Scientific Resources
All of our Cure 360 strategies will require the delivery of therapeutics to the brain and, ideally, the ability to regulate how much of the MECP2 protein is made. Understanding how MECP2 functions informs the ability for regulation. Our scientific resources increase our foundational knowledge base, exponentially increasing our chances of success.
Enhancing Brain Delivery
of Therapeutics
Exploring viral and non-viral delivery methods of curative therapeutics
Rett Syndrome is a neurological disorder, so any therapeutic will need to be delivered to the brain and to access as many cells as possible. Delivery of therapeutics to as many brain cells as possible is therefore a crucial objective.
One avenue for delivery is through viruses, which naturally infect specific cell types. The current gold standard for delivering therapeutics to the brain is a virus called adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) that infects neurons relatively well, and does not cause human disease. AAV9 is already in use for other diseases and is the delivery platform for the AveXis gene replacement program.
AAV9 however has a number of limitations. First, there is limited cargo space within the AAV capsid to package certain therapeutics. AAV9 has sufficient cargo space for gene replacement and some of our other approaches, but probably not all. Secondly, AAVs are very costly to manufacture and this results in expensive therapeutics. Thirdly, AAVs may not hit as many brain cells as we would like. And lastly, AAVs can induce an immune response that raises concerns regarding the safety of repeat dosing, should that be needed.
RSRT is vigilantly scouting for alternative delivery platforms that do not have the challenges listed above and is currently evaluating a number of them including lipid nanoparticles, polymer based nanoparticles, exosomes and cell based delivery.
Enhancing delivery to the brain of Cure 360 therapeutics is one of our highest priorities.
Regulation of MECP2
Protein Levels
The MECP2 protein is often referred to as a goldilocks protein, as you need just the right amount — too little leads to Rett Syndrome and too much likely contributes to the MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. For certain therapeutic strategies we are pursuing, such as gene therapy, it may be important to regulate the amount of MECP2 protein that is produced in each cell. So we’re funding labs that are developing feedback loops to ensure proper dosage of MECP2.
Stuart Cobb, PhD, from the University of Edinburgh, has developed single-cell feedforward circuits which aim to normalize the expression of MECP2 across cells. The system essentially aims to expand the therapeutic window so that MECP2 can be delivered to a greater percentage of brain cells without overexpressing the protein in individual cells.
If the need for tight protein regulation arises we’ll be ready with programs under development in the labs of Stuart Cobb and Michael Elowitz.
Jackson Labs Mice Models Initiative
Jackson Laboratories (Jax) is the gold standard for research focused on mouse genomics to cure human disease. Aside from advancing breakthrough technologies such as in vitro fertilization, stem cell and transplant therapies, Jax is a repository and distributor for more than 11,000 mouse models as well as in-house services to facilitate biomedical research around the globe.
Our goal in engaging Jax for Rett Syndrome research is to streamline the important work in mouse models across the Rett research field by creating critical models in comparable genetic backgrounds, along with centralized and standardized characterization of Rett phenotypes.
This resource saves time and money and eliminates the need for separate groups to duplicate the creation of these key mouse lines. It also allows mutant characterization, phenotype assessment, and behavioral testing to be performed centrally by experienced raters, and provides credible and reliable evaluation of potential therapeutics from academia and industry alike.
Read on: The Launch of a New Partnership
Translational Science -
The MECP2 Consortium
Our mission is to accelerate the discovery of a cure for Rett Syndrome, a disorder caused by mutations in the gene, MECP2. Despite significant progress, it is not yet possible to explain in molecular terms exactly how alterations in MECP2 causes Rett’s particular constellation of symptoms. There are still lessons to learn about how the MECP2 protein works in the brain and, in doing so, creating a platform of knowledge likely to prove important for drug development.
To accelerate progress, we rejected the conventional practice of laboratories working in isolation and instead forged a collaboration in 2011 between three powerhouse scientists within the MECP2 Consortium: Adrian Bird from the University of Edinburgh, Michael Greenberg from Harvard University and Gail Mandel from Oregon Health and Sciences University.
Much of what has been learned about MECP2 and its function is due to the work of the MECP2 Consortium.
Gene Therapy Proven to Work
The Mandel and Bird labs showed, for the first time, a dramatic reversal of symptoms in fully symptomatic Rett mice using gene therapy techniques that could be used in people. This seminal research provided the foundation and insights that eventually led AveXis/Novartis to pursue Rett Syndrome.
The Mandel and Bird labs showed, for the first time, a dramatic reversal of symptoms in fully symptomatic Rett mice using gene therapy techniques that could be used in people.
RNA Editing to Correct Mutations
The Mandel lab has demonstrated that it is possible to correct specific mutations at the RNA stage, before the protein is synthesized. The lab recently showed that high levels of editing in Rett mice neurons. Next up is showing symptom improvement in mice.
Novel Binding Partner in MECP2
The Bird lab discovered that the function of the Rett protein, MECP2, depends on its ability to recruit a novel binding partner, NCoR/SMRT to DNA. Disrupt that ability and the symptoms of Rett ensue.
Long Gene Misregulation Discovered
The Greenberg lab built on the work of the Bird lab and discovered that MECP2 has a unique role in the regulation of very long genes. These very long genes are predominantly expressed in the brain and appear to be critical for normal brain function.
MECP2 Binding
Early findings from the Bird group upended the prior view of MECP2 as a gene-specific repressor, showing that instead MECP2 was present at extremely high levels in neurons and binds broadly across the neuronal genome.
The Growing Toolbox of Rett Mouse Models
The Bird lab has created mouse models for common human mutations and found correlations between mutation and severity and protein stability. In addition to increasing our understanding of how the mutations cause Rett Syndrome, these humanized mouse models are also proving useful for assessing therapeutics, such as our gene therapy program, that focus on restoring normal human MECP2. Furthermore, this investment will be leveraged by research in other labs as the mouse models are available to scientists worldwide.
The Pathophysiology of Rett Syndrome
The Greenberg lab recently discovered sites on MECP2 that are modified in response to neuronal activity. Because neuronal activity is critical for normal neurodevelopment and function, the lab is investigating how these activity-dependent modifications of MECP2 are relevant to the pathophysiology of Rett.
Read on: The Power of Three
Attending the RSRT Consortium meetings is a wonderful experience. There is a collaborative atmosphere you don‘t see at large scientific meetings and everyone is focused on understanding the biology of MECP2 so that we can understand Rett Syndrome.
A cure for Rett.
You want it.
We want it.
Great achievements happen when people stand up and say I’m in. I will be part of the solution!
Rett may be a rare disorder but together we are powerful.