Restoration of normal BMP signaling levels and osteogenic differentiation in FOP mesenchymal progenitor cells by mutant allele-specific targeting

Gene Ther. 2012 Jul;19(7):786-90. doi: 10.1038/gt.2011.152. Epub 2011 Oct 20.

Abstract

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of progressive heterotopic ossification for which there is presently no cure. FOP is caused by a recurrent heterozygous activating mutation (c.617G>A; R206H) of Activin receptor type IA/Activin-like kinase-2 (ACVR1/ALK2), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor that occurs in all classically affected individuals. The FOP mutation dysregulates BMP signaling and initiates the formation of a disabling second skeleton of heterotopic bone. We generated allele-specific siRNA (ASP-RNAi) duplexes capable of specifically suppressing the expression of the mutant c.617A allele in mesenchymal progenitor cells from FOP patients and showed that this ASP-RNAi approach decreased the elevated BMP signaling that is characteristic of patient cells to levels similar to control cells and restored enhanced osteogenic differentiation to control levels. Our results provide proof-of-principle that ASP-RNAi has potential therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of FOP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accessory Nerve Injuries
  • Activin Receptors, Type I / genetics*
  • Alleles
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dental Pulp / cytology
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Myositis Ossificans / genetics
  • Myositis Ossificans / metabolism*
  • Osteogenesis / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • ACVR1 protein, human
  • Activin Receptors, Type I
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I