NOTCH3 p.Arg1231Cys is markedly enriched in South Asians and associated with stroke.

The genetic factors of stroke in South Asians are largely unexplored. Exome-wide sequencing and association analysis (ExWAS) in 75 K Pakistanis identified NM_000435.3(NOTCH3):c.3691 C > T, encoding the missense amino acid substitution p.Arg1231Cys, enriched in South Asians (alternate allele frequency = 0.58% compared to 0.019% in Western Europeans), and associated with subcortical hemorrhagic stroke [odds ratio (OR) = 3.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [2.26, 5.10], p = 3.87 × 10-9), and all strokes (OR [CI] = 2.30 [1.77, 3.01], p = 7.79 × 10-10). NOTCH3 p.Arg231Cys was strongly associated with white matter hyperintensity on MRI in United Kingdom Biobank (UKB) participants (effect [95% CI] in SD units = 1.1 [0.61, 1.5], p = 3.0 × 10-6). The variant is attributable for approximately 2.0% of hemorrhagic strokes and 1.1% of all strokes in South Asians. These findings highlight the value of diversity in genetic studies and have major implications for genomic medicine and therapeutic development in South Asian populations.

Genetic risk factors for COVID-19 and influenza are largely distinct.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza are respiratory illnesses caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses, respectively. Both diseases share symptoms and clinical risk factors1, but the extent to which these conditions have a common genetic etiology is unknown. This is partly because host genetic risk factors are well characterized for COVID-19 but not for influenza, with the largest published genome-wide association studies for these conditions including >2 million individuals2 and about 1,000 individuals3-6, respectively. Shared genetic risk factors could point to targets to prevent or treat both infections. Through a genetic study of 18,334 cases with a positive test for influenza and 276,295 controls, we show that published COVID-19 risk variants are not associated with influenza. Furthermore, we discovered and replicated an association between influenza infection and noncoding variants in B3GALT5 and ST6GAL1, neither of which was associated with COVID-19. In vitro small interfering RNA knockdown of ST6GAL1-an enzyme that adds sialic acid to the cell surface, which is used for viral entry-reduced influenza infectivity by 57%. These results mirror the observation that variants that downregulate ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, protect against COVID-19 (ref. 7). Collectively, these findings highlight downregulation of key cell surface receptors used for viral entry as treatment opportunities to prevent COVID-19 and influenza.

Characterization of flare-ups and impact of garetosmab in adults with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a post hoc analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled LUMINA-1 trial.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare disorder, characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification (HO) and painful soft-tissue inflammatory flare-ups. This was a post hoc analysis from a phase 2 (NCT03188666) trial in which adults with FOP received intravenous anti-activin A antibody garetosmab 10 mg/kg or placebo every 4 wk over 28 wk (Period 1), followed by a 28-wk open-label treatment and extension (Periods 2 and 3). Here we describe flare-ups, their relationship to new HO lesions, and the impact of garetosmab on flare-ups. Volume of new HO lesions was measured by CT. Patient-reported flare-ups were defined by any 2 of the following: new onset of pain, swelling, joint stiffness, decrease in movement, or perceived presence of HO. Flare-ups were experienced by 71% (17/24) of placebo-treated patients, 59% (10/17) of whom developed a new HO lesion irrespective of flare-up location; 24% of flare-ups location-matched new HO lesions. Twenty-nine new HO lesions occurred in the placebo cohort by week 28, of which 12 (41%) occurred in the same location as new or ongoing flare-ups. A higher volume of newly formed heterotopic bone (week 28) occurred in placebo-treated patients who had experienced a prior flare-up vs those without (median [Q1:Q3] of 16.6 [12.0:31.1] vs 3.2 cm3). Garetosmab was previously shown to decrease patient-reported flare-up frequency in Period 1; here, garetosmab reduced the median (Q1:Q3) duration of patient-reported flares (15.0 [6.0:82.0] vs 48.0 [15.0:1.00] d) and the severity of flare-ups vs placebo. Frequency of corticosteroid use was numerically reduced in those treated with garetosmab (40.0%) vs placebo (58.3%). In this analysis, 71% of placebo-treated adults with FOP experienced flare-ups over 28 wk, which were associated with an increased volume of newly formed heterotopic bone. Garetosmab reduced the severity and duration of flare-ups, with effects sustained during the entire trial.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a very rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the ACVR1 gene. People with FOP experience growth of new bone in places where bone does not usually develop. Soft tissues (like skeletal muscles) and connective tissues (like tendons and ligaments) are gradually replaced by bone beyond the normal skeleton­a process called heterotopic ossification (HO). People with FOP experience flare-ups, which are painful swellings of the soft tissues. In this clinical study in people with FOP, we looked at the number of flareups, whether flareups were linked to new HO lesions, and the impact of garetosmab (a monoclonal antibody) on flareups. At random, about half the patients received placebo, or inactive drug, with the other half receiving garetosmab, the study drug. Of the patients who received placebo, 71% had flare-ups and 59% percent of those who had flare-ups also had a new HO lesion, which was not always related to the location of the flare-up. We have previously shown that garetosmab reduces the number of flareups patients report. In this study, we show that garetosmab reduces the length and pain severity of flare-ups too. The treatment effects were maintained for the whole study.

How Activin A Became a Therapeutic Target in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by episodic yet cumulative heterotopic ossification (HO) of skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia. FOP arises from missense mutations in Activin Receptor type I (ACVR1), a type I bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor. Although initial findings implicated constitutive activity of FOP-variant ACVR1 (ACVR1FOP) and/or hyperactivation by BMPs, it was later shown that HO in FOP requires activation of ACVR1FOP by Activin A. Inhibition of Activin A completely prevents HO in FOP mice, indicating that Activin A is an obligate driver of HO in FOP, and excluding a key role for BMPs in this process. This discovery led to the clinical development of garetosmab, an investigational antibody that blocks Activin A. In a phase 2 trial, garetosmab inhibited new heterotopic bone lesion formation in FOP patients. In contrast, antibodies to ACVR1 activate ACVR1FOP and promote HO in FOP mice. Beyond their potential clinical relevance, these findings have enhanced our understanding of FOP's pathophysiology, leading to the identification of fibroadipogenic progenitors as the cells that form HO, and the discovery of non-signaling complexes between Activin A and wild type ACVR1 and their role in tempering HO, and are also starting to inform biological processes beyond FOP.

Garetosmab in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disease characterized by heterotopic ossification (HO) in connective tissues and painful flare-ups. In the phase 2 LUMINA-1 trial, adult patients with FOP were randomized to garetosmab, an activin A-blocking antibody (n = 20) or placebo (n = 24) in period 1 (28 weeks), followed by an open-label period 2 (28 weeks; n = 43). The primary end points were safety and for period 1, the activity and size of HO lesions. All patients experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event during period 1, notably epistaxis, madarosis and skin abscesses. Five deaths (5 of 44; 11.4%) occurred in the open-label period and, while considered unlikely to be related, causality cannot be ruled out. The primary efficacy end point in period 1 (total lesion activity by PET-CT) was not met (P = 0.0741). As the development of new HO lesions was suppressed in period 1, the primary efficacy end point in period 2 was prospectively changed to the number of new HO lesions versus period 1. No placebo patients crossing over to garetosmab developed new HO lesions (0% in period 2 versus 40.9% in period 1; P = 0.0027). Further investigation of garetosmab in FOP is ongoing. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03188666 .

Skeletal phenotype amelioration in mucopolysaccharidosis VI requires intervention at the earliest stages of postnatal development.

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) is a rare lysosomal disease arising from impaired function of the enzyme arylsulfatase B (ARSB). This impairment causes aberrant accumulation of dermatan sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) abundant in cartilage. While clinical severity varies along with age at first symptom manifestation, MPS VI usually presents early and strongly affects the skeleton. Current enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) does not provide effective treatment for the skeletal manifestations of MPS VI. This lack of efficacy may be due to an inability of ERT to reach affected cells or to the irreversibility of the disease. To address the question of reversibility of skeletal phenotypes, we generated a conditional by inversion (COIN) mouse model of MPS VI, ArsbCOIN/COIN, wherein Arsb is initially null and can be restored to WT using Cre. We restored Arsb at different times during postnatal development, using a tamoxifen-dependent global Cre driver. By restoring Arsb at P7, P21, and P56-P70, we determined that skeletal phenotypes can be fully rescued if Arsb restoration occurs at P7, while only achieving partial rescue at P21 and no significant rescue at P56-P70. This work has highlighted the importance of early intervention in patients with MPS VI to maximize therapeutic impact.

Converging evidence from exome sequencing and common variants implicates target genes for osteoporosis.

In this study, we leveraged the combined evidence of rare coding variants and common alleles to identify therapeutic targets for osteoporosis. We undertook a large-scale multiancestry exome-wide association study for estimated bone mineral density, which showed that the burden of rare coding alleles in 19 genes was associated with estimated bone mineral density (P < 3.6 × 10-7). These genes were highly enriched for a set of known causal genes for osteoporosis (65-fold; P = 2.5 × 10-5). Exome-wide significant genes had 96-fold increased odds of being the top ranked effector gene at a given GWAS locus (P = 1.8 × 10-10). By integrating proteomics Mendelian randomization evidence, we prioritized CD109 (cluster of differentiation 109) as a gene for which heterozygous loss of function is associated with higher bone density. CRISPR-Cas9 editing of CD109 in SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cell lines showed that partial CD109 knockdown led to increased mineralization. This study demonstrates that the convergence of common and rare variants, proteomics and CRISPR can highlight new bone biology to guide therapeutic development.

Activin E-ACVR1C cross talk controls energy storage via suppression of adipose lipolysis in mice.

Body fat distribution is a heritable risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic disease. In humans, rare Inhibin beta E (INHBE, activin E) loss-of-function variants are associated with a lower waist-to-hip ratio and protection from type 2 diabetes. Hepatic fatty acid sensing promotes INHBE expression during fasting and in obese individuals, yet it is unclear how the hepatokine activin E governs body shape and energy metabolism. Here, we uncover activin E as a regulator of adipose energy storage. By suppressing ß-agonist-induced lipolysis, activin E promotes fat accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy and contributes to adipose dysfunction in mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that activin E elicits its effect on adipose tissue through ACVR1C, activating SMAD2/3 signaling and suppressing PPARG target genes. Conversely, loss of activin E or ACVR1C in mice increases fat utilization, lowers adiposity, and drives PPARG-regulated gene signatures indicative of healthy adipose function. Our studies identify activin E-ACVR1C as a metabolic rheostat promoting liver-adipose cross talk to restrain excessive fat breakdown and preserve fat mass during prolonged fasting, a mechanism that is maladaptive in obese individuals.

Odd skipped-related 1 controls the pro-regenerative response of fibro-adipogenic progenitors.

Skeletal muscle regeneration requires the coordinated interplay of diverse tissue-resident- and infiltrating cells. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are an interstitial cell population that provides a beneficial microenvironment for muscle stem cells (MuSCs) during muscle regeneration. Here we show that the transcription factor Osr1 is essential for FAPs to communicate with MuSCs and infiltrating macrophages, thus coordinating muscle regeneration. Conditional inactivation of Osr1 impaired muscle regeneration with reduced myofiber growth and formation of excessive fibrotic tissue with reduced stiffness. Osr1-deficient FAPs acquired a fibrogenic identity with altered matrix secretion and cytokine expression resulting in impaired MuSC viability, expansion and differentiation. Immune cell profiling suggested a novel role for Osr1-FAPs in macrophage polarization. In vitro analysis suggested that increased TGFß signaling and altered matrix deposition by Osr1-deficient FAPs actively suppressed regenerative myogenesis. In conclusion, we show that Osr1 is central to FAP function orchestrating key regenerative events such as inflammation, matrix secretion and myogenesis.

Antibodies to sclerostin or G-CSF receptor partially eliminate bone or marrow adipocyte loss, respectively, following vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), the most utilized bariatric procedure in clinical practice, greatly reduces body weight and improves a variety of metabolic disorders. However, one of its long-term complications is bone loss and increased risk of fracture. Elevated circulating sclerostin (SOST) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations have been considered as potential contributors to VSG-associated bone loss. To test these possibilities, we administrated antibodies to SOST or G-CSF receptor and investigated alterations to bone and marrow niche following VSG. Neutralizing either SOST or G-CSF receptor did not alter beneficial effects of VSG on adiposity and hepatic steatosis, and anti-SOST treatment provided a further improvement to glucose tolerance. SOST antibodies partially reduced trabecular and cortical bone loss following VSG by increasing bone formation, whereas G-CSF receptor antibodies had no effects on bone mass. The expansion in myeloid cellularity and reductions in bone marrow adiposity seen with VSG were partially eliminated by treatment with Anti-G-CSF receptor. Taken together, these experiments demonstrate that antibodies to SOST or G-CSF receptor may act through independent mechanisms to partially block effects of VSG on bone loss or marrow niche cells, respectively.

A neuronal action of sirtuin 1 suppresses bone mass in young and aging mice.

The various functions of the skeleton are influenced by extracellular cues, hormones, and neurotransmitters. One type of neuronal regulation favors bone mass accrual by inhibiting sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. This observation raises questions about the transcriptional mechanisms regulating catecholamine synthesis. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological studies, we found that the histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a transcriptional modulator of the neuronal control of bone mass. Neuronal SIRT1 reduced bone mass by increasing SNS signaling. SIRT1 did so by increasing expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), a SIRT1 target that reduces brain serotonin levels by inducing its catabolism and by suppressing tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) expression and serotonin synthesis in the brain stem. SIRT1 upregulated brain catecholamine synthesis indirectly through serotonin, but did not directly affect dopamine ß hydroxylase (Dbh) expression in the locus coeruleus. These results help us to understand skeletal changes associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and may have implications for treating skeletal and metabolic diseases.

ANGPTL7, a therapeutic target for increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. Current glaucoma medications work by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), a risk factor for glaucoma, but most treatments do not directly target the pathological changes leading to increased IOP, which can manifest as medication resistance as disease progresses. To identify physiological modulators of IOP, we performed genome- and exome-wide association analysis in >129,000 individuals with IOP measurements and extended these findings to an analysis of glaucoma risk. We report the identification and functional characterization of rare coding variants (including loss-of-function variants) in ANGPTL7 associated with reduction in IOP and glaucoma protection. We validated the human genetics findings in mice by establishing that Angptl7 knockout mice have lower (~2 mmHg) basal IOP compared to wild-type, with a trend towards lower IOP also in heterozygotes. Conversely, increasing murine Angptl7 levels via injection into mouse eyes increases the IOP. We also show that acute Angptl7 silencing in adult mice lowers the IOP (~2-4 mmHg), reproducing the observations in knockout mice. Collectively, our data suggest that ANGPTL7 is important for IOP homeostasis and is amenable to therapeutic modulation to help maintain a healthy IOP that can prevent onset or slow the progression of glaucoma.

Germline Mutations in CIDEB and Protection against Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Exome sequencing in hundreds of thousands of persons may enable the identification of rare protein-coding genetic variants associated with protection from human diseases like liver cirrhosis, providing a strategy for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. METHODS: We performed a multistage exome sequencing and genetic association analysis to identify genes in which rare protein-coding variants were associated with liver phenotypes. We conducted in vitro experiments to further characterize associations. RESULTS: The multistage analysis involved 542,904 persons with available data on liver aminotransferase levels, 24,944 patients with various types of liver disease, and 490,636 controls without liver disease. We found that rare coding variants in APOB, ABCB4, SLC30A10, and TM6SF2 were associated with increased aminotransferase levels and an increased risk of liver disease. We also found that variants in CIDEB, which encodes a structural protein found in hepatic lipid droplets, had a protective effect. The burden of rare predicted loss-of-function variants plus missense variants in CIDEB (combined carrier frequency, 0.7%) was associated with decreased alanine aminotransferase levels (beta per allele, -1.24 U per liter; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.66 to -0.83; P = 4.8×10-9) and with 33% lower odds of liver disease of any cause (odds ratio per allele, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.79; P = 9.9×10-7). Rare coding variants in CIDEB were associated with a decreased risk of liver disease across different underlying causes and different degrees of severity, including cirrhosis of any cause (odds ratio per allele, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.70). Among 3599 patients who had undergone bariatric surgery, rare coding variants in CIDEB were associated with a decreased nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (beta per allele in score units, -0.98; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.41 [scores range from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating more severe disease]). In human hepatoma cell lines challenged with oleate, CIDEB small interfering RNA knockdown prevented the buildup of large lipid droplets. CONCLUSIONS: Rare germline mutations in CIDEB conferred substantial protection from liver disease. (Funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.).

Multiancestry exome sequencing reveals INHBE mutations associated with favorable fat distribution and protection from diabetes.

Body fat distribution is a major, heritable risk factor for cardiometabolic disease, independent of overall adiposity. Using exome-sequencing in 618,375 individuals (including 160,058 non-Europeans) from the UK, Sweden and Mexico, we identify 16 genes associated with fat distribution at exome-wide significance. We show 6-fold larger effect for fat-distribution associated rare coding variants compared with fine-mapped common alleles, enrichment for genes expressed in adipose tissue and causal genes for partial lipodystrophies, and evidence of sex-dimorphism. We describe an association with favorable fat distribution (p = 1.8 × 10-09), favorable metabolic profile and protection from type 2 diabetes (~28% lower odds; p = 0.004) for heterozygous protein-truncating mutations in INHBE, which encodes a circulating growth factor of the activin family, highly and specifically expressed in hepatocytes. Our results suggest that inhibin ßE is a liver-expressed negative regulator of adipose storage whose blockade may be beneficial in fat distribution-associated metabolic disease.

Anti-ACVR1 antibodies exacerbate heterotopic ossification in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) by activating FOP-mutant ACVR1.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder whose most debilitating pathology is progressive and cumulative heterotopic ossification (HO) of skeletal muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. FOP is caused by mutations in the type I BMP receptor gene ACVR1, which enable ACVR1 to utilize its natural antagonist, activin A, as an agonistic ligand. The physiological relevance of this property is underscored by the fact that HO in FOP is exquisitely dependent on activation of FOP-mutant ACVR1 by activin A, an effect countered by inhibition of anti-activin A via monoclonal antibody treatment. Hence, we surmised that anti-ACVR1 antibodies that block activation of ACVR1 by ligands should also inhibit HO in FOP and provide an additional therapeutic option for this condition. Therefore, we generated anti-ACVR1 monoclonal antibodies that block ACVR1's activation by its ligands. Surprisingly, in vivo, these anti-ACVR1 antibodies stimulated HO and activated signaling of FOP-mutant ACVR1. This property was restricted to FOP-mutant ACVR1 and resulted from anti-ACVR1 antibody-mediated dimerization of ACVR1. Conversely, wild-type ACVR1 was inhibited by anti-ACVR1 antibodies. These results uncover an additional property of FOP-mutant ACVR1 and indicate that anti-ACVR1 antibodies should not be considered as therapeutics for FOP.

Regulation of sensorimotor gating via Disc1/Huntingtin-mediated Bdnf transport in the cortico-striatal circuit.

Sensorimotor information processing underlies normal cognitive and behavioral traits and has classically been evaluated through prepulse inhibition (PPI) of a startle reflex. PPI is a behavioral dimension deregulated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, yet the mechanisms underlying the cross-diagnostic nature of PPI deficits across these conditions remain to be understood. To identify circuitry mechanisms for PPI, we performed circuitry recording over the prefrontal cortex and striatum, two brain regions previously implicated in PPI, using wild-type (WT) mice compared to Disc1-locus-impairment (LI) mice, a model representing neuropsychiatric conditions. We demonstrated that the corticostriatal projection regulates neurophysiological responses during the PPI testing in WT, whereas these circuitry responses were disrupted in Disc1-LI mice. Because our biochemical analyses revealed attenuated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) transport along the corticostriatal circuit in Disc1-LI mice, we investigated the potential role of Bdnf in this circuitry for regulation of PPI. Virus-mediated delivery of Bdnf into the striatum rescued PPI deficits in Disc1-LI mice. Pharmacologically augmenting Bdnf transport by chronic lithium administration, partly via phosphorylation of Huntingtin (Htt) serine-421 and its integration into the motor machinery, restored striatal Bdnf levels and rescued PPI deficits in Disc1-LI mice. Furthermore, reducing the cortical Bdnf expression negated this rescuing effect of lithium, confirming the key role of Bdnf in lithium-mediated PPI rescuing. Collectively, the data suggest that striatal Bdnf supply, collaboratively regulated by Htt and Disc1 along the corticostriatal circuit, is involved in sensorimotor gating, highlighting the utility of dimensional approach in investigating pathophysiological mechanisms across neuropsychiatric disorders.

Genetic and functional evidence links a missense variant in B4GALT1 to lower LDL and fibrinogen.

Increased blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and fibrinogen are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We identified associations between an Amish-enriched missense variant (p.Asn352Ser) in a functional domain of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (B4GALT1) and 13.9 milligrams per deciliter lower LDL-C (P = 4.1 × 10­19) and 29 milligrams per deciliter lower plasma fibrinogen (P = 1.3 × 10­5). B4GALT1 gene­based analysis in 544,955 subjects showed an association with decreased coronary artery disease (odds ratio = 0.64, P = 0.006). The mutant protein had 50% lower galactosyltransferase activity compared with the wild-type protein. N-linked glycan profiling of human serum found serine 352 allele to be associated with decreased galactosylation and sialylation of apolipoprotein B100, fibrinogen, immunoglobulin G, and transferrin. B4galt1 353Ser knock-in mice showed decreases in LDL-C and fibrinogen. Our findings suggest that targeted modulation of protein galactosylation may represent a therapeutic approach to decreasing cardiovascular disease.

Cell type-selective targeted delivery of a recombinant lysosomal enzyme for enzyme therapies.

Lysosomal diseases are a class of genetic disorders predominantly caused by loss of lysosomal hydrolases, leading to lysosomal and cellular dysfunction. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), where recombinant enzyme is given intravenously, internalized by cells, and trafficked to the lysosome, has been applied to treat several lysosomal diseases. However, current ERT regimens do not correct disease phenotypes in all affected organs because the biodistribution of enzyme uptake does not match that of the affected cells that require the enzyme. We present here targeted ERT, an approach that utilizes antibody-enzyme fusion proteins to target the enzyme to specific cell types. The antibody moiety recognizes transmembrane proteins involved in lysosomal trafficking and that are also preferentially expressed in those cells most affected in disease. Using Pompe disease (PD) as an example, we show that targeted ERT is superior to ERT in treating the skeletal muscle phenotypes of PD mice both as a protein replacement therapeutic and as a gene therapy.

Sequencing of 640,000 exomes identifies GPR75 variants associated with protection from obesity.

Large-scale human exome sequencing can identify rare protein-coding variants with a large impact on complex traits such as body adiposity. We sequenced the exomes of 645,626 individuals from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico and estimated associations of rare coding variants with body mass index (BMI). We identified 16 genes with an exome-wide significant association with BMI, including those encoding five brain-expressed G protein-coupled receptors (CALCR, MC4R, GIPR, GPR151, and GPR75). Protein-truncating variants in GPR75 were observed in ~4/10,000 sequenced individuals and were associated with 1.8 kilograms per square meter lower BMI and 54% lower odds of obesity in the heterozygous state. Knock out of Gpr75 in mice resulted in resistance to weight gain and improved glycemic control in a high-fat diet model. Inhibition of GPR75 may provide a therapeutic strategy for obesity.

Saracatinib is an efficacious clinical candidate for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Currently, no effective therapies exist for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare congenital syndrome in which heterotopic bone is formed in soft tissues owing to dysregulated activity of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor kinase ALK2 (also known as ACVR1). From a screen of known biologically active compounds, we identified saracatinib as a potent ALK2 kinase inhibitor. In enzymatic and cell-based assays, saracatinib preferentially inhibited ALK2, compared with other receptors of the BMP/TGF-ß signaling pathway, and induced dorsalization in zebrafish embryos consistent with BMP antagonism. We further tested the efficacy of saracatinib using an inducible ACVR1Q207D-transgenic mouse line, which provides a model of heterotopic ossification (HO), as well as an inducible ACVR1R206H-knockin mouse, which serves as a genetically and physiologically faithful FOP model. In both models, saracatinib was well tolerated and potently inhibited the development of HO, even when administered transiently following soft tissue injury. Together, these data suggest that saracatinib is an efficacious clinical candidate for repositioning in FOP treatment, offering an accelerated path to clinical proof-of-efficacy studies and potentially significant benefits to individuals with this devastating condition.