PERM1 Gene Delivery via AAV Prevents Heart Failure in a Mouse Model of Pressure Overload

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. A hallmark of HFrEF is impaired cardiomyocyte contractility accompanied by disrupted mitochondrial bioenergetics; however, no current therapy targets both pathologies simultaneously. PERM1, a striated muscle-specific regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics, is downregulated in HFrEF patients. We recently demonstrated that overexpression of PERM1 via adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9-PERM1) enhances both cardiac contractility and mitochondrial biogenesis in C57BL/6 mice. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of AAV9-PERM1 in a pressure overload-induced mouse model of HFrEF. C57BL/6 mice were treated with either AAV9-PERM1 or control AAV9-GFP (1x1012 GC/mouse), followed by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery. At 4 weeks post-TAC, control mice receiving AAV-GFP exhibited reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), whereas AAV-PERM1 preserved LVEF at baseline levels. This cardioprotective effect was sustained through 8 weeks. Notably, AAV9-PERM1 completely abrogated TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Mitochondrial analysis revealed that AAV9-PERM1 preserved mitochondrial DNA copy number and TFAM protein levels, both of which were reduced by TAC in control hearts. AAV9-PERM1 also improved mitochondrial respiration using pyruvate and octanoylcarnitine as substrates and prevented TAC-induced impairments in oxidative capacity. While PGC-1 expression remained unchanged in control TAC hearts, it was modestly yet significantly upregulated by AAV9-PERM1 in both sham and TAC groups. In addition, AAV9-PERM1 suppressed TAC-induced increases in O-GlcNAcylation, a stress-related posttranslational modification of proteins. Co-immunoprecipitation further revealed interactions of PERM1 with creatine kinase and troponin C, key proteins in ATP transduction and contractility, suggesting a functional coupling between mitochondrial energetics and contractility. In conclusion, AAV-PERM1 gene therapy effectively preserves cardiac function under pressure overload by maintaining mitochondrial biogenesis, respiration capacity and contractility. This study further suggests AAV-PERM1 as a promising therapeutic strategy for HFrEF.