201
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Zhou L, Su J, Long J, Tao R, Tang W, Qin F, Liu N, Wang Y, Jiao Y, Hu Y, Jiang L, Li L, Yang Y, Yao S. A universal strategy for AAV delivery of base editors to correct genetic point mutations in neonatal PKU mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 24:230-240. [PMID: 35141352 PMCID: PMC8803597 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Base editing tools enabled efficient conversion of C:G or A:T base pairs to T:A or G:C, which are especially powerful for targeting monogenic lesions. However, in vivo correction of disease-causing mutations is still less efficient because of the large size of base editors. Here, we designed a dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) strategy for in vivo delivery of base editors, in which deaminases were linked to Cas9 through the interaction of GCN4 peptide and its single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody. We found that one or two copies of GCN4 peptide were enough for the assembly of base editors and produced robust targeted editing. By optimization of single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that target phenylketonuria (PKU) mutation, we were able to achieve up to 27.7% correction in vitro. In vivo delivery of this dual AAV base editing system resulted in efficient correction of PKU-related mutation in neonatal mice and subsequent rescue of hyperphenylalaninemia-associated syndromes. Considering the similarity between Cas9 proteins from different organisms, our delivery strategy will be compatible with other Cas9-derived base editors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Zhou
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Su
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Long
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Tao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenling Tang
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengming Qin
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yaoge Jiao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yun Hu
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lurong Jiang
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Li
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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202
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Lentini JM, Bargabos R, Chen C, Fu D. Methyltransferase METTL8 is required for 3-methylcytosine modification in human mitochondrial tRNAs. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101788. [PMID: 35247384 PMCID: PMC8980813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of eukaryotic tRNAs is methylated in the anticodon loop, forming 3-methylcytosine (m3C) modifications. In mammals, the number of tRNAs containing m3C modifications has been expanded to include mitochondrial (mt) tRNA-Ser-UGA and mt-tRNA-Thr-UGU. However, whereas the enzymes catalyzing m3C formation in nuclear-encoded tRNAs have been identified, the proteins responsible for m3C modification in mt-tRNAs are unknown. Here, we show that m3C formation in human mt-tRNAs is dependent upon the Methyltransferase-Like 8 (METTL8) enzyme. We find that METTL8 is a mitochondria-associated protein that interacts with mitochondrial seryl-tRNA synthetase, as well as with mt-tRNAs containing m3C. We demonstrate that human cells deficient in METTL8 exhibit loss of m3C modification in mt-tRNAs, but not nuclear-encoded tRNAs. Consistent with the mitochondrial import of METTL8, the formation of m3C in METTL8-deficient cells could be rescued by re-expression of wildtype METTL8, but not by a METTL8 variant lacking the N-terminal mitochondrial localization signal. Notably, we found METTL8-deficiency in human cells causes alterations in the native migration pattern of mt-tRNA-Ser-UGA, suggesting a role for m3C in tRNA folding. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that METTL8 is required for m3C formation in mitochondrial tRNAs and uncover a potential function for m3C modification in mitochondrial tRNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Lentini
- Department of Biology, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Rachel Bargabos
- Department of Biology, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Biology, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Dragony Fu
- Department of Biology, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America.
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203
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Yan J, Huangfu D. Epigenome rewiring in human pluripotent stem cells. Trends Cell Biol 2022; 32:259-271. [PMID: 34955367 PMCID: PMC8840982 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The epigenome plays a crucial role in modulating the activity of regulatory elements, thereby orchestrating diverse transcriptional programs during embryonic development. Human (h)PSC stepwise differentiation provides an excellent platform for capturing dynamic epigenomic events during lineage transition in human development. Here we discuss how recent technological advances, from epigenomic mapping to targeted perturbation, are providing a more comprehensive appreciation of remodeling of the chromatin landscape during human development with implications for aberrant rewiring in disease. We predict that the continuous innovation of hPSC differentiation methods, epigenome mapping, and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) perturbation technologies will allow researchers to build toward not only a comprehensive understanding of the epigenomic mechanisms governing development, but also a highly flexible way to model diseases with opportunities for translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jielin Yan
- Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Danwei Huangfu
- Sloan Kettering Institute, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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204
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Levy S, Somasundaram L, Raj IX, Ic-Mex D, Phal A, Schmidt S, Ng WI, Mar D, Decarreau J, Moss N, Alghadeer A, Honkanen H, Sarthy J, Vitanza N, Hawkins RD, Mathieu J, Wang Y, Baker D, Bomsztyk K, Ruohola-Baker H. dCas9 fusion to computer-designed PRC2 inhibitor reveals functional TATA box in distal promoter region. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110457. [PMID: 35235780 PMCID: PMC8984963 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bifurcation of cellular fates, a critical process in development, requires histone 3 lysine 27 methylation (H3K27me3) marks propagated by the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). However, precise chromatin loci of functional H3K27me3 marks are not yet known. Here, we identify critical PRC2 functional sites at high resolution. We fused a computationally designed protein, EED binder (EB), which competes with EZH2 and thereby inhibits PRC2 function, to dCas9 (EBdCas9) to allow for PRC2 inhibition at a precise locus using gRNA. Targeting EBdCas9 to four different genes (TBX18, p16, CDX2, and GATA3) results in precise H3K27me3 and EZH2 reduction, gene activation, and functional outcomes in the cell cycle (p16) or trophoblast transdifferentiation (CDX2 and GATA3). In the case of TBX18, we identify a PRC2-controlled, functional TATA box >500 bp upstream of the TBX18 transcription start site (TSS) using EBdCas9. Deletion of this TATA box eliminates EBdCas9-dependent TATA binding protein (TBP) recruitment and transcriptional activation. EBdCas9 technology may provide a broadly applicable tool for epigenomic control of gene regulation. Levy et al. fused a computationally designed protein, EED binder (EB), which competes with EZH2 and thereby inhibits PRC2 function, to dCas9 (EBdCas9). EBdCas9 represses PRC2 action in precise loci, remodels epigenomic marks, exposes transcriptional elements, and induces transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiri Levy
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Logeshwaran Somasundaram
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Infencia Xavier Raj
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Diego Ic-Mex
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ashish Phal
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Sven Schmidt
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Weng I Ng
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Daniel Mar
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Justin Decarreau
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nicholas Moss
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ammar Alghadeer
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biomedical Dental Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Dentistry, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Henrik Honkanen
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jay Sarthy
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Cancer and Blood Disorder Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Nicholas Vitanza
- The Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - R David Hawkins
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yuliang Wang
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Karol Bomsztyk
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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205
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A comparison of experimental assays and analytical methods for genome-wide identification of active enhancers. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1056-1065. [PMID: 35177836 PMCID: PMC9288987 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01211-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence supports the idea that transcriptional patterns serve as more specific identifiers of active enhancers than histone marks; however, the optimal strategy to identify active enhancers both experimentally and computationally has not been determined. Here, we compared 13 genome-wide RNA sequencing assays in K562 cells and showed that the nuclear run-on followed by cap-selection assay (GRO/PRO-cap) has advantages in eRNA detection and active enhancer identification. We also introduced a tool, Peak Identifier for Nascent Transcript Starts (PINTS), to identify active promoters and enhancers genome-wide and pinpoint the precise location of the 5′ transcription start sites. Finally, we compiled a comprehensive enhancer candidate compendium based on the detected eRNA TSSs available in 120 cell and tissue types that can be accessed at https://pints.yulab.org. With the knowledge of the best available assays and pipelines, this large-scale annotation of candidate enhancers will pave the way for selection and characterization of their functions in a time- and labor-efficient manner in the future.
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206
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Cheng P, Wirka RC, Clarke LS, Zhao Q, Kundu R, Nguyen T, Nair S, Sharma D, Kim HJ, Shi H, Assimes T, Kim JB, Kundaje A, Quertermous T. ZEB2 Shapes the Epigenetic Landscape of Atherosclerosis. Circulation 2022; 145:469-485. [PMID: 34990206 PMCID: PMC8896308 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.057789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) transition into a number of different phenotypes during atherosclerosis, including those that resemble fibroblasts and chondrocytes, and make up the majority of cells in the atherosclerotic plaque. To better understand the epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms that mediate these cell state changes, and how they relate to risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), we have investigated the causality and function of transcription factors at genome-wide associated loci. METHODS We used CRISPR-Cas 9 genome and epigenome editing to identify the causal gene and cells for a complex CAD genome-wide association study signal at 2q22.3. Single-cell epigenetic and transcriptomic profiling in murine models and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were used to understand the cellular and molecular mechanism by which this CAD risk gene exerts its function. RESULTS CRISPR-Cas 9 genome and epigenome editing showed that the complex CAD genetic signals within a genomic region at 2q22.3 lie within smooth muscle long-distance enhancers for ZEB2, a transcription factor extensively studied in the context of epithelial mesenchymal transition in development of cancer. Zeb2 regulates SMC phenotypic transition through chromatin remodeling that obviates accessibility and disrupts both Notch and transforming growth factor β signaling, thus altering the epigenetic trajectory of SMC transitions. SMC-specific loss of Zeb2 resulted in an inability of transitioning SMCs to turn off contractile programing and take on a fibroblast-like phenotype, but accelerated the formation of chondromyocytes, mirroring features of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify ZEB2 as a new CAD genome-wide association study gene that affects features of plaque vulnerability through direct effects on the epigenome, providing a new therapeutic approach to target vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Robert C. Wirka
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Lee Shoa Clarke
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Ramendra Kundu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Surag Nair
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Hyun-jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Huitong Shi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Themistocles Assimes
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
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207
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Schmidt R, Steinhart Z, Layeghi M, Freimer JW, Bueno R, Nguyen VQ, Blaeschke F, Ye CJ, Marson A. CRISPR activation and interference screens decode stimulation responses in primary human T cells. Science 2022; 375:eabj4008. [PMID: 35113687 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj4008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of cytokine production in stimulated T cells can be disrupted in autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies, and cancer. Systematic discovery of stimulation-dependent cytokine regulators requires both loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies, which have been challenging in primary human cells. We now report genome-wide CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and interference (CRISPRi) screens in primary human T cells to identify gene networks controlling interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. Arrayed CRISPRa confirmed key hits and enabled multiplexed secretome characterization, revealing reshaped cytokine responses. Coupling CRISPRa screening with single-cell RNA sequencing enabled deep molecular characterization of screen hits, revealing how perturbations tuned T cell activation and promoted cell states characterized by distinct cytokine expression profiles. These screens reveal genes that reprogram critical immune cell functions, which could inform the design of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Schmidt
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Zachary Steinhart
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Madeline Layeghi
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jacob W Freimer
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Raymund Bueno
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Vinh Q Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Franziska Blaeschke
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Chun Jimmie Ye
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA.,Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alexander Marson
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA.,Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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208
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Kardani K, Milani A, Bolhassani A. Gene delivery in adherent and suspension cells using the combined physical methods. Cytotechnology 2022; 74:245-257. [PMID: 35464169 PMCID: PMC8975990 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-022-00524-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical methods are widely utilized to deliver nucleic acids into cells such as electro-transfection or heat shock. An efficient gene electro-transfection requires the best conditions including voltage, the pulse length or number, buffer, incubation time and DNA form. In this study, the delivery of pEGFP-N1 vector into two adherent cell lines (HEK-293 T and COS-7) with the same origin (epithelial cells), and also mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) was evaluated using electroporation under different conditions alone and along with heat treatment. Our data showed that the highest green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in HEK-293 T and COS-7 cells was observed in serum-free RPMI cell culture medium as electroporation buffer, voltage (200 V), the pulse number (2), the pulse length (15 ms), the circular form of DNA, and 48 h after electro-transfection. In addition, the highest GFP expression in DCs was detected in serum-free RPMI, voltage (300 V), the pulse number (1), the pulse length (5 ms), and 48 h after electro-transfection. The use of sucrose as electroporation buffer, the pulse number (2), and the pulse length (25 ms) led to further cytotoxicity and lower transfection in HEK293T and COS-7 cells than other conditions. Moreover, the high voltage (700 V) increased the cell cytotoxicity, and decreased electro-transfection efficiency in DCs. On the other hand, the best conditions of electroporation along with heat treatment could significantly augment the transfection efficiency in all the cells. These data will be useful for gene delivery in other cells with the same properties using physical methods. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-022-00524-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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209
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Deng P, Halmai JANM, Beitnere U, Cameron D, Martinez ML, Lee CC, Waldo JJ, Thongphanh K, Adhikari A, Copping N, Petkova SP, Lee RD, Lock S, Palomares M, O’Geen H, Carter J, Gonzalez CE, Buchanan FKB, Anderson JD, Fierro FA, Nolta JA, Tarantal AF, Silverman JL, Segal DJ, Fink KD. An in vivo Cell-Based Delivery Platform for Zinc Finger Artificial Transcription Factors in Pre-clinical Animal Models. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:789913. [PMID: 35153670 PMCID: PMC8829036 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.789913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger (ZF), transcription activator-like effectors (TALE), and CRISPR/Cas9 therapies to regulate gene expression are becoming viable strategies to treat genetic disorders, although effective in vivo delivery systems for these proteins remain a major translational hurdle. We describe the use of a mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-based delivery system for the secretion of a ZF protein (ZF-MSC) in transgenic mouse models and young rhesus monkeys. Secreted ZF protein from mouse ZF-MSC was detectable within the hippocampus 1 week following intracranial or cisterna magna (CM) injection. Secreted ZF activated the imprinted paternal Ube3a in a transgenic reporter mouse and ameliorated motor deficits in a Ube3a deletion Angelman Syndrome (AS) mouse. Intrathecally administered autologous rhesus MSCs were well-tolerated for 3 weeks following administration and secreted ZF protein was detectable within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), midbrain, and spinal cord. This approach is less invasive when compared to direct intracranial injection which requires a surgical procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Deng
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Julian A. N. M. Halmai
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Ulrika Beitnere
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - David Cameron
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Michele L. Martinez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Gene Therapy Center, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Charles C. Lee
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Gene Therapy Center, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer J. Waldo
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Krista Thongphanh
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Anna Adhikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Nycole Copping
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Stela P. Petkova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Ruth D. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Samantha Lock
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Miranda Palomares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Henriette O’Geen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jasmine Carter
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Casiana E. Gonzalez
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Fiona K. B. Buchanan
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Johnathan D. Anderson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Fernando A. Fierro
- Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Jan A. Nolta
- Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Alice F. Tarantal
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Gene Therapy Center, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jill L. Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - David J. Segal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Kyle D. Fink
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Kyle D. Fink,
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210
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Xiang X, Tao Y, DiRusso J, Hsu FM, Zhang J, Xue Z, Pontis J, Trono D, Liu W, Clark AT. Human reproduction is regulated by retrotransposons derived from ancient Hominidae-specific viral infections. Nat Commun 2022; 13:463. [PMID: 35075135 PMCID: PMC8786967 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28105-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells are essential to pass DNA from one generation to the next. In human reproduction, germ cell development begins with the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and a failure to specify PGCs leads to human infertility. Recent studies have revealed that the transcription factor network required for PGC specification has diverged in mammals, and this has a significant impact on our understanding of human reproduction. Here, we reveal that the Hominidae-specific Transposable Elements (TEs) LTR5Hs, may serve as TEENhancers (TE Embedded eNhancers) to facilitate PGC specification. LTR5Hs TEENhancers become transcriptionally active during PGC specification both in vivo and in vitro with epigenetic reprogramming leading to increased chromatin accessibility, localized DNA demethylation, enrichment of H3K27ac, and occupation of key hPGC transcription factors. Inactivation of LTR5Hs TEENhancers with KRAB mediated CRISPRi has a significant impact on germ cell specification. In summary, our data reveals the essential role of Hominidae-specific LTR5Hs TEENhancers in human germ cell development. The transcription factor network required for primordial germ cell (PGC) specification is known to diverge in mammals. Here the authors show that hominidae-specific transposable element (TE) LTR5Hs becomes transcriptionally active during PGC specification, and LTR5Hs inactivation abrogates human PGC specification
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Xiang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd., Haining, 314400, China
| | - Yu Tao
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jonathan DiRusso
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Fei-Man Hsu
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jinchun Zhang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd., Haining, 314400, China
| | - Ziwei Xue
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd., Haining, 314400, China
| | - Julien Pontis
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fe ́de ́rale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Didier Trono
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fe ́de ́rale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wanlu Liu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, 718 East Haizhou Rd., Haining, 314400, China. .,Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China. .,Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China. .,Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future DigitalHealthcare, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. .,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. .,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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211
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Hunt VM, Chen W. Deciphering the Design Rules of Toehold-Gated sgRNA for Conditional Activation of Gene Expression and Protein Degradation in Mammalian Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:397-405. [PMID: 34994551 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A new class of toehold-gated gRNAs (thgRNAs) has been created to provide conditional gene regulation via RNA-mediated activation. However, the detailed design principles remain elusive. Here, we presented an investigation into the design rules for conditional gRNAs by systematically varying the toehold, stem, and flexible loop regions of thgRNA for optimal gene activation in HeLa cells. We determined that nonspecific interactions between the toehold region and the flexible loop are the main driver for the background leak observed in the OFF state. By trimming the toehold length from 15 to 5 nt, the improved thgNT-F design led to a 38-fold increase in the activated ON state with no observable background leak. The same design rule was successfully adapted to target two different regions on the mCherry mRNA with the same impressive fold change. Using the thgRNA to direct conditional protein degradation, we showed up to 8-fold knockdown of a reporter protein through activating expression of a bifunctional ubiquibody GS2-IpaH9.8. This new strategy may find many new applications for cell culture control or cell therapy by removing unwanted proteins in an RNA-responsive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M Hunt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Wilfred Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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212
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Chakravarti R, Lenka SK, Gautam A, Singh R, Ravichandiran V, Roy S, Ghosh D. A Review on CRISPR-Mediated Epigenome Editing: A Future Directive for Therapeutic Management of Cancer. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:836-853. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220117105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Recent studies have shed light on the role of epigenetic marks in certain diseases like cancer, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and cardiovascular dysfunction, to name a few. Epigenetic marks like DNA methylation and histone acetylation are randomly altered in the disease state. It has been seen that methylation of DNA and histones can result in down-regulation of gene expression, whereas histone acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation are linked to enhanced expression of genes. How can we precisely target such epigenetic aberrations to prevent the advent of diseases? The answer lies in the amalgamation of the efficient genome editing technique, CRISPR, with certain effector molecules that can alter the status of epigenetic marks as well as employ certain transcriptional activators or repressors. In this review, we have discussed the rationale of epigenetic editing as a therapeutic strategy and how CRISPR-Cas9 technology coupled with epigenetic effector tags can efficiently edit epigenetic targets. In the later part, we have discussed how certain epigenetic effectors are tagged with dCas9 to elicit epigenetic changes in cancer. Increased interest in exploring the epigenetic background of cancer and non-communicable diseases like type II diabetes mellitus and obesity accompanied with technological breakthroughs has made it possible to perform large-scale epigenome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chakravarti
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Swadhin Kumar Lenka
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Anupam Gautam
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Syamal Roy
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Dipanjan Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
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213
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Gjaltema RAF, Schwämmle T, Kautz P, Robson M, Schöpflin R, Ravid Lustig L, Brandenburg L, Dunkel I, Vechiatto C, Ntini E, Mutzel V, Schmiedel V, Marsico A, Mundlos S, Schulz EG. Distal and proximal cis-regulatory elements sense X chromosome dosage and developmental state at the Xist locus. Mol Cell 2022; 82:190-208.e17. [PMID: 34932975 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Developmental genes such as Xist, which initiates X chromosome inactivation, are controlled by complex cis-regulatory landscapes, which decode multiple signals to establish specific spatiotemporal expression patterns. Xist integrates information on X chromosome dosage and developmental stage to trigger X inactivation in the epiblast specifically in female embryos. Through a pooled CRISPR screen in differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells, we identify functional enhancer elements of Xist at the onset of random X inactivation. Chromatin profiling reveals that X-dosage controls the promoter-proximal region, while differentiation cues activate several distal enhancers. The strongest distal element lies in an enhancer cluster associated with a previously unannotated Xist-enhancing regulatory transcript, which we named Xert. Developmental cues and X-dosage are thus decoded by distinct regulatory regions, which cooperate to ensure female-specific Xist upregulation at the correct developmental time. With this study, we start to disentangle how multiple, functionally distinct regulatory elements interact to generate complex expression patterns in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rutger A F Gjaltema
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Schwämmle
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Pauline Kautz
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Robson
- Development and Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert Schöpflin
- Development and Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Liat Ravid Lustig
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Brandenburg
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilona Dunkel
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolina Vechiatto
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Evgenia Ntini
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Mutzel
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vera Schmiedel
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annalisa Marsico
- Computational Health Center, Helmholtz Center München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Mundlos
- Development and Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Edda G Schulz
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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214
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Tsortouktzidis D, Tröscher AR, Schulz H, Opitz T, Schoch S, Becker AJ, van Loo KMJ. A Versatile Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats Toolbox to Study Neurological CaV3.2 Channelopathies by Promoter-Mediated Transcription Control. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:667143. [PMID: 35069110 PMCID: PMC8770422 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.667143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise genome editing in combination with viral delivery systems provides a valuable tool for neuroscience research. Traditionally, the role of genes in neuronal circuits has been addressed by overexpression or knock-out/knock-down systems. However, those techniques do not manipulate the endogenous loci and therefore have limitations. Those constraints include that many genes exhibit extensive alternative splicing, which can be regulated by neuronal activity. This complexity cannot be easily reproduced by overexpression of one protein variant. The CRISPR activation and interference/inhibition systems (CRISPRa/i) directed to promoter sequences can modulate the expression of selected target genes in a highly specific manner. This strategy could be particularly useful for the overexpression of large proteins and for alternatively spliced genes, e.g., for studying large ion channels known to be affected in ion channelopathies in a variety of neurological diseases. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of a newly developed CRISPRa/i toolbox to manipulate the promoter activity of the Cacna1h gene. Impaired, function of the low-voltage-activated T-Type calcium channel CaV3.2 is involved in genetic/mutational as well as acquired/transcriptional channelopathies that emerge with epileptic seizures. We show CRISPR-induced activation and inhibition of the Cacna1h locus in NS20Y cells and primary cortical neurons, as well as activation in mouse organotypic slice cultures. In future applications, the system offers the intriguing perspective to study functional effects of gain-of-function or loss-of-function variations in the Cacna1h gene in more detail. A better understanding of CaV3.2 channelopathies might result in a major advancement in the pharmacotherapy of CaV3.2 channelopathy diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Tsortouktzidis
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna R. Tröscher
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thoralf Opitz
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert J. Becker
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karen M. J. van Loo
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Epileptology and Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Karen M. J. van Loo,
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215
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Fink-Baldauf IM, Stuart WD, Brewington JJ, Guo M, Maeda Y. CRISPRi links COVID-19 GWAS loci to LZTFL1 and RAVER1. EBioMedicine 2022; 75:103806. [PMID: 34998241 PMCID: PMC8731227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To identify host genetic variants (SNPs) associated with COVID-19 disease severity, a number of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been conducted. Since most of the identified variants are located at non-coding regions, such variants are presumed to affect the expression of neighbouring genes, thereby influencing COVID-19 disease severity. However, it remains largely unknown which genes are influenced by such COVID-19 GWAS loci. Methods CRISPRi (interference)-mediated gene expression analysis was performed to identify genes functionally regulated by COVID-19 GWAS loci by targeting regions near the loci (SNPs) in lung epithelial cell lines. The expression of CRISPRi-identified genes was investigated using COVID-19-contracted human and monkey lung single-nucleus/cell (sn/sc) RNA-seq datasets. Findings CRISPRi analysis indicated that a region near rs11385942 at chromosome 3p21.31 (locus of highest significance with COVID-19 disease severity at intron 5 of LZTFL1) significantly affected the expression of LZTFL1 (P<0.05), an airway cilia regulator. A region near rs74956615 at chromosome 19p13.2 (locus located at the 3’ untranslated exonic region of RAVER1), which is associated with critical illness in COVID-19, affected the expression of RAVER1 (P<0.05), a coactivator of MDA5 (IFIH1), which induces antiviral response genes, including ICAM1. The sn/scRNA-seq datasets indicated that the MDA5/RAVER1-ICAM1 pathway was activated in lung epithelial cells of COVID-19-resistant monkeys but not those of COVID-19-succumbed humans. Interpretation Patients with risk alleles of rs11385942 and rs74956615 may be susceptible to critical illness in COVID-19 in part through weakened airway viral clearance via LZTFL1-mediated ciliogenesis and diminished antiviral immune response via the MDA5/RAVER1 pathway, respectively. Funding NIH.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- COVID-19/genetics
- COVID-19/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19/metabolism
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3/genetics
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3/metabolism
- Databases, Nucleic Acid
- Genetic Loci
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Haplorhini
- Humans
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- RNA-Seq
- Ribonucleoproteins/genetics
- Ribonucleoproteins/metabolism
- SARS-CoV-2/genetics
- SARS-CoV-2/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris M Fink-Baldauf
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (CCHMC and UC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - William D Stuart
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (CCHMC and UC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - John J Brewington
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (CCHMC and UC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Minzhe Guo
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (CCHMC and UC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yutaka Maeda
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (CCHMC and UC), Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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216
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DeLuca S, Bursac N. CRISPR Library Screening in Cultured Cardiomyocytes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2485:1-13. [PMID: 35618895 PMCID: PMC9274507 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2261-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9-based screening technologies enable precise, high-throughput genetic and epigenetic manipulation to study mechanisms of development and disease and identify new therapeutic targets. Here, we describe a general protocol for the generation of custom, pooled CRISPR sgRNA libraries for screening in cardiomyocyte cultures. This methodology can address a variety of lab-specific research questions in cardiomyocytes and other cell types, as the genes to be modified can be curated or whole genomes can be investigated. The use of lentiviral sgRNA delivery followed by high-throughput sequencing allows for rapid comparison and identification of candidate genes and epigenetic modifiers, which can be further validated individually or in sub-pooled libraries following screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia DeLuca
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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217
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Kabadi AM, Machlin L, Dalal N, Lee RE, McDowell I, Shah NN, Drowley L, Randell SH, Reddy TE. Epigenome editing of the CFTR-locus for treatment of cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros 2022; 21:164-171. [PMID: 34049825 PMCID: PMC8613331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanisms governing the diversity of CFTR gene expression throughout the body are complex. Multiple intronic and distal regulatory elements are responsible for regulating differential CFTR expression across tissues. METHODS Drawing on published data, 18 high-priority genomic regions were identified and interrogated for CFTR-enhancer function using CRISPR/dCas9-based epigenome editing tools. Each region was evaluated by dCas9p300 and dCas9KRAB for its ability to enhance or repress CFTR expression, respectively. RESULTS Multiple genomic regions were tested for enhancer activity using CRISPR/dCas9 epigenome editing. dCas9p300 mediates a significant increase in CFTR mRNA levels when targeted to the promoter and a region 44 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site in a CFTR-low expressing cell line. Multiple gRNAs targeting the promoter induced a robust increase in CFTR protein levels. In contrast, dCas9KRAB-mediated repression is much more robust with 10 of the 18 evaluated genomic regions inducing CFTR protein knockdown. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of modulating CFTR gene regulation, dCas9p300 was used to induce elevated levels of CFTR from the endogenous locus in ΔF508/ΔF508 human bronchial epithelial cells. Ussing chamber studies demonstrated a synergistic increase in ion transport in response to CRISPR-induced expression of ΔF508 CFTR mRNA along with VX809 treatment. CONCLUSIONS CRISPR/dCas9-based epigenome-editing provides a previously unexplored tool for interrogating CFTR enhancer function. Here, we demonstrate that therapeutic interventions that increase the expression of CFTR may improve the efficacy of CFTR modulators. A better understanding CFTR regulatory mechanisms could uncover novel therapeutic interventions for the development of cystic fibrosis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami M Kabadi
- Element Genomics, a UCB Pharma company, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Leah Machlin
- Element Genomics, a UCB Pharma company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nikita Dalal
- Element Genomics, a UCB Pharma company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rhianna E Lee
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ian McDowell
- Element Genomics, a UCB Pharma company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nirav N Shah
- Element Genomics, a UCB Pharma company, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Scott H Randell
- Marsico Lung Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Element Genomics, a UCB Pharma company, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC, USA.
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218
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O’Geen H, Tomkova M, Combs JA, Tilley EK, Segal D. OUP accepted manuscript. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3239-3253. [PMID: 35234927 PMCID: PMC8989539 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marketa Tomkova
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Emma K Tilley
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - David J Segal
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 530 754 9134; Fax: +1 530 754 9658;
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219
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Warwick T, Schulz MH, Gilsbach R, Brandes RP, Seuter S. OUP accepted manuscript. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3745-3763. [PMID: 35325193 PMCID: PMC9023275 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial genome organization is tightly controlled by several regulatory mechanisms and is essential for gene expression control. Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that modulate physiological and pathophysiological processes and are primary pharmacological targets. DNA binding of the important loop-forming insulator protein CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) was modulated by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). We performed CTCF HiChIP assays to produce the first genome-wide dataset of CTCF long-range interactions in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cells, and to determine whether dynamic changes of spatial chromatin interactions are essential for fine-tuning of nuclear receptor signaling. We detected changes in 3D chromatin organization upon vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation at 3.1% of all observed CTCF interactions. VDR binding was enriched at both differential loop anchors and within differential loops. Differential loops were observed in several putative functional roles including TAD border formation, promoter-enhancer looping, and establishment of VDR-responsive insulated neighborhoods. Vitamin D target genes were enriched in differential loops and at their anchors. Secondary vitamin D effects related to dynamic chromatin domain changes were linked to location of downstream transcription factors in differential loops. CRISPR interference and loop anchor deletion experiments confirmed the functional relevance of nuclear receptor ligand-induced adjustments of the chromatin 3D structure for gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Warwick
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Rhein-Main 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marcel H Schulz
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Rhein-Main 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ralf Gilsbach
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Rhein-Main 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ralf P Brandes
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Rhein-Main 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sabine Seuter
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 69 6301 6996,
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220
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Replogle JM, Bonnar JL, Pogson AN, Liem CR, Maier NK, Ding Y, Russell BJ, Wang X, Leng K, Guna A, Norman TM, Pak RA, Ramos DM, Ward ME, Gilbert LA, Kampmann M, Weissman JS, Jost M. Maximizing CRISPRi efficacy and accessibility with dual-sgRNA libraries and optimal effectors. eLife 2022; 11:81856. [PMID: 36576240 PMCID: PMC9829409 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) enables programmable, reversible, and titratable repression of gene expression (knockdown) in mammalian cells. Initial CRISPRi-mediated genetic screens have showcased the potential to address basic questions in cell biology, genetics, and biotechnology, but wider deployment of CRISPRi screening has been constrained by the large size of single guide RNA (sgRNA) libraries and challenges in generating cell models with consistent CRISPRi-mediated knockdown. Here, we present next-generation CRISPRi sgRNA libraries and effector expression constructs that enable strong and consistent knockdown across mammalian cell models. First, we combine empirical sgRNA selection with a dual-sgRNA library design to generate an ultra-compact (1-3 elements per gene), highly active CRISPRi sgRNA library. Next, we compare CRISPRi effectors to show that the recently published Zim3-dCas9 provides an excellent balance between strong on-target knockdown and minimal non-specific effects on cell growth or the transcriptome. Finally, we engineer a suite of cell lines with stable expression of Zim3-dCas9 and robust on-target knockdown. Our results and publicly available reagents establish best practices for CRISPRi genetic screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Replogle
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Jessica L Bonnar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Angela N Pogson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Christina R Liem
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Nolan K Maier
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Yufang Ding
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Baylee J Russell
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Xingren Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Kun Leng
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Alina Guna
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States
| | - Thomas M Norman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Ryan A Pak
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Daniel M Ramos
- Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States,National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Michael E Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Luke A Gilbert
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Department of Urology and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Arc InstitutePalo AltoUnited States
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Jonathan S Weissman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeUnited States,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Marco Jost
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States,Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
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Miller EC, Wilczek A, Bello NA, Tom S, Wapner R, Suh Y. Pregnancy, preeclampsia and maternal aging: From epidemiology to functional genomics. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 73:101535. [PMID: 34871806 PMCID: PMC8827396 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Women live longer than men but experience greater disability and a longer period of illness as they age. Despite clear sex differences in aging, the impact of pregnancy and its complications, such as preeclampsia, on aging is an underexplored area of geroscience. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the complex links between pregnancy and age-related diseases, including evidence from epidemiology, clinical research, and genetics. We discuss the relationship between normal and pathological pregnancy and maternal aging, using preeclampsia as a primary example. We review the results of human genetics studies of preeclampsia, including genome wide association studies (GWAS), and attempted to catalog genes involved in preeclampsia as a gateway to mechanisms underlying an increased risk of later life cardio- and neuro- vascular events. Lastly, we discuss challenges in interpreting the GWAS of preeclampsia and provide a functional genomics framework for future research needed to fully realize the promise of GWAS in identifying targets for geroprotective prevention and therapeutics against preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza C. Miller
- Department of Neurology, Division of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashley Wilczek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie A. Bello
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Tom
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neurology Clinical Outcomes Research and Population Science and the Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yousin Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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222
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Dahlqvist J, Fulco CP, Ray JP, Liechti T, de Boer CG, Lieb DJ, Eisenhaure TM, Engreitz JM, Roederer M, Hacohen N. Systematic identification of genomic elements that regulate FCGR2A expression and harbor variants linked with autoimmune disease. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1946-1961. [PMID: 34970970 PMCID: PMC9239749 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FCGR2A binds antibody-antigen complexes to regulate the abundance of circulating and deposited complexes along with downstream immune and autoimmune responses. Although the abundance of FCRG2A may be critical in immune-mediated diseases, little is known about whether its surface expression is regulated through cis genomic elements and non-coding variants. In the current study, we aimed to characterize the regulation of FCGR2A expression, the impact of genetic variation and its association with autoimmune disease. METHODS We applied CRISPR-based interference and editing to scrutinize 1.7 Mb of open chromatin surrounding the FCGR2A gene to identify regulatory elements. Relevant transcription factors (TFs) binding to these regions were defined through public databases. Genetic variants affecting regulation were identified using luciferase reporter assays and were verified in a cohort of 1996 genotyped healthy individuals using flow cytometry. RESULTS We identified a complex proximal region and five distal enhancers regulating FCGR2A. The proximal region split into subregions upstream and downstream of the transcription start site, was enriched in binding of inflammation-regulated TFs, and harbored a variant associated with FCGR2A expression in primary myeloid cells. One distal enhancer region was occupied by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) whose binding site was disrupted by a rare genetic variant, altering gene expression. CONCLUSIONS The FCGR2A gene is regulated by multiple proximal and distal genomic regions, with links to autoimmune disease. These findings may open up novel therapeutic avenues where fine-tuning of FCGR2A levels may constitute a part of treatment strategies for immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Dahlqvist
- Center for Cell Circuits, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charles P Fulco
- Center for Cell Circuits, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Bristol Myers Squibb, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - John P Ray
- Center for Cell Circuits, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Systems Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Thomas Liechti
- ImmunoTechnology Section, Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Carl G de Boer
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - David J Lieb
- Center for Cell Circuits, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Thomas M Eisenhaure
- Center for Cell Circuits, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jesse M Engreitz
- Center for Cell Circuits, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,BASE Initiative, Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mario Roederer
- ImmunoTechnology Section, Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Nir Hacohen
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Tel: +1 6177147234, Fax: +1 6177148956;
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Hazan J, Bester AC. CRISPR-Based Approaches for the High-Throughput Characterization of Long Non-Coding RNAs. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:79. [PMID: 34940760 PMCID: PMC8704461 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, tens of thousands of new long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in the human genome. Nevertheless, except for a handful of genes, the genetic characteristics and functions of most of these lncRNAs remain elusive; this is partially due to their relatively low expression, high tissue specificity, and low conservation across species. A major limitation for determining the function of lncRNAs was the lack of methodologies suitable for studying these genes. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has opened unprecedented opportunities to uncover the genetic and functional characteristics of the non-coding genome via targeted and high-throughput approaches. Specific CRISPR/Cas9-based approaches were developed to target lncRNA loci. Some of these approaches involve modifying the sequence, but others were developed to study lncRNAs by inducing transcriptional and epigenetic changes. The discovery of other programable Cas proteins broaden our possibilities to target RNA molecules with greater precision and accuracy. These approaches allow for the knock-down and characterization of lncRNAs. Here, we review how various CRISPR-based strategies have been used to characterize lncRNAs with important functions in different biological contexts and how these approaches can be further utilized to improve our understanding of the non-coding genome.
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Šimčíková D, Gardáš D, Hložková K, Hruda M, Žáček P, Rob L, Heneberg P. Loss of hexokinase 1 sensitizes ovarian cancer to high-dose metformin. Cancer Metab 2021; 9:41. [PMID: 34895333 PMCID: PMC8666047 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-021-00277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hexokinases (HKs) are well-studied enzymes catalyzing the first step of glycolysis. However, non-canonical regulatory roles of HKs are still incompletely understood. Here, we hypothesized that HKs comprise one of the missing links between high-dose metformin and the inhibition of the respiratory chain in cancer. Methods We tested the isoenzyme-specific regulatory roles of HKs in ovarian cancer cells by examining the effects of the deletions of HK1 and HK2 in TOV-112D ovarian adenocarcinoma cells. We reverted these effects by re-introducing wild-type HK1 and HK2, and we compared the HK1 revertant with the knock-in of catalytically dead HK1 p.D656A. We subjected these cells to a battery of metabolic and proliferation assays and targeted GC×GC-MS metabolomics. Results We found that the HK1 depletion (but not the HK2 depletion) sensitized ovarian cancer cells to high-dose metformin during glucose starvation. We confirmed that this newly uncovered role of HK1 is glycolysis-independent by the introduction of the catalytically dead HK1. The expression of catalytically dead HK1 stimulated similar changes in levels of TCA intermediates, aspartate and cysteine, and in glutamate as were induced by the HK2 deletion. In contrast, HK1 deletion increased the levels of branched amino acids; this effect was completely eliminated by the expression of catalytically dead HK1. Furthermore, HK1 revertants but not HK2 revertants caused a strong increase of NADPH/NADP ratios independently on the presence of glucose or metformin. The HK1 deletion (but not HK2 deletion) suppressed the growth of xenotransplanted ovarian cancer cells and nearly abolished the tumor growth when the mice were fed the glucose-free diet. Conclusions We provided the evidence that HK1 is involved in the so far unknown glycolysis-independent HK1–metformin axis and influences metabolism even in glucose-free conditions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40170-021-00277-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Šimčíková
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, CZ-100 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dominik Gardáš
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, CZ-100 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Hložková
- CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hruda
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, CZ-100 00, Prague, Czech Republic.,University Hospital Kralovské Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Žáček
- Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Rob
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, CZ-100 00, Prague, Czech Republic.,University Hospital Kralovské Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Heneberg
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, CZ-100 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Lam DD, Nikolic AA, Zhao C, Mirza-Schreiber N, Krężel W, Oexle K, Winkelmann J. Intronic elements associated with insomnia and restless legs syndrome exhibit cell type-specific epigenetic features contributing to MEIS1 regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1733-1746. [PMID: 34888668 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A highly evolutionarily conserved MEIS1 intronic region is strongly associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and insomnia. To understand its regulatory function, we dissected the region by analyzing chromatin accessibility, enhancer-promoter contacts, DNA methylation, and eQTLs in different human neural cell types and tissues. We observed specific activity with respect to cell type and developmental maturation, indicating a prominent role for distinct highly conserved intronic elements in forebrain inhibitory neuron differentiation. Two elements were hypomethylated in neural cells with higher MEIS1 expression, suggesting a role of enhancer demethylation in gene regulation. MEIS1 eQTLs showed a striking modular chromosomal distribution, with forebrain eQTLs clustering in intron 8/9. CRISPR interference targeting of individual elements in this region attenuated MEIS1 expression, revealing a complex regulatory interplay of distinct elements. In summary, we found that MEIS1 regulation is organized in a modular pattern. Disease-associated intronic regulatory elements control MEIS1 expression with cell type and maturation stage specificity, particularly in the inhibitory neuron lineage. The precise spatiotemporal activity of these elements likely contributes to the pathogenesis of insomnia and RLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Lam
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Antic Nikolic
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Chen Zhao
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Nazanin Mirza-Schreiber
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wojciech Krężel
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,Institut de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Konrad Oexle
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Juliane Winkelmann
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany.,Chair of Neurogenetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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Eptaminitaki GC, Wolff N, Stellas D, Sifakis K, Baritaki S. Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Response and Resistance to Cancer Immunosurveillance and Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123313. [PMID: 34943820 PMCID: PMC8699382 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulatory elements in cellular functions in states of both normalcy and disease, including cancer. LncRNAs can influence not only tumorigenesis but also cancer features such as metastasis, angiogenesis and resistance to chemo-and immune-mediated apoptotic signals. Several lncRNAs have been demonstrated to control directly or indirectly the number, type and activities of distinct immune cell populations of adaptive and innate immunities within and without the tumor microenvironment. The disruption of lncRNA expression in both cancer and immune cells may reflect alterations in tumor responses to cancer immunosurveillance and immunotherapy, thus providing new insights into lncRNA biomarker-based prognostic and therapeutic cancer assessment. Here we present an overview on lncRNAs’ functions and underlying molecular mechanisms related to cancer immunity and conventional immunotherapy, with the expectation that any elucidations may lead to a better understanding and management of cancer immune escape and response to current and future immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giasemi C. Eptaminitaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece; (G.C.E.); (N.W.); (K.S.)
| | - Nora Wolff
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece; (G.C.E.); (N.W.); (K.S.)
| | - Dimitris Stellas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., GR-11635 Athens, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Sifakis
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece; (G.C.E.); (N.W.); (K.S.)
| | - Stavroula Baritaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece; (G.C.E.); (N.W.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-39-4727
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CRISPR-Based Genetic Switches and Other Complex Circuits: Research and Application. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111255. [PMID: 34833131 PMCID: PMC8621321 DOI: 10.3390/life11111255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based enzymes have offered a unique capability to the design of genetic switches, with advantages in designability, modularity and orthogonality. CRISPR-based genetic switches operate on multiple levels of life, including transcription and translation. In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, deactivated CRISPR endonuclease and endoribonuclease have served in genetic switches for activating or repressing gene expression, at both transcriptional and translational levels. With these genetic switches, more complex circuits have been assembled to achieve sophisticated functions including inducible switches, non-linear response and logical biocomputation. As more CRISPR enzymes continue to be excavated, CRISPR-based genetic switches will be used in a much wider range of applications.
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228
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CRISPR-Cas Technology: Emerging Applications in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111171. [PMID: 34832953 PMCID: PMC8625472 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Through the years, many promising tools for gene editing have been developed including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), and homing endonucleases (HEs). These novel technologies are now leading new scientific advancements and practical applications at an inimitable speed. While most work has been performed in eukaryotes, CRISPR systems also enable tools to understand and engineer bacteria. The increase in the number of multi-drug resistant strains highlights a necessity for more innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of infections. CRISPR has given scientists a glimmer of hope in this area that can provide a novel tool to fight against antimicrobial resistance. This system can provide useful information about the functions of genes and aid us to find potential targets for antimicrobials. This paper discusses the emerging use of CRISPR-Cas systems in the fields of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases with a particular emphasis on future prospects.
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229
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Kim D, An H, Fan C, Park Y. Identifying oligodendrocyte enhancers governing Plp1 expression. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:2225-2239. [PMID: 34230963 PMCID: PMC8600034 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OLs) produce myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), which accelerates the propagation of action potentials and supports axonal integrity. As a major component of CNS myelin, proteolipid protein 1 (Plp1) is indispensable for the axon-supportive function of myelin. Notably, this function requires the continuous high-level expression of Plp1 in OLs. Equally important is the controlled expression of Plp1, as illustrated by Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease for which the most common cause is PLP1 overexpression. Despite a decade-long search, promoter-distal OL enhancers that govern Plp1 remain elusive. We have recently developed an innovative method that maps promoter-distal enhancers to genes in a principled manner. Here, we applied it to Plp1, uncovering two OL enhancers for it (termed Plp1-E1 and Plp1-E2). Remarkably, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) interference epigenome editing showed that Plp1-E1 and Plp1-E2 do not regulate two genes in their vicinity, highlighting their exquisite specificity to Plp1. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) data show that Plp1-E1 and Plp1-E2 are OL-specific enhancers that are conserved among human, mouse and rat. Hi-C data reveal that the physical interactions between Plp1-E1/2 and PLP1 are among the strongest in OLs and specific to OLs. We also show that Myrf, a master regulator of OL development, acts on Plp1-E1 and Plp1-E2 to promote Plp1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongkyeong Kim
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Hongjoo An
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Chuandong Fan
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yungki Park
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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230
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Chulanov V, Kostyusheva A, Brezgin S, Ponomareva N, Gegechkori V, Volchkova E, Pimenov N, Kostyushev D. CRISPR Screening: Molecular Tools for Studying Virus-Host Interactions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112258. [PMID: 34835064 PMCID: PMC8618713 DOI: 10.3390/v13112258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas is a powerful tool for studying the role of genes in viral infections. The invention of CRISPR screening technologies has made it possible to untangle complex interactions between the host and viral agents. Moreover, whole-genome and pathway-specific CRISPR screens have facilitated identification of novel drug candidates for treating viral infections. In this review, we highlight recent developments in the fields of CRISPR/Cas with a focus on the use of CRISPR screens for studying viral infections and identifying new candidate genes to aid development of antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Chulanov
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (V.C.); (A.K.); (S.B.); (N.P.); (N.P.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (V.C.); (A.K.); (S.B.); (N.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Sergey Brezgin
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (V.C.); (A.K.); (S.B.); (N.P.); (N.P.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Natalia Ponomareva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (V.C.); (A.K.); (S.B.); (N.P.); (N.P.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vladimir Gegechkori
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Elena Volchkova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nikolay Pimenov
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (V.C.); (A.K.); (S.B.); (N.P.); (N.P.)
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (V.C.); (A.K.); (S.B.); (N.P.); (N.P.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence:
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231
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Yang Z, Li L, Turkoz A, Chen P, Harari-Steinfeld R, Bobbin M, Stefanson O, Choi H, Pietrobon V, Alphson B, Goswami A, Balan V, Kearney A, Patel D, Yang J, Inel D, Vinod V, Cesano A, Wang B, Roh KH, Qi LS, Marincola FM. Contextual reprogramming of CAR-T cells for treatment of HER2 + cancers. J Transl Med 2021; 19:459. [PMID: 34743703 PMCID: PMC8573881 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells combined with checkpoint inhibition may prevent T cell exhaustion and improve clinical outcomes. However, the approach is limited by cumulative costs and toxicities. METHODS To overcome this drawback, we created a CAR-T (RB-340-1) that unites in one product the two modalities: a CRISPR interference-(CRISPRi) circuit prevents programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression upon antigen-encounter. RB-340-1 is engineered to express an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) CAR single chain variable fragment (scFv), with CD28 and CD3ζ co-stimulatory domains linked to the tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease and a single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting the PD-1 transcription start site (TSS). A second constructs includes linker for activation of T cells (LAT) fused to nuclease-deactivated spCas9 (dCas9)-Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) via a TEV-cleavable sequence (TCS). Upon antigen encounter, the LAT-dCas9-KRAB (LdCK) complex is cleaved by TEV allowing targeting of dCas9-KRAB to the PD-1 gene TSS. RESULTS Here, we show that RB-340-1 consistently demonstrated higher production of homeostatic cytokines, enhanced expansion of CAR-T cells in vitro, prolonged in vivo persistence and more efficient suppression of HER2+ FaDu oropharyngeal cancer growth compared to the respective conventional CAR-T cell product. CONCLUSIONS As the first application of CRISPRi toward a clinically relevant product, RB-340-1 with the conditional, non-gene editing and reversible suppression promotes CAR-T cells resilience to checkpoint inhibition, and their persistence and effectiveness against HER2-expressing cancer xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifen Yang
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Lingyu Li
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Ahu Turkoz
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Pohan Chen
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Maggie Bobbin
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Hana Choi
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | | | | | - Vitaly Balan
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Alper Kearney
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | | | - Jin Yang
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Damla Inel
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Veena Vinod
- ESSA Pharma, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | - Bing Wang
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Kyung-Ho Roh
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, ChEM-H, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Francesco M Marincola
- Refuge Biotechnologies Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
- Gilead/Kite, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
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232
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Li QL, Lin X, Yu YL, Chen L, Hu QX, Chen M, Cao N, Zhao C, Wang CY, Huang CW, Li LY, Ye M, Wu M. Genome-wide profiling in colorectal cancer identifies PHF19 and TBC1D16 as oncogenic super enhancers. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6407. [PMID: 34737287 PMCID: PMC8568941 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26600-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Although genomic mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms have been extensively studied, the epigenomic status in colorectal cancer patient tissues remains elusive. Here, together with genomic and transcriptomic analysis, we use ChIP-Seq to profile active enhancers at the genome wide level in colorectal cancer paired patient tissues (tumor and adjacent tissues from the same patients). In total, we sequence 73 pairs of colorectal cancer tissues and generate 147 H3K27ac ChIP-Seq, 144 RNA-Seq, 147 whole genome sequencing and 86 H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq samples. Our analysis identifies 5590 gain and 1100 lost variant enhancer loci in colorectal cancer, and 334 gain and 121 lost variant super enhancer loci. Multiple key transcription factors in colorectal cancer are predicted with motif analysis and core regulatory circuitry analysis. Further experiments verify the function of the super enhancers governing PHF19 and TBC1D16 in regulating colorectal cancer tumorigenesis, and KLF3 is identified as an oncogenic transcription factor in colorectal cancer. Taken together, our work provides an important epigenomic resource and functional factors for epigenetic studies in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Lan Li
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Xiang Lin
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Ya-Li Yu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Qi-Xin Hu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Meng Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Nan Cao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Chen-Yu Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Cheng-Wei Huang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Lian-Yun Li
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Mei Ye
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
| | - Min Wu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
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233
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Haswell JR, Mattioli K, Gerhardinger C, Maass PG, Foster DJ, Peinado P, Wang X, Medina PP, Rinn JL, Slack FJ. Genome-wide CRISPR interference screen identifies long non-coding RNA loci required for differentiation and pluripotency. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252848. [PMID: 34731163 PMCID: PMC8565776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit lineage-specific expression, the vast majority remain functionally uncharacterized in the context of development. Here, we report the first described human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines to repress (CRISPRi) or activate (CRISPRa) transcription during differentiation into all three germ layers, facilitating the modulation of lncRNA expression during early development. We performed an unbiased, genome-wide CRISPRi screen targeting thousands of lncRNA loci expressed during endoderm differentiation. While dozens of lncRNA loci were required for proper differentiation, most differentially expressed lncRNAs were not, supporting the necessity for functional screening instead of relying solely on gene expression analyses. In parallel, we developed a clustering approach to infer mechanisms of action of lncRNA hits based on a variety of genomic features. We subsequently identified and validated FOXD3-AS1 as a functional lncRNA essential for pluripotency and differentiation. Taken together, the cell lines and methodology described herein can be adapted to discover and characterize novel regulators of differentiation into any lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R. Haswell
- Department of Pathology, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kaia Mattioli
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chiara Gerhardinger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Philipp G. Maass
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel J. Foster
- Department of Pathology, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Paola Peinado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Pedro P. Medina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain
| | - John L. Rinn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Frank J. Slack
- Department of Pathology, HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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234
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Meneghini V, Peviani M, Luciani M, Zambonini G, Gritti A. Delivery Platforms for CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing of Glial Cells in the Central Nervous System. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:644319. [PMID: 34713256 PMCID: PMC8525379 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.644319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) are emerging as key players in several physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are not only supportive cells that release trophic factors or regulate energy metabolism, but they also actively modulate critical neuronal processes and functions in the tripartite synapse. Microglia are defined as CNS-resident cells that provide immune surveillance; however, they also actively contribute to shaping the neuronal microenvironment by scavenging cell debris or regulating synaptogenesis and pruning. Given the many interconnected processes coordinated by glial cells, it is not surprising that both acute and chronic CNS insults not only cause neuronal damage but also trigger complex multifaceted responses, including neuroinflammation, which can critically contribute to the disease progression and worsening of symptoms in several neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, this makes glial cells excellent candidates for targeted therapies to treat CNS disorders. In recent years, the application of gene editing technologies has redefined therapeutic strategies to treat genetic and age-related neurological diseases. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-based gene editing in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on the development of viral- and nanoparticle-based delivery methods for in vivo glial cell targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco Meneghini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Peviani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Luciani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giada Zambonini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Gritti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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235
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Park H, Hwang Y, Kim J. Transcriptional activation with Cas9 activator nanocomplexes rescues Alzheimer's disease pathology. Biomaterials 2021; 279:121229. [PMID: 34739981 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene activation is a potential therapeutic strategy that does not induce double-strand break (DSB) DNA damage. However, in vivo gene activation via a Cas9 activator remains a challenge, currently limiting its therapeutic applications. We developed a Cas9 activator nanocomplex that efficiently activates an endogenous gene in the brain in vivo, suggesting its possible application in novel therapeutics. We demonstrated a potential treatment application of the Cas9 activator nanocomplex by activating Adam10 in the mouse brain without introducing insertions and deletions (inDels). Remarkably, in vivo activation of Adam10 with the Cas9 activator nanocomplex improved cognitive deficits in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of Cas9 activator nanocomplexes for a wide range of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanseul Park
- Laboratory of Cell Reprogramming & Gene Editing, Department of Chemistry & Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Yerim Hwang
- Laboratory of Cell Reprogramming & Gene Editing, Department of Chemistry & Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongpil Kim
- Laboratory of Cell Reprogramming & Gene Editing, Department of Chemistry & Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, 04620, Republic of Korea.
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236
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Xu W, Liu R, Dai Y, Hong S, Dong H, Wang H. The Role of p38γ in Cancer: From review to outlook. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4036-4046. [PMID: 34671218 PMCID: PMC8495394 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.63537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
p38γ is a member of the p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (p38 MAPKs). It contains four subtypes in mammalian cells encoded by different genes including p38α (MAPK14), p38β (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12), and p38δ (MAPK13). Recent studies revealed that p38γ may exhibit a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cancer aggressiveness. Despite the large number of published literatures, further researches are demanded to clarify its role in cancer development, the tissue-specific function and associated novel treatment strategies. In this article, we provide the latest view on the connection between p38γ and malignant tumors, highlighting the function of p38γ. The clinical value of p38γ is also discussed, helping the translation into the remarkable therapeutic strategy in tumor diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Xu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Shaocheng Hong
- First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Huke Dong
- First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
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237
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Hernández-Juárez J, Rodríguez-Uribe G, Borooah S. Toward the Treatment of Inherited Diseases of the Retina Using CRISPR-Based Gene Editing. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:698521. [PMID: 34660621 PMCID: PMC8517184 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.698521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies [IRDs] are a common cause of severe vision loss resulting from pathogenic genetic variants. The eye is an attractive target organ for testing clinical translational approaches in inherited diseases. This has been demonstrated by the approval of the first gene supplementation therapy to treat an autosomal recessive IRD, RPE65-linked Leber congenital amaurosis (type 2), 4 years ago. However, not all diseases are amenable for treatment using gene supplementation therapy, highlighting the need for alternative strategies to overcome the limitations of this supplementation therapeutic modality. Gene editing has become of increasing interest with the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 platform. CRISPR-Cas9 offers several advantages over previous gene editing technologies as it facilitates targeted gene editing in an efficient, specific, and modifiable manner. Progress with CRISPR-Cas9 research now means that gene editing is a feasible strategy for the treatment of IRDs. This review will focus on the background of CRISPR-Cas9 and will stress the differences between gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 and traditional gene supplementation therapy. Additionally, we will review research that has led to the first CRISPR-Cas9 trial for the treatment of CEP290-linked Leber congenital amaurosis (type 10), as well as outline future directions for CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the treatment of IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Hernández-Juárez
- Jacobs Retina Center, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe
- Medicine and Psychology School, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico.,Department of Ocular Genetics and Research, CODET Vision Institute, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Shyamanga Borooah
- Jacobs Retina Center, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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238
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Winkler L, Dimitrova N. A mechanistic view of long noncoding RNAs in cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2021; 13:e1699. [PMID: 34668345 PMCID: PMC9016092 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important modulators of a wide range of biological processes in normal and disease states. In particular, lncRNAs have garnered significant interest as novel players in the molecular pathology of cancer, spurring efforts to define the functions, and elucidate the mechanisms through which cancer‐associated lncRNAs operate. In this review, we discuss the prevalent mechanisms employed by lncRNAs, with a critical assessment of the methodologies used to determine each molecular function. We survey the abilities of cancer‐associated lncRNAs to enact diverse trans functions throughout the nucleus and in the cytoplasm and examine the local roles of cis‐acting lncRNAs in modulating the expression of neighboring genes. In linking lncRNA functions and mechanisms to their roles in cancer biology, we contend that a detailed molecular understanding of lncRNA functionality is key to elucidating their contributions to tumorigenesis and to unlocking their therapeutic potential. This article is categorized under:Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Winkler
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nadya Dimitrova
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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239
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Wang L, Wang E, Prado Balcazar J, Wu Z, Xiang K, Wang Y, Huang Q, Negrete M, Chen K, Li W, Fu Y, Dohlman A, Mines R, Zhang L, Kobayashi Y, Chen T, Shi G, Shen JP, Kopetz S, Tata PR, Moreno V, Gersbach C, Crawford G, Hsu D, Huang E, Bu P, Shen X. Chromatin Remodeling of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis is Mediated by an HGF-PU.1-DPP4 Axis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2004673. [PMID: 34378358 PMCID: PMC8498885 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasizes mainly to the liver, which accounts for the majority of CRC-related deaths. Here it is shown that metastatic cells undergo specific chromatin remodeling in the liver. Hepatic growth factor (HGF) induces phosphorylation of PU.1, a pioneer factor, which in turn binds and opens chromatin regions of downstream effector genes. PU.1 increases histone acetylation at the DPP4 locus. Precise epigenetic silencing by CRISPR/dCas9KRAB or CRISPR/dCas9HDAC revealed that individual PU.1-remodeled regulatory elements collectively modulate DPP4 expression and liver metastasis growth. Genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition of each factor along this chromatin remodeling axis strongly suppressed liver metastasis. Therefore, microenvironment-induced epimutation is an important mechanism for metastatic tumor cells to grow in their new niche. This study presents a potential strategy to target chromatin remodeling in metastatic cancer and the promise of repurposing drugs to treat metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Wang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Ergang Wang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | | | - Zhenzhen Wu
- Key Laboratory of RNA BiologyKey Laboratory of Protein and Peptide PharmaceuticalInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Marcos Negrete
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Kai‐Yuan Chen
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Yujie Fu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Anders Dohlman
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Robert Mines
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Liwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA BiologyKey Laboratory of Protein and Peptide PharmaceuticalInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yoshihiko Kobayashi
- Department of Cell BiologyRegeneration NextDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNC27710USA
| | - Tianyi Chen
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Guizhi Shi
- Laboratory Animal Research CenterInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - John Paul Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical OncologyMD AndersonDurhamNC77030USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical OncologyMD AndersonDurhamNC77030USA
| | - Purushothama Rao Tata
- Department of Cell BiologyRegeneration NextDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNC27710USA
| | - Victor Moreno
- Department of Clinical SciencesUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelona08193Spain
- Prevention and Control ProgramCatalan Institute of Oncology‐IDIBELLCIBERESPBarcelonaE08907Spain
| | - Charles Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
| | - Gregory Crawford
- Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNC27710USA
| | - David Hsu
- Department of MedicineDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNC27710USA
| | - Emina Huang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Colorectal SurgeryLerner Research Institute, Cleveland ClinicClevelandOH44195USA
| | - Pengcheng Bu
- Key Laboratory of RNA BiologyKey Laboratory of Protein and Peptide PharmaceuticalInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
- Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - Xiling Shen
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNC27708USA
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240
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Abstract
CRISPR-based genome editing holds promise for genome engineering and other applications in diverse organisms. Defining and improving the genome-wide and transcriptome-wide specificities of these editing tools are essential for realizing their full potential in basic research and biomedical therapeutics. This review provides an overview of CRISPR-based DNA- and RNA-editing technologies, methods to quantify their specificities, and key solutions to reduce off-target effects for research and improve therapeutic applications. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 55 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hainan Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
| | - Tong Li
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yidi Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
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241
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Δ40p53 isoform up-regulates netrin-1/UNC5B expression and potentiates netrin-1 pro-oncogenic activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2103319118. [PMID: 34470826 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2103319118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Netrin-1, a secreted protein recently characterized as a relevant cancer therapeutic target, is the antiapoptotic ligand of the dependence receptors deleted in colorectal carcinoma and members of the UNC5H family. Netrin-1 is overexpressed in several aggressive cancers where it promotes cancer progression by inhibiting cell death induced by its receptors. Interference of its binding to its receptors has been shown, through the development of a monoclonal neutralizing antinetrin-1 antibody (currently in phase II of clinical trial), to actively induce apoptosis and tumor growth inhibition. The transcription factor p53 was shown to positively regulate netrin-1 gene expression. We show here that netrin-1 could be a target gene of the N-terminal p53 isoform Δ40p53, independent of full-length p53 activity. Using stable cell lines, harboring wild-type or null-p53, in which Δ40p53 expression could be finely tuned, we prove that Δ40p53 binds to and activates the netrin-1 promoter. In addition, we show that forcing immortalized human skeletal myoblasts to produce the Δ40p53 isoform, instead of full-length p53, leads to the up-regulation of netrin-1 and its receptor UNC5B and promotes cell survival. Indeed, we demonstrate that netrin-1 interference, in the presence of Δ40p53, triggers apoptosis in cancer and primary cells, leading to tumor growth inhibition in preclinical in vivo models. Finally, we show a positive correlation between netrin-1 and Δ40p53 gene expression in human melanoma and colorectal cancer biopsies. Hence, we propose that inhibition of netrin-1 binding to its receptors should be a promising therapeutic strategy in human tumors expressing high levels of Δ40p53.
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242
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Rayana NP, Sugali CK, Dai J, Peng M, Liu S, Zhang Y, Wan J, Mao W. Using CRISPR Interference as a Therapeutic Approach to Treat TGFβ2-Induced Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:7. [PMID: 34499703 PMCID: PMC8434756 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.12.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) as the most important risk factor. POAG IOP elevation is due to pathological changes in the trabecular meshwork (TM). Elevated TGFβ2 contributes to these changes and increases IOP. We have shown that histone hyperacetylation is associated with TGFβ2 elevation in the TM. In this study, we determined if clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) interference could specifically deacetylate histones and decrease TGFβ2 in the TM. Methods We tested the efficiency of different promoters in driving KRAB-dCAS9 expression in human TM cells. We also screened and determined the optimal sgRNA sequence in the inhibition of TGFβ2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR was used to determine the binding of KRAB-dCAS9. An adenovirus-mediated TGFβ2-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) mouse model was used to determine the effect of the CRISPR interference system in vivo. Results We found that the CRISPR interference system inhibited TGFβ2 expression in human TM cells, and properly designed sgRNA targeted the promoter of the TGFβ2 gene. Using sgRNA targeting the CMV promoter of the Ad5-CMV-TGFβ2 viral vector, we found that lentivirus-mediated KRAB-dCAS9 and sgRNA expression was able to inhibit Ad5-CMV-TGFβ2-induced OHT in C57BL/6J female and male mice eyes. This inhibition of OHT was associated with decreased levels of TGFβ2 and extracellular matrix proteins in the mouse eye. Conclusions Our results indicate that CRISPR interference is a useful tool for gene inhibition and may be a therapeutic approach to treat TGFβ2-induced OHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Pradeep Rayana
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Chenna Kesavulu Sugali
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Jiannong Dai
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Michael Peng
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Shaohui Liu
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Yucheng Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University—Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Weiming Mao
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
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243
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Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system has been one of the greatest scientific discoveries in the last decade. The highly efficient and precise editing ability of this technology is of great therapeutic value and benefits the basic sciences as an advantageous research tool. In recent years, forward genetic screens using CRISPR technology have been widely adopted, with genome-wide or pathway-focused screens leading to important and novel discoveries. CRISPR screens have been used primarily in cancer biology, virology, and basic cell biology, but they have rarely been applied to diabetes research. A potential reason for this is that diabetes-related research can be more complicated, often involving cross talk between multiple organs or cell types. Nevertheless, many questions can still be reduced to the study of a single cell type if assays are carefully designed. Here we review the application of CRISPR screen technology and provide perspective on how it can be used in diabetes research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yi
- Section for Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, and CRISPR Screen Core Laboratory, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Noelle Morrow
- Section for Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, and CRISPR Screen Core Laboratory, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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244
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Alves E, McLeish E, Blancafort P, Coudert JD, Gaudieri S. Manipulating the NKG2D Receptor-Ligand Axis Using CRISPR: Novel Technologies for Improved Host Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:712722. [PMID: 34456921 PMCID: PMC8397441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The activating immune receptor natural killer group member D (NKG2D) and its cognate ligands represent a fundamental surveillance system of cellular distress, damage or transformation. Signaling through the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis is critical for early detection of viral infection or oncogenic transformation and the presence of functional NKG2D ligands (NKG2D-L) is associated with tumor rejection and viral clearance. Many viruses and tumors have developed mechanisms to evade NKG2D recognition via transcriptional, post-transcriptional or post-translational interference with NKG2D-L, supporting the concept that circumventing immune evasion of the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis may be an attractive therapeutic avenue for antiviral therapy or cancer immunotherapy. To date, the complexity of the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis and the lack of specificity of current NKG2D-targeting therapies has not allowed for the precise manipulation required to optimally harness NKG2D-mediated immunity. However, with the discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, novel opportunities have arisen in the realm of locus-specific gene editing and regulation. Here, we give a brief overview of the NKG2D receptor-ligand axis in humans and discuss the levels at which NKG2D-L are regulated and dysregulated during viral infection and oncogenesis. Moreover, we explore the potential for CRISPR-based technologies to provide novel therapeutic avenues to improve and maximize NKG2D-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Alves
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Emily McLeish
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
- The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jerome D. Coudert
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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245
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Li L, Wang N, Zhu M, Xiong Y, Wang F, Guo G, Wang X, Gu Y. Aberrant super-enhancer-driven oncogene ENC1 promotes the radio-resistance of breast carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:777. [PMID: 34362881 PMCID: PMC8346480 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04060-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Poor response of tumors to radiotherapy is a major clinical obstacle. Because of the dynamic characteristics of the epigenome, identification of possible epigenetic modifiers may be beneficial to confer radio-sensitivity. This research was set to examine the modulation of ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1) in radio-resistance in breast carcinoma (BC). In silico identification and immunohistochemical staining revealed that overexpression of ENC1 promoted BC metastasis to the bone and brain. Moreover, its overexpression promoted the translocation of YAP1/TAZ into the nucleus and enhanced expression of GLI1, CTGF, and FGF1 through the Hippo pathway. ENC1 expression was controlled by a ~10-kb long SE. ENC1-SEdistal deletion reduced ENC1 expression and inhibited the malignant behavior of BC cells and their resistance to radiotherapy. The binding sites on the ENC1-SE region enriched the shared sequence between TCF4 and ENC1 promoter. Knocking-down TCF4 inhibited luciferase activity and H3K27ac-enriched binding of the ENC1-SE region. Additionally, SE-driven ENC1 overexpression mediated by TCF4 may have clinical implications in radio-resistance in BC patients. Our findings indicated that ENC1 overexpression is mediated by SE and the downstream TCF4 to potentiate the Hippo/YAP1/TAZ pathway. Targeting this axis might be a therapeutic strategy for overcoming BC radio-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzhi Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Youyi Xiong
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangcheng Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxing Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyan Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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246
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Gemberling MP, Siklenka K, Rodriguez E, Tonn-Eisinger KR, Barrera A, Liu F, Kantor A, Li L, Cigliola V, Hazlett MF, Williams CA, Bartelt LC, Madigan VJ, Bodle JC, Daniels H, Rouse DC, Hilton IB, Asokan A, Ciofani M, Poss KD, Reddy TE, West AE, Gersbach CA. Transgenic mice for in vivo epigenome editing with CRISPR-based systems. Nat Methods 2021; 18:965-974. [PMID: 34341582 PMCID: PMC8349887 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-021-01207-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have dramatically increased the ease of targeting DNA sequences in the genomes of living systems. The fusion of chromatin-modifying domains to nuclease-deactivated Cas9 (dCas9) has enabled targeted epigenome editing in both cultured cells and animal models. However, delivering large dCas9 fusion proteins to target cells and tissues is an obstacle to the widespread adoption of these tools for in vivo studies. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of two conditional transgenic mouse lines for epigenome editing, Rosa26:LSL-dCas9-p300 for gene activation and Rosa26:LSL-dCas9-KRAB for gene repression. By targeting the guide RNAs to transcriptional start sites or distal enhancer elements, we demonstrate regulation of target genes and corresponding changes to epigenetic states and downstream phenotypes in the brain and liver in vivo, and in T cells and fibroblasts ex vivo. These mouse lines are convenient and valuable tools for facile, temporally controlled, and tissue-restricted epigenome editing and manipulation of gene expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Gemberling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Keith Siklenka
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Erica Rodriguez
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Alejandro Barrera
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ariel Kantor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Liqing Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Valentina Cigliola
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mariah F Hazlett
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Courtney A Williams
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Luke C Bartelt
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Josephine C Bodle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Heather Daniels
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Douglas C Rouse
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Isaac B Hilton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Maria Ciofani
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kenneth D Poss
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anne E West
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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247
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Li Y, Zhou LQ. dCas9 techniques for transcriptional repression in mammalian cells: Progress, applications and challenges. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100086. [PMID: 34327721 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Innovative loss-of-function techniques developed in recent years have made it much easier to target specific genomic loci at transcriptional levels. CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) has been proven to be the most effective and specific tool to knock down any gene of interest in mammalian cells. The catalytically deactivated Cas9 (dCas9) can be fused with transcription repressors to downregulate gene expression specified by sgRNA complementary to target genomic sequence. Although CRISPRi has huge potential for gene knockdown, there is still a lack of systematic guidelines for efficient and widespread use. Here we describe the working mechanism and development of CRISPRi, designing principles of sgRNA, delivery methods and applications in mammalian cells in detail. Finally, we propose possible solutions and future directions with regard to current challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Quan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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248
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Pei WD, Zhang Y, Yin TL, Yu Y. Epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 in clinical settings: possibilities and challenges. Brief Funct Genomics 2021; 19:215-228. [PMID: 31819946 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenome editing is a promising approach for both basic research and clinical application. With the convergence of techniques from different fields, regulating gene expression artificially becomes possible. From a clinical point of view, targeted epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 of disease-related genes offers novel therapeutic avenues for many diseases. In this review, we summarize the EpiEffectors used in epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9, current applications of epigenome editing and progress made in this field. Moreover, application challenges such as off-target effects, inefficient delivery, stability and immunogenicity are discussed. In conclusion, epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 has broad prospects in the clinic, and future work will promote the application of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Di Pei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China.,Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China
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249
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Policarpo R, Sierksma A, De Strooper B, d'Ydewalle C. From Junk to Function: LncRNAs in CNS Health and Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:714768. [PMID: 34349622 PMCID: PMC8327212 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.714768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in RNA sequencing technologies helped to uncover the existence of tens of thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that arise from the dark matter of the genome. These lncRNAs were originally thought to be transcriptional noise but an increasing number of studies demonstrate that these transcripts can modulate protein-coding gene expression by a wide variety of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. The spatiotemporal regulation of lncRNA expression is particularly evident in the central nervous system, suggesting that they may directly contribute to specific brain processes, including neurogenesis and cellular homeostasis. Not surprisingly, lncRNAs are therefore gaining attention as putative novel therapeutic targets for disorders of the brain. In this review, we summarize the recent insights into the functions of lncRNAs in the brain, their role in neuronal maintenance, and their potential contribution to disease. We conclude this review by postulating how these RNA molecules can be targeted for the treatment of yet incurable neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Policarpo
- VIB-KU Leuven Center For Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Beerse, Belgium
| | - Annerieke Sierksma
- VIB-KU Leuven Center For Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB-KU Leuven Center For Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Constantin d'Ydewalle
- Neuroscience Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Beerse, Belgium
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Brezgin S, Kostyusheva A, Bayurova E, Volchkova E, Gegechkori V, Gordeychuk I, Glebe D, Kostyushev D, Chulanov V. Immunity and Viral Infections: Modulating Antiviral Response via CRISPR-Cas Systems. Viruses 2021; 13:1373. [PMID: 34372578 PMCID: PMC8310348 DOI: 10.3390/v13071373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections cause a variety of acute and chronic human diseases, sometimes resulting in small local outbreaks, or in some cases spreading across the globe and leading to global pandemics. Understanding and exploiting virus-host interactions is instrumental for identifying host factors involved in viral replication, developing effective antiviral agents, and mitigating the severity of virus-borne infectious diseases. The diversity of CRISPR systems and CRISPR-based tools enables the specific modulation of innate immune responses and has contributed impressively to the fields of virology and immunology in a very short time. In this review, we describe the most recent advances in the use of CRISPR systems for basic and translational studies of virus-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Brezgin
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical Biological Agency, 115522 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia; (E.B.); (I.G.)
| | - Elena Volchkova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vladimir Gegechkori
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia; (E.B.); (I.G.)
- Department of Organization and Technology of Immunobiological Drugs, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dieter Glebe
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, 127994 Moscow, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
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