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Masarwy R, Stotsky-Oterin L, Elisha A, Hazan-Halevy I, Peer D. Delivery of nucleic acid based genome editing platforms via lipid nanoparticles: Clinical applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 211:115359. [PMID: 38857763 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas technology presents a promising approach for treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders. Despite its potential, the translation of CRISPR/Cas into effective in-vivo gene therapy encounters challenges, primarily due to the need for safe and efficient delivery mechanisms. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), FDA-approved for RNA delivery, show potential for delivering also CRISPR/Cas, offering the capability to efficiently encapsulate large mRNA molecules with single guide RNAs. However, achieving precise targeting in-vivo remains a significant obstacle, necessitating further research into optimizing LNP formulations. Strategies to enhance specificity, such as modifying LNP structures and incorporating targeting ligands, are explored to improve organ and cell type targeting. Furthermore, the development of base and prime editing technology presents a potential breakthrough, offering precise modifications without generating double-strand breaks (DSBs). Prime editing, particularly when delivered via targeted LNPs, holds promise for treating diverse diseases safely and precisely. This review assesses both the progress made and the persistent challenges faced in using LNP-encapsulated CRISPR-based technologies for therapeutic purposes, with a particular focus on clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razan Masarwy
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lior Stotsky-Oterin
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Aviad Elisha
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inbal Hazan-Halevy
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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2
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Cowan QT, Gu S, Gu W, Ranzau BL, Simonson TS, Komor AC. Development of multiplexed orthogonal base editor (MOBE) systems. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02240-0. [PMID: 38773305 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Base editors (BEs) enable efficient, programmable installation of point mutations while avoiding the use of double-strand breaks. Simultaneous application of two or more different BEs, such as an adenine BE (which converts A·T base pairs to G·C) and a cytosine BE (which converts C·G base pairs to T·A), is not feasible because guide RNA crosstalk results in non-orthogonal editing, with all BEs modifying all target loci. Here we engineer both adenine BEs and cytosine BEs that can be orthogonally multiplexed by using RNA aptamer-coat protein systems to recruit the DNA-modifying enzymes directly to the guide RNAs. We generate four multiplexed orthogonal BE systems that enable rates of precise co-occurring edits of up to 7.1% in the same DNA strand without enrichment or selection strategies. The addition of a fluorescent enrichment strategy increases co-occurring edit rates up to 24.8% in human cells. These systems are compatible with expanded protospacer adjacent motif and high-fidelity Cas9 variants, function well in multiple cell types, have equivalent or reduced off-target propensities compared with their parental systems and can model disease-relevant point mutation combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn T Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sifeng Gu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wanjun Gu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, and Physiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Brodie L Ranzau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tatum S Simonson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, and Physiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexis C Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Park JC, Kim YJ, Hwang GH, Kang CY, Bae S, Cha HJ. Enhancing genome editing in hPSCs through dual inhibition of DNA damage response and repair pathways. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4002. [PMID: 38734692 PMCID: PMC11088699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48111-9] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise genome editing is crucial for establishing isogenic human disease models and ex vivo stem cell therapy from the patient-derived hPSCs. Unlike Cas9-mediated knock-in, cytosine base editor and prime editor achieve the desirable gene correction without inducing DNA double strand breaks. However, hPSCs possess highly active DNA repair pathways and are particularly susceptible to p53-dependent cell death. These unique characteristics impede the efficiency of gene editing in hPSCs. Here, we demonstrate that dual inhibition of p53-mediated cell death and distinct activation of the DNA damage repair system upon DNA damage by cytosine base editor or prime editor additively enhanced editing efficiency in hPSCs. The BE4stem system comprised of p53DD, a dominant negative p53, and three UNG inhibitor, engineered to specifically diminish base excision repair, improves cytosine base editor efficiency in hPSCs. Addition of dominant negative MLH1 to inhibit mismatch repair activity and p53DD in the conventional prime editor system also significantly enhances prime editor efficiency in hPSCs. Thus, combined inhibition of the distinct cellular cascades engaged in hPSCs upon gene editing could significantly enhance precise genome editing in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chan Park
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gue-Ho Hwang
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Kang
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangsu Bae
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Chen L, Hong M, Luan C, Gao H, Ru G, Guo X, Zhang D, Zhang S, Li C, Wu J, Randolph PB, Sousa AA, Qu C, Zhu Y, Guan Y, Wang L, Liu M, Feng B, Song G, Liu DR, Li D. Adenine transversion editors enable precise, efficient A•T-to-C•G base editing in mammalian cells and embryos. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:638-650. [PMID: 37322276 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01821-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Base editors have substantial promise in basic research and as therapeutic agents for the correction of pathogenic mutations. The development of adenine transversion editors has posed a particular challenge. Here we report a class of base editors that enable efficient adenine transversion, including precise A•T-to-C•G editing. We found that a fusion of mouse alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (mAAG) with nickase Cas9 and deaminase TadA-8e catalyzed adenosine transversion in specific sequence contexts. Laboratory evolution of mAAG significantly increased A-to-C/T conversion efficiency up to 73% and expanded the targeting scope. Further engineering yielded adenine-to-cytosine base editors (ACBEs), including a high-accuracy ACBE-Q variant, that precisely install A-to-C transversions with minimal Cas9-independent off-targeting effects. ACBEs mediated high-efficiency installation or correction of five pathogenic mutations in mouse embryos and human cell lines. Founder mice showed 44-56% average A-to-C edits and allelic frequencies of up to 100%. Adenosine transversion editors substantially expand the capabilities and possible applications of base editing technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang 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
| | - Mengjia Hong
- 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
| | - Changming Luan
- 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
| | - Hongyi Gao
- 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
| | - Gaomeng Ru
- 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
| | - Xinyuan Guo
- 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
| | - Dujuan Zhang
- 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
| | - Shun Zhang
- 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
| | - Changwei Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun 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
| | - 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, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander A Sousa
- 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, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chao Qu
- 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
| | - Yifan Zhu
- 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
| | - Yuting Guan
- 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
| | - Liren Wang
- 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
| | - Mingyao Liu
- 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
- BRL Medicine, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gaojie Song
- 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
| | - 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, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dali Li
- 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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5
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Kim J, Kwon EJ, Kim YJ, Kim D, Shin YZ, Gil D, Kim JH, Shin HD, Kim LH, Lee MO, Go YH, Cha HJ. Epigenetic repression of CHCHD2 enhances survival from single cell dissociation through attenuated Rho A kinase activity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:38. [PMID: 38214772 PMCID: PMC10787008 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05060-8] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
During in vitro culture, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) often acquire survival advantages characterized by decreased susceptibility to mitochondrial cell death, known as "culture adaptation." This adaptation is associated with genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, including TP53 mutations, copy number variations, trisomy, and methylation changes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this acquired survival advantage is crucial for safe hPSC-based cell therapies. Through transcriptome and methylome analysis, we discovered that the epigenetic repression of CHCHD2, a mitochondrial protein, is a common occurrence during in vitro culture using enzymatic dissociation. We confirmed this finding through genetic perturbation and reconstitution experiments in normal human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Loss of CHCHD2 expression conferred resistance to single cell dissociation-induced cell death, a common stress encountered during in vitro culture. Importantly, we found that the downregulation of CHCHD2 significantly attenuates the activity of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), which is responsible for inducing single cell death in hESCs. This suggests that hESCs may survive routine enzyme-based cell dissociation by downregulating CHCHD2 and thereby attenuating ROCK activity. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which hPSCs acquire survival advantages and adapt to in vitro culture conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Ze Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Gil
- Korea National Stem Cell Bank, Osong, Republic of Korea
- Division of Intractable Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex 202, Osong, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Kim
- Korea National Stem Cell Bank, Osong, Republic of Korea
- Division of Intractable Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex 202, Osong, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Doo Shin
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lyoung Hyo Kim
- Research Institute for Life Science, GW Vitek, Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Ok Lee
- Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Go
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Wu YF, Chang NW, Chu LA, Liu HY, Zhou YX, Pai YL, Yu YS, Kuan CH, Wu YC, Lin SJ, Tan HY. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Cellular Heterogeneity and Complex Cell-Cell Communication Networks in the Mouse Cornea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:5. [PMID: 37792336 PMCID: PMC10565710 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.13.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To generate a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) map and construct cell-cell communication networks of mouse corneas. Methods C57BL/6 mouse corneas were dissociated to single cells and subjected to scRNA-seq. Cell populations were clustered and annotated for bioinformatic analysis using the R package "Seurat." Differential expression patterns were validated and spatially mapped with whole-mount immunofluorescence staining. Global intercellular signaling networks were constructed using CellChat. Results Unbiased clustering of scRNA-seq transcriptomes of 14,732 cells from 40 corneas revealed 17 cell clusters of six major cell types: nine epithelial cell, three keratocyte, two corneal endothelial cell, and one each of immune cell, vascular endothelial cell, and fibroblast clusters. The nine epithelial cell subtypes included quiescent limbal stem cells, transit-amplifying cells, and differentiated cells from corneas and two minor conjunctival epithelial clusters. CellChat analysis provided an atlas of the complex intercellular signaling communications among all cell types. Conclusions We constructed a complete single-cell transcriptomic map and the complex signaling cross-talk among all cell types of the cornea, which can be used as a foundation atlas for further research on the cornea. This study also deepens the understanding of the cellular heterogeneity and heterotypic cell-cell interaction within corneas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Feng Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Wen Chang
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-An Chu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Xian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Lin Pai
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Sheng Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hsiang Kuan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Wu
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Jan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yuan Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Zhang Z, Bao X, Lin CP. Progress and Prospects of Gene Editing in Pluripotent Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2168. [PMID: 37626665 PMCID: PMC10452926 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Applying programmable nucleases in gene editing has greatly shaped current research in basic biology and clinical translation. Gene editing in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), is highly relevant to clinical cell therapy and thus should be examined with particular caution. First, since all mutations in PSCs will be carried to all their progenies, off-target edits of editors will be amplified. Second, due to the hypersensitivity of PSCs to DNA damage, double-strand breaks (DSBs) made by gene editing could lead to low editing efficiency and the enrichment of cell populations with defective genomic safeguards. In this regard, DSB-independent gene editing tools, such as base editors and prime editors, are favored due to their nature to avoid these consequences. With more understanding of the microbial world, new systems, such as Cas-related nucleases, transposons, and recombinases, are also expanding the toolbox for gene editing. In this review, we discuss current applications of programmable nucleases in PSCs for gene editing, the efforts researchers have made to optimize these systems, as well as new tools that can be potentially employed for differentiation modeling and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chao-Po Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; (Z.Z.); (X.B.)
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8
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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 PMCID: PMC10283231 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03394-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [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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9
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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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10
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Zhang Z, Tao W, Huang S, Sun W, Wang Y, Jiang W, Huang X, Lin CP. Engineering an adenine base editor in human embryonic stem cells with minimal DNA and RNA off-target activities. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:502-510. [PMID: 35991312 PMCID: PMC9375152 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) using CRISPR technology holds great promise for therapeutic applications. Yet, it has been reported that Cas9-mediated cleavage could cause large deletions or rearrangements of DNA, and the selection of edited PSCs could acquire p53 mutations. Adenine base editors (ABEs) do not introduce DNA double-strand breaks and thus have been proposed as alternatives to circumvent those problems, but their off-target effects still limit their applications. Here, we tested different combinations of off-target reduction methods to further diminish off-target effects of ABEs without compromising their on-target editing efficiencies. We subsequently chose the best editor, CE-8e-dV, which contains V106W substitution, R153 deletion, and Cas-embedding strategy, to establish a single-cell-derived human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line expressing tetracycline-inducible CE-8e-dV. By performing RNA and whole-genome sequencing, we demonstrated that the expression of CE-8e-dV did not produce nearly any DNA or RNA off-target effects in hESCs. Our results provide stringent proof of the safety of ABEs in PSCs and suggest that CE-8e-dV could be suitable for related therapeutic strategies, such as generation of engineered stem cells in vitro and gene therapy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wanyu Tao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shisheng Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- Corresponding author Xingxu Huang, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Chao-Po Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Corresponding author Chao-Po Lin, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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11
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Yang Y, Zhang C, Song Y, Li Y, Li P, Huang M, Meng F, Zhang M. Small-molecule activators specific to adenine base editors through blocking the canonical TGF-β pathway. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:9632-9646. [PMID: 36043443 PMCID: PMC9508813 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenine base editors (ABEs) catalyze A-to-G conversions, offering therapeutic options to treat the major class of human pathogenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, robust and precise editing at diverse genome loci remains challenging. Here, using high-throughput chemical screening, we identified and validated SB505124, a selective ALK5 inhibitor, as an ABE activator. Treating cells with SB505124 enhanced on-target editing at multiple genome loci, including epigenetically refractory regions, and showed little effect on off-target conversion on the genome. Furthermore, SB505124 facilitated the editing of disease-associated genes in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, SB505124 served as a specific activator by selectively promoting ABE activity. Mechanistically, SB505124 promotes ABE editing, at least in part, by enhancing ABE expression and modulating DNA repair-associated genes. Our findings reveal the role of the canonical transforming growth factor-β pathway in gene editing and equip ABEs with precise chemical control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Yang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yixuan Song
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yawen Li
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Pingping Li
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Feilong Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200025, China
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12
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Zhou J, Liu Y, Wei Y, Zheng S, Gou S, Chen T, Yang Y, Lan T, Chen M, Liao Y, Zhang Q, Tang C, Liu Y, Wu Y, Peng X, Gao M, Wang J, Zhang K, Lai L, Zou Q. Eliminating predictable DNA off-target effects of cytosine base editor by using dual guiders including sgRNA and TALE. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2443-2451. [PMID: 35443934 PMCID: PMC9263286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Predictable DNA off-target effect is one of the major safety concerns for the application of cytosine base editors (CBEs). To eliminate Cas9-dependent DNA off-target effects, we designed a novel effective CBE system with dual guiders by combining CRISPR with transcription activator-like effector (TALE). In this system, Cas9 nickase (nCas9) and cytosine deaminase are guided to the same target site to conduct base editing by single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and TALE, respectively. However, if nCas9 is guided to a wrong site by sgRNA, it will not generate base editing due to the absence of deaminase. Similarly, when deaminase is guided to a wrong site by TALE, base editing will not occur due to the absence of single-stranded DNA. In this way, Cas9- and TALE-dependent DNA off-target effects could be completely eliminated. Furthermore, by fusing TALE with YE1, a cytidine deaminase with minimal Cas9-independent off-target effect, we established a novel CBE that could induce efficient C-to-T conversion without detectable Cas9- or TALE-dependent DNA off-target mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizeng Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China; School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yuhui Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuwen Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Shixue Gou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Lan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yuan Liao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quanjun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China; Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengcheng Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yunqin Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Xiaohua Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Minghui Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junwei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China; School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China; Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qingjian Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China.
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