Morpholino-Mediated Exon Skipping Targeting Human ACVR1/ALK2 for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

Ensemble-Learning and Feature Selection Techniques for Enhanced Antisense Oligonucleotide Efficacy Prediction in Exon Skipping

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated exon skipping has become a valuable tool for investigating gene function and developing gene therapy. Machine-learning-based computational methods, such as eSkip-Finder, have been developed to predict the efficacy of ASOs via exon skipping. However, these methods are computationally demanding, and the accuracy of predictions remains suboptimal. In this study, we propose a new approach to reduce the computational burden and improve the prediction performance by using feature selection within machine-learning algorithms and ensemble-learning techniques. We evaluated our approach using a dataset of experimentally validated exon-skipping events, dividing it into training and testing sets. Our results demonstrate that using a three-way-voting approach with random forest, gradient boosting, and XGBoost can significantly reduce the computation time to under ten seconds while improving prediction performance, as measured by R² for both 2'-O-methyl nucleotides (2OMe) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). Additionally, the feature importance ranking derived from our approach is in good agreement with previously published results. Our findings suggest that our approach has the potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of predicting ASO efficacy via exon skipping. It could also facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This study could contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve ASO design and optimize gene therapy approaches.

Targeting heterotopic ossification by inhibiting activin receptor‑like kinase 2 function (Review)

Heterotopic ossification (HO) refers to the appearance of osteoblasts in soft tissues under pathological conditions, such as trauma or infection. HO arises in an unpredictable way without any recognizable initiation. Activin receptor-like kinase-2 (ALK2) is a type I cell surface receptor for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). The dysregulation of ALK2 signaling is associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer and HO. At present, the prevention and treatment of HO in the clinic predominantly includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bisphosphonates and other drug treatments, low-dose local radiation therapy and surgical resection, rehabilitation treatment and physical therapy. However, most of these therapies have adverse effects. These methods do not prevent the occurrence of HO. The pathogenesis of HO is not being specifically targeted; the current treatment strategies target the symptoms, not the disease. These treatments also cannot solve the fundamental problem of the occurrence of HO. Therefore, scholars have been working to develop targeted therapies based on the pathogenesis of HO. The present review focuses on advances in the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of HO, and possible options for the prevention and treatment of HO. In addition, the role of ALK2 in the process of HO is introduced and the progress made towards the targeted inhibition of ALK2 is discussed. The present study aims to offer a platform for further research on possible targets for the prevention and treatment of HO.