Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40301740›Full record

ArticleMolecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.)2025

Preclinical evaluation of AAV9-coSMN1 gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy: efficacy and safety in mouse models and non-human primates.

Wenhao Ma, Zhijie Wu, Tianyi Zhao, Yan Xia, Jing Qin, Xue Tian, Xin Li, Jun He, Yan Zhang, Lina Zhang and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Wenhao Ma *Beijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Zhijie Wu *Beijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Tianyi ZhaoBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Yan XiaBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Jing QinBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Xue TianBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Xin LiBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Jun HeBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Yan ZhangBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Lina ZhangBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Li LiBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Zheyue DongBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Zhichun FengFaculty of Pediatrics, the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100700, China.
Xiaoyan DongBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China.
Wang ShengBeijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China.
Xiaobing WuBeijing GeneCradle Therapeutics Inc, Beijing, 100176, China. wuxiaobing@bj-genecradle.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Our team has initiated clinical trials using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors carrying a codon-optimized human SMN1 (coSMN1) gene, delivered via intrathecal (IT) injection. Here, we present the preclinical research that laid the groundwork for these trials, offering comprehensive data on the efficacy and safety of AAV9-coSMN1 in both murine models and non-human primates. MATERIAL AND

methodWe developed a codon-optimized hSMN1 expression cassette and analyzed SMN protein levels using Western blot and immunofluorescence. Taiwanese SMA-like mouse model was employed to assess tail length preservation, as well as to examine motor neuron and skeletal muscle pathological phenotypes through immunofluorescence and histopathological staining. Serum biomarkers in both mice and cynomolgus monkeys were measured using a blood chemistry analyzer. The in-vivo biodistribution of AAV9-coSMN1 and toxicological profile were investigated through quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction(qPCR) and histopathological staining.

resultsCodon optimization of hSMN1 led to enhanced gene expression and increased SMN protein levels in vitro. AAV9-coSMN1 demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in a Type 3 SMA mouse model, effectively rescuing motor neurons, preserving tail integrity, and improving skeletal muscle histopathology. In vivo studies, both mice and cynomolgus monkeys revealed widespread CNS distribution following a single intracerebroventricular or intrathecal injection, with no observed toxic inflammatory responses in the dorsal root ganglia. Peripheral organs also showed detectable levels of the vector gene, indicating effective systemic distribution.

conclusionThe preclinical evaluation confirms that AAV9-coSMN1 is a safe and effective therapeutic candidate for SMA, with potential applicability across various phenotypes. The study provides critical data supporting its advancement to clinical trials, underscoring its promise for broader neurological applications.

Indexed as

DependovirusGenetic TherapyGenetic VectorsMuscular Atrophy, SpinalSurvival of Motor Neuron 1 ProteinAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalHumansMacaca fascicularisMaleMiceMotor NeuronsSMN1 protein, humanSurvival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein

Identifiers

PMID40301740
PMCPMC12042585

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.