Base-editing corrects metabolic abnormalities in a humanized mouse model for glycogen storage disease type-Ia

Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 10;15(1):9729. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54108-1.

Abstract

Glycogen storage disease type-Ia patients, deficient in the G6PC1 gene encoding glucose-6-phosphatase-α, lack blood glucose control, resulting in life-threatening hypoglycemia. Here we show our humanized mouse model, huR83C, carrying the pathogenic G6PC1-R83C variant displays the phenotype of glycogen storage disease type-Ia and dies prematurely. We evaluate the efficacy of BEAM-301, a formulation of lipid nanoparticles containing a newly-engineered adenine base editor, to correct the G6PC1-R83C variant in huR83C mice and monitor phenotypic correction through one year. BEAM-301 can correct up to ~60% of the G6PC1-R83C variant in liver cells, restores blood glucose control, improves metabolic abnormalities of the disease, and confers long-term survival to the mice. Interestingly, just ~10% base correction is therapeutic. The durable pharmacological efficacy of base editing in huR83C mice supports the development of BEAM-301 as a potential therapeutic for homozygous and compound heterozygous glycogen storage disease type-Ia patients carrying the G6PC1-R83C variant.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Gene Editing* / methods
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase* / genetics
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase* / metabolism
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type I* / genetics
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type I* / metabolism
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type I* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry

Substances

  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase
  • G6PC1 protein, human
  • Blood Glucose

Supplementary concepts

  • Hepatorenal form of glycogen storage disease