Huntingtin suppression restores cognitive function in a mouse model of Huntington's disease

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Amber L Southwell
  • Holly B Kordasiewicz
  • Douglas Langbehn
  • Skotte, Niels
  • Matthew P Parsons
  • Villanueva, Erika
  • Nicholas S Caron
  • Michael E Østergaard
  • Lisa M Anderson
  • Yuanyun Xie
  • Louisa Dal Cengio
  • Hailey Findlay-Black
  • Crystal N Doty
  • Bethany Fitsimmons
  • Eric E Swayze
  • Punit P Seth
  • Lynn A Raymond
  • C Frank Bennett
  • Michael R Hayden

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) protein, resulting in acquisition of toxic functions. Previous studies have shown that lowering mutant HTT has the potential to be broadly beneficial. We previously identified HTT single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tightly linked to the HD mutation and developed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting HD-SNPs that selectively suppress mutant HTT. We tested allele-specific ASOs in a mouse model of HD. Both early and late treatment reduced cognitive and behavioral impairments in mice. To determine the translational potential of the treatment, we examined the effect of ASO administration on HTT brain expression in nonhuman primates. The treatment induced robust HTT suppression throughout the cortex and limbic system, areas implicated in cognition and psychiatric function. The results suggest that ASOs specifically targeting mutated HTT might have therapeutic effects on HD-mediated cognitive impairments.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaar3959
JournalScience Translational Medicine
Volume10
Issue number461
Pages (from-to)1-12
ISSN1946-6234
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Niels H. Skotte : Present address: Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.

Erika B Villanueva : Present address: Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.

ID: 209264809