The battle between big tobacco and vape shops
Authors: D. Kamerow
Journal: BMJ (2014)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To determine the effects of WVE-004 on <i>C9orf72</i> G<sub>4</sub>C<sub>2</sub> repeat-containing transcripts, DPR proteins, and C9orf72 protein levels. <h3>Background:</h3> A large <i>G</i><i><sub>4</sub></i><i>C</i><i><sub>2</sub></i><i> repeat expansion</i> in the <i>C9orf72</i> gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The repeat expansion reduces gene expression and produces pathogenic RNA foci and dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins. Wave Life Sciences is developing an investigational oligonucleotide, WVE-004, as a potential therapy for ALS and FTD. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> WVE-004 <i>in vitro</i> activity was assessed in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) motor neurons under gymnotic conditions. <i>In vivo</i> activity and distribution were assessed in BAC transgenic mice containing the full human <i>C9orf72</i> gene with repeat expansion. Mice were given intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of WVE-004 (50 μg) or PBS at day 0 and day 7. Transcript levels were analyzed using qPCR (Taqman assay), poly-GP DPR was measured by Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) assay. Relative C9orf72 protein levels were measured by Wes capillary-based immunoassay, normalized to HPRT. Oligonucleotides <i>in situ</i> were visualized using ViewRNA® (ThermoFisher Scientific). <h3>Results:</h3> WVE-004 potently and selectively reduced repeat-containing transcripts in iPSC motor neurons (IC<sub>50</sub> 201.7 nM). In transgenic mice, WVE-004 reduced repeat-containing transcripts by 60–80% (p&lt;0.0001) in spinal cord and by 40–50% (p&lt;0.0001) in cortex 6 months after dosing. WVE-004 reduced DPRs by 94.2% (p=0.001) and 87% (p&lt;0.0001) in spinal cord and cortex, respectively, at 6 months. Total C9orf72 protein levels were unaffected. Histochemistry demonstrated widespread and sustained WVE-004 distribution in the nuclei of neurons in the brain including spinal cord and cortex. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> In transgenic mice, WVE-004 produces substantial reductions in repeat-containing <i>C9orf72</i> transcripts and DPR proteins without disrupting total protein expression, sustained for at least 6 months. These results support further development of WVE-004 in patients with <i>C9orf72</i>-associated ALS and FTD. <b>Disclosure:</b> Yuanjing Liu has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave life sciences . Yuanjing Liu has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave life sciences. Amy Andreucci has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Sciences. Amy Andreucci has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave Life Sciences. Elena Dale has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Sciences. Elena Dale has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave life Sciences. Hailin Yang has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Sciences. Hailin Yang has received stock or an ownership interest from WAVE LIFE SCIENCES. Hailin Yang has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. FANGJUN LIU has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Sciences. FANGJUN LIU has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave Life Sci. Saurabh Patil has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave life Sciences. An immediate family member of Saurabh Patil has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. Saurabh Patil has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave Life Sciences. Susovan Mohapatra has nothing to disclose. Erin Purcell-Estabrook has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Science. Erin Purcell-Estabrook has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave Life Science. Kristin Taborn has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Sciences. Kristin Taborn has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave life sciences. Elena Dale has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Wave Life Sciences. Elena Dale has received stock or an ownership interest from Wave life Sciences. Chandra Vargeese has nothing to disclose.