Cited by 65Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersVirus-based gene therapy researchRNA Interference and Gene Delivery

Whole brain delivery of an instability-prone Mecp2 transgene improves behavioral and molecular pathological defects in mouse models of Rett syndrome

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Luoni, Mirko, Giannelli, Serena, Indrigo, Marzia Tina, Niro, Antonio, Massimino, Luca, Iannielli, Angelo, Passeri, Laura, Russo, Fabio +5 more·2020·eLife

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Rett syndrome is an incurable neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding for methyl-CpG binding-protein 2 (MeCP2). Gene therapy for this disease presents inherent hurdles since MECP2 is expressed throughout the brain and its duplication leads to severe neurological conditions as well. Herein, we use the AAV-PHP.eB to deliver an instability-prone Mecp2 (iMecp2) transgene cassette which, increasing RNA destabilization and inefficient protein translation of the viral Mecp2 transgene, limits supraphysiological Mecp2 protein levels. Intravenous injections of the PHP.eB-iMecp2 virus in symptomatic Mecp2 mutant mice significantly improved locomotor activity, lifespan and gene expression normalization. Remarkably, PHP.eB-iMecp2 administration was well tolerated in female Mecp2 mutant or in wild-type animals. In contrast, we observed a strong immune response to the transgene in treated male Mecp2 mutant mice that was overcome by immunosuppression. Overall, PHP.eB-mediated delivery of iMecp2 provided widespread and efficient gene transfer maintaining physiological Mecp2 protein levels in the brain.

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Cited by

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Authors
Luoni, M., Giannelli, S., Indrigo, M. T., Niro, A., Massimino, L., Iannielli, A., Passeri, L., Russo, F., Morabito, G., Calamita, P., Gregori, S., Deverman, B., & Broccoli, V.
Affiliations
  • IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (IT)
  • The San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (IT)
  • Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare (IT)
  • Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research (US)
Corresponding author
Broccoli, Vania
Venue
eLife
Published
2020-03-24
Volume
9
ISSN
2050-084X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3012777612
Cited by
65
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 7
FWCI
6.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • eLife (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Fondazione Telethon (GGP19038)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Virus-based gene therapy research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
Keywords
Rett syndrome, MeCP2, RNA destabilization, AAV-PHP.eB, adeno-associated virus gene therapy, locomotor activity, lifespan, immunosuppression, sex differences in immune response, neurodevelopmental disorders
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Disease Models, Animal, Gene Expression Regulation, Mice, Transgenic, Mutation, Genetic Therapy, Rett Syndrome, Gene Expression, Transgenes, Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2

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