Base editing rescue of spinal muscular atrophy in cells and in mice

Mandana Arbab, Zaneta Matuszek, Kaitlyn M. Kray, Ailing Du, Gregory A. Newby, Anton J. Blatnik, Aditya Raguram, Michelle F. Richter, Kevin T. Zhao, Jonathan M. Levy, Max W. Shen, W. David Arnold, Dan Wang, Jun Xie, Guangping Gao, Arthur H.M. Burghes, David R. Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, arises from survival motor neuron (SMN) protein insufficiency resulting from SMN1 loss. Approved therapies circumvent endogenous SMN regulation and require repeated dosing or may wane. We describe genome editing of SMN2, an insufficient copy of SMN1 harboring a C6>T mutation, to permanently restore SMN protein levels and rescue SMA phenotypes. We used nucleases or base editors to modify five SMN2 regulatory regions. Base editing converted SMN2 T6>C, restoring SMN protein levels to wild type. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9-mediated base editor delivery in Δ7SMA mice yielded 87% average T6>C conversion, improved motor function, and extended average life span, which was enhanced by one-time base editor and nusinersen coadministration (111 versus 17 days untreated). These findings demonstrate the potential of a one-time base editing treatment for SMA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbereadg6518
JournalScience
Volume380
Issue number6642
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 21 2023
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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