Targeting the splicing of mRNA in autoimmune diseases: BAFF inhibition in Sjögren's syndrome as a proof of concept

Mol Ther. 2014 Apr;22(4):821-7. doi: 10.1038/mt.2013.275. Epub 2013 Dec 5.

Abstract

BAFF (B-cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family), a pivotal cytokine for B-cell activation, is overexpressed by salivary gland (SG) epithelial cells in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). ΔBAFF, a physiological inhibitor of BAFF, is a minor alternative splice variant of BAFF. A U7 RNA was reengineered to deliver antisense sequences targeting BAFF splice regions. A major decrease of BAFF messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein secretion, concomitantly with the increase of ΔBAFF mRNA, was observed in vitro. In vivo, SG retrograd instillation of nonobese diabetic mice by the modified U7 cloned into an adeno-associated virus vector significantly decreased BAFF protein expression and lymphocytic infiltrates and improved salivary flow. This study offers a rationale for localized therapeutic BAFF inhibition in pSS and represents a proof of concept of the interest of exon skipping in autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / biosynthesis*
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Dependovirus
  • Exons / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD / genetics
  • Mice, Inbred NOD / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / genetics*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / pathology
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / therapy*

Substances

  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Nuclear
  • Tnfsf13b protein, mouse
  • U7 small nuclear RNA