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<p>Pathogenic missense mutations in the alpha actin isotype 2 (<i>ACTA2</i>) gene cause multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS), a genetic vasculopathy that is associated with stroke, aortic dissection and death in childhood. Here we perform mutation-specific protein engineering to develop a bespoke CRISPR–Cas9 enzyme with enhanced on-target activity against the most common MSMDS-causative mutation <i>ACTA2</i> R179H. To directly correct the R179H mutation, we screened dozens of configurations of base editors to develop a highly precise corrective A-to-G edit with minimal deleterious bystander editing that is otherwise prevalent when using wild-type SpCas9 base editors. We create a murine model of MSMDS that shows phenotypes consistent with human patients, including vasculopathy and premature death, to explore the in vivo therapeutic potential of this strategy. Delivery of the customized base editor via an engineered smooth muscle-tropic adeno-associated virus (AAV-PR) vector substantially prolongs survival and rescues systemic phenotypes across the lifespan of MSMDS mice, including in the vasculature, aorta and brain. Our results highlight how bespoke mutant-specific CRISPR–Cas9 enzymes can improve mutation correction with base editors.</p>

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Treatment of a severe vascular disease using a bespoke CRISPR–Cas9 base editor in mice

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月11日

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  • Christiano R. R. Alves,
  • Sabyasachi Das,
  • Vijai Krishnan,
  • Leillani L. Ha,
  • Lauren R. Fox,
  • Hannah E. Stutzman,
  • Claire E. Shamber,
  • Pazhanichamy Kalailingam,
  • Siobhan McCarthy,
  • Christian L. Lino Cardenas,
  • Claire E. Fong,
  • Takahiko Imai,
  • Sunayana Mitra,
  • Shuqi Yun,
  • Rachael K. Wood,
  • Friederike M. C. Benning,
  • Kangsan Roh,
  • Joseph Lawton,
  • Nahye Kim,
  • Rachel A. Silverstein,
  • Joana Ferreira da Silva,
  • Demitri de la Cruz,
  • Rashmi Richa,
  • Jun Xie,
  • Heather L. Gray-Edwards,
  • Rajeev Malhotra,
  • David Y. Chung,
  • Luke H. Chao,
  • Shengdar Q. Tsai,
  • Casey A. Maguire,
  • Mark E. Lindsay,
  • Benjamin P. Kleinstiver,
  • Patricia L. Musolino

摘要

Pathogenic missense mutations in the alpha actin isotype 2 (ACTA2) gene cause multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS), a genetic vasculopathy that is associated with stroke, aortic dissection and death in childhood. Here we perform mutation-specific protein engineering to develop a bespoke CRISPR–Cas9 enzyme with enhanced on-target activity against the most common MSMDS-causative mutation ACTA2 R179H. To directly correct the R179H mutation, we screened dozens of configurations of base editors to develop a highly precise corrective A-to-G edit with minimal deleterious bystander editing that is otherwise prevalent when using wild-type SpCas9 base editors. We create a murine model of MSMDS that shows phenotypes consistent with human patients, including vasculopathy and premature death, to explore the in vivo therapeutic potential of this strategy. Delivery of the customized base editor via an engineered smooth muscle-tropic adeno-associated virus (AAV-PR) vector substantially prolongs survival and rescues systemic phenotypes across the lifespan of MSMDS mice, including in the vasculature, aorta and brain. Our results highlight how bespoke mutant-specific CRISPR–Cas9 enzymes can improve mutation correction with base editors.