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Sousa AA, Hemez C, Lei L, Traore S, Kulhankova K, Newby GA, Doman JL, Oye K, Pandey S, Karp PH, McCray PB, Liu DR. Systematic optimization of prime editing for the efficient functional correction of CFTR F508del in human airway epithelial cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01233-3. [PMID: 38987629 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Prime editing (PE) enables precise and versatile genome editing without requiring double-stranded DNA breaks. Here we describe the systematic optimization of PE systems to efficiently correct human cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) F508del, a three-nucleotide deletion that is the predominant cause of CF. By combining six efficiency optimizations for PE-engineered PE guide RNAs, the PEmax architecture, the transient expression of a dominant-negative mismatch repair protein, strategic silent edits, PE6 variants and proximal 'dead' single-guide RNAs-we increased correction efficiencies for CFTR F508del from less than 0.5% in HEK293T cells to 58% in immortalized bronchial epithelial cells (a 140-fold improvement) and to 25% in patient-derived airway epithelial cells. The optimizations also resulted in minimal off-target editing, in edit-to-indel ratios 3.5-fold greater than those achieved by nuclease-mediated homology-directed repair, and in the functional restoration of CFTR ion channels to over 50% of wild-type levels (similar to those achieved via combination treatment with elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor) in primary airway cells. Our findings support the feasibility of a durable one-time treatment for CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Sousa
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Colin Hemez
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lei Lei
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Soumba Traore
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Katarina Kulhankova
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Keyede Oye
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Philip H Karp
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Paul B McCray
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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2
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Pandey S, Gao XD, Krasnow NA, McElroy A, Tao YA, Duby JE, Steinbeck BJ, McCreary J, Pierce SE, Tolar J, Meissner TB, Chaikof EL, Osborn MJ, Liu DR. Efficient site-specific integration of large genes in mammalian cells via continuously evolved recombinases and prime editing. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01227-1. [PMID: 38858586 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Methods for the targeted integration of genes in mammalian genomes suffer from low programmability, low efficiencies or low specificities. Here we show that phage-assisted continuous evolution enhances prime-editing-assisted site-specific integrase gene editing (PASSIGE), which couples the programmability of prime editing with the ability of recombinases to precisely integrate large DNA cargoes exceeding 10 kilobases. Evolved and engineered Bxb1 recombinase variants (evoBxb1 and eeBxb1) mediated up to 60% donor integration (3.2-fold that of wild-type Bxb1) in human cell lines with pre-installed recombinase landing sites. In single-transfection experiments at safe-harbour and therapeutically relevant sites, PASSIGE with eeBxb1 led to an average targeted-gene-integration efficiencies of 23% (4.2-fold that of wild-type Bxb1). Notably, integration efficiencies exceeded 30% at multiple sites in primary human fibroblasts. PASSIGE with evoBxb1 or eeBxb1 outperformed PASTE (for 'programmable addition via site-specific targeting elements', a method that uses prime editors fused to recombinases) on average by 9.1-fold and 16-fold, respectively. PASSIGE with continuously evolved recombinases is an unusually efficient method for the targeted integration of genes in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xin D Gao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Krasnow
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amber McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Y Allen Tao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jordyn E Duby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin J Steinbeck
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Julia McCreary
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Pierce
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elliot L Chaikof
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Zhao G, Ma Q, Yang H, Jiang H, Xu Q, Luo S, Meng Z, Liu J, Zhu L, Lin Q, Li M, Fang J, Ma L, Qiu W, Mao Z, Lu Z. Base editing of the mutated TERT promoter inhibits liver tumor growth. Hepatology 2024; 79:1310-1323. [PMID: 38016019 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Base editing has shown great potential for treating human diseases with mutated genes. However, its potential for treating HCC has not yet been explored. APPROACH AND RESULTS We employed adenine base editors (ABEs) to correct a telomerase reverse transcriptase ( TERT ) promoter mutation, which frequently occurs in various human cancers, including HCC. The mutated TERT promoter -124 C>T is corrected to -124 C by a single guide (sg) RNA-guided and deactivated Campylobacter jejuni Cas9 (CjCas9)-fused adenine base editor (CjABE). This edit impairs the binding of the E-twenty six/ternary complex factor transcription factor family, including E-twenty six-1 and GABPA, to the TERT promoter, leading to suppressed TERT promoter and telomerase activity, decreased TERT expression and cell proliferation, and increased cell senescence. Importantly, injection of adeno-associated viruses expressing sgRNA-guided CjABE or employment of lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery of CjABE mRNA and sgRNA inhibits the growth of liver tumors harboring TERT promoter mutations. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that a sgRNA-guided CjABE efficiently converts the mutated TERT promoter -124 C>T to -124 C in HCC cells and underscore the potential to treat HCC by the base editing-mediated correction of TERT promoter mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxiang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qingxia Ma
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Huang Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qianqian Xu
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shudi Luo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaoyuan Meng
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Lin
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Min Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Fang
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Leina Ma
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wensheng Qiu
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhengwei Mao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhimin Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310029, China
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4
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Yuan B, Bi C, Tian Y, Wang J, Jin Y, Alsayegh K, Tehseen M, Yi G, Zhou X, Shao Y, Romero FV, Fischle W, Izpisua Belmonte JC, Hamdan S, Huang Y, Li M. Modulation of the microhomology-mediated end joining pathway suppresses large deletions and enhances homology-directed repair following CRISPR-Cas9-induced DNA breaks. BMC Biol 2024; 22:101. [PMID: 38685010 PMCID: PMC11059712 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01896-z] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing often induces unintended, large genomic rearrangements, posing potential safety risks. However, there are no methods for mitigating these risks. RESULTS Using long-read individual-molecule sequencing (IDMseq), we found the microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) DNA repair pathway plays a predominant role in Cas9-induced large deletions (LDs). We targeted MMEJ-associated genes genetically and/or pharmacologically and analyzed Cas9-induced LDs at multiple gene loci using flow cytometry and long-read sequencing. Reducing POLQ levels or activity significantly decreases LDs, while depleting or overexpressing RPA increases or reduces LD frequency, respectively. Interestingly, small-molecule inhibition of POLQ and delivery of recombinant RPA proteins also dramatically promote homology-directed repair (HDR) at multiple disease-relevant gene loci in human pluripotent stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal the contrasting roles of RPA and POLQ in Cas9-induced LD and HDR, suggesting new strategies for safer and more precise genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolei Yuan
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Chongwei Bi
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yeteng Tian
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jincheng Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, College of Chemistry, College of Engineering, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiqing Jin
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Alsayegh
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Present address: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Tehseen
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Gang Yi
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Fernanda Vargas Romero
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Wolfgang Fischle
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Altos Labs, Inc, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Samir Hamdan
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yanyi Huang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, College of Chemistry, College of Engineering, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Institute for Cell Analysis, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mo Li
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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5
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Zheng Y, Li Y, Zhou K, Li T, VanDusen NJ, Hua Y. Precise genome-editing in human diseases: mechanisms, strategies and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:47. [PMID: 38409199 PMCID: PMC10897424 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01750-2] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise genome-editing platforms are versatile tools for generating specific, site-directed DNA insertions, deletions, and substitutions. The continuous enhancement of these tools has led to a revolution in the life sciences, which promises to deliver novel therapies for genetic disease. Precise genome-editing can be traced back to the 1950s with the discovery of DNA's double-helix and, after 70 years of development, has evolved from crude in vitro applications to a wide range of sophisticated capabilities, including in vivo applications. Nonetheless, precise genome-editing faces constraints such as modest efficiency, delivery challenges, and off-target effects. In this review, we explore precise genome-editing, with a focus on introduction of the landmark events in its history, various platforms, delivery systems, and applications. First, we discuss the landmark events in the history of precise genome-editing. Second, we describe the current state of precise genome-editing strategies and explain how these techniques offer unprecedented precision and versatility for modifying the human genome. Third, we introduce the current delivery systems used to deploy precise genome-editing components through DNA, RNA, and RNPs. Finally, we summarize the current applications of precise genome-editing in labeling endogenous genes, screening genetic variants, molecular recording, generating disease models, and gene therapy, including ex vivo therapy and in vivo therapy, and discuss potential future advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjiang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Kaiyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Tiange Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Nathan J VanDusen
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Yimin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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6
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Zhao JJ, Sun XY, Tian SN, Zhao ZZ, Yin MD, Zhao M, Zhang F, Li SA, Yang ZX, Wen W, Cheng T, Gong A, Zhang JP, Zhang XB. Decoding the complexity of on-target integration: characterizing DNA insertions at the CRISPR-Cas9 targeted locus using nanopore sequencing. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:189. [PMID: 38368357 PMCID: PMC10874558 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10050-6] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR-Cas9 technology has advanced in vivo gene therapy for disorders like hemophilia A, notably through the successful targeted incorporation of the F8 gene into the Alb locus in hepatocytes, effectively curing this disorder in mice. However, thoroughly evaluating the safety and specificity of this therapy is essential. Our study introduces a novel methodology to analyze complex insertion sequences at the on-target edited locus, utilizing barcoded long-range PCR, CRISPR RNP-mediated deletion of unedited alleles, magnetic bead-based long amplicon enrichment, and nanopore sequencing. RESULTS We identified the expected F8 insertions and various fragment combinations resulting from the in vivo linearization of the double-cut plasmid donor. Notably, our research is the first to document insertions exceeding ten kbp. We also found that a small proportion of these insertions were derived from sources other than donor plasmids, including Cas9-sgRNA plasmids, genomic DNA fragments, and LINE-1 elements. CONCLUSIONS Our study presents a robust method for analyzing the complexity of on-target editing, particularly for in vivo long insertions, where donor template integration can be challenging. This work offers a new tool for quality control in gene editing outcomes and underscores the importance of detailed characterization of edited genomic sequences. Our findings have significant implications for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of CRISPR-Cas9 gene therapy in treating various disorders, including hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Juan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Xin-Yu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | | | - Zong-Ze Zhao
- College of Computer Science and Technology, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Meng-Di Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Si-Ang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Zhi-Xue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Wei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - An Gong
- College of Computer Science and Technology, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Jian-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China.
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China.
- Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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7
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Hosseini SY, Mallick R, Mäkinen P, Ylä-Herttuala S. Navigating the prime editing strategy to treat cardiovascular genetic disorders in transforming heart health. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2024; 22:75-89. [PMID: 38494784 DOI: 10.1080/14779072.2024.2328642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION After understanding the genetic basis of cardiovascular disorders, the discovery of prime editing (PE), has opened new horizons for finding their cures. PE strategy is the most versatile editing tool to change cardiac genetic background for therapeutic interventions. The optimization of elements, prediction of efficiency, and discovery of the involved genes regulating the process have not been completed. The large size of the cargo and multi-elementary structure makes the in vivo heart delivery challenging. AREAS COVERED Updated from recent published studies, the fundamentals of the PEs, their application in cardiology, potentials, shortcomings, and the future perspectives for the treatment of cardiac-related genetic disorders will be discussed. EXPERT OPINION The ideal PE for the heart should be tissue-specific, regulatable, less immunogenic, high transducing, and safe. However, low efficiency, sup-optimal PE architecture, the large size of required elements, the unclear role of transcriptomics on the process, unpredictable off-target effects, and its context-dependency are subjects that need to be considered. It is also of great importance to see how beneficial or detrimental cell cycle or epigenomic modifier is to bring changes into cardiac cells. The PE delivery is challenging due to the size, multi-component properties of the editors and liver sink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Younes Hosseini
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Bacteriology and Virology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rahul Mallick
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petri Mäkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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8
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Quan ZJ, Li SA, Yang ZX, Zhao JJ, Li GH, Zhang F, Wen W, Cheng T, Zhang XB. GREPore-seq: A Robust Workflow to Detect Changes After Gene Editing Through Long-range PCR and Nanopore Sequencing. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:1221-1236. [PMID: 35752289 PMCID: PMC11082256 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
To achieve the enormous potential of gene-editing technology in clinical therapies, one needs to evaluate both the on-target efficiency and unintended editing consequences comprehensively. However, there is a lack of a pipelined, large-scale, and economical workflow for detecting genome editing outcomes, in particular insertion or deletion of a large fragment. Here, we describe an approach for efficient and accurate detection of multiple genetic changes after CRISPR/Cas9 editing by pooled nanopore sequencing of barcoded long-range PCR products. Recognizing the high error rates of Oxford nanopore sequencing, we developed a novel pipeline to capture the barcoded sequences by grepping reads of nanopore amplicon sequencing (GREPore-seq). GREPore-seq can assess nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ)-mediated double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (dsODN) insertions with comparable accuracy to Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS). GREPore-seq also reveals a full spectrum of homology-directed repair (HDR)-mediated large gene knock-in, correlating well with the fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis results. Of note, we discovered low-level fragmented and full-length plasmid backbone insertion at the CRISPR cutting site. Therefore, we have established a practical workflow to evaluate various genetic changes, including quantifying insertions of short dsODNs, knock-ins of long pieces, plasmid insertions, and large fragment deletions after CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing. GREPore-seq is freely available at GitHub (https://github.com/lisiang/GREPore-seq) and the National Genomics Data Center (NGDC) BioCode (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/biocode/tools/BT007293).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Jun Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Si-Ang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Zhi-Xue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Juan-Juan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Guo-Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Wei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
| | - Tao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin 300020, China; Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
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9
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Qiu H, Li G, Yuan J, Yang D, Ma Y, Wang F, Dai Y, Chang X. Efficient exon skipping by base-editor-mediated abrogation of exonic splicing enhancers. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113340. [PMID: 37906593 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disease caused by the loss of the dystrophin protein. Exon skipping is a promising strategy to treat DMD by restoring truncated dystrophin. Here, we demonstrate that base editors (e.g., targeted AID-mediated mutagenesis [TAM]) are able to efficiently induce exon skipping by disrupting functional redundant exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs). By developing an unbiased and high-throughput screening to interrogate exonic sequences, we successfully identify novel ESEs in DMD exons 51 and 53. TAM-CBE (cytidine base editor) induces near-complete skipping of the respective exons by targeting these ESEs in patients' induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes. Combined with strategies to disrupt splice sites, we identify suitable single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) with TAM-CBE to efficiently skip most DMD hotspot exons without substantial double-stranded breaks. Our study thus expands the repertoire of potential targets for CBE-mediated exon skipping in treating DMD and other RNA mis-splicing diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Qiu
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Center for Genome Editing, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Geng Li
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Center for Genome Editing, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Juanjuan Yuan
- Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528308, Guangdong, China
| | - Dian Yang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Center for Genome Editing, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunqing Ma
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Center for Genome Editing, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Dai
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xing Chang
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Center for Genome Editing, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Haldrup J, Andersen S, Labial AR, Wolff JH, Frandsen F, Skov T, Rovsing A, Nielsen I, Jakobsen TS, Askou A, Thomsen M, Corydon T, Thomsen E, Mikkelsen J. Engineered lentivirus-derived nanoparticles (LVNPs) for delivery of CRISPR/Cas ribonucleoprotein complexes supporting base editing, prime editing and in vivo gene modification. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10059-10074. [PMID: 37678882 PMCID: PMC10570023 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementation of therapeutic in vivo gene editing using CRISPR/Cas relies on potent delivery of gene editing tools. Administration of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes consisting of Cas protein and single guide RNA (sgRNA) offers short-lived editing activity and safety advantages over conventional viral and non-viral gene and RNA delivery approaches. By engineering lentivirus-derived nanoparticles (LVNPs) to facilitate RNP delivery, we demonstrate effective administration of SpCas9 as well as SpCas9-derived base and prime editors (BE/PE) leading to gene editing in recipient cells. Unique Gag/GagPol protein fusion strategies facilitate RNP packaging in LVNPs, and refinement of LVNP stoichiometry supports optimized LVNP yield and incorporation of therapeutic payload. We demonstrate near instantaneous target DNA cleavage and complete RNP turnover within 4 days. As a result, LVNPs provide high on-target DNA cleavage and lower levels of off-target cleavage activity compared to standard RNP nucleofection in cultured cells. LVNPs accommodate BE/sgRNA and PE/epegRNA RNPs leading to base editing with reduced bystander editing and prime editing without detectable indel formation. Notably, in the mouse eye, we provide the first proof-of-concept for LVNP-directed in vivo gene disruption. Our findings establish LVNPs as promising vehicles for delivery of RNPs facilitating donor-free base and prime editing without formation of double-stranded DNA breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Haldrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sofie Andersen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ian Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thomas Stax Jakobsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anne Louise Askou
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
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11
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Kerschensteiner D. Losing, preserving, and restoring vision from neurodegeneration in the eye. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1019-R1036. [PMID: 37816323 PMCID: PMC10575673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The retina is a part of the brain that sits at the back of the eye, looking out onto the world. The first neurons of the retina are the rod and cone photoreceptors, which convert changes in photon flux into electrical signals that are the basis of vision. Rods and cones are frequent targets of heritable neurodegenerative diseases that cause visual impairment, including blindness, in millions of people worldwide. This review summarizes the diverse genetic causes of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and their convergence onto common pathogenic mechanisms of vision loss. Currently, there are few effective treatments for IRDs, but recent advances in disparate areas of biology and technology (e.g., genome editing, viral engineering, 3D organoids, optogenetics, semiconductor arrays) discussed here enable promising efforts to preserve and restore vision in IRD patients with implications for neurodegeneration in less approachable brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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12
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Carvalho C, Lemos L, Antas P, Seabra MC. Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases: exploiting new tools in genome editing and nanotechnology. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1270561. [PMID: 38983081 PMCID: PMC11182192 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1270561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) encompass a diverse group of genetic disorders that lead to progressive visual impairment and blindness. Over the years, considerable strides have been made in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of IRDs, laying the foundation for novel therapeutic interventions. Gene therapy has emerged as a compelling approach for treating IRDs, with notable advancements achieved through targeted gene augmentation. However, several setbacks and limitations persist, hindering the widespread clinical success of gene therapy for IRDs. One promising avenue of research is the development of new genome editing tools. Cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases, base editing and prime editing provide unprecedented precision and efficiency in targeted gene manipulation, offering the potential to overcome existing challenges in gene therapy for IRDs. Furthermore, traditional gene therapy encounters a significant challenge due to immune responses to viral vectors, which remain crucial obstacles in achieving long-lasting therapeutic effects. Nanotechnology has emerged as a valuable ally in the quest to optimize gene therapy outcomes for ocular diseases. Nanoparticles engineered with nanoscale precision offer improved gene delivery to specific retinal cells, allowing for enhanced targeting and reduced immunogenicity. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in gene therapy for IRDs and explore the setbacks that have been encountered in clinical trials. We highlight the technological advances in genome editing for the treatment of IRDs and how integrating nanotechnology into gene delivery strategies could enhance the safety and efficacy of gene therapy, ultimately offering hope for patients with IRDs and potentially paving the way for similar advancements in other ocular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Carvalho
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS | FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luísa Lemos
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Antas
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS | FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel C Seabra
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS | FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisboa, Portugal
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13
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Qureshi A, Connolly JB. Bioinformatic and literature assessment of toxicity and allergenicity of a CRISPR-Cas9 engineered gene drive to control Anopheles gambiae the mosquito vector of human malaria. Malar J 2023; 22:234. [PMID: 37580703 PMCID: PMC10426224 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04665-5] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population suppression gene drive is currently being evaluated, including via environmental risk assessment (ERA), for malaria vector control. One such gene drive involves the dsxFCRISPRh transgene encoding (i) hCas9 endonuclease, (ii) T1 guide RNA (gRNA) targeting the doublesex locus, and (iii) DsRed fluorescent marker protein, in genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs). Problem formulation, the first stage of ERA, for environmental releases of dsxFCRISPRh previously identified nine potential harms to the environment or health that could occur, should expressed products of the transgene cause allergenicity or toxicity. METHODS Amino acid sequences of hCas9 and DsRed were interrogated against those of toxins or allergens from NCBI, UniProt, COMPARE and AllergenOnline bioinformatic databases and the gRNA was compared with microRNAs from the miRBase database for potential impacts on gene expression associated with toxicity or allergenicity. PubMed was also searched for any evidence of toxicity or allergenicity of Cas9 or DsRed, or of the donor organisms from which these products were originally derived. RESULTS While Cas9 nuclease activity can be toxic to some cell types in vitro and hCas9 was found to share homology with the prokaryotic toxin VapC, there was no evidence from previous studies of a risk of toxicity to humans and other animals from hCas9. Although hCas9 did contain an 8-mer epitope found in the latex allergen Hev b 9, the full amino acid sequence of hCas9 was not homologous to any known allergens. Combined with a lack of evidence in the literature of Cas9 allergenicity, this indicated negligible risk to humans of allergenicity from hCas9. No matches were found between the gRNA and microRNAs from either Anopheles or humans. Moreover, potential exposure to dsxFCRISPRh transgenic proteins from environmental releases was assessed as negligible. CONCLUSIONS Bioinformatic and literature assessments found no convincing evidence to suggest that transgenic products expressed from dsxFCRISPRh were allergens or toxins, indicating that environmental releases of this population suppression gene drive for malaria vector control should not result in any increased allergenicity or toxicity in humans or animals. These results should also inform evaluations of other GMMs being developed for vector control and in vivo clinical applications of CRISPR-Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alima Qureshi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, UK
| | - John B Connolly
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, UK.
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14
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Choi EH, Suh S, Sears AE, Hołubowicz R, Kedhar SR, Browne AW, Palczewski K. Genome editing in the treatment of ocular diseases. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:1678-1690. [PMID: 37524870 PMCID: PMC10474087 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01057-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-editing technologies have ushered in a new era in gene therapy, providing novel therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases, including both genetic and nongenetic ocular diseases. These technologies offer new hope for patients suffering from previously untreatable conditions. The unique anatomical and physiological features of the eye, including its immune-privileged status, size, and compartmentalized structure, provide an optimal environment for the application of these cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, the development of various delivery methods has facilitated the efficient and targeted administration of genome engineering tools designed to correct specific ocular tissues. Additionally, advancements in noninvasive ocular imaging techniques and electroretinography have enabled real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and safety. Herein, we discuss the discovery and development of genome-editing technologies, their application to ocular diseases from the anterior segment to the posterior segment, current limitations encountered in translating these technologies into clinical practice, and ongoing research endeavors aimed at overcoming these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot H Choi
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Susie Suh
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Avery E Sears
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Rafał Hołubowicz
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sanjay R Kedhar
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Andrew W Browne
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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15
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Park JC, Park MJ, Lee SY, Kim D, Kim KT, Jang HK, Cha HJ. Gene editing with 'pencil' rather than 'scissors' in human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:164. [PMID: 37340491 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03394-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the advances in genome editing technologies, research on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have recently undergone breakthroughs that enable precise alteration of desired nucleotide bases in hPSCs for the creation of isogenic disease models or for autologous ex vivo cell therapy. As pathogenic variants largely consist of point mutations, precise substitution of mutated bases in hPSCs allows researchers study disease mechanisms with "disease-in-a-dish" and provide functionally repaired cells to patients for cell therapy. To this end, in addition to utilizing the conventional homologous directed repair system in the knock-in strategy based on endonuclease activity of Cas9 (i.e., 'scissors' like gene editing), diverse toolkits for editing the desirable bases (i.e., 'pencils' like gene editing) that avoid the accidental insertion and deletion (indel) mutations as well as large harmful deletions have been developed. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in genome editing methodologies and employment of hPSCs for future translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chan Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihn Jeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yeon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun-Tae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ki Jang
- Division of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, College of Art Culture and Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Park JC, Kim YJ, Han JH, Kim D, Park MJ, Kim J, Jang HK, Bae S, Cha HJ. MutSα and MutSβ as size-dependent cellular determinants for prime editing in human embryonic stem cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:914-922. [PMCID: PMC10280094 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Precise genome editing in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has potential applications in isogenic disease modeling and ex vivo stem cell therapy, necessitating diverse genome editing tools. However, unlike differentiated somatic cells, hPSCs have unique cellular properties that maintain genome integrity, which largely determine the overall efficiency of an editing tool. Considering the high demand for prime editors (PEs), it is imperative to characterize the key molecular determinants of PE outcomes in hPSCs. Through homozygous knockout (KO) of MMR pathway key proteins MSH2, MSH3, and MSH6, we reveal that MutSα and MutSβ determine PE efficiency in an editing size-dependent manner. Notably, MSH2 perturbation disrupted both MutSα and MutSβ complexes, dramatically escalating PE efficiency from base mispair to 10 bases, up to 50 folds. Similarly, impaired MutSα by MSH6 KO improved editing efficiency from single to three base pairs, while defective MutSβ by MSH3 KO heightened efficiency from three to 10 base pairs. Thus, the size-dependent effect of MutSα and MutSβ on prime editing implies that MMR is a vital PE efficiency determinant in hPSCs and highlights the distinct roles of MutSα and MutSβ in its outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chan Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hee Han
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihn Jeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jumee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ki Jang
- Division of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, College of Art Culture and Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Sangsu Bae
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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17
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Neugebauer ME, Hsu A, Arbab M, Krasnow NA, McElroy AN, Pandey S, Doman JL, Huang TP, Raguram A, Banskota S, Newby GA, Tolar J, Osborn MJ, Liu DR. Evolution of an adenine base editor into a small, efficient cytosine base editor with low off-target activity. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:673-685. [PMID: 36357719 PMCID: PMC10188366 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01533-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytosine base editors (CBEs) are larger and can suffer from higher off-target activity or lower on-target editing efficiency than current adenine base editors (ABEs). To develop a CBE that retains the small size, low off-target activity and high on-target activity of current ABEs, we evolved the highly active deoxyadenosine deaminase TadA-8e to perform cytidine deamination using phage-assisted continuous evolution. Evolved TadA cytidine deaminases contain mutations at DNA-binding residues that alter enzyme selectivity to strongly favor deoxycytidine over deoxyadenosine deamination. Compared to commonly used CBEs, TadA-derived cytosine base editors (TadCBEs) offer similar or higher on-target activity, smaller size and substantially lower Cas-independent DNA and RNA off-target editing activity. We also identified a TadA dual base editor (TadDE) that performs equally efficient cytosine and adenine base editing. TadCBEs support single or multiplexed base editing at therapeutically relevant genomic loci in primary human T cells and primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. TadCBEs expand the utility of CBEs for precision gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica E Neugebauer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alvin Hsu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mandana Arbab
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Krasnow
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amber N McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tony P Huang
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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18
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Chen PJ, Liu DR. Prime editing for precise and highly versatile genome manipulation. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:161-177. [PMID: 36344749 PMCID: PMC10989687 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 137.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Programmable gene-editing tools have transformed the life sciences and have shown potential for the treatment of genetic disease. Among the CRISPR-Cas technologies that can currently make targeted DNA changes in mammalian cells, prime editors offer an unusual combination of versatility, specificity and precision. Prime editors do not require double-strand DNA breaks and can make virtually any substitution, small insertion and small deletion within the DNA of living cells. Prime editing minimally requires a programmable nickase fused to a polymerase enzyme, and an extended guide RNA that both specifies the target site and templates the desired genome edit. In this Review, we summarize prime editing strategies to generate programmed genomic changes, highlight their limitations and recent developments that circumvent some of these bottlenecks, and discuss applications and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Chen
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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19
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Borot F, Humbert O, Newby GA, Fields E, Kohli S, Radtke S, Laszlo GS, Mayuranathan T, Ali AM, Weiss MJ, Yen JS, Walter RB, Liu DR, Mukherjee S, Kiem HP. Multiplex Base Editing to Protect from CD33-Directed Therapy: Implications for Immune and Gene Therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529353. [PMID: 36865281 PMCID: PMC9980058 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
On-target toxicity to normal cells is a major safety concern with targeted immune and gene therapies. Here, we developed a base editing (BE) approach exploiting a naturally occurring CD33 single nucleotide polymorphism leading to removal of full-length CD33 surface expression on edited cells. CD33 editing in human and nonhuman primate (NHP) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) protects from CD33-targeted therapeutics without affecting normal hematopoiesis in vivo , thus demonstrating potential for novel immunotherapies with reduced off-leukemia toxicity. For broader applications to gene therapies, we demonstrated highly efficient (>70%) multiplexed adenine base editing of the CD33 and gamma globin genes, resulting in long-term persistence of dual gene-edited cells with HbF reactivation in NHPs. In vitro , dual gene-edited cells could be enriched via treatment with the CD33 antibody-drug conjugate, gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO). Together, our results highlight the potential of adenine base editors for improved immune and gene therapies. Graphical abstract
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20
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Future Perspectives of Prime Editing for the Treatment of Inherited Retinal Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030440. [PMID: 36766782 PMCID: PMC9913839 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a clinically and genetically heterogenous group of diseases and a leading cause of blindness in the working-age population. Even though gene augmentation therapies have shown promising results, they are only feasible to treat a small number of autosomal recessive IRDs, because the size of the gene is limited by the vector used. DNA editing however could potentially correct errors regardless of the overall size of the gene and might also be used to correct dominant mutations. Prime editing is a novel CRISPR/Cas9 based gene editing tool that enables precise correction of point mutations, insertions, and deletions without causing double strand DNA breaks. Due to its versatility and precision this technology may be a potential treatment option for virtually all genetic causes of IRD. Since its initial description, the prime editing technology has been further improved, resulting in higher efficacy and a larger target scope. Additionally, progress has been achieved concerning the size-related delivery issue of the prime editor components. This review aims to give an overview of these recent advancements and discusses prime editing as a potential treatment for IRDs.
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21
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Liao J, Chen S, Hsiao S, Jiang Y, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Wang X, Lai Y, Bauer DE, Wu Y. Therapeutic adenine base editing of human hematopoietic stem cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:207. [PMID: 36639729 PMCID: PMC9839747 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35508-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In β-thalassemia, either γ-globin induction to form fetal hemoglobin (α2γ2) or β-globin repair to restore adult hemoglobin (α2β2) could be therapeutic. ABE8e, a recently evolved adenine base editor variant, can achieve efficient adenine conversion, yet its application in patient-derived hematopoietic stem cells needs further exploration. Here, we purified ABE8e for ribonucleoprotein electroporation of β-thalassemia patient CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to introduce nucleotide substitutions that upregulate γ-globin expression in the BCL11A enhancer or in the HBG promoter. We observed highly efficient on-target adenine base edits at these two regulatory regions, resulting in robust γ-globin induction. Moreover, we developed ABE8e-SpRY, a near-PAMless ABE variant, and successfully applied ABE8e-SpRY RNP to directly correct HbE and IVS II-654 mutations in patient-derived CD34+ HSPCs. Finally, durable therapeutic editing was produced in self-renewing repopulating human HSCs as assayed in primary and secondary recipients. Together, these results support the potential of ABE-mediated base editing in HSCs to treat inherited monogenic blood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyang Liao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuanghong Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shenlin Hsiao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhong Jiang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongrong Lai
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuxuan Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
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22
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Doman JL, Sousa AA, Randolph PB, Chen PJ, Liu DR. Designing and executing prime editing experiments in mammalian cells. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:2431-2468. [PMID: 35941224 PMCID: PMC9799714 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00724-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prime editing (PE) is a precision gene editing technology that enables the programmable installation of substitutions, insertions and deletions in cells and animals without requiring double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). The mechanism of PE makes it less dependent on cellular replication and endogenous DNA repair than homology-directed repair-based approaches, and its ability to precisely install edits without creating DSBs minimizes indels and other undesired outcomes. The capabilities of PE have also expanded since its original publication. Enhanced PE systems, PE4 and PE5, manipulate DNA repair pathways to increase PE efficiency and reduce indels. Other advances that improve PE efficiency include engineered pegRNAs (epegRNAs), which include a structured RNA motif to stabilize and protect pegRNA 3' ends, and the PEmax architecture, which improves editor expression and nuclear localization. New applications such as twin PE (twinPE) can precisely insert or delete hundreds of base pairs of DNA and can be used in tandem with recombinases to achieve gene-sized (>5 kb) insertions and inversions. Achieving optimal PE requires careful experimental design, and the large number of parameters that influence PE outcomes can be daunting. This protocol describes current best practices for conducting PE and twinPE experiments and describes the design and optimization of pegRNAs. We also offer guidelines for how to select the proper PE system (PE1 to PE5 and twinPE) for a given application. Finally, we provide detailed instructions on how to perform PE in mammalian cells. Compared with other procedures for editing human cells, PE offers greater precision and versatility, and can be completed within 2-4 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander A Sousa
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peyton B Randolph
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter J Chen
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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23
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Park SH, Cao M, Pan Y, Davis TH, Saxena L, Deshmukh H, Fu Y, Treangen T, Sheehan VA, Bao G. Comprehensive analysis and accurate quantification of unintended large gene modifications induced by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo7676. [PMID: 36269834 PMCID: PMC9586483 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo7676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Most genome editing analyses to date are based on quantifying small insertions and deletions. Here, we show that CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing can induce large gene modifications, such as deletions, insertions, and complex local rearrangements in different primary cells and cell lines. We analyzed large deletion events in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) using different methods, including clonal genotyping, droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, single-molecule real-time sequencing with unique molecular identifier, and long-amplicon sequencing assay. Our results show that large deletions of up to several thousand bases occur with high frequencies at the Cas9 on-target cut sites on the HBB (11.7 to 35.4%), HBG (14.3%), and BCL11A (13.2%) genes in HSPCs and the PD-1 (15.2%) gene in T cells. Our findings have important implications to advancing genome editing technologies for treating human diseases, because unintended large gene modifications may persist, thus altering the biological functions and reducing the available therapeutic alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Hyun Park
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mingming Cao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yidan Pan
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Timothy H. Davis
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lavanya Saxena
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Yilei Fu
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Todd Treangen
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | | | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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24
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Li C, Georgakopoulou A, Newby GA, Everette KA, Nizamis E, Paschoudi K, Vlachaki E, Gil S, Anderson AK, Koob T, Huang L, Wang H, Kiem HP, Liu DR, Yannaki E, Lieber A. In vivo base editing by a single i.v. vector injection for treatment of hemoglobinopathies. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e162939. [PMID: 36006707 PMCID: PMC9675455 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with β-thalassemia or sickle cell disease and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) possessing 30% fetal hemoglobin (HbF) appear to be symptom free. Here, we used a nonintegrating HDAd5/35++ vector expressing a highly efficient and accurate version of an adenine base editor (ABE8e) to install, in vivo, a -113 A>G HPFH mutation in the γ-globin promoters in healthy CD46/β-YAC mice carrying the human β-globin locus. Our in vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) editing/selection strategy involves only s.c. and i.v. injections and does not require myeloablation and HSC transplantation. In vivo HSC base editing in CD46/β-YAC mice resulted in > 60% -113 A>G conversion, with 30% γ-globin of β-globin expressed in 70% of erythrocytes. Importantly, no off-target editing at sites predicted by CIRCLE-Seq or in silico was detected. Furthermore, no critical alterations in the transcriptome of in vivo edited mice were found by RNA-Seq. In vitro, in HSCs from β-thalassemia and patients with sickle cell disease, transduction with the base editor vector mediated efficient -113 A>G conversion and reactivation of γ-globin expression with subsequent phenotypic correction of erythroid cells. Because our in vivo base editing strategy is safe and technically simple, it has the potential for clinical application in developing countries where hemoglobinopathies are prevalent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aphrodite Georgakopoulou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Department, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Gregory A. Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelcee A. Everette
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Evangelos Nizamis
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece
| | - Kiriaki Paschoudi
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Department, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Hematological Laboratory, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sucheol Gil
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anna K. Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Theodore Koob
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lishan Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hongjie Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Kiem
- Stem and Gene Therapy Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Department, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - André Lieber
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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25
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Maldonado-Pérez N, Tristán-Manzano M, Justicia-Lirio P, Martínez-Planes E, Muñoz P, Pavlovic K, Cortijo-Gutiérrez M, Blanco-Benítez C, Castella M, Juan M, Wenes M, Romero P, Molina-Estévez FJ, Marañón C, Herrera C, Benabdellah K, Martin F. Efficacy and safety of universal (TCRKO) ARI-0001 CAR-T cells for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1011858. [PMID: 36275777 PMCID: PMC9585383 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous T cells expressing the Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) have been approved as advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) against several hematological malignancies. However, the generation of patient-specific CAR-T products delays treatment and precludes standardization. Allogeneic off-the-shelf CAR-T cells are an alternative to simplify this complex and time-consuming process. Here we investigated safety and efficacy of knocking out the TCR molecule in ARI-0001 CAR-T cells, a second generation αCD19 CAR approved by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) under the Hospital Exemption for treatment of patients older than 25 years with Relapsed/Refractory acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We first analyzed the efficacy and safety issues that arise during disruption of the TCR gene using CRISPR/Cas9. We have shown that edition of TRAC locus in T cells using CRISPR as ribonuleorproteins allows a highly efficient TCR disruption (over 80%) without significant alterations on T cells phenotype and with an increased percentage of energetic mitochondria. However, we also found that efficient TCRKO can lead to on-target large and medium size deletions, indicating a potential safety risk of this procedure that needs monitoring. Importantly, TCR edition of ARI-0001 efficiently prevented allogeneic responses and did not detectably alter their phenotype, while maintaining a similar anti-tumor activity ex vivo and in vivo compared to unedited ARI-0001 CAR-T cells. In summary, we showed here that, although there are still some risks of genotoxicity due to genome editing, disruption of the TCR is a feasible strategy for the generation of functional allogeneic ARI-0001 CAR-T cells. We propose to further validate this protocol for the treatment of patients that do not fit the requirements for standard autologous CAR-T cells administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Maldonado-Pérez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - María Tristán-Manzano
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
- LentiStem Biotech, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro Justicia-Lirio
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
- LentiStem Biotech, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena Martínez-Planes
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Pilar Muñoz
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
- Department of Celular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Kristina Pavlovic
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
- Cellular Therapy Unit, Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research in Córdoba (IMIBIC), Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marina Cortijo-Gutiérrez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Carlos Blanco-Benítez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
- LentiStem Biotech, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - María Castella
- Department of Hematology, ICMHO, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Juan
- Department of Hematology, ICMHO, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mathias Wenes
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Romero
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland
| | - Francisco J. Molina-Estévez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Concepción Marañón
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Concha Herrera
- Cellular Therapy Unit, Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research in Córdoba (IMIBIC), Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Martin
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), PTS, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology III and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- *Correspondence: Francisco Martin,
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26
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Raguram A, Banskota S, Liu DR. Therapeutic in vivo delivery of gene editing agents. Cell 2022; 185:2806-2827. [PMID: 35798006 PMCID: PMC9454337 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In vivo gene editing therapies offer the potential to treat the root causes of many genetic diseases. Realizing the promise of therapeutic in vivo gene editing requires the ability to safely and efficiently deliver gene editing agents to relevant organs and tissues in vivo. Here, we review current delivery technologies that have been used to enable therapeutic in vivo gene editing, including viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, and virus-like particles. Since no single delivery modality is likely to be appropriate for every possible application, we compare the benefits and drawbacks of each method and highlight opportunities for future improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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27
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Liu B, Brendel C, Vinjamur DS, Zhou Y, Harris C, McGuinness M, Manis JP, Bauer DE, Xu H, Williams DA. Development of a double shmiR lentivirus effectively targeting both BCL11A and ZNF410 for enhanced induction of fetal hemoglobin to treat β-hemoglobinopathies. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2693-2708. [PMID: 35526095 PMCID: PMC9372373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A promising treatment for β-hemoglobinopathies is the de-repression of γ-globin expression leading to increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) by targeting BCL11A. Here, we aim to improve a lentivirus vector (LV) containing a single BCL11A shmiR (SS) to further increase γ-globin induction. We engineered a novel LV to express two shmiRs simultaneously targeting BCL11A and the γ-globin repressor, ZNF410. Erythroid cells derived from human HSCs transduced with the double shmiR (DS) showed up to 70% reduction of both BCL11A and ZNF410 proteins. There was a consistent and significant additional 10% increase in HbF compared to targeting BCL11A alone in erythroid cells. Erythrocytes differentiated from SCD HSCs transduced with the DS demonstrated significantly reduced in vitro sickling phenotype compared to the SS. Erythrocytes differentiated from transduced HSCs from β-thalassemia major patients demonstrated improved globin chain balance by increased γ-globin with reduced microcytosis. Reconstitution of DS-transduced cells from Berkeley SCD mice was associated with a statistically larger reduction in peripheral blood hemolysis markers compared with the SS vector. Overall, these results indicate that the DS LV targeting BCL11A and ZNF410 can enhance HbF induction for treating β-hemoglobinopathies and could be used as a model to simultaneously and efficiently target multiple gene products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Liu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christian Brendel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Divya S Vinjamur
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yu Zhou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chad Harris
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meaghan McGuinness
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John P Manis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haiming Xu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David A Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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28
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Anzalone AV, Gao XD, Podracky CJ, Nelson AT, Koblan LW, Raguram A, Levy JM, Mercer JAM, Liu DR. Programmable deletion, replacement, integration and inversion of large DNA sequences with twin prime editing. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:731-740. [PMID: 34887556 PMCID: PMC9117393 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-01133-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 111.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The targeted deletion, replacement, integration or inversion of genomic sequences could be used to study or treat human genetic diseases, but existing methods typically require double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) that lead to undesired consequences, including uncontrolled indel mixtures and chromosomal abnormalities. Here we describe twin prime editing (twinPE), a DSB-independent method that uses a prime editor protein and two prime editing guide RNAs (pegRNAs) for the programmable replacement or excision of DNA sequences at endogenous human genomic sites. The two pegRNAs template the synthesis of complementary DNA flaps on opposing strands of genomic DNA, which replace the endogenous DNA sequence between the prime-editor-induced nick sites. When combined with a site-specific serine recombinase, twinPE enabled targeted integration of gene-sized DNA plasmids (>5,000 bp) and targeted sequence inversions of 40 kb in human cells. TwinPE expands the capabilities of precision gene editing and might synergize with other tools for the correction or complementation of large or complex human pathogenic alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V Anzalone
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xin D Gao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christopher J Podracky
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Andrew T Nelson
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luke W Koblan
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan M Levy
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jaron A M Mercer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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29
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Hu Y, Li W. Development and Application of CRISPR-Cas Based Tools. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:834646. [PMID: 35445018 PMCID: PMC9013964 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.834646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abundant CRISPR-Cas systems in nature provide us with unlimited valuable resources to develop a variety of versatile tools, which are powerful weapons in biological discovery and disease treatment. Here, we systematically review the development of CRISPR-Cas based tools from DNA nuclease to RNA nuclease, from nuclease dependent-tools to nucleic acid recognition dependent-tools. Also, considering the limitations and challenges of current CRISPR-Cas based tools, we discuss the potential directions for development of novel CRISPR toolkits in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
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30
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CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing induced complex on-target outcomes in human cells. Exp Hematol 2022; 110:13-19. [PMID: 35304271 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful tool to edit the genome and holds great promise for gene therapy applications. Initial concerns of gene engineering focus on off-target effects. However, in addition to short indel mutations (often < 50 bp), an increasing number of studies have revealed complex on-target results after double-strand break repair by CRISPR-Cas9, such as large deletions, gene rearrangement, and loss of heterozygosity. These unintended mutations are potential safety concerns in clinical gene editing. Here, in this review, we summarize the significant findings of CRISPR-Cas9-induced on-target deleterious outcomes and discuss putative ways to achieve safe gene therapy.
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31
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Banskota S, Raguram A, Suh S, Du SW, Davis JR, Choi EH, Wang X, Nielsen SC, Newby GA, Randolph PB, Osborn MJ, Musunuru K, Palczewski K, Liu DR. Engineered virus-like particles for efficient in vivo delivery of therapeutic proteins. Cell 2022; 185:250-265.e16. [PMID: 35021064 PMCID: PMC8809250 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 119.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Methods to deliver gene editing agents in vivo as ribonucleoproteins could offer safety advantages over nucleic acid delivery approaches. We report the development and application of engineered DNA-free virus-like particles (eVLPs) that efficiently package and deliver base editor or Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. By engineering VLPs to overcome cargo packaging, release, and localization bottlenecks, we developed fourth-generation eVLPs that mediate efficient base editing in several primary mouse and human cell types. Using different glycoproteins in eVLPs alters their cellular tropism. Single injections of eVLPs into mice support therapeutic levels of base editing in multiple tissues, reducing serum Pcsk9 levels 78% following 63% liver editing, and partially restoring visual function in a mouse model of genetic blindness. In vitro and in vivo off-target editing from eVLPs was virtually undetected, an improvement over AAV or plasmid delivery. These results establish eVLPs as promising vehicles for therapeutic macromolecule delivery that combine key advantages of both viral and nonviral delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Susie Suh
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Samuel W Du
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jessie R Davis
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elliot H Choi
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xiao Wang
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarah C Nielsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peyton B Randolph
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kiran Musunuru
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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32
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Yoo KW, Yadav MK, Song Q, Atala A, Lu B. OUP accepted manuscript. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3944-3957. [PMID: 35323942 PMCID: PMC9023269 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung W Yoo
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Manish Kumar Yadav
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Qianqian Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Baisong Lu
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 336 713 7276; Fax: +1 336 713 7290;
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33
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Wapner RJ, Norton ME. An Introduction: Prenatal Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Single Gene Disorders. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2021; 64:852-860. [PMID: 34618720 DOI: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Increasing ability to diagnose fetal single gene disorders has changed the prenatal diagnostic paradigm. As fetal sequencing advances, the genomic information obtained can lead to improved prognostic counseling, and elucidation of recurrence risk and future prenatal diagnosis options. For some of these disorders, postnatal molecular therapy, including gene therapy, is available or being studied in clinical trials. Most of the initial research and clinical trials have involved children and adults, but there are potential benefits to treating conditions before birth. Many clinical studies are underway exploring the potential for in utero gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Mary E Norton
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
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34
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Newby GA, Liu DR. In vivo somatic cell base editing and prime editing. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3107-3124. [PMID: 34509669 PMCID: PMC8571176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in genome editing technologies have magnified the prospect of single-dose cures for many genetic diseases. For most genetic disorders, precise DNA correction is anticipated to best treat patients. To install desired DNA changes with high precision, our laboratory developed base editors (BEs), which can correct the four most common single-base substitutions, and prime editors, which can install any substitution, insertion, and/or deletion over a stretch of dozens of base pairs. Compared to nuclease-dependent editing approaches that involve double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) and often result in a large percentage of uncontrolled editing outcomes, such as mixtures of insertions and deletions (indels), larger deletions, and chromosomal rearrangements, base editors and prime editors often offer greater efficiency with fewer byproducts in slowly dividing or non-dividing cells, such as those that make up most of the cells in adult animals. Both viral and non-viral in vivo delivery methods have now been used to deliver base editors and prime editors in animal models, establishing that base editors and prime editors can serve as effective agents for in vivo therapeutic genome editing in animals. This review summarizes examples of in vivo somatic cell (post-natal) base editing and prime editing and prospects for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA.
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA.
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35
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Wen W, Quan ZJ, Li SA, Yang ZX, Fu YW, Zhang F, Li GH, Zhao M, Yin MD, Xu J, Zhang JP, Cheng T, Zhang XB. Effective control of large deletions after double-strand breaks by homology-directed repair and dsODN insertion. Genome Biol 2021; 22:236. [PMID: 34416913 PMCID: PMC8377869 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02462-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After repairing double-strand breaks (DSBs) caused by CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage, genomic damage, such as large deletions, may have pathogenic consequences. RESULTS We show that large deletions are ubiquitous but are dependent on editing sites and cell types. Human primary T cells display more significant deletions than hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), whereas we observe low levels in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We find that the homology-directed repair (HDR) with single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) carrying short homology reduces the deletion damage by almost half, while adeno-associated virus (AAV) donors with long homology reduce large deletions by approximately 80%. In the absence of HDR, the insertion of a short double-stranded ODN by NHEJ reduces deletion indexes by about 60%. CONCLUSIONS Timely bridging of broken ends by HDR and NHEJ vastly decreases the unintended consequences of dsDNA cleavage. These strategies can be harnessed in gene editing applications to attenuate unintended outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Zi-Jun Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Si-Ang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Zhi-Xue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Ya-Wen Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Guo-Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Meng-Di Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Jian-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
- Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
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36
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Newby GA, Yen JS, Woodard KJ, Mayuranathan T, Lazzarotto CR, Li Y, Sheppard-Tillman H, Porter SN, Yao Y, Mayberry K, Everette KA, Jang Y, Podracky CJ, Thaman E, Lechauve C, Sharma A, Henderson JM, Richter MF, Zhao KT, Miller SM, Wang T, Koblan LW, McCaffrey AP, Tisdale JF, Kalfa TA, Pruett-Miller SM, Tsai SQ, Weiss MJ, Liu DR. Base editing of haematopoietic stem cells rescues sickle cell disease in mice. Nature 2021; 595:295-302. [PMID: 34079130 PMCID: PMC8266759 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03609-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a mutation in the β-globin gene HBB1. We used a custom adenine base editor (ABE8e-NRCH)2,3 to convert the SCD allele (HBBS) into Makassar β-globin (HBBG), a non-pathogenic variant4,5. Ex vivo delivery of mRNA encoding the base editor with a targeting guide RNA into haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from patients with SCD resulted in 80% conversion of HBBS to HBBG. Sixteen weeks after transplantation of edited human HSPCs into immunodeficient mice, the frequency of HBBG was 68% and hypoxia-induced sickling of bone marrow reticulocytes had decreased fivefold, indicating durable gene editing. To assess the physiological effects of HBBS base editing, we delivered ABE8e-NRCH and guide RNA into HSPCs from a humanized SCD mouse6 and then transplanted these cells into irradiated mice. After sixteen weeks, Makassar β-globin represented 79% of β-globin protein in blood, and hypoxia-induced sickling was reduced threefold. Mice that received base-edited HSPCs showed near-normal haematological parameters and reduced splenic pathology compared to mice that received unedited cells. Secondary transplantation of edited bone marrow confirmed that the gene editing was durable in long-term haematopoietic stem cells and showed that HBBS-to-HBBG editing of 20% or more is sufficient for phenotypic rescue. Base editing of human HSPCs avoided the p53 activation and larger deletions that have been observed following Cas9 nuclease treatment. These findings point towards a one-time autologous treatment for SCD that eliminates pathogenic HBBS, generates benign HBBG, and minimizes the undesired consequences of double-strand DNA breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan S Yen
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Kaitly J Woodard
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Cicera R Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yichao Li
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Shaina N Porter
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yu Yao
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kalin Mayberry
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kelcee A Everette
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yoonjeong Jang
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher J Podracky
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thaman
- Division of Hematology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Christophe Lechauve
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Michelle F Richter
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin T Zhao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shannon M Miller
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tina Wang
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luke W Koblan
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - John F Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Theodosia A Kalfa
- Division of Hematology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shengdar Q Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mitchell J Weiss
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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