151
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Stark JC, Huang A, Hsu KJ, Dubner RS, Forbrook J, Marshalla S, Rodriguez F, Washington M, Rybnicky GA, Nguyen PQ, Hasselbacher B, Jabri R, Kamran R, Koralewski V, Wightkin W, Martinez T, Jewett MC. BioBits Health: Classroom Activities Exploring Engineering, Biology, and Human Health with Fluorescent Readouts. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1001-1009. [PMID: 30925042 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in synthetic biology have resulted in biological technologies with the potential to reshape the way we understand and treat human disease. Educating students about the biology and ethics underpinning these technologies is critical to empower them to make informed future policy decisions regarding their use and to inspire the next generation of synthetic biologists. However, hands-on, educational activities that convey emerging synthetic biology topics can be difficult to implement due to the expensive equipment and expertise required to grow living cells. We present BioBits Health, an educational kit containing lab activities and supporting curricula for teaching antibiotic resistance mechanisms and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in high school classrooms. This kit links complex biological concepts to visual, fluorescent readouts in user-friendly freeze-dried cell-free reactions. BioBits Health represents a set of educational resources that promises to encourage teaching of cutting-edge, health-related synthetic biology topics in classrooms and other nonlaboratory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C. Stark
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
| | - Ally Huang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Karen J. Hsu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute B224, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
| | - Rachel S. Dubner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Hogan Hall 2144, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jason Forbrook
- Waukegan High School, 2325 Brookside Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois 60085, United States
| | - Suzanne Marshalla
- Round Lake Senior High School, 800 Panther Blvd, Round Lake, Illinois 60073, United States
| | - Faith Rodriguez
- Chicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60626, United States
| | - Mechelle Washington
- Mather High School, 5835 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60659, United States
| | - Grant A. Rybnicky
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Hogan Hall 2100, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Peter Q. Nguyen
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Brenna Hasselbacher
- Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, United States
| | - Ramah Jabri
- Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, United States
| | - Rijha Kamran
- Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, United States
| | - Veronica Koralewski
- Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, United States
| | - Will Wightkin
- Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, United States
| | - Thomas Martinez
- Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148, United States
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
- Member, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3068, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Suite 11-131, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2875, United States
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152
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Wasala NB, Hakim CH, Chen SJ, Yang NN, Duan D. Questions Answered and Unanswered by the First CRISPR Editing Study in a Canine Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:535-543. [PMID: 30648435 PMCID: PMC6534086 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) editing is being considered as a potential gene repair therapy to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a dystrophin-deficient lethal muscle disease affecting all muscles in the body. A recent preliminary study from the Olson laboratory (Amoasii et al. Science 2018;362:89-91) showed robust dystrophin restoration in a canine Duchenne muscular dystrophy model following intramuscular or intravenous delivery of the CRISPR editing machinery by adeno-associated virus serotype 9. Despite the limitation of the small sample size, short study duration, and the lack of muscle function data, the Olson lab findings have provided important proof of principle for scaling up CRISPR therapy from rodents to large mammals. Future large-scale, long-term, and comprehensive studies are warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of CRISPR editing therapy in large mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalinda B. Wasala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
| | - Chady H. Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department of Physics, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
| | - N. Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia
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153
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Santiago-Fernández O, Osorio FG, Quesada V, Rodríguez F, Basso S, Maeso D, Rolas L, Barkaway A, Nourshargh S, Folgueras AR, Freije JMP, López-Otín C. Development of a CRISPR/Cas9-based therapy for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Nat Med 2019; 25:423-426. [PMID: 30778239 PMCID: PMC6546610 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0338-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-based therapies hold considerable promise for the treatment of genetic diseases. Among these, Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, caused by a point mutation in the LMNA gene, stands out as a potential candidate. Here, we explore the efficacy of a CRISPR/Cas9-based approach that reverts several alterations in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome cells and mice by introducing frameshift mutations in the LMNA gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaya Santiago-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Fernando G Osorio
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Víctor Quesada
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodríguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Sammy Basso
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Daniel Maeso
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Loïc Rolas
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Anna Barkaway
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sussan Nourshargh
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Alicia R Folgueras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - José M P Freije
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos López-Otín
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Madrid, Spain.
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154
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Min YL, Li H, Rodriguez-Caycedo C, Mireault AA, Huang J, Shelton JM, McAnally JR, Amoasii L, Mammen PPA, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. CRISPR-Cas9 corrects Duchenne muscular dystrophy exon 44 deletion mutations in mice and human cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaav4324. [PMID: 30854433 PMCID: PMC6402849 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav4324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the dystrophin gene cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which is characterized by lethal degeneration of cardiac and skeletal muscles. Mutations that delete exon 44 of the dystrophin gene represent one of the most common causes of DMD and can be corrected in ~12% of patients by editing surrounding exons, which restores the dystrophin open reading frame. Here, we present a simple and efficient strategy for correction of exon 44 deletion mutations by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in cardiomyocytes obtained from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and in a new mouse model harboring the same deletion mutation. Using AAV9 encoding Cas9 and single guide RNAs, we also demonstrate the importance of the dosages of these gene editing components for optimal gene correction in vivo. Our findings represent a significant step toward possible clinical application of gene editing for correction of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Li Min
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cristina Rodriguez-Caycedo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Alex A. Mireault
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - John M. Shelton
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - John R. McAnally
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Leonela Amoasii
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Exonics Therapeutics, 490 Arsenal Way, Watertown, MA 02472, USA
| | - Pradeep P. A. Mammen
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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155
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Saha SK, Saikot FK, Rahman MS, Jamal MAHM, Rahman SMK, Islam SMR, Kim KH. Programmable Molecular Scissors: Applications of a New Tool for Genome Editing in Biotech. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 14:212-238. [PMID: 30641475 PMCID: PMC6330515 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Targeted genome editing is an advanced technique that enables precise modification of the nucleic acid sequences in a genome. Genome editing is typically performed using tools, such as molecular scissors, to cut a defined location in a specific gene. Genome editing has impacted various fields of biotechnology, such as agriculture; biopharmaceutical production; studies on the structure, regulation, and function of the genome; and the creation of transgenic organisms and cell lines. Although genome editing is used frequently, it has several limitations. Here, we provide an overview of well-studied genome-editing nucleases, including single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and CRISPR-Cas9 RNA-guided nucleases (CRISPR-Cas9). To this end, we describe the progress toward editable nuclease-based therapies and discuss the minimization of off-target mutagenesis. Future prospects of this challenging scientific field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subbroto Kumar Saha
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-Ro, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
| | - Forhad Karim Saikot
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shahedur Rahman
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh
| | | | - S M Khaledur Rahman
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh
| | - S M Riazul Islam
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, South Korea
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
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156
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Nelson CE, Wu Y, Gemberling MP, Oliver ML, Waller MA, Bohning JD, Robinson-Hamm JN, Bulaklak K, Castellanos Rivera RM, Collier JH, Asokan A, Gersbach CA. Long-term evaluation of AAV-CRISPR genome editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nat Med 2019; 25:427-432. [PMID: 30778238 PMCID: PMC6455975 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-019-0344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a monogenic disorder and a candidate for therapeutic genome editing. There have been several recent reports of genome editing in preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy1-6, however, the long-term persistence and safety of these genome editing approaches have not been addressed. Here we show that genome editing and dystrophin protein restoration is sustained in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy for 1 year after a single intravenous administration of an adeno-associated virus that encodes CRISPR (AAV-CRISPR). We also show that AAV-CRISPR is immunogenic when administered to adult mice7; however, humoral and cellular immune responses can be avoided by treating neonatal mice. Additionally, we describe unintended genome and transcript alterations induced by AAV-CRISPR that should be considered for the development of AAV-CRISPR as a therapeutic approach. This study shows the potential of AAV-CRISPR for permanent genome corrections and highlights aspects of host response and alternative genome editing outcomes that require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yaoying Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew P Gemberling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew L Oliver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew A Waller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joel D Bohning
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Robinson-Hamm
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karen Bulaklak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Joel H Collier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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157
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Babačić H, Mehta A, Merkel O, Schoser B. CRISPR-cas gene-editing as plausible treatment of neuromuscular and nucleotide-repeat-expansion diseases: A systematic review. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212198. [PMID: 30794581 PMCID: PMC6386526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The system of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins (cas) is a new technology that allows easier manipulation of the genome. Its potential to edit genes opened a new door in treatment development for incurable neurological monogenic diseases (NMGDs). The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the findings on the current development of CRISPR-cas for therapeutic purposes in the most frequent NMGDs and provide critical assessment. METHODS AND DATA ACQUISITION We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, looking for original studies on the use of CRISPR-cas to edit pathogenic variants in models of the most frequent NMGDs, until end of 2017. We included all the studies that met the following criteria: 1. Peer-reviewed study report with explicitly described experimental designs; 2. In vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo study using human or other animal biological systems (including cells, tissues, organs, organisms); 3. focusing on CRISPR as the gene-editing method of choice; and 5. featured at least one NMGD. RESULTS We obtained 404 papers from MEDLINE and 513 from EMBASE. After removing the duplicates, we screened 490 papers by title and abstract and assessed them for eligibility. After reading 50 full-text papers, we finally selected 42 for the review. DISCUSSION Here we give a systematic summary on the preclinical development of CRISPR-cas for therapeutic purposes in NMGDs. Furthermore, we address the clinical interpretability of the findings, giving a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art. Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) paves the way forward, with 26 out of 42 studies reporting different strategies on DMD gene editing in different models of the disease. Most of the strategies aimed for permanent exon skipping by deletion with CRISPR-cas. Successful silencing of the mHTT gene with CRISPR-cas led to successful reversal of the neurotoxic effects in the striatum of mouse models of Huntington's disease. Many other strategies have been explored, including epigenetic regulation of gene expression, in cellular and animal models of: myotonic dystrophy, Fraxile X syndrome, ataxias, and other less frequent dystrophies. Still, before even considering the clinical application of CRISPR-cas, three major bottlenecks need to be addressed: efficacy, safety, and delivery of the systems. This requires a collaborative approach in the research community, while having ethical considerations in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Babačić
- Friedrich Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail: (BS); (HB)
| | - Aditi Mehta
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olivia Merkel
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail: (BS); (HB)
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158
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Abstract
CRISPR, a revolutionizing technology allowing researchers to navigate in and edit the genome, is moving on the fast track toward clinical use for ex vivo correction of disease-causing mutations in stem cells. As we await the first trials utilizing ex vivo CRISPR editing, implementation of CRISPR-based gene editing as an in vivo treatment directly in patients still remains an ultimate challenge. However, quickly accumulating evidence has provided proof-of-concept for efficacious editing in vivo. Attempts to edit genes directly in animals have largely relied on classical vector systems based on virus-based delivery of gene cassettes encoding the Cas9 endonuclease and single guide RNA, the key components of the CRISPR system. However, whereas persistent gene expression has been the primary goal of gene therapy for decades, things may be different in the case of CRISPR delivery. Is short-term presence of the CRISPR components perhaps sufficient for efficacy and ideal for safety?-and are strategies needed for restricting immune recognition of the bacteria-derived editing tool? Here, while answers to these questions still blow in the wind, we review prominent examples of genome editing with focus on targeting of genes with CRISPR in liver, muscles, and eyes of the mouse.
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159
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Montes M, Sanford BL, Comiskey DF, Chandler DS. RNA Splicing and Disease: Animal Models to Therapies. Trends Genet 2019; 35:68-87. [PMID: 30466729 PMCID: PMC6339821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA increases genetic diversity, and recent studies estimate that most human multiexon genes are alternatively spliced. If this process is not highly regulated and accurate, it leads to mis-splicing events, which may result in proteins with altered function. A growing body of work has implicated mis-splicing events in a range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and muscular dystrophies. Understanding the mechanisms that cause aberrant splicing events and how this leads to disease is vital for designing effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we focus on advances in therapies targeting splicing, and highlight the animal models developed to recapitulate disease phenotypes as a model for testing these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Montes
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brianne L Sanford
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Daniel F Comiskey
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dawn S Chandler
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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160
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Zhang Y, Long C, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Myoediting: Toward Prevention of Muscular Dystrophy by Therapeutic Genome Editing. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1205-1240. [PMID: 29717930 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00046.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies represent a large group of genetic disorders that significantly impair quality of life and often progress to premature death. There is no effective treatment for these debilitating diseases. Most therapies, developed to date, focus on alleviating the symptoms or targeting the secondary effects, while the underlying gene mutation is still present in the human genome. The discovery and application of programmable nucleases for site-specific DNA double-stranded breaks provides a powerful tool for precise genome engineering. In particular, the CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized the genome editing field and is providing a new path for disease treatment by targeting the disease-causing genetic mutations. In this review, we provide a historical overview of genome-editing technologies, summarize the most recent advances, and discuss potential strategies and challenges for permanently correcting genetic mutations that cause muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
| | - Chengzu Long
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
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161
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Ravenscroft G, Bryson-Richardson RJ, Nowak KJ, Laing NG. Recent advances in understanding congenital myopathies. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30631434 PMCID: PMC6290972 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16422.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
By definition, congenital myopathy typically presents with skeletal muscle weakness and hypotonia at birth. Traditionally, congenital myopathy subtypes have been predominantly distinguished on the basis of the pathological hallmarks present on skeletal muscle biopsies. Many genes cause congenital myopathies when mutated, and a burst of new causative genes have been identified because of advances in gene sequencing technology. Recent discoveries include extending the disease phenotypes associated with previously identified genes and determining that genes formerly known to cause only dominant disease can also cause recessive disease. The more recently identified congenital myopathy genes account for only a small proportion of patients. Thus, the congenital myopathy genes remaining to be discovered are predicted to be extremely rare causes of disease, which greatly hampers their identification. Significant progress in the provision of molecular diagnoses brings important information and value to patients and their families, such as possible disease prognosis, better disease management, and informed reproductive choice, including carrier screening of parents. Additionally, from accurate genetic knowledge, rational treatment options can be hypothesised and subsequently evaluated
in vitro and in animal models. A wide range of potential congenital myopathy therapies have been investigated on the basis of improved understanding of disease pathomechanisms, and some therapies are in clinical trials. Although large hurdles remain, promise exists for translating treatment benefits from preclinical models to patients with congenital myopathy, including harnessing proven successes for other genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianina Ravenscroft
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | | | - Kristen J Nowak
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Office of Population Health Genomics, Western Australian Department of Health, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nigel G Laing
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Department of Diagnostic Genomics, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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162
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Zhang QJ, Tran TAT, Wang M, Ranek MJ, Kokkonen-Simon KM, Gao J, Luo X, Tan W, Kyrychenko V, Liao L, Xu J, Hill JA, Olson EN, Kass DA, Martinez ED, Liu ZP. Histone lysine dimethyl-demethylase KDM3A controls pathological cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5230. [PMID: 30531796 PMCID: PMC6286331 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07173-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pathological LVH engages transcriptional programs including reactivation of canonical fetal genes and those inducing fibrosis. Histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) are emerging regulators of transcriptional reprogramming in cancer, though their potential role in abnormal heart growth and fibrosis remains little understood. Here, we investigate gain and loss of function of an H3K9me2 specific demethylase, Kdm3a, and show it promotes LVH and fibrosis in response to pressure-overload. Cardiomyocyte KDM3A activates Timp1 transcription with pro-fibrotic activity. By contrast, a pan-KDM inhibitor, JIB-04, suppresses pressure overload-induced LVH and fibrosis. JIB-04 inhibits KDM3A and suppresses the transcription of fibrotic genes that overlap with genes downregulated in Kdm3a-KO mice versus WT controls. Our study provides genetic and biochemical evidence for a pro-hypertrophic function of KDM3A and proof-of principle for pharmacological targeting of KDMs as an effective strategy to counter LVH and pathological fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Jun Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Tram Anh T Tran
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Nephrology Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510280, P.R. China
| | - Mark J Ranek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kristen M Kokkonen-Simon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jason Gao
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xiang Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Viktoriia Kyrychenko
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lan Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jianming Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joseph A Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - David A Kass
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Elisabeth D Martinez
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Zhi-Ping Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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163
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Hakim CH, Wasala NB, Nelson CE, Wasala LP, Yue Y, Louderman JA, Lessa TB, Dai A, Zhang K, Jenkins GJ, Nance ME, Pan X, Kodippili K, Yang NN, Chen SJ, Gersbach CA, Duan D. AAV CRISPR editing rescues cardiac and muscle function for 18 months in dystrophic mice. JCI Insight 2018; 3:124297. [PMID: 30518686 PMCID: PMC6328021 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus-mediated (AAV-mediated) CRISPR editing is a revolutionary approach for treating inherited diseases. Sustained, often life-long mutation correction is required for treating these diseases. Unfortunately, this has never been demonstrated with AAV CRISPR therapy. We addressed this question in the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is caused by dystrophin gene mutation. Dystrophin deficiency leads to ambulation loss and cardiomyopathy. We treated 6-week-old mice intravenously and evaluated disease rescue at 18 months. Surprisingly, nominal dystrophin was restored in skeletal muscle. Cardiac dystrophin was restored, but histology and hemodynamics were not improved. To determine the underlying mechanism, we evaluated components of the CRISPR-editing machinery. Intriguingly, we found disproportional guide RNA (gRNA) vector depletion. To test whether this is responsible for the poor outcome, we increased the gRNA vector dose and repeated the study. This strategy significantly increased dystrophin restoration and reduced fibrosis in all striated muscles at 18 months. Importantly, skeletal muscle function and cardiac hemodynamics were significantly enhanced. Interestingly, we did not see selective depletion of the gRNA vector after intramuscular injection. Our results suggest that gRNA vector loss is a unique barrier for systemic AAV CRISPR therapy. This can be circumvented by vector dose optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chady H. Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Nalinda B. Wasala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Christopher E. Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lakmini P. Wasala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Yongping Yue
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jacqueline A. Louderman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Thais B. Lessa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Aihua Dai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Keqing Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Gregory J. Jenkins
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael E. Nance
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiufang Pan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kasun Kodippili
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - N. Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Shi-jie Chen
- Department of Physics and
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Charles A. Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine
- Department of Bioengineering, and
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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164
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Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Pers Med 2018; 8:jpm8040038. [PMID: 30477208 PMCID: PMC6313657 DOI: 10.3390/jpm8040038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked recessive neuromuscular disease prevalent in 1 in 3500 to 5000 males worldwide. As a result of mutations that interrupt the reading frame of the dystrophin gene (DMD), DMD is characterized by a loss of dystrophin protein that leads to decreased muscle membrane integrity, which increases susceptibility to degeneration. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has garnered interest as an avenue for DMD therapy due to its potential for permanent exon skipping, which can restore the disrupted DMD reading frame in DMD and lead to dystrophin restoration. An RNA-guided DNA endonuclease system, CRISPR/Cas9 allows for the targeted editing of specific sequences in the genome. The efficacy and safety of CRISPR/Cas9 as a therapy for DMD has been evaluated by numerous studies in vitro and in vivo, with varying rates of success. Despite the potential of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing for the long-term treatment of DMD, its translation into the clinic is currently challenged by issues such as off-targeting, immune response activation, and sub-optimal in vivo delivery. Its nature as being mostly a personalized form of therapy also limits applicability to DMD patients, who exhibit a wide spectrum of mutations. This review summarizes the various CRISPR/Cas9 strategies that have been tested in vitro and in vivo for the treatment of DMD. Perspectives on the approach will be provided, and the challenges faced by CRISPR/Cas9 in its road to the clinic will be briefly discussed.
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165
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Duchêne BL, Cherif K, Iyombe-Engembe JP, Guyon A, Rousseau J, Ouellet DL, Barbeau X, Lague P, Tremblay JP. CRISPR-Induced Deletion with SaCas9 Restores Dystrophin Expression in Dystrophic Models In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Ther 2018; 26:2604-2616. [PMID: 30195724 PMCID: PMC6224775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe hereditary disease affecting 1 in 3,500 boys, mainly results from the deletion of exon(s), leading to a reading frameshift of the DMD gene that abrogates dystrophin protein synthesis. Pairs of sgRNAs for the Cas9 of Staphylococcus aureus were meticulously chosen to restore a normal reading frame and also produce a dystrophin protein with normally phased spectrin-like repeats (SLRs), which is not usually obtained by skipping or by deletion of complete exons. This can, however, be obtained in rare instances where the exon and intron borders of the beginning and the end of the complete deletion (patient deletion plus CRISPR-induced deletion) are at similar positions in the SLR. We used pairs of sgRNAs targeting exons 47 and 58, and a normal reading frame was restored in myoblasts derived from muscle biopsies of 4 DMD patients with different exon deletions. Restoration of the DMD reading frame and restoration of dystrophin expression were also obtained in vivo in the heart of the del52hDMD/mdx. Our results provide a proof of principle that SaCas9 could be used to edit the human DMD gene and could be considered for further development of a therapy for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Duchêne
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Khadija Cherif
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Iyombe-Engembe
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Antoine Guyon
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Joel Rousseau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Dominique L Ouellet
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Xavier Barbeau
- Proteo and IBIS, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Lague
- Proteo and IBIS, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jacques P Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Neurosciences Axis, Québec City, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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166
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Abstract
The ability to efficiently modify the genome using CRISPR technology has rapidly revolutionized biology and genetics and will soon transform medicine. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) represents one of the first monogenic disorders that has been investigated with respect to CRISPR-mediated correction of causal genetic mutations. DMD results from mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a scaffolding protein that maintains the integrity of striated muscles. Thousands of different dystrophin mutations have been identified in DMD patients, who suffer from a loss of ambulation followed by respiratory insufficiency, heart failure, and death by the third decade of life. Using CRISPR to bypass DMD mutations, dystrophin expression has been efficiently restored in human cells and mouse models of DMD. Here, we review recent progress toward the development of possible CRISPR therapies for DMD and highlight opportunities and potential obstacles in attaining this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Li Min
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA;
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA;
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA;
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167
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Gesicle-Mediated Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Complex for Inactivating the HIV Provirus. Mol Ther 2018; 27:151-163. [PMID: 30389355 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigators have utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system to specifically target well-conserved regions of HIV, leading to decreased infectivity and pathogenesis in vitro and ex vivo. We utilized a specialized extracellular vesicle termed a "gesicle" to efficiently, yet transiently, deliver Cas9 in a ribonucleoprotein form targeting the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR). Gesicles are produced through expression of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein and package protein as their cargo, thus bypassing the need for transgene delivery, and allowing finer control of Cas9 expression. Using both NanoSight particle and western blot analysis, we verified production of Cas9-containing gesicles by HEK293FT cells. Application of gesicles to CHME-5 microglia resulted in rapid but transient transfer of Cas9 by western blot, which is present at 1 hr, but is undetectable by 24 hr post-treatment. Gesicle delivery of Cas9 protein preloaded with guide RNA targeting the HIV LTR to HIV-NanoLuc CHME-5 cells generated mutations within the LTR region and copy number loss. Finally, we demonstrated that this treatment resulted in reduced proviral activity under basal conditions and after stimulation with pro-inflammatory factors lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). These data suggest that gesicles are a viable alternative approach to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
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168
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Akpulat U, Wang H, Becker K, Contreras A, Partridge TA, Novak JS, Cirak S. Shorter Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Splice-Switching Oligonucleotides May Increase Exon-Skipping Efficacy in DMD. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:534-542. [PMID: 30396145 PMCID: PMC6222172 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal muscle disease, caused by mutations in DMD, leading to loss of dystrophin expression. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino splice-switching oligonucleotides (PMO-SSOs) have been used to elicit the restoration of a partially functional truncated dystrophin by excluding disruptive exons from the DMD messenger. The 30-mer PMO eteplirsen (EXONDYS51) developed for exon 51 skipping is the first dystrophin-restoring, conditionally FDA-approved drug in history. Clinical trials had shown a dose-dependent variable and patchy dystrophin restoration. The main obstacle for efficient dystrophin restoration is the inadequate uptake of PMOs into skeletal muscle fibers at low doses. The excessive cost of longer PMOs has limited the utilization of higher dosing. We designed shorter 25-mer PMOs directed to the same eteplirsen-targeted region of exon 51 and compared their efficacies in vitro and in vivo in the mdx52 murine model. Our results showed that skipped-dystrophin induction was comparable between the 30-mer PMO sequence of eteplirsen and one of the shorter PMOs, while the other 25-mer PMOs showed lower exon-skipping efficacies. Shorter PMOs would make higher doses economically feasible, and high dosing would result in better drug uptake into muscle, induce higher levels of dystrophin restoration in DMD muscle, and, ultimately, increase the clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Akpulat
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne 50937, Germany; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu 37100, Turkey
| | - Haicui Wang
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne 50937, Germany
| | - Kerstin Becker
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne 50937, Germany
| | - Adriana Contreras
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne 50937, Germany
| | - Terence A Partridge
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - James S Novak
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Sebahattin Cirak
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany.
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169
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Amoasii L, Hildyard JCW, Li H, Sanchez-Ortiz E, Mireault A, Caballero D, Harron R, Stathopoulou TR, Massey C, Shelton JM, Bassel-Duby R, Piercy RJ, Olson EN. Gene editing restores dystrophin expression in a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Science 2018; 362:86-91. [PMID: 30166439 PMCID: PMC6205228 DOI: 10.1126/science.aau1549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 360] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a protein that maintains muscle integrity and function, cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The deltaE50-MD dog model of DMD harbors a mutation corresponding to a mutational "hotspot" in the human DMD gene. We used adeno-associated viruses to deliver CRISPR gene editing components to four dogs and examined dystrophin protein expression 6 weeks after intramuscular delivery (n = 2) or 8 weeks after systemic delivery (n = 2). After systemic delivery in skeletal muscle, dystrophin was restored to levels ranging from 3 to 90% of normal, depending on muscle type. In cardiac muscle, dystrophin levels in the dog receiving the highest dose reached 92% of normal. The treated dogs also showed improved muscle histology. These large-animal data support the concept that, with further development, gene editing approaches may prove clinically useful for the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonela Amoasii
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Exonics Therapeutics, 75 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - John C W Hildyard
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Efrain Sanchez-Ortiz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Alex Mireault
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Daniel Caballero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rachel Harron
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | | | - Claire Massey
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - John M Shelton
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Richard J Piercy
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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170
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Abstract
Ischaemic heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Injury to the heart is followed by loss of the damaged cardiomyocytes, which are replaced with fibrotic scar tissue. Depletion of cardiomyocytes results in decreased cardiac contraction, which leads to pathological cardiac dilatation, additional cardiomyocyte loss, and mechanical dysfunction, culminating in heart failure. This sequential reaction is defined as cardiac remodelling. Many therapies have focused on preventing the progressive process of cardiac remodelling to heart failure. However, after patients have developed end-stage heart failure, intervention is limited to heart transplantation. One of the main reasons for the dramatic injurious effect of cardiomyocyte loss is that the adult human heart has minimal regenerative capacity. In the past 2 decades, several strategies to repair the injured heart and improve heart function have been pursued, including cellular and noncellular therapies. In this Review, we discuss current therapeutic approaches for cardiac repair and regeneration, describing outcomes, limitations, and future prospects of preclinical and clinical trials of heart regeneration. Substantial progress has been made towards understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating heart regeneration, offering the potential to control cardiac remodelling and redirect the adult heart to a regenerative state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisayuki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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171
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Engineered DNA plasmid reduces immunity to dystrophin while improving muscle force in a model of gene therapy of Duchenne dystrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E9182-E9191. [PMID: 30181272 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1808648115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy there are two potential immunological obstacles. An individual with Duchenne muscular dystrophy has a genetic mutation in dystrophin, and therefore the wild-type protein is "foreign," and thus potentially immunogenic. The adeno-associated virus serotype-6 (AAV6) vector for delivery of dystrophin is a viral-derived vector with its own inherent immunogenicity. We have developed a technology where an engineered plasmid DNA is delivered to reduce autoimmunity. We have taken this approach into humans, tolerizing to myelin proteins in multiple sclerosis and to proinsulin in type 1 diabetes. Here, we extend this technology to a model of gene therapy to reduce the immunogenicity of the AAV vector and of the wild-type protein product that is missing in the genetic disease. Following gene therapy with systemic administration of recombinant AAV6-microdystrophin to mdx/mTRG2 mice, we demonstrated the development of antibodies targeting dystrophin and AAV6 capsid in control mice. Treatment with the engineered DNA construct encoding microdystrophin markedly reduced antibody responses to dystrophin and to AAV6. Muscle force in the treated mice was also improved compared with control mice. These data highlight the potential benefits of administration of an engineered DNA plasmid encoding the delivered protein to overcome critical barriers in gene therapy to achieve optimal functional gene expression.
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172
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Prondzynski M, Mearini G, Carrier L. Gene therapy strategies in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Pflugers Arch 2018; 471:807-815. [PMID: 29971600 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-018-2173-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited myocardial disease with an estimated prevalence of 1:200 caused by mutations in sarcomeric proteins. It is associated with hypertrophy of the left ventricle, increased interstitial fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction for heterozygous mutation carriers. Carriers of double heterozygous, compound heterozygous, and homozygous mutations often display more severe forms of cardiomyopathies, ultimately leading to premature death. So far, there is no curative treatment against HCM, as current therapies are focused on symptoms relief by pharmacological intervention and not on the cause of HCM. In the last decade, several strategies have been developed to remove genetic defects, including genome editing, exon skipping, allele-specific silencing, spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing, and gene replacement. Most of these technologies have already been tested for efficacy and efficiency in animal- or human-induced pluripotent stem cell models of HCM with promising results. We will summarize recent technological advances and their implication as gene therapy options in HCM with a special focus on treating MYBPC3 mutations and its potential for being a successful bench to bedside example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksymilian Prondzynski
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giulia Mearini
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lucie Carrier
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. .,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany.
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173
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To construct a framework to understand the different molecular interventions for muscular dystrophy. RECENT FINDINGS The recent approval of antisense oligonucleotides treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy and current clinical trials using recombinant adeno-associated virus for the treatment of those diseases suggests that we are at a tipping point where we are able to treat and potentially cure muscular dystrophies. Understanding the basic molecular pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies and the molecular biology of the treatment allows for critical evaluation of the proposed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Y Lin
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Box 356465, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195-6465, USA
| | - Leo H Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Box 356465, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195-6465, USA.
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174
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Ismail HM, Dorchies OM, Scapozza L. The potential and benefits of repurposing existing drugs to treat rare muscular dystrophies. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2018.1452733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hesham M. Ismail
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, CMU, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olivier M. Dorchies
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, CMU, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Scapozza
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, CMU, Geneva, Switzerland
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175
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176
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Chang ACY, Blau HM. Short telomeres - A hallmark of heritable cardiomyopathies. Differentiation 2018; 100:31-36. [PMID: 29482077 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and the incidence increases with age. Genetic testing has taught us much about the pathogenic pathways that drive heritable cardiomyopathies. Here we discuss an unexpected link between shortened telomeres, a molecular marker of aging, and genetic cardiomyopathy. Positioned at the ends of chromosomes, telomeres are DNA repeats which serve as protective caps that shorten with each cell division in proliferative tissues. Cardiomyocytes are an anomaly, as they are largely non-proliferative post-birth and retain relatively stable telomere lengths throughout life in healthy individuals. However, there is mounting evidence that in disease states, cardiomyocyte telomeres significantly shorten. Moreover, this shortening may play an active role in the development of mitochondrial dysfunction central to the etiology of dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie the telomere-mitochondrial signaling axis in the heart will provide fresh insights into our understanding of genetic cardiomyopathies, and could lead to the identification of previously uncharacterized modes of therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex C Y Chang
- Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Helen M Blau
- Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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177
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Long C, Li H, Tiburcy M, Rodriguez-Caycedo C, Kyrychenko V, Zhou H, Zhang Y, Min YL, Shelton JM, Mammen PPA, Liaw NY, Zimmermann WH, Bassel-Duby R, Schneider JW, Olson EN. Correction of diverse muscular dystrophy mutations in human engineered heart muscle by single-site genome editing. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaap9004. [PMID: 29404407 PMCID: PMC5796795 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aap9004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 is a promising new approach for correcting or mitigating disease-causing mutations. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is associated with lethal degeneration of cardiac and skeletal muscle caused by more than 3000 different mutations in the X-linked dystrophin gene (DMD). Most of these mutations are clustered in "hotspots." There is a fortuitous correspondence between the eukaryotic splice acceptor and splice donor sequences and the protospacer adjacent motif sequences that govern prokaryotic CRISPR/Cas9 target gene recognition and cleavage. Taking advantage of this correspondence, we screened for optimal guide RNAs capable of introducing insertion/deletion (indel) mutations by nonhomologous end joining that abolish conserved RNA splice sites in 12 exons that potentially allow skipping of the most common mutant or out-of-frame DMD exons within or nearby mutational hotspots. We refer to the correction of DMD mutations by exon skipping as myoediting. In proof-of-concept studies, we performed myoediting in representative induced pluripotent stem cells from multiple patients with large deletions, point mutations, or duplications within the DMD gene and efficiently restored dystrophin protein expression in derivative cardiomyocytes. In three-dimensional engineered heart muscle (EHM), myoediting of DMD mutations restored dystrophin expression and the corresponding mechanical force of contraction. Correcting only a subset of cardiomyocytes (30 to 50%) was sufficient to rescue the mutant EHM phenotype to near-normal control levels. We conclude that abolishing conserved RNA splicing acceptor/donor sites and directing the splicing machinery to skip mutant or out-of-frame exons through myoediting allow correction of the cardiac abnormalities associated with DMD by eliminating the underlying genetic basis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengzu Long
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Malte Tiburcy
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cristina Rodriguez-Caycedo
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Viktoriia Kyrychenko
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Huanyu Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yi-Li Min
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - John M. Shelton
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Pradeep P. A. Mammen
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Norman Y. Liaw
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Wolfram-Hubertus Zimmermann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jay W. Schneider
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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