1
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Inagaki M. Cell Reprogramming and Differentiation Utilizing Messenger RNA for Regenerative Medicine. J Dev Biol 2023; 12:1. [PMID: 38535481 PMCID: PMC10971469 DOI: 10.3390/jdb12010001] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic generated interest in the medicinal applications of messenger RNA (mRNA). It is expected that mRNA will be applied, not only to vaccines, but also to regenerative medicine. The purity of mRNA is important for its medicinal applications. However, the current mRNA synthesis techniques exhibit problems, including the contamination of undesired 5'-uncapped mRNA and double-stranded RNA. Recently, our group developed a completely capped mRNA synthesis technology that contributes to the progress of mRNA research. The introduction of chemically modified nucleosides, such as N1-methylpseudouridine and 5-methylcytidine, has been reported by Karikó and Weissman, opening a path for the practical application of mRNA for vaccines and regenerative medicine. Yamanaka reported the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by introducing four types of genes using a retrovirus vector. iPSCs are widely used for research on regenerative medicine and the preparation of disease models to screen new drug candidates. Among the Yamanaka factors, Klf4 and c-Myc are oncogenes, and there is a risk of tumor development if these are integrated into genomic DNA. Therefore, regenerative medicine using mRNA, which poses no risk of genome insertion, has attracted attention. In this review, the author summarizes techniques for synthesizing mRNA and its application in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Inagaki
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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2
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Park S, Gwon Y, Khan SA, Jang KJ, Kim J. Engineering considerations of iPSC-based personalized medicine. Biomater Res 2023; 27:67. [PMID: 37420273 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00382-x] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Personalized medicine aims to provide tailored medical treatment that considers the clinical, genetic, and environmental characteristics of patients. iPSCs have attracted considerable attention in the field of personalized medicine; however, the inherent limitations of iPSCs prevent their widespread use in clinical applications. That is, it would be important to develop notable engineering strategies to overcome the current limitations of iPSCs. Such engineering approaches could lead to significant advances in iPSC-based personalized therapy by offering innovative solutions to existing challenges, from iPSC preparation to clinical applications. In this review, we summarize how engineering strategies have been used to advance iPSC-based personalized medicine by categorizing the development process into three distinctive steps: 1) the production of therapeutic iPSCs; 2) engineering of therapeutic iPSCs; and 3) clinical applications of engineered iPSCs. Specifically, we focus on engineering strategies and their implications for each step in the development of iPSC-based personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangbae Park
- Department of Convergence Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Nano-Stem Cells Therapeutics, NANOBIOSYSTEM Co, Ltd, Gwangju, 61011, Republic of Korea
| | - Yonghyun Gwon
- Department of Convergence Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Shahidul Ahmed Khan
- Department of Convergence Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Je Jang
- Department of Bio-Systems Engineering, Institute of Smart Farm, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Agriculture & Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jangho Kim
- Department of Convergence Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
- Interdisciplinary Program in IT-Bio Convergence System, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Nano-Stem Cells Therapeutics, NANOBIOSYSTEM Co, Ltd, Gwangju, 61011, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Serour G, Ghaly M, Saifuddeen SM, Anwar A, Isa NM, Chin AHB. Sunni Islamic perspectives on lab-grown sperm and eggs derived from stem cells - in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). New Bioeth 2023; 29:108-120. [PMID: 36427532 DOI: 10.1080/20502877.2022.2142094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
An exciting development in the field of assisted reproductive technologies is In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG) that enables production of functional gametes from stem cells in the laboratory. Currently, development of this technology is still at an early stage and has demonstrated to work only in rodents. Upon critically examining the ethical dimensions of various possible IVG applications in human fertility treatment from a Sunni Islamic perspective, together with benefit-harm (maslahah-mafsadah) assessment; it is concluded that utilization of IVG, once its efficacy and safety are guaranteed, could be permissible by strictly adhering to Islamic ethical principles related to marriage, biological/genetic relatedness, sexual intercourse, and moral status of the embryo/fetus versus that of the gamete. As a result, IVG will be acceptable for treating primary infertility, age-related infertility, and preventing genetic diseases. However, it will be unacceptable for application in posthumous reproduction, donor gametes, genetic enhancement, and procreation in same-sex couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamal Serour
- International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Ghaly
- Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), College of Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar
| | | | - Ayaz Anwar
- School of Medical & Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Noor Munirah Isa
- Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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4
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Transition from Animal-Based to Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)-Based Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040538. [PMID: 36831205 PMCID: PMC9954744 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arise from the disruption of highly coordinated mechanisms underlying brain development, which results in impaired sensory, motor and/or cognitive functions. Although rodent models have offered very relevant insights to the field, the translation of findings to clinics, particularly regarding therapeutic approaches for these diseases, remains challenging. Part of the explanation for this failure may be the genetic differences-some targets not being conserved between species-and, most importantly, the differences in regulation of gene expression. This prompts the use of human-derived models to study NDDS. The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) added a new suitable alternative to overcome species limitations, allowing for the study of human neuronal development while maintaining the genetic background of the donor patient. Several hIPSC models of NDDs already proved their worth by mimicking several pathological phenotypes found in humans. In this review, we highlight the utility of hIPSCs to pave new paths for NDD research and development of new therapeutic tools, summarize the challenges and advances of hIPSC-culture and neuronal differentiation protocols and discuss the best way to take advantage of these models, illustrating this with examples of success for some NDDs.
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5
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Haellman V, Pirkl M, Akmammedov A, Saxena P, Beerenwinkel N, Paro R, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. dCas9-mediated dysregulation of gene expression in human induced pluripotent stem cells during primitive streak differentiation. Metab Eng 2022; 73:70-81. [PMID: 35724832 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-based systems have fundamentally transformed our ability to study and manipulate stem cells. We explored the possibility of using catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) from S. pyogenes as a platform for targeted epigenetic editing in stem cells to enhance the expression of the eomesodermin gene (EOMES) during differentiation. We observed, however, that the dCas9 protein itself exerts a potential non-specific effect in hiPSCs, affecting the cell's phenotype and gene expression patterns during subsequent directed differentiation. We show that this effect is specific to the condition when cells are cultured in medium that does not actively maintain the pluripotency network, and that the sgRNA-free apo-dCas9 protein itself influences endogenous gene expression. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that a significant number of genes involved in developmental processes and various other genes with non-overlapping biological functions are affected by dCas9 overexpression. This suggests a potential adverse phenotypic effect of dCas9 itself in hiPSCs, which could have implications for when and how CRISPR/Cas9-based tools can be used reliably and safely in pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Haellman
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Pirkl
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arslan Akmammedov
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pratik Saxena
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Niko Beerenwinkel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Renato Paro
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana Palma Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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6
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Bailly A, Milhavet O, Lemaitre JM. RNA-Based Strategies for Cell Reprogramming toward Pluripotency. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:317. [PMID: 35214051 PMCID: PMC8876983 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy approaches to treat a wide range of pathologies have greatly benefited from cell reprogramming techniques that allow the conversion of a somatic cell into a pluripotent cell. Many technological developments have been made since the initial major discovery of this biological process. Recently reprogramming methods based on the use of RNA have emerged and seem very promising. Thus, in this review we will focus on presenting the interest of such methods for cell reprogramming but also how these RNA-based strategies can be extended to eventually lead to medical applications to improve healthspan and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaëlle Bailly
- IRMB, University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- INGRAALYS, SA, IRMB, Incubator Cyborg, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Ollivier Milhavet
- IRMB, University Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France
- SAFE-iPSC Facility, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Marc Lemaitre
- IRMB, University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- SAFE-iPSC Facility, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
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7
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Luttrell SM, Smith AST, Mack DL. Creating stem cell-derived neuromuscular junctions in vitro. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:388-403. [PMID: 34328673 PMCID: PMC9292444 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent development of novel therapies has improved mobility and quality of life for people suffering from inheritable neuromuscular disorders. Despite this progress, the majority of neuromuscular disorders are still incurable, in part due to a lack of predictive models of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) breakdown. Improvement of predictive models of a human NMJ would be transformative in terms of expanding our understanding of the mechanisms that underpin development, maintenance, and disease, and as a testbed with which to evaluate novel therapeutics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are emerging as a clinically relevant and non‐invasive cell source to create human NMJs to study synaptic development and maturation, as well as disease modeling and drug discovery. This review will highlight the recent advances and remaining challenges to generating an NMJ capable of eliciting contraction of stem cell‐derived skeletal muscle in vitro. We explore the advantages and shortcomings of traditional NMJ culturing platforms, as well as the pioneering technologies and novel, biomimetic culturing systems currently in use to guide development and maturation of the neuromuscular synapse and extracellular microenvironment. Then, we will explore how this NMJ‐in‐a‐dish can be used to study normal assembly and function of the efferent portion of the neuromuscular arc, and how neuromuscular disease‐causing mutations disrupt structure, signaling, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Luttrell
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alec S T Smith
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David L Mack
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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8
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Wang AYL. Application of Modified mRNA in Somatic Reprogramming to Pluripotency and Directed Conversion of Cell Fate. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158148. [PMID: 34360910 PMCID: PMC8348611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Modified mRNA (modRNA)-based somatic reprogramming is an effective and safe approach that overcomes the genomic mutation risk caused by viral integrative methods. It has improved the disadvantages of conventional mRNA and has better stability and immunogenicity. The modRNA molecules encoding multiple pluripotent factors have been applied successfully in reprogramming somatic cells such as fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and amniotic fluid stem cells to generate pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Moreover, it also can be directly used in the terminal differentiation of stem cells and fibroblasts into functional therapeutic cells, which exhibit great promise in disease modeling, drug screening, cell transplantation therapy, and regenerative medicine. In this review, we summarized the reprogramming applications of modified mRNA in iPSC generation and therapeutic applications of functionally differentiated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Yen Ling Wang
- Center for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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9
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Haellman V, Saxena P, Jiang Y, Fussenegger M. Rational design and optimization of synthetic gene switches for controlling cell-fate decisions in pluripotent stem cells. Metab Eng 2021; 65:99-110. [PMID: 33744461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have enabled robust control of cell behavior by using tunable genetic circuits to regulate gene expression in a ligand-dependent manner. Such circuits can be used to direct the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) towards desired cell types, but rational design of synthetic gene circuits in PSCs is challenging due to the variable intracellular environment. Here, we provide a framework for implementing synthetic gene switches in PSCs based on combinations of tunable transcriptional, structural, and posttranslational elements that can be engineered as required, using the vanillic acid-controlled transcriptional activator (VanA) as a model system. We further show that the VanA system can be multiplexed with the well-established reverse tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activator (rtTA) system to enable independent control of the expression of different transcription factors in human induced PSCs in order to enhance lineage specification towards early pancreatic progenitors. This work represents a first step towards standardizing the design and construction of synthetic gene switches for building robust gene-regulatory networks to guide stem cell differentiation towards a desired cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Haellman
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pratik Saxena
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yanrui Jiang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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10
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Optimized Approaches for the Induction of Putative Canine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Old Fibroblasts Using Synthetic RNAs. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101848. [PMID: 33050577 PMCID: PMC7601034 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A non-integrating and self-replicating Venezuelan equine encephalitis RNA replicon system can potentially make a great contribution to the generation of clinically applicable canine induced pluripotent stem cells. Our study shows a new method to utilize the synthetic RNA-based approach for canine somatic cell reprogramming regarding transfection and reprogramming efficiency. Abstract Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (ciPSCs) can provide great potential for regenerative veterinary medicine. Several reports have described the generation of canine somatic cell-derived iPSCs; however, none have described the canine somatic cell reprogramming using a non-integrating and self-replicating RNA transfection method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal strategy using this approach and characterize the transition stage of ciPSCs. In this study, fibroblasts obtained from a 13-year-old dog were reprogrammed using a non-integrating Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) RNA virus replicon, which has four reprogramming factors (collectively referred to as T7-VEE-OKS-iG and comprised of hOct4, hKlf4, hSox2, and hGlis1) and co-transfected with the T7-VEE-OKS-iG RNA and B18R mRNA for 4 h. One day after the final transfection, the cells were selected with puromycin (0.5 µg/mL) until day 10. After about 25 days, putative ciPSC colonies were identified showing TRA-1-60 expression and alkaline phosphatase activity. To determine the optimal culture conditions, the basic fibroblast growth factor in the culture medium was replaced with a modified medium supplemented with murine leukemia inhibitory factor (mLIF) and two kinase inhibitors (2i), PD0325901(MEK1/2 inhibitor) and CHIR99021 (GSK3β inhibitor). The derived colonies showed resemblance to naïve iPSCs in their morphology (dome-shaped) and are dependent on mLIF and 2i condition to maintain an undifferentiated phenotype. The expression of endogenous pluripotency markers such as Oct4, Nanog, and Rex1 transcripts were confirmed, suggesting that induced ciPSCs were in the late intermediate stage of reprogramming. In conclusion, the non-integrating and self-replicating VEE RNA replicon system can potentially make a great contribution to the generation of clinically applicable ciPSCs, and the findings of this study suggest a new method to utilize the VEE RNA approach for canine somatic cell reprogramming.
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11
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Borgohain MP, Haridhasapavalan KK, Dey C, Adhikari P, Thummer RP. An Insight into DNA-free Reprogramming Approaches to Generate Integration-free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Prospective Biomedical Applications. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 15:286-313. [PMID: 30417242 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-018-9861-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
More than a decade ago, a pioneering study reported generation of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) by ectopic expression of a cocktail of reprogramming factors in fibroblasts. This study has revolutionized stem cell research and has garnered immense interest from the scientific community globally. iPSCs hold tremendous potential for understanding human developmental biology, disease modeling, drug screening and discovery, and personalized cell-based therapeutic applications. The seminal study identified Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc as a potent combination of genes to induce reprogramming. Subsequently, various reprogramming factors were identified by numerous groups. Most of these studies have used integrating viral vectors to overexpress reprogramming factors in somatic cells to derive iPSCs. However, these techniques restrict the clinical applicability of these cells as they may alter the genome due to random viral integration resulting in insertional mutagenesis and tumorigenicity. To circumvent this issue, alternative integration-free reprogramming approaches are continuously developed that eliminate the risk of genomic modifications and improve the prospects of iPSCs from lab to clinic. These methods establish that integration of transgenes into the genome is not essential to induce pluripotency in somatic cells. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the most promising DNA-free reprogramming techniques that have the potential to derive integration-free iPSCs without genomic manipulation, such as sendai virus, recombinant proteins, microRNAs, synthetic messenger RNA and small molecules. The understanding of these approaches shall pave a way for the generation of clinical-grade iPSCs. Subsequently, these iPSCs can be differentiated into desired cell type(s) for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manash P Borgohain
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Krishna Kumar Haridhasapavalan
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Chandrima Dey
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Poulomi Adhikari
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Rajkumar P Thummer
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
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12
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Phosphoregulated orthogonal signal transduction in mammalian cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3085. [PMID: 32555187 PMCID: PMC7303213 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16895-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Orthogonal tools for controlling protein function by post-translational modifications open up new possibilities for protein circuit engineering in synthetic biology. Phosphoregulation is a key mechanism of signal processing in all kingdoms of life, but tools to control the involved processes are very limited. Here, we repurpose components of bacterial two-component systems (TCSs) for chemically induced phosphotransfer in mammalian cells. TCSs are the most abundant multi-component signal-processing units in bacteria, but are not found in the animal kingdom. The presented phosphoregulated orthogonal signal transduction (POST) system uses induced nanobody dimerization to regulate the trans-autophosphorylation activity of engineered histidine kinases. Engineered response regulators use the phosphohistidine residue as a substrate to autophosphorylate an aspartate residue, inducing their own homodimerization. We verify this approach by demonstrating control of gene expression with engineered, dimerization-dependent transcription factors and propose a phosphoregulated relay system of protein dimerization as a basic building block for next-generation protein circuits. Phosphoregulation is a key mechanism of signal processing. Here the authors build a phosphoregulated relay system in mammalian cells for orthogonal signal transduction.
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13
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Nikitina TV, Kashevarova AA, Lebedev IN. Chromosomal Instability and Karyotype Correction in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. RUSS J GENET+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795419100090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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14
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A fully human transgene switch to regulate therapeutic protein production by cooling sensation. Nat Med 2019; 25:1266-1273. [PMID: 31285633 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-019-0501-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ability to safely control transgene expression with simple synthetic gene switches is critical for effective gene- and cell-based therapies. In the present study, the signaling pathway controlled by human transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin 8 (hTRPM8), a TRP channel family member1, is harnessed to control transgene expression. Human TRPM8 signaling is stimulated by menthol, an innocuous, natural, cooling compound, or by exposure to a cool environment (15-18 °C). By functionally linking hTRPM8-induced signaling to a synthetic promoter containing elements that bind nuclear factor of activated T cells, a synthetic gene circuit was designed that can be adjusted by exposure to either a cool environment or menthol. It was shown that this gene switch is functional in various cell types and human primary cells, as well as in mice implanted with engineered cells. In response to transdermal delivery of menthol, microencapsulated cell implants harboring this gene circuit, coupled to expression of either of two therapeutic proteins, insulin or a modified, activin type IIB, receptor ligand trap protein (mActRIIBECD-hFc), could alleviate hyperglycemia in alloxan-treated mice (a model of type 1 diabetes) or reverse muscle atrophy in dexamethasone-treated mice (a model of muscle wasting), respectively. This fully human-derived orthogonal transgene switch should be amenable to a wide range of clinical applications.
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15
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Sfougataki I, Grafakos I, Varela I, Mitrakos A, Karagiannidou A, Tzannoudaki M, Poulou M, Mertzanian A, Roubelakis G. M, Stefanaki K, Traeger-Synodinos J, Kanavakis E, Kitra V, Tzetis M, Goussetis E. Reprogramming of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells to human induced pluripotent stem cells from pediatric patients with hematological diseases using a commercial mRNA kit. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2019; 76:32-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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16
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Warren L, Lin C. mRNA-Based Genetic Reprogramming. Mol Ther 2019; 27:729-734. [PMID: 30598301 PMCID: PMC6453511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that ordinary skin cells can be turned into pluripotent stem cells by the forced expression of defined factors has raised hopes that personalized regenerative treatments based on immunologically compatible material derived from a patient's own cells might be realized in the not-too-distant future. A major barrier to the clinical use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was initially presented by the need to employ integrating viral vectors to express the factors that induce an embryonic gene expression profile, which entails potentially oncogenic alteration of the normal genome. Several "non-integrating" reprogramming systems have been developed over the last decade to address this problem. Among these techniques, mRNA reprogramming is the most unambiguously "footprint-free," most productive, and perhaps the best suited to clinical production of stem cells. Herein, we discuss the origins of the mRNA-based reprogramming system, its benefits and drawbacks, recent technical improvements that simplify its application, and the status of current efforts to industrialize this approach to mass-produce human stem cells for the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Warren
- Cellular Reprogramming, Inc., Pasadena, CA, USA.
| | - Cory Lin
- Cellular Reprogramming, Inc., Pasadena, CA, USA
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17
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Badieyan ZS, Evans T. Concise Review: Application of Chemically Modified mRNA in Cell Fate Conversion and Tissue Engineering. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:833-843. [PMID: 30891922 PMCID: PMC6646692 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemically modified RNA (cmRNA) has potential as a safe and efficient tool for nucleic acid‐based therapies and regenerative medicine. Modifications in the chemistry of mRNA can enhance stability, reduce immunogenicity, and thus facilitate mRNA‐based nucleic acid therapy, which eliminates risk of insertional mutagenesis. In addition to these valuable advantages, the mRNA‐based method showed significantly higher efficacy for reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotency compared with DNA‐ or protein‐based methods. These findings suggest cmRNA can provide a powerful and safe tool for cell programming and reprogramming. Delivery methods, particularly using lipid nanoparticles, provide strategies for cell and organ‐specific targeting. The present study comprehensively compares studies that have used cmRNAs for cell fate conversion and tissue engineering. The information should be useful for investigators looking to choose the most efficient and straightforward cmRNA‐based strategy and protocol for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:833&843
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Sadat Badieyan
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Todd Evans
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
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18
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Kojima R, Bojar D, Rizzi G, Hamri GCE, El-Baba MD, Saxena P, Ausländer S, Tan KR, Fussenegger M. Designer exosomes produced by implanted cells intracerebrally deliver therapeutic cargo for Parkinson's disease treatment. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1305. [PMID: 29610454 PMCID: PMC5880805 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03733-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles (50-150 nm), which mediate intercellular communication, and are candidate therapeutic agents. However, inefficiency of exosomal message transfer, such as mRNA, and lack of methods to create designer exosomes have hampered their development into therapeutic interventions. Here, we report a set of EXOsomal transfer into cells (EXOtic) devices that enable efficient, customizable production of designer exosomes in engineered mammalian cells. These genetically encoded devices in exosome producer cells enhance exosome production, specific mRNA packaging, and delivery of the mRNA into the cytosol of target cells, enabling efficient cell-to-cell communication without the need to concentrate exosomes. Further, engineered producer cells implanted in living mice could consistently deliver cargo mRNA to the brain. Therapeutic catalase mRNA delivery by designer exosomes attenuated neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease, indicating the potential usefulness of the EXOtic devices for RNA delivery-based therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kojima
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daniel Bojar
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Rizzi
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ghislaine Charpin-El Hamri
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUTA), F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Marie Daoud El-Baba
- Département Génie Biologique, Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUTA), F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Pratik Saxena
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Ausländer
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kelly R Tan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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The application of mRNA-based gene transfer in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated cytotoxicity of glioma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:55529-55542. [PMID: 27487125 PMCID: PMC5342434 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the tumor-oriented homing capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was discovered, MSCs have attracted great interest in the research field of cancer therapy mainly focused on their use as carries for anticancer agents. Differing from DNA-based vectors, the use of mRNA-based antituor gene delivery benefits from readily transfection and mutagenesis-free. However, it is essential to verify if mRNA transfection interferes with MSCs' tropism and their antitumor properties. TRAIL- and PTEN-mRNAs were synthesized and studied in an in vitro model of MSC-mediated indirect co-culture with DBTRG human glioma cells. The expression of TRAIL and PTEN in transfected MSCs was verified by immunoblotting analysis, and the migration ability of MSCs after anticancer gene transfection was demonstrated using transwell co-cultures. The viability of DBTRG cells was determined with bioluminescence, live/dead staining and real time cell analyzer. An in vivo model of DBTRG cell-derived xenografted tumors was used to verify the antitumor effects of TRAIL- and PTEN-engineered MSCs. With regard to the effect of mRNA transfection on MSCs' migration toward glioma cells, an enhanced migration rate was observed with MSCs transfected with all tested mRNAs compared to non-transfected MSCs (p<0.05). TRAIL- and PTEN-mRNA-induced cytotoxicity of DBTRG glioma cells was proportionally correlated with the ratio of conditioned medium from transfected MSCs. A synergistic action of TRAIL and PTEN was demonstrated in the current co-culture model. The immunoblotting analysis revealed the apoptotic nature of the cells death in the present study. The growth of the xenografted tumors was significantly inhibited by the application of MSCPTEN or MSCTRAIL/PTEN on day 14 and MSCTRAIL on day 28 (p<0.05). The results suggested that anticancer gene-bearing mRNAs synthesized in vitro are capable of being applied for MSC-mediated anticancer modality. This study provides an experimental base for further clinical anticancer studies using synthesized mRNAs.
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Chen H, Zuo Q, Wang Y, Song J, Yang H, Zhang Y, Li B. Inducing goat pluripotent stem cells with four transcription factor mRNAs that activate endogenous promoters. BMC Biotechnol 2017; 17:11. [PMID: 28193206 PMCID: PMC5307868 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-017-0336-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional approaches for generating goat pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) suffer from complexity and low preparation efficiency. Therefore, we tried to derive goat iPSCs with a new method by transfecting exogenous Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc mRNAs into goat embryonic fibroblasts (GEFs), and explore the mechanisms regarding the transcription regulation of the reprogramming factors in goat iPSCs induction. RESULTS mRNAs of the four reprogramming factors were transfected into GEFs, and were localized in nucleus with approximately 90% transfection efficiency. After five consecutive transfections, GEFs tended to aggregate by day 10. Clones appeared on day 15-18, and typical embryonic stem cell -like clones formed on day 20. One thousand AKP staining positive clones were achieved in 104 GEFs, with approximately 1.0% induction efficiency. Immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR detection of the ESCs markers confirmed the properties of the goat iPSCs. The achieved goat iPSCs could be cultured to 22nd passage, which showed normal karyotype. The goat iPSCs were able to differentiate into embryoid bodies with three germ layers. qRT-PCR and western blot showed activated endogenous pluripotent factors expression in the later phase of mRNA-induced goat iPSCs induction. Epigenetic analysis of the endogenous pluripotent gene Nanog revealed its demethylation status in derived goat iPSCs. Core promoter regions of the four reprogramming factors were determined. Transcription factor binding sites, including Elf-1, AP-2, SP1, C/EBP and MZF1, were identified to be functional in the core promoter regions of these reprogramming genes. Demethylation and deacetylation of the promoters enhanced their transcription activities. CONCLUSIONS We successfully generated goat iPSCs by transfection of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc mRNAs into GEFs, which initiated the endogenous reprogramming network and altered the methylation status of pluripotent genes. Core promoter regions and functional transcription binding sites of the four reprogramming genes were identified. Epigenetic regulation was revealed to participate in mRNA induced iPSCs formation. Our study provides a safe and efficient approach for goat. iPSCs generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Frist Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave., Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave., Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiuzhou Song
- Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 20741, USA
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Frist Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yani Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave., Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Bichun Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave., Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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21
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Sommese L, Zullo A, Mancini FP, Fabbricini R, Soricelli A, Napoli C. Clinical relevance of epigenetics in the onset and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Epigenetics 2017; 12:401-415. [PMID: 28059593 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1278097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is involved in the altered expression of gene networks that underlie insulin resistance and insufficiency. Major genes controlling β-cell differentiation and function, such as PAX4, PDX1, and GLP1 receptor, are epigenetically controlled. Epigenetics can cause insulin resistance through immunomediated pro-inflammatory actions related to several factors, such as NF-kB, osteopontin, and Toll-like receptors. Hereafter, we provide a critical and comprehensive summary on this topic with a particular emphasis on translational and clinical aspects. We discuss the effect of epigenetics on β-cell regeneration for cell replacement therapy, the emerging bioinformatics approaches for analyzing the epigenetic contribution to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the epigenetic core of the transgenerational inheritance hypothesis in T2DM, and the epigenetic clinical trials on T2DM. Therefore, prevention or reversion of the epigenetic changes occurring during T2DM development may reduce the individual and societal burden of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sommese
- a U.O.C. Clinical Immunology, Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology , Department of Internal and Specialty Medicine , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli ," Italy.,b Department of Experimental Medicine , Second University of Naples , Italy
| | - Alberto Zullo
- c Department of Sciences and Technologies , University of Sannio , Benevento , Italy.,d CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies , Naples , Italy
| | | | - Rossella Fabbricini
- a U.O.C. Clinical Immunology, Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology , Department of Internal and Specialty Medicine , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli ," Italy
| | - Andrea Soricelli
- e IRCCS Research Institute SDN , Naples , Italy.,f Department of Studies of Institutions and Territorial Systems , University of Naples Parthenope , Naples , Italy
| | - Claudio Napoli
- a U.O.C. Clinical Immunology, Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology, Regional Reference Laboratory of Transplant Immunology , Department of Internal and Specialty Medicine , Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU), Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli ," Italy.,e IRCCS Research Institute SDN , Naples , Italy.,g Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Geriatric Sciences , Second University of Naples , Italy
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22
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Rohani L, Fabian C, Holland H, Naaldijk Y, Dressel R, Löffler-Wirth H, Binder H, Arnold A, Stolzing A. Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells using non-synthetic mRNA. Stem Cell Res 2016; 16:662-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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23
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Saxena P, Heng BC, Bai P, Folcher M, Zulewski H, Fussenegger M. A programmable synthetic lineage-control network that differentiates human IPSCs into glucose-sensitive insulin-secreting beta-like cells. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11247. [PMID: 27063289 PMCID: PMC4831023 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology has advanced the design of standardized transcription control
devices that programme cellular behaviour. By coupling synthetic signalling cascade-
and transcription factor-based gene switches with reverse and differential
sensitivity to the licensed food additive vanillic acid, we designed a synthetic
lineage-control network combining vanillic acid-triggered mutually exclusive
expression switches for the transcription factors Ngn3 (neurogenin 3; OFF-ON-OFF)
and Pdx1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1; ON-OFF-ON) with the concomitant
induction of MafA (V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A;
OFF-ON). This designer network consisting of different network topologies
orchestrating the timely control of transgenic and genomic Ngn3, Pdx1 and MafA
variants is able to programme human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs)-derived
pancreatic progenitor cells into glucose-sensitive insulin-secreting beta-like
cells, whose glucose-stimulated insulin-release dynamics are comparable to human
pancreatic islets. Synthetic lineage-control networks may provide the missing link
to genetically programme somatic cells into autologous cell phenotypes for
regenerative medicine. Synthetic biology offers the potential for the design and
implementation of rationally designed, complex genetic programmes. Here the authors
design a genetic network to trigger the differentiation of patient derived IPSCs into
beta-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Saxena
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Boon Chin Heng
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peng Bai
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Folcher
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henryk Zulewski
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
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24
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Hu C, Li L. Current reprogramming systems in regenerative medicine: from somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells. Regen Med 2015; 11:105-32. [PMID: 26679838 DOI: 10.2217/rme.15.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) paved the way for research fields including cell therapy, drug screening, disease modeling and the mechanism of embryonic development. Although iPSC technology has been improved by various delivery systems, direct transduction and small molecule regulation, low reprogramming efficiency and genomic modification steps still inhibit its clinical use. Improvements in current vectors and the exploration of novel vectors are required to balance efficiency and genomic modification for reprogramming. Herein, we set out a comprehensive analysis of current reprogramming systems for the generation of iPSCs from somatic cells. By clarifying advantages and disadvantages of the current reprogramming systems, we are striding toward an effective route to generate clinical grade iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxia Hu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
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25
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Zulewski H. From substitution of insulin to replacement of insulin producing cells: New therapeutic opportunities from research on pancreas development and stem cell differentiation. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 29:815-20. [PMID: 26696511 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Henryk Zulewski
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Stadtspital Triemli Zürich, Birmensdorferstrasse 497, 8063 Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zürich), Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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26
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Poleganov MA, Eminli S, Beissert T, Herz S, Moon JI, Goldmann J, Beyer A, Heck R, Burkhart I, Barea Roldan D, Türeci Ö, Yi K, Hamilton B, Sahin U. Efficient Reprogramming of Human Fibroblasts and Blood-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells Using Nonmodified RNA for Reprogramming and Immune Evasion. Hum Gene Ther 2015; 26:751-66. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Alexander Poleganov
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Tim Beissert
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephanie Herz
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- III. Department for Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Johanna Goldmann
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Arianne Beyer
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rosario Heck
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- III. Department for Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabell Burkhart
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Diana Barea Roldan
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- III. Department for Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Özlem Türeci
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kevin Yi
- Stemgent, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Ugur Sahin
- TRON—Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Mainz, Germany
- III. Department for Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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27
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Two Effective Routes for Removing Lineage Restriction Roadblocks: From Somatic Cells to Hepatocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:20873-95. [PMID: 26340624 PMCID: PMC4613233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160920873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of somatic cells to hepatocytes has fundamentally re-shaped traditional concepts regarding the limited resources for hepatocyte therapy. With the various induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation routes, most somatic cells can be effectively directed to functional stem cells, and this strategy will supply enough pluripotent material to generate promising functional hepatocytes. However, the major challenges and potential applications of reprogrammed hepatocytes remain under investigation. In this review, we provide a summary of two effective routes including direct reprogramming and indirect reprogramming from somatic cells to hepatocytes and the general potential applications of the resulting hepatocytes. Through these approaches, we are striving toward the goal of achieving a robust, mature source of clinically relevant lineages.
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28
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Vallazza B, Petri S, Poleganov MA, Eberle F, Kuhn AN, Sahin U. Recombinant messenger RNA technology and its application in cancer immunotherapy, transcript replacement therapies, pluripotent stem cell induction, and beyond. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2015; 6:471-99. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Mainz Germany
- TRON gGmbH; Mainz Germany
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29
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Almutawaa W, Rohani L, Rancourt DE. Expansion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Stirred Suspension Bioreactors. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1502:53-61. [PMID: 26786884 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2015_311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great promise as a cell source for therapeutic applications and regenerative medicine. Traditionally, hiPSCs are expanded in two-dimensional static culture as colonies in the presence or absence of feeder cells. However, this expansion procedure is associated with lack of reproducibility and low cell yields. To fulfill the large cell number demand for clinical use, robust large-scale production of these cells under defined conditions is needed. Herein, we describe a scalable, low-cost protocol for expanding hiPSCs as aggregates in a lab-scale bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walaa Almutawaa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, AB T2N 1N4
| | - Leili Rohani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, AB T2N 1N4
| | - Derrick E Rancourt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, AB T2N 1N4.
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Generation of Human β-Thalassemia Induced Pluripotent Cell Lines by Reprogramming of Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Using Modified mRNA. Cell Reprogram 2014; 16:447-55. [DOI: 10.1089/cell.2014.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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31
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Neurodegenerative diseases in a dish: the promise of iPSC technology in disease modeling and therapeutic discovery. Neurol Sci 2014; 36:21-7. [PMID: 25354658 PMCID: PMC4282683 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-014-1989-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The study of stem-cell biology has been a flourishing research area because of its multi-differentiation potential. The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) open up the possibility of addressing obstructs, such as the limited cell source, inherent complexity of the human brain, and ethical constrains. Though still at its infancy phase, reprogramming of somatic cells has been demonstrating the ability to enhance in vitro study of neurodegenerative diseases and potential treatment. However, iPSCs would not thoroughly translate to the clinic before limitations are addressed. In this review, by summarizing the recent development of iPSC-based models, we will discuss the feasibility of iPSC technology on relevant diseases depth and illustrate how this new tool applies to drug screening and celluar therapy.
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Ye H, Fussenegger M. Synthetic therapeutic gene circuits in mammalian cells. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:2537-44. [PMID: 24844435 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the emerging field of synthetic biology, scientists are focusing on designing and creating functional devices, systems, and organisms with novel functions by engineering and assembling standardised biological building blocks. The progress of synthetic biology has significantly advanced the design of functional gene networks that can reprogram metabolic activities in mammalian cells and provide new therapeutic opportunities for future gene- and cell-based therapies. In this review, we describe the most recent advances in synthetic mammalian gene networks designed for biomedical applications, including how these synthetic therapeutic gene circuits can be assembled to control signalling networks and applied to treat metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune diseases. We conclude by discussing the various challenges and future prospects of using synthetic mammalian gene networks for disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Road 500, Shanghai 200241, China; Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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Biomedically relevant circuit-design strategies in mammalian synthetic biology. Mol Syst Biol 2014; 9:691. [PMID: 24061539 PMCID: PMC3792348 DOI: 10.1038/msb.2013.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and progress in synthetic biology has been remarkable. Although still in its infancy, synthetic biology has achieved much during the past decade. Improvements in genetic circuit design have increased the potential for clinical applicability of synthetic biology research. What began as simple transcriptional gene switches has rapidly developed into a variety of complex regulatory circuits based on the transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulation. Instead of compounds with potential pharmacologic side effects, the inducer molecules now used are metabolites of the human body and even members of native cell signaling pathways. In this review, we address recent progress in mammalian synthetic biology circuit design and focus on how novel designs push synthetic biology toward clinical implementation. Groundbreaking research on the implementation of optogenetics and intercellular communications is addressed, as particularly optogenetics provides unprecedented opportunities for clinical application. Along with an increase in synthetic network complexity, multicellular systems are now being used to provide a platform for next-generation circuit design.
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