HML-2 env knockdown by AAV9-mediated miRNAs attenuates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like manifestations in mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. While the precise etiology of ALS remains elusive, growing evidence suggests a pathogenic role for human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) in ALS. Expression of HERV-K subtype HML-2 envelope protein in neurons causes neurotoxicity in vitro and induces ALS-like symptoms in mice. We investigated the use of the Adeno-Associated Virus-9 (AAV9)-mediated artificial microRNA (amiRNA) targeting the