Intravenous administration of an engineered AAV9-gene-silencing vector suppresses human SOD1 and extends survival in an ALS mouse model

Abstract

Abstract Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene silencing offers a promising strategy for achieving durable therapeutic effects with a single administration. Mutations in the human superoxide dismutase 1 ( h SOD1) gene, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, lead to motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatment. In this study, we employed AAV9 to deliver to the SOD1 G93A ALS mouse model artificial microRNAs targeting SOD1, embedded in dual miR-33 scaffolds driven by the promoter of the human survival motor neuron 1 (hSMN1) gene. A single intravenous injection achieved widespread and sustained suppression of SOD1, preserved α-motor neurons, maintained neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and improved muscle function. These benefits are translated into significantly improved respiratory function, motor performance, and survival. Therapeutic efficacy was observed both when the treatment was administered pre-symptomatically and during symptomatic stages. Compared with previous AAV-based interventions, the survival benefit achieved in this IV delivery approach is unprecedented, supporting its potential for clinical translation in SOD1-linked ALS and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases caused by gain-of-toxicity gene mutations.