AAV-based gene replacement therapy prevents and halts manifestation of abnormal neurological phenotypes in a novel mouse model of PMM2-CDG.

Abstract

Inherited Phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2) deficiency, also known as PMM2-CDG, is the most prevalent N-linked congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG), occurring in approximately 1 in 20,000 individuals in certain populations. Patients exhibit a spectrum of symptoms, with neurological involvement being a prominent feature, often manifesting as the initial clinical sign, and can range from isolated neurological deficits to severe multi-organ dysfunction. Given the absence of curative treatments and a high mortality rate before the age of two, alongside considerable lifelong morbidity, there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. To address this unmet need, we developed a tamoxifen-inducible Pmm2 knockout (KO) mouse model with widespread tissue deficiency of Pmm2 expression. Characterization of the mouse model to-date revealed distinct neurological phenotypes relevant to PMM2-CDG, as assessed by the Composite Phenotype Scoring System and Open Field Test. Notably, PMM2 augmentation through AAV9-PMM2 gene replacement therapy prevented and halted the disease-relevant neurological phenotypes induced by Pmm2 KO in the animals. These findings underscored the promise of AAV9-PMM2 gene replacement in managing PMM2-CDG.