Delayed fibril formation of amylin(20–29) by incorporation of alkene dipeptidosulfonamide isosteres obtained by solid phase olefin cross metathesis

The synthesis of a new peptidomimetic structure, the alkene dipeptidosulfonamide isostere, is described. The synthesis is based on a cross metathesis reaction between two allylic building blocks, both in solution and on the solid phase. This method was also applicable to the solid phase synthesis of alkene dipeptide isosteres. Derivatives of amylin(20–29) containing the alkene dipeptidosulfonamide isostere as well as the alkene dipeptide isostere were successfully synthesized using the solid phase cross metathesis method. Investigation of relations between structure and fibril formation of these amylin(20–29) derivatives showed retardation of fibril formation and altered secondary structures, compared to native amylin(20–29)

Advances in gene therapy for Wolfram syndrome

The Wolfram Syndrome (WS) is an early onset genetic disease (1/200 000) featuring diabetes mellitus and progressive optic neuropathy ensuing mutations in the WFS1 gene. To date, there is no treatment to stop the progression of the disease. We have characterized the visual impairment of 2 mutants animal models for WFS1 (Wfs1exon8‐/‐ and Wfs1E864K) and shown that these 2 models developed an optic atrophy. We started for 1 year intravitreous micro injections of therapeutic vector AAV2‐CMV‐WFS1 on 1 month‐old Wfs1exon8‐/‐. Our results showed that mice injected exhibited a stabilization of their visual acuity at 3 and 6 months post‐injection, and a decrease of optic disc pallor and optic nerve damage. These promising results demonstrate the validity of the pre‐clinical approach to treat Wolfram Syndrome by gene therapy and encourage further studies under a treatment for the Wolfram Syndrome patients