disease, which in its most common form causes death by the age of two. One in fifty Americans is a carrier for SMA, making this genetic disease a serious health concern. SMA is caused by loss of function mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMN is an essential protein and has a well-characterized function in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which are core components of the spliceosome. To elucidate the phenotypic consequences of disrupting specific SMN protein interactions, we have generated a series of SMA-causing point mutations, modeled in Drosophila melanogaster. Using this system, we have shown that key aspects of SMN structure and function are conserved between humans and flies. Intragenic complementation analyses reveal the potential for dominant negative interactions between wild-type and mutant SMN subunits, highlighting the essential nature of the YG box in formation of higher-order SMN multimers. These results provide a basis for future studies investigating therapy targeted at restoration of functional SMN oligomers.
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33
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Peripheral androgen receptor gene suppression rescues disease in mouse models of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Cell Rep 2014; 7:774-84. [PMID: 24746732 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is caused by the polyglutamine androgen receptor (polyQ-AR), a protein expressed by both lower motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Although viewed as a motor neuronopathy, data from patients and mouse models suggest that muscle contributes to disease pathogenesis. Here, we tested this hypothesis using AR113Q knockin and human bacterial artificial chromosome/clone (BAC) transgenic mice that express the full-length polyQ-AR and display androgen-dependent weakness, muscle atrophy, and early death. We developed antisense oligonucleotides that suppressed AR gene expression in the periphery but not the CNS after subcutaneous administration. Suppression of polyQ-AR in the periphery rescued deficits in muscle weight, fiber size, and grip strength, reversed changes in muscle gene expression, and extended the lifespan of mutant males. We conclude that polyQ-AR expression in the periphery is an important contributor to pathology in SBMA mice and that peripheral administration of therapeutics should be explored for SBMA patients.
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