Dataset Information

Personalized Development of Antisense Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping Restores Type XVII Collagen Expression in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

ABSTRACT: Intermediate junctional epidermolysis bullosa caused by mutations in the COL17A1 gene is characterized by the frequent development of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes. The rarity of the disease and the heterogeneity of the underlying mutations renders therapy developments challenging. However, the high number of short in-frame exons facilitates the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AON) to restore collagen 17 (C17) expression by inducing exon skipping. In a personalized approach, we designed and tested three AONs in combination with a cationic liposomal carrier for their ability to induce skipping of COL17A1 exon 7 in 2D culture and in 3D skin equivalents. We show that AON-induced exon skipping excludes the targeted exon from pre-mRNA processing, which restores the reading frame, leading to the expression of a slightly truncated protein. Furthermore, the expression and correct deposition of C17 at the dermal-epidermal junction indicates its functionality. Thus, we assume AON-mediated exon skipping to be a promising tool for the treatment of junctional epidermolysis bullosa, particularly applicable in a personalized manner for rare genotypes.

SUBMITTER: Ablinger M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8036626 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Personalized Development of Antisense Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping Restores Type XVII Collagen Expression in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Ablinger Michael M Lettner Thomas T Friedl Nicole N Potocki Hannah H Palmetzhofer Theresa T Koller Ulrich U Illmer Julia J Liemberger Bernadette B Hainzl Stefan S Klausegger Alfred A Reisenberger Manuela M Lambert Jo J Van Gele Mireille M Desmet Eline E Van Maelsaeke Els E Wimmer Monika M Zauner Roland R Bauer Johann W JW Wally Verena V

International journal of molecular sciences 20210324 7

Intermediate junctional epidermolysis bullosa caused by mutations in the <i>COL17A1</i> gene is characterized by the frequent development of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes. The rarity of the disease and the heterogeneity of the underlying mutations renders therapy developments challenging. However, the high number of short in-frame exons facilitates the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AON) to restore collagen 17 (C17) expression by inducing exon skipping. In a personal ...[more]

PMID: 33805154

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Project description:Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of genetic skin conditions characterized by abnormal skin (and mucosal) fragility caused by pathogenic variants in various genes. The disease severity ranges from early childhood mortality in the most severe types to occasional acral blistering in the mildest types. The subtype and severity of EB is linked to the gene involved and the specific variants in that gene, which also determine its mode of inheritance. Current treatment is mainly focused on symptomatic relief such as wound care and blister prevention, because truly curative treatment options are still at the preclinical stage. Given the current level of understanding, the broad spectrum of genes and variants underlying EB makes it impossible to develop a single treatment strategy for all patients. It is likely that many different variant-specific treatment strategies will be needed to ultimately treat all patients. Antisense-oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated exon skipping aims to counteract pathogenic sequence variants by restoring the open reading frame through the removal of the mutant exon from the pre-messenger RNA. This should lead to the restored production of the protein absent in the affected skin and, consequently, improvement of the phenotype. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that exon skipping can restore protein production in vitro, in skin equivalents, and in skin grafts derived from EB-patient skin cells, indicating that ASO-mediated exon skipping could be a viable strategy as a topical or systemic treatment. The potential value of exon skipping for EB is supported by a study showing reduced phenotypic severity in patients who carry variants that result in natural exon skipping. In this article, we review the substantial progress made on exon skipping for EB in the past 15 years and highlight the opportunities and current challenges of this RNA-based therapy approach. In addition, we present a prioritization strategy for the development of exon skipping based on genomic information of all EB-involved genes.

Project description:ImportanceKidney-urinary tract (KUT) manifestations cause substantial morbidity in patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), but the spectrum of disease severity and the clinical course have been poorly characterized.ObjectiveTo examine in a large cohort of patients with intermediate JEB the KUT manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, genotype-phenotype correlations, and outcomes as a basis for recommendations, prognosis, and management.Design, setting, and participantsIn this retrospective, longitudinal case series study, 99 patients with a diagnosis of JEB based on clinical and genetic findings who were treated in a single dermatology department in Freiburg, Germany, were assessed during an 18-year period (January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2021). Clinical, laboratory, and molecular genetic parameters were extracted from patients' medical records.Main outcomes and measuresClinical characteristics, natural history, management of KUT manifestations, and genotype-phenotype correlations of intermediate JEB.ResultsOf the 183 patients with JEB, 99 (54%) had intermediate JEB and were included in this cohort. The cohort included 49 female patients and 50 male patients. None of 49 female patients and 15 of 50 male patients had KUT involvement affecting different levels of the urinary tract, resulting in a prevalence of 30% for males; thus, the overall prevalence was 15%. The mean age at onset of KUT manifestations was 6.9 years (range, first weeks of life to 20 years; age was not available for 1 patient). Median follow-up after diagnosis of KUT involvement was 13 years (range, 3 months to 54 years). Patients with laminin 332 or integrin β4 deficiency had at least 1 missense or splice site genetic variant, leading to residual expression of laminin 332 or integrin α6β4, respectively. Severity of KUT complications did not correlate with the extent of skin involvement but with the affected protein.Conclusions and relevancePhysicians and patients with JEB should be aware of the risk for KUT involvement in intermediate JEB, and physicians should apply interdisciplinary and individualized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for management of these complications. Because this disorder is so rare, multicenter studies are required to make general recommendations.

Dataset Information

Personalized Development of Antisense Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping Restores Type XVII Collagen Expression in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Publications

Personalized Development of Antisense Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping Restores Type XVII Collagen Expression in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa.

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