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Lan X, Ao WL, Li J. Preimplantation genetic testing as a preventive strategy for the transmission of mitochondrial DNA disorders. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2024; 70:38-51. [PMID: 38323618 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2024.2306389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are distinct types of metabolic and/or neurologic abnormalities that occur as a consequence of dysfunction in oxidative phosphorylation, affecting several systems in the body. There is no effective treatment modality for mitochondrial disorders so far, emphasizing the clinical significance of preventing the inheritance of these disorders. Various reproductive options are available to reduce the probability of inheriting mitochondrial disorders, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) using donated oocytes, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and prenatal diagnosis (PND), among which PGT not only makes it possible for families to have genetically-owned children but also PGT has the advantage that couples do not have to decide to terminate the pregnancy if a mutation is detected in the fetus. PGT for mitochondrial diseases originating from nuclear DNA includes analyzing the nuclear genome for the presence or absence of corresponding mutations. However, PGT for mitochondrial disorders arising from mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more intricate, due to the specific characteristics of mtDNA such as multicopy nature, heteroplasmy phenomenon, and exclusive maternal inheritance. Therefore, the present review aims to discuss the utility and challenges of PGT as a preventive approach to inherited mitochondrial diseases caused by mtDNA mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinpeng Lan
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Wu Liji Ao
- College of Mongolian Medicine and Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Ji Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
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Wang W, Lin L, Zhang Q, Yang J, Kamili E, Chu J, Li X, Yang S, Xu Y. Heteroplasmy and Individual Mitogene Pools: Characteristics and Potential Roles in Ecological Studies. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1452. [PMID: 37998051 PMCID: PMC10669347 DOI: 10.3390/biology12111452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome or mtDNA), the extrachromosomal genome, is a multicopy circular DNA with high mutation rates due to replication and repair errors. A mitochondrion, cell, tissue, organ, or an individual body may hold multiple variants, both inherited and developed over a lifetime, which make up individual mitogene pools. This phenomenon is also called mtDNA heteroplasmy. MtDNA variants influence cellular and tissular functions and are consequently subjected to selection. Although it has long been recognized that only inheritable germline heteroplasmies have evolutionary significance, non-inheritable somatic heteroplasmies have been overlooked since they directly affect individual fitness and thus indirectly affect the fate of heritable germline variants. This review focuses on the characteristics, dynamics, and functions of mtDNA heteroplasmy and proposes the concept of individual mitogene pools to discuss individual genetic diversity from multiple angles. We provide a unique perspective on the relationship between individual genetic diversity and heritable genetic diversity and guide how the individual mitogene pool with novel genetic markers can be applied to ecological research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Shuhui Yang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (W.W.); (L.L.); (Q.Z.); (J.Y.); (E.K.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Yanchun Xu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (W.W.); (L.L.); (Q.Z.); (J.Y.); (E.K.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
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Human germline nuclear transfer to overcome mitochondrial disease and failed fertilization after ICSI. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:609-618. [PMID: 35064435 PMCID: PMC8995215 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02401-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Providing additional insights on the efficacy of human nuclear transfer (NT). Here, and earlier, NT has been applied to minimize transmission risk of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diseases. NT has also been proposed for treating infertility, but it is still unclear which infertility indications would benefit. In this work, we therefore additionally assess the applicability of NT to overcome failed fertilization. METHODS Patient 1 carries a homoplasmic mtDNA mutation (m.11778G > A). Seventeen metaphase II (MII) oocytes underwent pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT), while five MII oocytes were used for spindle transfer (ST), and one in vitro matured (IVM) metaphase I oocyte underwent early pronuclear transfer (ePNT). Patients 2-3 experienced multiple failed intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and ICSI-assisted oocyte activation (AOA) cycles. For these patients, the obtained MII oocytes underwent an additional ICSI-AOA cycle, while the IVM oocytes were subjected to ST. RESULTS For patient 1, PGT-M confirmed mutation loads close to 100%. All ST-reconstructed oocytes fertilized and cleaved, of which one progressed to the blastocyst stage. The reconstructed ePNT-zygote reached the morula stage. These samples showed an average mtDNA carry-over rate of 2.9% ± 0.8%, confirming the feasibility of NT to reduce mtDNA transmission. For patient 2-3 displaying fertilization failure, ST resulted in, respectively, 4/5 and 6/6 fertilized oocytes, providing evidence, for the first time, that NT can enable successful fertilization in this patient population. CONCLUSION Our study showcases the repertoire of disorders for which NT can be beneficial, to overcome either mitochondrial disease transmission or failed fertilization after ICSI-AOA.
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Ji D, Li X, Pan J, Zong K, Chen D, Marley JL, Zou W, Deng X, Cao Y, Zhang Z, Zhou P, Sha H, Cao Y. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for a carrier with m.3697G > A mitochondrial DNA mutation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:3251-3260. [PMID: 34802141 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore inheritance of the m.3697G > A mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation and the effectiveness of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the carrier. METHODS The study encompassed a pedigree of m.3697G > A mtDNA mutation, including one asymptomatic patient who pursued for PGD treatment. Twelve cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected in the first PGD cycle and 11 COCs in the second cycle. The efficiency of cumulus cells, polar bodies, and trophectoderm (TE) in predicting the m.3697G > A heteroplasmy of embryos was analyzed. RESULTS From 23 COCs, 20 oocytes were fertilized successfully. On day 5 and 6 post-fertilization, 15 blastocysts were biopsied. The m.3697G > A mutation load of TE biopsies ranged from 15.2 to 100%. In the first cycle, a blastocyst with mutation load of 31.7% and chromosomal mosaicism was transferred, but failed to yield a clinical pregnancy. In the second cycle, a euploid blastocyst with mutation load of 53.9% was transferred, which gave rise to a clinical pregnancy. However, the pregnancy was terminated due to fetal cleft lip and palate. The mutation loads of different tissues (47.7 ± 1.8%) from the induced fetus were comparable to that of the biopsied TE and amniotic fluid cell (49.7%). The mutation load of neither cumulus cells (R2 = 0.02, p = 0.58) nor polar bodies (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.13) correlated with TE mutation load which was regarded as a gold standard. CONCLUSIONS The m.3697G > A mutation showed a random pattern of inheritance. PGD could be used to reduce the risk of inheritance of a high mutation load. Cumulus cells are not a suitable predictor of blastocyst mutation load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xinyuan Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.,Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxin Pan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Kai Zong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.,China Technical Center of Hefei Customs District, No. 329 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Dawei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jordan Lee Marley
- Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.,Biosciences Institute, Tyne and Wear, Newcastle University,, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8PB, UK
| | - Weiwei Zou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaohong Deng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hongying Sha
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China. .,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. .,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. .,Reproductive Medicine Center, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Shushan District, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.
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Tytgat O, Tang MX, van Snippenberg W, Boel A, Guggilla RR, Gansemans Y, Van Herp M, Symoens S, Trypsteen W, Deforce D, Heindryckx B, Coucke P, De Spiegelaere W, Van Nieuwerburgh F. Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction for Assessment of Mutant Mitochondrial Carry-over after Nuclear Transfer for In Vitro Fertilization. Clin Chem 2021; 67:968-976. [PMID: 33822904 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The quantification of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease or after mitochondrial donation, is performed mainly using next-generation sequencing strategies (NGS). Digital PCR (dPCR) has the potential to offer an accurate alternative for mutation load quantification. METHODS We assessed the mutation load of 23 low-input human samples at the m.11778 locus, which is associated with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) using 2 droplet digital PCR platforms (Stilla Naica and Bio-Rad QX200) and the standard NGS strategy. Assay validation was performed by analyzing a titration series with mutation loads ranging from 50% to 0.01%. RESULTS A good concordance in mutation rates was observed between both dPCR techniques and NGS. dPCR established a distinctly lower level of background noise compared to NGS. Minor alleles with mutation loads lower than 1% could still be detected, with standard deviations of the technical replicates varying between 0.07% and 0.44% mutation load. Although no significant systematic bias was observed when comparing dPCR and NGS, a minor proportional bias was detected. A slight overestimation of the minor allele was observed for the NGS data, most probably due to amplification and sequencing errors in the NGS workflow. CONCLUSION dPCR has proven to be an accurate tool for the quantification of mitochondrial heteroplasmy, even for samples harboring a low mutation load (<1%). In addition, this alternative technique holds multiple benefits compared to NGS (e.g., less hands-on time, more straightforward data-analysis, and a lower up-front capital investment).
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Tytgat
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Life Science Technologies, Imec, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mao-Xing Tang
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Willem van Snippenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, HIV Cure Research Center, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annekatrien Boel
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ramesh Reddy Guggilla
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yannick Gansemans
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michiel Van Herp
- Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Sofie Symoens
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Trypsteen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, HIV Cure Research Center, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul Coucke
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ward De Spiegelaere
- Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Pan J, Wang L, Lu C, Zhu Y, Min Z, Dong X, Sha H. Matching Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes for Circumventing Tissue-Specific Segregation Bias. iScience 2019; 13:371-379. [PMID: 30897510 PMCID: PMC6426714 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) segregation associated with donor-recipient mtDNA mismatch in mitochondria replacement therapy leads to unknown risks. Here, to explore whether matching mtDNA haplotypes contributes to ameliorating segregation, we reproduced various degrees of heteroplasmic mice with three single nucleotide polymorphisms to monitor segregation severity. “Segregation” presented in tissues of heteroplasmic mice containing low-level donor mtDNA heteroplasmy, and disappeared as donor mtDNA heteroplasmy levels ascended. Meanwhile, we found that distribution of donor mtDNA among the blastomeres of preimplantation embryos from the heteroplasmic mice shared the same tendency as that in adult tissues. Statistical analysis showed that no selective replication of donor mtDNA occurred during lifespan. Tracking donor mtDNA distribution showed that uneven distribution of donor mtDNA among embryonic blastomeres gradually became even as donor mtDNA heteroplasmy increased, indicating that the “segregation” in tissues was inherited from the uneven distribution. Our finding suggested that donor-recipient mtDNA matching could circumvent segregation in mitochondria replacement therapy. Matching mitochondrial DNA haplotypes make the nucleus treat different mtDNA the same Similar mtDNA haplotypes prevents tissue-specific segregation bias Low level of mtDNA heteroplasmy results in uneven inheritance rather than segregation
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Pan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li Wang
- Key Lab of Synthetic Biology of CAS, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Shanghai Research Center of Biotech., Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Caobao Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Charles Lu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis 63110, USA
| | - Yanming Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhunyuan Min
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xi Dong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Hongying Sha
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Dobler R, Dowling DK, Morrow EH, Reinhardt K. A systematic review and meta-analysis reveals pervasive effects of germline mitochondrial replacement on components of health. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 24:519-534. [PMID: 29757366 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial replacement, a form of nuclear transfer, has been proposed as a germline therapy to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial replacement therapy has been licensed for clinical application in the UK, and already carried out in other countries, but little is known about negative or unintended effects on the health of offspring born using this technique. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Studies in invertebrate models have used techniques that achieve mitochondrial replacement to create offspring with novel combinations of mitochondrial and nuclear genotype. These have demonstrated that the creation of novel mitochondrial-nuclear interactions can lead to alterations in offspring characteristics, such as development rates, fertility and longevity. However, it is currently unclear whether such interactions could similarly affect the outcomes of vertebrate biomedical studies, which have sought to assess the efficacy of the replacement therapy. SEARCH METHODS This systematic review addresses whether the effects of mitochondrial replacement on offspring characteristics differ in magnitude between biological (conducted on invertebrate models, with an ecological or evolutionary focus) and biomedical studies (conducted on vertebrate models, with a clinical focus). Studies were selected based on a key-word search in 'Web of Science', complemented by backward searches of reviews on the topic of mitochondrial-nuclear (mito-nuclear) interactions. In total, 43 of the resulting 116 publications identified in the search contained reliable data to estimate effect sizes of mitochondrial replacement. We found no evidence of publication bias when examining effect-size estimates across sample sizes. OUTCOMES Mitochondrial replacement consistently altered the phenotype, with significant effects at several levels of organismal performance and health, including gene expression, anatomy, metabolism and life-history. Biomedical and biological studies, while differing in the methods used to achieve mitochondrial replacement, showed only marginally significant differences in effect-size estimates (-0.233 [CI: -0.495 to -0.011]), with larger effect-size estimates in biomedical studies (0.697 [CI: 0.450-0.956]) than biological studies (0.462 [CI: 0.287-0.688]). Humans showed stronger effects than other species. Effects of mitochondrial replacement were also stronger in species with a higher basal metabolic rate. Based on our results, we conducted the first formal risk analysis of mitochondrial replacement, and conservatively estimate negative effects in at least one in every 130 resulting offspring born to the therapy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Our findings suggest that mitochondrial replacement may routinely affect offspring characteristics across a wide array of animal species, and that such effects are likely to extend to humans. Studies in invertebrate models have confirmed mito-nuclear interactions as the underpinning cause of organismal effects following mitochondrial replacement. This therefore suggests that mito-nuclear interactions are also likely to be contributing to effects seen in biomedical studies, on vertebrate models, whose effect sizes exceeded those of biological studies. Our results advocate the use of safeguards that could offset any negative effects (defining any unintended effect as being negative) mediated by mito-nuclear interactions following mitochondrial replacement in humans, such as mitochondrial genetic matching between donor and recipient. Our results also suggest that further research into the molecular nature of mito-nuclear interactions would be beneficial in refining the clinical application of mitochondrial replacement, and in establishing what degree of variation between donor and patient mitochondrial DNA haplotypes is acceptable to ensure 'haplotype matching'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Dobler
- Applied Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, Dresden, Germany
| | - Damian K Dowling
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Edward H Morrow
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Klaus Reinhardt
- Applied Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, Dresden, Germany
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8
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Hahn A, Zuryn S. The Cellular Mitochondrial Genome Landscape in Disease. Trends Cell Biol 2018; 29:227-240. [PMID: 30509558 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial genome (mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA) lesions that unbalance bioenergetic and oxidative outputs are an important cause of human disease. A major impediment in our understanding of the pathophysiology of mitochondrial disorders is the complexity with which mtDNA mutations are spatiotemporally distributed and managed within individual cells, tissues, and organs. Unlike the comparatively static nuclear genome, accumulating evidence highlights the variability, dynamism, and modifiability of the mtDNA nucleotide sequence between individual cells over time. In this review, we summarize and discuss the impact of mtDNA defects on disease within the context of a mosaic and shifting mutational landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Hahn
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Steven Zuryn
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Brisbane, Australia.
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Morris J, Na YJ, Zhu H, Lee JH, Giang H, Ulyanova AV, Baltuch GH, Brem S, Chen HI, Kung DK, Lucas TH, O'Rourke DM, Wolf JA, Grady MS, Sul JY, Kim J, Eberwine J. Pervasive within-Mitochondrion Single-Nucleotide Variant Heteroplasmy as Revealed by Single-Mitochondrion Sequencing. Cell Rep 2018; 21:2706-2713. [PMID: 29212019 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of mitochondrial diseases arise from single-nucleotide variant (SNV) accumulation in multiple mitochondria. Here, we present a method for identification of variants present at the single-mitochondrion level in individual mouse and human neuronal cells, allowing for extremely high-resolution study of mitochondrial mutation dynamics. We identified extensive heteroplasmy between individual mitochondrion, along with three high-confidence variants in mouse and one in human that were present in multiple mitochondria across cells. The pattern of variation revealed by single-mitochondrion data shows surprisingly pervasive levels of heteroplasmy in inbred mice. Distribution of SNV loci suggests inheritance of variants across generations, resulting in Poisson jackpot lines with large SNV load. Comparison of human and mouse variants suggests that the two species might employ distinct modes of somatic segregation. Single-mitochondrion resolution revealed mitochondria mutational dynamics that we hypothesize to affect risk probabilities for mutations reaching disease thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Young-Ji Na
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jae-Hee Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hoa Giang
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexandra V Ulyanova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gordon H Baltuch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Steven Brem
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - H Isaac Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David K Kung
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Timothy H Lucas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Donald M O'Rourke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John A Wolf
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - M Sean Grady
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jai-Yoon Sul
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Junhyong Kim
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James Eberwine
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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10
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Craven L, Tang MX, Gorman GS, De Sutter P, Heindryckx B. Novel reproductive technologies to prevent mitochondrial disease. Hum Reprod Update 2018. [PMID: 28651360 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmx018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of nuclear transfer (NT) has been proposed as a novel reproductive treatment to overcome the transmission of maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Pathogenic mutations in mtDNA can cause a wide-spectrum of life-limiting disorders, collectively known as mtDNA disease, for which there are currently few effective treatments and no known cures. The many unique features of mtDNA make genetic counselling challenging for women harbouring pathogenic mtDNA mutations but reproductive options that involve medical intervention are available that will minimize the risk of mtDNA disease in their offspring. This includes PGD, which is currently offered as a clinical treatment but will not be suitable for all. The potential for NT to reduce transmission of mtDNA mutations has been demonstrated in both animal and human models, and has recently been clinically applied not only to prevent mtDNA disease but also for some infertility cases. In this review, we will interrogate the different NT techniques, including a discussion on the available safety and efficacy data of these technologies for mtDNA disease prevention. In addition, we appraise the evidence for the translational use of NT technologies in infertility. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We propose to review the current scientific evidence regarding the clinical use of NT to prevent mitochondrial disease. SEARCH METHODS The scientific literature was investigated by searching PubMed database until Jan 2017. Relevant documents from Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority as well as reports from both the scientific and popular media were also implemented. The above searches were based on the following key words: 'mitochondria', 'mitochondrial DNA'; 'mitochondrial DNA disease', 'fertility'; 'preimplantation genetic diagnosis', 'nuclear transfer', 'mitochondrial replacement' and 'mitochondrial donation'. OUTCOMES While NT techniques have been shown to effectively reduce the transmission of heteroplasmic mtDNA variants in animal models, and increasing evidence supports their use to prevent the transmission of human mtDNA disease, the need for robust, long-term evaluation is still warranted. Moreover, prenatal screening would still be strongly advocated in combination with the use of these IVF-based technologies. Scientific evidence to support the use of NT and other novel reproductive techniques for infertility is currently lacking. WIDER IMPLICATIONS It is mandatory that any new ART treatments are first adequately assessed in both animal and human models before the cautious implementation of these new therapeutic approaches is clinically undertaken. There is growing evidence to suggest that the translation of these innovative technologies into clinical practice should be cautiously adopted only in highly selected patients. Indeed, given the limited safety and efficacy data, close monitoring of any offspring remains paramount.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey Craven
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Mao-Xing Tang
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gráinne S Gorman
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Petra De Sutter
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Sallevelt SCEH, Dreesen JCFM, Coonen E, Paulussen ADC, Hellebrekers DMEI, de Die-Smulders CEM, Smeets HJM, Lindsey P. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for mitochondrial DNA mutations: analysis of one blastomere suffices. J Med Genet 2017; 54:693-697. [PMID: 28668821 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2017-104633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive strategy for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation carriers, strongly reducing their risk of affected offspring. Embryos either without the mutation or with mutation load below the phenotypic threshold are transferred to the uterus. Because of incidental heteroplasmy deviations in single blastomere and the relatively limited data available, we so far preferred relying on two blastomeres rather than one. Considering the negative effect of a two-blastomere biopsy protocol compared with a single-blastomere biopsy protocol on live birth delivery rate, we re-evaluated the error rate in our current dataset. METHODS For the m.3243A>G mutation, sufficient embryos/blastomeres were available for a powerful analysis. The diagnostic error rate, defined as a potential false-negative result, based on a threshold of 15%, was determined in 294 single blastomeres analysed in 73 embryos of 9 female m.3243A>G mutation carriers. RESULTS Only one out of 294 single blastomeres (0.34%) would have resulted in a false-negative diagnosis. False-positive diagnoses were not detected. CONCLUSION Our findings support a single-blastomere biopsy PGD protocol for the m.3243A>G mutation as the diagnostic error rate is very low. As in the early preimplantation embryo no mtDNA replication seems to occur and the mtDNA is divided randomly among the daughter cells, we conclude this result to be independent of the specific mutation and therefore applicable to all mtDNA mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne C E H Sallevelt
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph C F M Dreesen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Research School for Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Edith Coonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Aimee D C Paulussen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Research School for Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Debby M E I Hellebrekers
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Christine E M de Die-Smulders
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Research School for Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert J M Smeets
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Research School for Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Lindsey
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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12
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Tsai TS, Johnson J, White Y, John JC. The molecular characterization of porcine egg precursor cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:63484-63505. [PMID: 28969006 PMCID: PMC5609938 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Female-factor infertility can be caused by poor oocyte quality and depleted ovarian reserves. Egg precursor cells (EPCs), isolated from the ovarian cortex, have the potential to be used to overcome female infertility. We aimed to define the origins of EPCs by analyzing their gene expression profiles and mtDNA content using a mini-pig model. We characterized FAC-sorted DDX4+-derived porcine EPCs by performing RNA-sequencing and determined that they utilize pathways important for cell cycle and proliferation, which supports the existence of adult mitotically active oogonial cells. Expression of the pluripotent markers Sox2 and Oct4, and the primitive germ cell markers Blimp1 and Stella were not detected. However, Nanog and Ddx4 were expressed, as were the primitive germ cell markers Fragilis, c-Kit and Tert. Moreover, porcine EPCs expressed self-renewal and proliferation markers including Myc, Esrrb, Id2, Klf4, Klf5, Stat3, Fgfr1, Fgfr2 and Il6st. The presence of Zp1, Zp2, Zp3 and Nobox were not detected, indicating that porcine EPCs are not indicative of mature primordial oocytes. We performed mitochondrial DNA Next Generation Sequencing and determined that one mtDNA variant harbored by EPCs was present in oocytes, preimplantation embryos and somatic tissues over three generations in our mini-pig model indicating the potential germline origin of EPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te-Sha Tsai
- Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Centre for Genetic Diseases, Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Johnson
- Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | | | - Justin C John
- Centre for Genetic Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Centre for Genetic Diseases, Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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