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Anderson JS, Lodigiani AL, Barbaduomo CM, Beegle JR. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for the treatment of SYNGAP1-related non-specific intellectual disability. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3717. [PMID: 38967915 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3717] [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] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein 1 (SYNGAP1)-related non-specific intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an insufficient level of SynGAP1 resulting in a dysfunction of neuronal synapses and presenting with a wide array of clinical phenotypes. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy has the potential to deliver therapeutic levels of functional SynGAP1 to affected neurons upon transduction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with a lentiviral vector. METHODS As a novel approach toward the treatment of SYNGAP1, we have generated a lentiviral vector expressing a modified form of SynGAP1 for transduction of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The gene-modified cells were then transplanted into adult immunodeficient SYNGAP1+/- heterozygous mice and evaluated for improvement of SYNGAP1-related clinical phenotypes. Expression of SynGAP1 was also evaluated in the brain tissue of transplanted mice. RESULTS In our proof-of-concept study, we have demonstrated significant improvement of SYNGAP1-related phenotypes including an improvement in motor abilities observed in mice transplanted with the vector transduced cells because they displayed decreased hyperactivity in an open field assay and an increased latency to fall in a rotarod assay. An increased level of SynGAP1 was also detected in the brains of these mice. CONCLUSIONS These early-stage results highlight the potential of this stem cell gene therapy approach as a treatment strategy for SYNGAP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Anderson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Alyse L Lodigiani
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Camilla M Barbaduomo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julie R Beegle
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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2
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Pollock K, Noritake S, Imai DM, Pastenkos G, Olson M, Cary W, Yang S, Fierro FA, White J, Graham J, Dahlenburg H, Johe K, Nolta JA. An immune deficient mouse model for mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome). Sci Rep 2023; 13:18439. [PMID: 37891179 PMCID: PMC10611714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45178-0] [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] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPSIII, Sanfilippo syndrome) is a devastating lysosomal storage disease that primarily affects the central nervous system. MPSIIIA is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene coding for sulfamidase (N-sulfoglucosamine sulfohydrolase/SGSH) resulting in SGSH enzyme deficiency, a buildup of heparin sulfate and subsequent neurodegeneration. There is currently no cure or disease modifying treatment for MPSIIIA. A mouse model for MPSIIIA was characterized in 1999 and later backcrossed onto the C57BL/6 background. In the present study, a novel immune deficient MPSIIIA mouse model (MPSIIIA-TKO) was created by backcrossing the immune competent, C57BL/6 MPSIIIA mouse to an immune deficient mouse model lacking Rag2, CD47 and Il2rg genes. The resulting mouse model has undetectable SGSH activity, exhibits histological changes consistent with MPSIIIA and lacks T cells, B cells and NK cells. This new mouse model has the potential to be extremely useful in testing human cellular therapies in an animal model as it retains the MPSIIIA disease phenotype while tolerating xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Pollock
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - Sabrina Noritake
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Denise M Imai
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Pastenkos
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Marykate Olson
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Whitney Cary
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Sheng Yang
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Fernando A Fierro
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jeannine White
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Justin Graham
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Heather Dahlenburg
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Karl Johe
- ReMotor Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jan A Nolta
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, USA
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3
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Smith MC, Belur LR, Karlen AD, Podetz-Pedersen K, Erlanson O, Laoharawee K, Furcich J, Lund TC, You Y, Seelig D, Webber BR, McIvor RS. Generation and characterization of an immunodeficient mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type II. Mol Genet Metab 2023; 138:107539. [PMID: 37023503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome, MPS II) is an inherited X-linked recessive disease caused by deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS), resulting in the accumulation of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) heparan and dermatan sulfates. Mouse models of MPS II have been used in several reports to study disease pathology and to conduct preclinical studies for current and next generation therapies. Here, we report the generation and characterization of an immunodeficient mouse model of MPS II, where CRISPR/Cas9 was employed to knock out a portion of the murine IDS gene on the NOD/SCID/Il2rγ (NSG) immunodeficient background. IDS-/- NSG mice lacked detectable IDS activity in plasma and all analyzed tissues and exhibited elevated levels of GAGs in those same tissues and in the urine. Histopathology revealed vacuolized cells in both the periphery and CNS of NSG-MPS II mice. This model recapitulates skeletal disease manifestations, such as increased zygomatic arch diameter and decreased femur length. Neurocognitive deficits in spatial memory and learning were also observed in the NSG-MPS II model. We anticipate that this new immunodeficient model will be appropriate for preclinical studies involving xenotransplantation of human cell products intended for the treatment of MPS II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles C Smith
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lalitha R Belur
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Andrea D Karlen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kelly Podetz-Pedersen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Olivia Erlanson
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kanut Laoharawee
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Justin Furcich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Troy C Lund
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Yun You
- Mouse Genetics Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Davis Seelig
- Comparative Pathology Shared Resource, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Beau R Webber
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - R Scott McIvor
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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4
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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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5
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Zhou H, Wu Z, Wang Y, Wu Q, Hu M, Ma S, Zhou M, Sun Y, Yu B, Ye J, Jiang W, Fu Z, Gong Y. Rare Diseases in Glycosphingolipid Metabolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1372:189-213. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-0394-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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6
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The GM2 gangliosidoses: Unlocking the mysteries of pathogenesis and treatment. Neurosci Lett 2021; 764:136195. [PMID: 34450229 PMCID: PMC8572160 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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7
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Dahlenburg H, Cameron D, Yang S, Bachman A, Pollock K, Cary W, Pham M, Hendrix K, White J, Nelson H, Deng P, Anderson JS, Fink K, Nolta J. A novel Huntington's disease mouse model to assess the role of neuroinflammation on disease progression and to develop human cell therapies. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:1033-1043. [PMID: 33710799 PMCID: PMC8235129 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion of the huntingtin gene (HTT) that affects 1 in every 10 000 individuals in the United States. Our lab developed a novel immune deficient HD mouse strain, the YACNSG, from a commonly used line, the YAC128 mouse, to enable transplantation studies using engineered human cells in addition to studying the impact of the immune system on disease progression. The primary goal of this project was to characterize this novel immune deQficient HD mouse model, using behavioral assays and histology to compare this new model to the immune competent YAC128 and immune deficient mice that had engraftment of a human immune system. Flow cytometry was used to confirm that the YACNSG strain lacked immune cells, and in vivo imaging was used to assess human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) retention compared with a commonly used immune deficient line, the NSG mouse. We found that YACNSG were able to retain human MSCs longer than the immune competent YAC128 mice. We performed behavioral assessments starting at 4 months of age and continued testing monthly until 12 months on the accelerod and in the open field. At 12 months, brains were isolated and evaluated using immunohistochemistry for striatal volume. Results from these studies suggest that the novel immune deficient YACNSG strain of mice could provide a good model for human stem-cell based therapies and that the immune system appears to play an important role in the pathology of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Dahlenburg
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Cameron
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sheng Yang
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Angelica Bachman
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kari Pollock
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Whitney Cary
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Missy Pham
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kyle Hendrix
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jeannine White
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Haley Nelson
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Peter Deng
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joseph S. Anderson
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kyle Fink
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jan Nolta
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
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8
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Adhikari A, Copping NA, Beegle J, Cameron DL, Deng P, O'Geen H, Segal DJ, Fink KD, Silverman JL, Anderson JS. Functional rescue in an Angelman syndrome model following treatment with lentivector transduced hematopoietic stem cells. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1067-1083. [PMID: 33856035 PMCID: PMC8188406 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired communication skills, ataxia, motor and balance deficits, intellectual disabilities, and seizures. The genetic cause of AS is the neuronal loss of UBE3A expression in the brain. A novel approach, described here, is a stem cell gene therapy which uses lentivector-transduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to deliver functional UBE3A to affected cells. We have demonstrated both the prevention and reversal of AS phenotypes upon transplantation and engraftment of human CD34+ cells transduced with a Ube3a lentivector in a novel immunodeficient Ube3amat−/pat+ IL2rg−/y mouse model of AS. A significant improvement in motor and cognitive behavioral assays as well as normalized delta power measured by electroencephalogram was observed in neonates and adults transplanted with the gene modified cells. Human hematopoietic profiles observed in the lymphoid organs by detection of human immune cells were normal. Expression of UBE3A was detected in the brains of the adult treatment group following immunohistochemical staining illustrating engraftment of the gene-modified cells expressing UBE3A in the brain. As demonstrated with our data, this stem cell gene therapy approach offers a promising treatment strategy for AS, not requiring a critical treatment window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Adhikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Nycole A Copping
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Julie Beegle
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - David L Cameron
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Neurology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Peter Deng
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Neurology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Henriette O'Geen
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Microbiology, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - David J Segal
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Microbiology, UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kyle D Fink
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Neurology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jill L Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Joseph S Anderson
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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9
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Deng P, Halmai J, Waldo JJ, Fink KD. Cell-Based Delivery Approaches for DNA-Binding Domains to the Central Nervous System. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:2125-2140. [PMID: 33998992 PMCID: PMC9185769 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210517144044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in programmable DNA-Binding Proteins (DBDs) that target the genome, such as zinc fingers, transcription activator-like effectors, and Cas9, have broadened drug target design beyond traditional protein substrates. Effective delivery methodologies remain a major barrier in targeting the central nervous system. Currently, adeno-associated virus is the most wellvalidated delivery system for the delivery of DBDs towards the central nervous with multiple, ongoing clinical trials. While effective in transducing neuronal cells, viral delivery systems for DBDs remain problematic due to inherent viral packaging limits or immune responses that hinder translational potential. Direct administration of DBDs or encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles may provide alternative means towards delivering gene therapies into the central nervous system. This review will evaluate the strengths and limitations of current DBD delivery strategies in vivo. Furthermore, this review will discuss the use of adult stem cells as a putative delivery vehicle for DBDs and the potential advantages that these systems have over previous methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Deng
- Department of Neurology, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julian Halmai
- Department of Neurology, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Waldo
- Department of Neurology, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Kyle D. Fink
- Department of Neurology, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
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