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ASO targeting RBM3 temperature-controlled poison exon splicing prevents neurodegeneration in vivo

Authors: 
Preußner M, Smith HL, Hughes D, Zhang M, Emmerichs AK, Scalzitti S, Peretti D, Swinden D, Neumann A, Haltenhof T, Mallucci GR, Heyd F
Citation: 
EMBO Mol Med. 2023 Mar 22:e17157. doi: 10.15252/emmm.202217157. Online ahead of print
Abstract: 
Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly prevalent in the aging population, yet no disease-modifying treatments are currently available. Increasing the expression of the cold-shock protein RBM3 through therapeutic hypothermia is remarkably neuroprotective. However, systemic cooling poses a health risk, strongly limiting its clinical application. Selective upregulation of RBM3 at normothermia thus holds immense therapeutic potential. Here we identify a poison exon within the RBM3 gene that is solely responsible for its cold-induced expression. Genetic removal or antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated manipulation of this exon yields high RBM3 levels independent of cooling. Notably, a single administration of ASO to exclude the poison exon, using FDA-approved chemistry, results in long-lasting increased RBM3 expression in mouse brains. In prion-diseased mice, this treatment leads to remarkable neuroprotection, with prevention of neuronal loss and spongiosis despite high levels of disease-associated prion protein. Our promising results in mice support the possibility that RBM3-inducing ASOs might also deliver neuroprotection in humans in conditions ranging from acute brain injury to Alzheimer's disease.
Epub: 
Yes
Organism or Cell Type: 
cell culture: HEK293
Delivery Method: 
Endo-Porter