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

Abstract

Rett syndrome (RTT) 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. However, the recent introduction of AAV-PHP.eB, an engineered capsid with an unprecedented efficiency in crossing the blood-brain barrier upon intravenous injection, has provided an invaluable vehicle for gene transfer in the mouse nervous system. Herein, we use 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 in transduced neural tissues. Intravenous injections of the PHP.eB-iMecp2 virus in symptomatic male and female Mecp2 mutant mice significantly ameliorated the disease progression with improved locomotor activity, coordination, lifespan and normalization of altered gene expression and mTOR signaling. Remarkably, PHP.eB-iMecp2 administration did not result in severe toxicity effects either 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 the iMecp2 cassette provided widespread and efficient gene transfer maintaining physiological Mecp2 protein levels in the brain. This combination defines a novel viral system with significant therapeutic efficacy and increased safety which can contribute to overcome the hurdles that are delaying clinical applications of gene therapy for RTT.\n\nOne Sentence SummaryGlobal brain transduction of the instability-prone Mecp2 transgene by systemic AAV-PHP.eB administration is both safe and effective in protecting male and female Mecp2 mutant mice from the RTT disease phenotype.