Key result
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing successfully generates marmoset models carrying genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Why the study?
Limited understanding of mechanisms triggering Alzheimer's disease has contributed to a lack of effective interventions, and developing a non-human primate model is seen as essential to overcome rodent model limitations.
The establishment of gene-edited marmoset models of Alzheimer's disease will enable the investigation of primate-specific mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and support future translational studies.
Marmoset model of hereditary AD established; leaves open its value for primate-specific mechanisms and human translation.
Introduction: Our limited understanding of the mechanisms that trigger the emergence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has contributed to the lack of interventions that stop, prevent, or fully treat this disease. We believe that the development of a non-human primate model of AD will be an essential step toward overcoming limitations of other model systems and is crucial for investigating primate-specific mechanisms underlying the cellular and molecular root causes of the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Methods: A new consortium has been established with funding support from the National Institute on Aging aimed at the generation, characterization, and validation of Marmosets As Research Models of AD (MARMO-AD). This consortium will study gene-edited marmoset models carrying genetic risk for AD and wild-type genetically diverse aging marmosets from birth throughout their lifespan, using non-invasive longitudinal assessments. These include characterizing the genetic, molecular, functional, behavioral, cognitive, and pathological features of aging and AD. Results: mutations in C410Y and A426P using CRISPR/Cas9 approaches, with germline transmission demonstrated in the C410Y line. Longitudinal characterization of these models, their germline offspring, and normal aging outbred marmosets is ongoing. All data and resources from this consortium will be shared with the greater AD research community. Discussion: By establishing marmoset models of AD, we will be able to investigate primate-specific cellular and molecular root causes that underlie the pathogenesis and progression of AD, overcome limitations of other model organisms, and support future translational studies to accelerate the pace of bringing therapies to patients.
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Rizzo et al. (2023) studied Alzheimer's disease. Gene-edited marmoset models (C410Y and A426P mutations) vs. Wild-type genetically diverse aging marmosets was evaluated on Generation and characterization of marmoset models of AD. The MARMO-AD consortium successfully generated gene-edited marmoset models carrying genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease (C410Y and A426P mutations) using CRISPR/Cas9 approaches.