RNA repair restores hemoglobin expression in IVS2-654 thalassemic mice

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Jan 27;106(4):1205-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812436106. Epub 2009 Jan 21.

Abstract

Repair of beta-globin pre-mRNA rendered defective by a thalassemia-causing splicing mutation, IVS2-654, in intron 2 of the human beta-globin gene was accomplished in vivo in a mouse model of IVS2-654 thalassemia. This was effected by a systemically delivered splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO), a morpholino oligomer conjugated to an arginine-rich peptide. The SSO blocked the aberrant splice site in the targeted pre-mRNA and forced the splicing machinery to reselect existing correct splice sites. Repaired beta-globin mRNA restored significant amounts of hemoglobin in the peripheral blood of the IVS2-654 mouse, improving the number and quality of erythroid cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Shape / drug effects
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Erythrocytes / pathology
  • Hemoglobins / genetics*
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Interleukin-12 / blood
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Oligonucleotides / administration & dosage
  • Oligonucleotides / adverse effects
  • Oligonucleotides / pharmacology
  • RNA Precursors / genetics*
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing / drug effects
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • Thalassemia / blood
  • Thalassemia / genetics*
  • Thalassemia / therapy*
  • beta-Globins / genetics

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Oligonucleotides
  • RNA Precursors
  • beta-Globins
  • Interleukin-12