Genetic Therapy Solution for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe recessive muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Aim: The two major goals of this grant are to (1) develop a fully AAV encoded split CRISPR prime editing approach to edit dystrophic mice, and (2) to generate a fully AAV encoded split dystrophin approach to deliver full-length dystrophin to dystrophic mice. Approach: Using an RNA-end joining technology we have developed, two- and three-way split protein coding RNAs can be assembled from individually AAV packaged expression cassettes. In this proposal, we use the RNA end joining technology to generate AAV encodable CRISPR genome editors to correct the mdx mouse mutation and to deliver a full-length Dystrophin replacement gene. Results:(1) AAV packable CRISPR prime editor constructs were generated and validated, but proved inefficient in correcting the disease causing premature stop codon in mdx mice. A latest generation AAV packable version of a CRISPR adenosine base editor was successfully developed to correct the mdx mutation. (2) AAV packable full-length dystrophin expression vectors were successfully generated. Conclusion: The goals for this funding period have been reached. In the next funding period we will proceed to the in vivo testing stage of the experiment.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2021
Accession Number
AD1156567

Entities

People

  • Samuel L Pfaff

Organizations

  • Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Culture Techniques
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Gene Therapy
  • Genetics
  • Medical Personnel
  • Motor Neurons
  • Neurons
  • Patent Applications
  • Production
  • Standards
  • Therapy
  • Virotherapy

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology