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Chan AWS, Cho IK, Li CX, Zhang X, Patel S, Rusnak R, Raper J, Bachevalier J, Moran SP, Chi T, Cannon KH, Hunter CE, Martin RC, Xiao H, Yang SH, Gumber S, Herndon JG, Rosen RF, Hu WT, Lah JJ, Levey AI, Smith Y, Walker LC. Cerebral Aβ deposition in an Aβ-precursor protein-transgenic rhesus monkey. AGING BRAIN 2022; 2:100044. [PMID: 36589695 PMCID: PMC9802652 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With the ultimate goal of developing a more representative animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), two female amyloid-β-(Aβ) precursor protein-transgenic (APPtg) rhesus monkeys were generated by lentiviral transduction of the APP gene into rhesus oocytes, followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The APP-transgene included the AD-associated Swedish K670N/M671L and Indiana V717F mutations (APPSWE/IND) regulated by the human polyubiquitin-C promoter. Overexpression of APP was confirmed in lymphocytes and brain tissue. Upon sacrifice at 10 years of age, one of the monkeys had developed Aβ plaques and cerebral Aβ-amyloid angiopathy in the occipital, parietal, and caudal temporal neocortices. The induction of Aβ deposition more than a decade prior to its usual emergence in the rhesus monkey supports the feasibility of creating a transgenic nonhuman primate model for mechanistic analyses and preclinical testing of treatments for Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony W S Chan
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - In Ki Cho
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Chun-Xia Li
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Sudeep Patel
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Rebecca Rusnak
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Jessica Raper
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jocelyne Bachevalier
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Psychology, Emory College, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sean P Moran
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Tim Chi
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Katherine H Cannon
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Carissa E Hunter
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Ryan C Martin
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Hailian Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - James G Herndon
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Rebecca F Rosen
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - William T Hu
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - James J Lah
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Allan I Levey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yoland Smith
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lary C Walker
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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2
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Chu C, Zhang W, Kang Y, Si C, Ji W, Niu Y, Zhang Y. Analysis of developmental imprinting dynamics in primates using SNP-free methods to identify imprinting defects in cloned placenta. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2826-2840.e7. [PMID: 34619096 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Our knowledge of genomic imprinting in primates is lagging behind that of mice largely because of the difficulties of allelic analyses in outbred animals. To understand imprinting dynamics in primates, we profiled transcriptomes, DNA methylomes, and H3K27me3 in uniparental monkey embryos. We further developed single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP)-free methods, TARSII and CARSII, to identify germline differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in somatic tissues. Our comprehensive analyses showed that allelic DNA methylation, but not H3K27me3, is a major mark that correlates with paternal-biasedly expressed genes (PEGs) in uniparental monkey embryos. Interestingly, primate germline DMRs are different from PEG-associated DMRs in early embryos and are enriched in placenta. Strikingly, most placenta-specific germline DMRs are lost in placenta of cloned monkeys. Collectively, our study establishes SNP-free germline DMR identification methods, defines developmental imprinting dynamics in primates, and demonstrates imprinting defects in cloned monkey placenta, which provides important clues for improving primate cloning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yu Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Chenyang Si
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Weizhi Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Yuyu Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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3
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Morin EL, Garza KM, Aoued H, Sannigrahi S, Siebert ER, Howell BR, Walum H, Sanchez MM, Dias BG. Profiling nonhuman primate germline RNA to understand the legacy of early life stress. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 337:15-23. [PMID: 34498433 PMCID: PMC8671153 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to stress is a risk factor for perturbed mental health, including impoverished regulation of emotional and physiological responses that accompany anxiety and mood disorders, substance abuse and behavioral disorders. Such disruptions to well‐being could be triggered by discrete environmental events or pervasive early life stress (ELS) resulting for example from adverse caregiving. Recent data mostly collected from rodents exposed to anthropogenic stressors suggest that one way via which the detrimental effects of such stress extend beyond the exposed population to future offspring is via stress‐induced alterations of RNA found in the paternal germline. In contrast, less attention has been paid to how naturally occurring stress in males might influence offspring biology and behavior. In this study, we used a translational nonhuman primate model of ELS caused by naturally occurring adverse caregiving of infant macaques to (1) profile total RNA in the adolescent male germline, and (2) identify how those RNA profiles are affected by exposure to ELS. Our findings that the top 100 transcripts identified correspond to transcripts related to germline biology and reproduction demonstrate the validity and feasibility of profiling RNA in the germline of rhesus macaques. While our small sample sizes precluded definitive assessment of stress‐induced alterations of RNA in the male germline of rhesus macaques that experienced ELS, our study sets the foundation for future investigations of how early adversity might alter the male germline, across species and in experimental protocols that involve anthropogenic vs natural stressors. The top 100 genes in the male germline for which RNA sequences aligned to the sense strand were relevant to male germline‐related biology and reproduction. Sequences aligned to the antisense strand that may play an important role in regulation of gene expression in the zygote after fertilization were also found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse L Morin
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kristie M Garza
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hadj Aoued
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Soma Sannigrahi
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Erin R Siebert
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Brittany R Howell
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, Virginia, USA.,Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Hasse Walum
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mar M Sanchez
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Brian G Dias
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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4
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Mitchell AS, Hartig R, Basso MA, Jarrett W, Kastner S, Poirier C. International primate neuroscience research regulation, public engagement and transparency opportunities. Neuroimage 2021; 229:117700. [PMID: 33418072 PMCID: PMC7994292 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientific excellence is a necessity for progress in biomedical research. As research becomes ever more international, establishing international collaborations will be key to advancing our scientific knowledge. Understanding the similarities in standards applied by different nations to animal research, and where the differences might lie, is crucial. Cultural differences and societal values will also contribute to these similarities and differences between countries and continents. Our overview is not comprehensive for all species, but rather focuses on non-human primate (NHP) research, involving New World marmosets and Old World macaques, conducted in countries where NHPs are involved in neuroimaging research. Here, an overview of the ethics and regulations is provided to help assess welfare standards amongst primate research institutions. A comparative examination of these standards was conducted to provide a basis for establishing a common set of standards for animal welfare. These criteria may serve to develop international guidelines, which can be managed by an International Animal Welfare and Use Committee (IAWUC). Internationally, scientists have a moral responsibility to ensure excellent care and welfare of their animals, which in turn, influences the quality of their research. When working with animal models, maintaining a high quality of care ("culture of care") and welfare is essential. The transparent promotion of this level of care and welfare, along with the results of the research and its impact, may reduce public concerns associated with animal experiments in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Mitchell
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Renée Hartig
- Centre for Integrative Neurosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michele A Basso
- Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences UCLA Los Angeles 90095, CA United States
| | - Wendy Jarrett
- Understanding Animal Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabine Kastner
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute & Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Colline Poirier
- Biosciences Institute & Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
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5
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Preclinical Development of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Based Gene Therapy for Immune Deficiencies: A Journey from Mouse Cage to Bed Side. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12060549. [PMID: 32545727 PMCID: PMC7357087 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials using patient’s own corrected hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), such as for primary immunodeficiencies (Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency, X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome (WAS)), have yielded promising results in the clinic; endorsing gene therapy to become standard therapy for a number of diseases. However, the journey to achieve such a successful therapy is not easy, and several challenges have to be overcome. In this review, we will address several different challenges in the development of gene therapy for immune deficiencies using our own experience with Recombinase-activating gene 1 (RAG1) SCID as an example. We will discuss product development (targeting of the therapeutic cells and choice of a suitable vector and delivery method), the proof-of-concept (in vitro and in vivo efficacy, toxicology, and safety), and the final release steps to the clinic (scaling up, good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures/protocols and regulatory hurdles).
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6
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Chansel‐Debordeaux L, Bezard E. Local transgene expression and whole-body transgenesis to model brain diseases in nonhuman primate. Animal Model Exp Med 2019; 2:9-17. [PMID: 31016282 PMCID: PMC6431118 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal model is an essential tool in the life sciences research, notably in understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases and for further therapeutic intervention success. Rodents have been the most frequently used animals to model human disease since the establishment of gene manipulation technique. However, they remain inadequate to fully mimic the pathophysiology of human brain disease, partially due to huge differences between rodents and humans in terms of anatomy, brain function, and social behaviors. Nonhuman primates are more suitable in translational perspective. Thus, genetically modified animals have been generated to investigate neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The classical transgenesis technique is not efficient in that model; so, viral vector-mediated transgene delivery and the new genome-editing technologies have been promoted. In this review, we summarize some of the technical progress in the generation of an ad hoc animal model of brain diseases by gene delivery and real transgenic nonhuman primate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Chansel‐Debordeaux
- Institut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUniversity of BordeauxUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
- CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
- CHU BordeauxService de Biologie de la reproduction‐CECOSBordeauxFrance
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Institut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUniversity of BordeauxUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
- CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
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7
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Chu C, Yang Z, Yang J, Yan L, Si C, Kang Y, Chen Z, Chen Y, Ji W, Niu Y. Homologous recombination-mediated targeted integration in monkey embryos using TALE nucleases. BMC Biotechnol 2019; 19:7. [PMID: 30646876 PMCID: PMC6334428 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-018-0494-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Non-human primate (NHP) models can closely mimic human physiological functions and are therefore highly valuable in biomedical research. Genome editing is now developing rapidly due to the precision and efficiency offered by engineered site-specific endonuclease-based systems, such as transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9) system. It has been demonstrated that these programmable nucleases can introduce genetic changes in embryos from many species including NHPs. In 2014, we reported the first genetic editing of macaques using TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9. Subsequently, we characterized the phenotype of a methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2)-mutant cynomolgus monkey model of Rett syndrome generated using the TALEN approach. These efforts not only accelerated the advance of modeling genetic diseases in NHPs, but also encouraged us to develop specific gene knock-in monkeys. In this study, we assess the possibility of homologous recombination (HR)-mediated gene replacement using TALENs in monkeys, and generate preimplantation embryos carrying an EmGFP fluorescent reporter constructed in the OCT4 gene. Result We assembled a pair of TALENs specific to the first exon of the OCT4 gene and constructed a donor vector consisting of the homology arms cloned from the monkey genome DNA, flanking an EmGFP cassette. Next, we co-injected the TALENs-coding plasmid and donor plasmid into the cytoplasm of 122 zygotes 6–8 h after fertilization. Sequencing and immunofluorescence revealed that the OCT4-EmGFP knock-in allele had been successfully generated by TALENs-mediated HR at an efficiency of 11.3% (7 out of 62) or 11.1% (1 out of 9), respectively, in monkey embryos. Conclusion We have successfully, for the first time, obtained OCT4-EmGFP knock-in monkey embryos via HR mediated by TALENs. Our results suggest that gene targeting through TALEN-assisted HR is a useful approach to introduce precise genetic modification in NHPs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12896-018-0494-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Chu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zhaohui Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jiayin Yang
- The Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Li Yan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Chenyang Si
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yu Kang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zhenzhen Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yongchang Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Weizhi Ji
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yuyu Niu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedicine Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China.
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8
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Aron Badin R. Nonhuman Primate Models of Huntington's Disease and Their Application in Translational Research. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1780:267-284. [PMID: 29856024 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7825-0_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a monogenic, autosomal dominant inherited fatal disease that affects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide. Given its unique genetic characteristics, HD would appear as one of the most straightforward neurodegenerative diseases to replicate in animal models. Indeed, mutations in the HTT gene have been used to generate a variety of animal models that display differential pathologies and have significantly increased our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of HD. However, decades of efforts have also shown the complexity of recapitulating the human condition in other species. Here we describe the three different types of models that have been generated in nonhuman primate species, stating their advantages and limitations and attempt to give a critical perspective of their translational value to test the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies. Obtaining construct, phenotypic, and predictive validity has proven to be challenging in most animal models of human diseases. In HD in particular, it is hard to assess the predictive validity of a new therapeutic strategy when no effective "benchmark" treatment is available in the clinic. In this light, only phenotypic/face validity and construct validity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Aron Badin
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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9
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Gaspar D, Zeugolis DI. Engineering in vitro complex pathophysiologies for drug discovery purposes. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1341-1344. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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10
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Lentiviral transgenesis in mice via a simple method of viral concentration. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1427-1435. [PMID: 27264740 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic animals are important in vivo models for biological research. However, low transgenic rates are commonly reported in the literature. Lentiviral transgenesis is a promising method that has greater efficiency with regard to generating transgenic animals, although the transgenic rate of this approach is highly dependent on different transgenes and concentrated lentiviruses. In this study, we modified a method to concentrate lentiviruses using a table centrifuge, commonly available in most laboratories, and carried out analysis of the transgenic efficiency in mice. Based on 26 individual constructs and 627 live pups, we found that the overall transgenic rate was more than 30%, which is higher than obtained with pronuclear microinjection. In addition, we did not find any significant differences in transgenic efficiency when the size of inserts was less than 5000 bp. These results not only show that our modified method can successfully generate transgenic mice but also suggest that this approach could be generally applied to different constructs when the size of inserts is less than 5000 bp. It is anticipated that the results of this study can help encourage the wider laboratory use of lentiviral transgenesis in mice.
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11
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El-Shamayleh Y, Ni AM, Horwitz GD. Strategies for targeting primate neural circuits with viral vectors. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:122-34. [PMID: 27052579 PMCID: PMC4961743 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00087.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how the brain works requires understanding how different types of neurons contribute to circuit function and organism behavior. Progress on this front has been accelerated by optogenetics and chemogenetics, which provide an unprecedented level of control over distinct neuronal types in small animals. In primates, however, targeting specific types of neurons with these tools remains challenging. In this review, we discuss existing and emerging strategies for directing genetic manipulations to targeted neurons in the adult primate central nervous system. We review the literature on viral vectors for gene delivery to neurons, focusing on adeno-associated viral vectors and lentiviral vectors, their tropism for different cell types, and prospects for new variants with improved efficacy and selectivity. We discuss two projection targeting approaches for probing neural circuits: anterograde projection targeting and retrograde transport of viral vectors. We conclude with an analysis of cell type-specific promoters and other nucleotide sequences that can be used in viral vectors to target neuronal types at the transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine El-Shamayleh
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Amy M Ni
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gregory D Horwitz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and
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12
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Autism-like behaviours and germline transmission in transgenic monkeys overexpressing MeCP2. Nature 2016; 530:98-102. [PMID: 26808898 DOI: 10.1038/nature16533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) has crucial roles in transcriptional regulation and microRNA processing. Mutations in the MECP2 gene are found in 90% of patients with Rett syndrome, a severe developmental disorder with autistic phenotypes. Duplications of MECP2-containing genomic segments cause the MECP2 duplication syndrome, which shares core symptoms with autism spectrum disorders. Although Mecp2-null mice recapitulate most developmental and behavioural defects seen in patients with Rett syndrome, it has been difficult to identify autism-like behaviours in the mouse model of MeCP2 overexpression. Here we report that lentivirus-based transgenic cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) expressing human MeCP2 in the brain exhibit autism-like behaviours and show germline transmission of the transgene. Expression of the MECP2 transgene was confirmed by western blotting and immunostaining of brain tissues of transgenic monkeys. Genomic integration sites of the transgenes were characterized by a deep-sequencing-based method. As compared to wild-type monkeys, MECP2 transgenic monkeys exhibited a higher frequency of repetitive circular locomotion and increased stress responses, as measured by the threat-related anxiety and defensive test. The transgenic monkeys showed less interaction with wild-type monkeys within the same group, and also a reduced interaction time when paired with other transgenic monkeys in social interaction tests. The cognitive functions of the transgenic monkeys were largely normal in the Wisconsin general test apparatus, although some showed signs of stereotypic cognitive behaviours. Notably, we succeeded in generating five F1 offspring of MECP2 transgenic monkeys by intracytoplasmic sperm injection with sperm from one F0 transgenic monkey, showing germline transmission and Mendelian segregation of several MECP2 transgenes in the F1 progeny. Moreover, F1 transgenic monkeys also showed reduced social interactions when tested in pairs, as compared to wild-type monkeys of similar age. Together, these results indicate the feasibility and reliability of using genetically engineered non-human primates to study brain disorders.
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Schubert R, Frank F, Nagelmann N, Liebsch L, Schuldenzucker V, Schramke S, Wirsig M, Johnson H, Kim EY, Ott S, Hölzner E, Demokritov SO, Motlik J, Faber C, Reilmann R. Neuroimaging of a minipig model of Huntington's disease: Feasibility of volumetric, diffusion-weighted and spectroscopic assessments. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 265:46-55. [PMID: 26658298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As novel treatment approaches for Huntington's disease (HD) evolve, the use of transgenic (tg) large animal models has been considered for preclinical safety and efficacy assessments. It is hoped that large animal models may provide higher reliability in translating preclinical findings to humans, e.g., by using similar endpoints and biomarkers. NEW METHOD We here investigated the feasibility to conduct MRI assessments in a recently developed tgHD model in the Libechov minipig. The model is characterized by high genetic homology to humans and a similar body mass and compartments. The minipig brain provides anatomical features that are attractive for imaging studies and could be used as endpoints for disease modifying preclinical studies similar to human HD. RESULTS We demonstrate that complex MRI protocols can be successfully acquired with tgHD and wild type (wt) Libechov minipigs. We show that acquisition of anatomical images applicable for volumetric assessments is feasible and outline the development of a segmented MRI brain atlas. Similarly diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) including fiber tractography is presented. We also demonstrate the feasibility to conduct in vivo metabolic assessments using MR spectroscopy. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS In human HD, these MRI methods are already validated and used as reliable biomarker of disease progression even before the onset of a clinical motor phenotype. CONCLUSIONS The results show that the minipig brain is well suited for MRI assessments in preclinical studies. We conclude that further characterization of phenotypical differences between tg and wt animals in sufficiently powered cross-sectional and longitudinal studies is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Schubert
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Frauke Frank
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany; Dept of Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Nina Nagelmann
- Dept of Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Lennart Liebsch
- Dept of Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Verena Schuldenzucker
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Sarah Schramke
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany; Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Maike Wirsig
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Hans Johnson
- Dept of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, IowaCity, IA, USA; Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, IowaCity, IA, USA
| | - Eun Young Kim
- Dept of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, IowaCity, IA, USA
| | - Stefanie Ott
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Eva Hölzner
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Sergej O Demokritov
- Department of Physics and Center for Nonlinear Science, University of Muenster, Germany
| | - Jan Motlik
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Cornelius Faber
- Dept of Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Ralf Reilmann
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, 48149 Muenster, Germany; Dept of Radiology, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149 Muenster, Germany; Department of Neurology, University of Munster, Germany; Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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Schultz-Darken N, Braun KM, Emborg ME. Neurobehavioral development of common marmoset monkeys. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 58:141-58. [PMID: 26502294 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) monkeys are a resource for biomedical research and their use is predicted to increase due to the suitability of this species for transgenic approaches. Identification of abnormal neurodevelopment due to genetic modification relies upon the comparison with validated patterns of normal behavior defined by unbiased methods. As scientists unfamiliar with nonhuman primate development are interested to apply genomic editing techniques in marmosets, it would be beneficial to the field that the investigators use validated methods of postnatal evaluation that are age and species appropriate. This review aims to analyze current available data on marmoset physical and behavioral postnatal development, describe the methods used and discuss next steps to better understand and evaluate marmoset normal and abnormal postnatal neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Schultz-Darken
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
| | - Katarina M Braun
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
| | - Marina E Emborg
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.,Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
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Moran S, Chi T, Prucha MS, Ahn KS, Connor-Stroud F, Jean S, Gould K, Chan AWS. Germline transmission in transgenic Huntington's disease monkeys. Theriogenology 2015; 84:277-85. [PMID: 25917881 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic nonhuman primate models are an increasingly popular model for neurologic and neurodegenerative disease because their brain functions and neural anatomies closely resemble those of humans. Transgenic Huntington's disease monkeys (HD monkeys) developed clinical features similar to those seen in HD patients, making the monkeys suitable for a preclinical study of HD. However, until HD monkey colonies can be readily expanded, their use in preclinical studies will be limited. In the present study, we confirmed germline transmission of the mutant huntingtin (mHTT) transgene in both embryonic stem cells generated from three male HD monkey founders (F0) and in second-generation offspring (F1) produced via artificial insemination by using intrauterine insemination technique. A total of five offspring were produced from 15 females that were inseminated by intrauterine insemination using semen collected from the three HD founders (5 of 15, 33%). Thus far, sperm collected from the HD founder (rHD8) has led to two F1 transgenic HD monkeys with germline transmission rate at 100% (2 of 2). mHTT expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using skin fibroblasts from the F1 HD monkeys and induced pluripotent stem cells established from one of the F1 HD monkeys (rHD8-2). Here, we report the stable germline transmission and expression of the mHTT transgene in HD monkeys, which suggest possible expansion of HD monkey colonies for preclinical and biomedical research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Moran
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tim Chi
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Melinda S Prucha
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kwang Sung Ahn
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Fawn Connor-Stroud
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sherrie Jean
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kenneth Gould
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anthony W S Chan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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16
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Generation of a monkey with MECP2 mutations by TALEN-based gene targeting. Neurosci Bull 2014; 30:381-6. [PMID: 24838303 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-014-1434-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene editing in model organisms has provided critical insights into brain development and diseases. Here, we report the generation of a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) carrying MECP2 mutations using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs)-mediated gene targeting. After injecting TALENs mRNA into monkey zygotes achieved by in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation into surrogate monkeys, we obtained one male newborn monkey with an MECP2 deletion caused by frameshifting mutation in various tissues. The monkey carrying the MECP2 mutation failed to survive after birth, due to either the toxicity of TALENs or the critical requirement of MECP2 for neural development. The level of MeCP2 protein was essentially depleted in the monkey's brain. This study demonstrates the feasibility of introducing genetic mutations in non-human primates by site-specific gene-editing methods.
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17
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He H, Teng H, Zhou T, Guo Y, Wang G, Lin M, Sun Y, Si W, Zhou Z, Guo X, Huo R. Unravelling the proteome of adult rhesus monkey ovaries. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2014; 10:653-62. [DOI: 10.1039/c3mb70312f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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18
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Delimitreva S, Wedi E, Bakker J, Tkachenko OY, Nikolova V, Nayudu PL. Numerical chromosome disorders in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)--comparison between two captive colonies. J Med Primatol 2013; 42:177-85. [PMID: 23600894 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosomal analyses were performed for marmosets from two colonies - Deutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ) and Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC). Chlorine-based disinfectants are used in DPZ; no chemical disinfection is applied in BPRC. METHODS The rates of chromosomal non-disjunction, polyploidy and endoreduplication were investigated after G-banding. RESULTS For DPZ monkeys, the mean rates of non-disjunction were 7.6% for bone marrow and 11.3% for lymphocytes. The polyploidy level was 2.5% in bone marrow and 0.8% in blood. Frequency of endoreduplication in bone marrow and in leucocytes was 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively. For BPRC, the rate of non-disjunction in leucocytes (1.3%) was significantly lower than that for DPZ; the polyploidy rate (0.2%) in blood was lower than that in DPZ; endoreduplication was not observed. CONCLUSION The levels of chromosomal disorders are elevated for DPZ colony. We suggest that the increased rate of chromosomal disorders in DPZ marmosets can be related to the chemical disinfection of their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Delimitreva
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biomedicine, German Primate Center, Goettingen, Germany.
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19
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Vaquer G, Rivière F, Mavris M, Bignami F, Llinares-Garcia J, Westermark K, Sepodes B. Animal models for metabolic, neuromuscular and ophthalmological rare diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2013; 12:287-305. [PMID: 23493083 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are important tools in the discovery and development of treatments for rare diseases, particularly given the small populations of patients in which to evaluate therapeutic candidates. Here, we provide a compilation of mammalian animal models for metabolic, neuromuscular and ophthalmological orphan-designated conditions based on information gathered by the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) since its establishment in 2000, as well as from a review of the literature. We discuss the predictive value of the models and their advantages and limitations with the aim of highlighting those that are appropriate for the preclinical evaluation of novel therapies, thereby facilitating further drug development for rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Vaquer
- Human Medicines Special Areas, Human Medicines Development and Evaluation, European Medicines Agency, London E14 4HB, UK
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20
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Ward JM, Vallender EJ. The resurgence and genetic implications of New World primates in biomedical research. Trends Genet 2012; 28:586-91. [PMID: 23099234 PMCID: PMC3500444 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Revised: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There has been a recent resurgence of interest in New World monkeys within the biomedical research community, driven by both the sequencing of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) genome and a growing demand for alternatives to Old World primates. New World monkeys offer attractive advantages over Old World species, including cheaper and simpler husbandry, while still maintaining a greater evolutionary proximity to humans compared with other animal models. Although numerous commonalities across primate species exist, there are also important genetic and reproductive differences that can and should play a critical role in selecting appropriate animal models. Common marmosets in particular have significantly reduced diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci and are born as hematopoietic chimeras. New World primates can make ideal translational models for research, but scientists must necessarily incorporate complete understandings of their genetic and phenotypic differences from humans and other model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Ward
- New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, One Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772, USA
| | - Eric J. Vallender
- New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, One Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772, USA
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21
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Ghiglieri V, Bagetta V, Calabresi P, Picconi B. Functional interactions within striatal microcircuit in animal models of Huntington's disease. Neuroscience 2012; 211:165-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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22
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Chen Y, Niu Y, Ji W. Transgenic nonhuman primate models for human diseases: approaches and contributing factors. J Genet Genomics 2012; 39:247-51. [PMID: 22749011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 04/29/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) provide powerful experimental models to study human development, cognitive functions and disturbances as well as complex behavior, because of their genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Therefore, NHPs are appropriate models for the study of human diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, which occur as a result of genetic mutations. However, such diseases afflicting humans do not occur naturally in NHPs. So transgenic NHPs need to be established to understand the etiology of disease pathology and pathogenesis. Compared to rodent genetic models, the generation of transgenic NHPs for human diseases is inefficient, and only a transgenic monkey model for Huntington's disease has been reported. This review focuses on potential approaches and contributing factors for generating transgenic NHPs to study human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchang Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
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23
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Cheng PH, Li CL, Her LS, Chang YF, Chan AWS, Chen CM, Yang SH. Significantly differential diffusion of neuropathological aggregates in the brain of transgenic mice carrying N-terminal mutant huntingtin fused with green fluorescent protein. Brain Struct Funct 2012; 218:283-94. [PMID: 22422149 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-012-0401-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetically neurodegenerative disease, affecting the central nervous system and leading to mental and motor dysfunctions. To date, there is no cure for HD; as a result, HD patients gradually suffer devastating symptoms, such as chorea, weight loss, depression and mood swings, until death. According to previous studies, the exon 1 region of the huntingtin (HTT) gene with expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats plays a critical role in causing HD. In vitro studies using exon 1 of HTT fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene have facilitated discovering several mechanisms of HD. However, whether this chimera construct exerts similar functions in vivo is still not clear. Here, we report the generation of transgenic mice carrying GFP fused with mutant HTT exon 1 containing 84 CAG trinucleotide repeats, and the evaluation of phenotypes via molecular, neuropathological and behavioral analyses. Results show that these transgenic mice not only displayed neuropathological characteristics, observed either by green fluorescent signals or by immunohistochemical staining, but also progressively developed pathological and behavioral symptoms of HD. Most interestingly, these transgenic mice showed significantly differential expression levels of nuclear aggregates between cortex and striatum regions, highly mimicking selective expression of mutant HTT in HD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing different nuclear diffusion profiling in mouse models with transgenic mice carrying the exon 1 region of mutant HTT. Our model will be beneficial for tracing the expression of mutant HTT and accelerating the understanding of selective pathological progression in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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24
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CHEN YONGCHANG, NIU YUYU, YANG SHIHUA, HE XIECHAO, JI SHAOHUI, SI WEI, TANG XIANGHUI, XIE YUNHUA, WANG HONG, LU YONGQING, ZHOU QI, JI WEIZHI. The Available Time Window for Embryo Transfer in the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta). Am J Primatol 2012; 74:165-73. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.21017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - QI ZHOU
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing; China
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Ruiz M, Déglon N. Viral-mediated overexpression of mutant huntingtin to model HD in various species. Neurobiol Dis 2011; 48:202-11. [PMID: 21889981 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2011.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin (Htt) gene. Despite intensive efforts devoted to investigating the mechanisms of its pathogenesis, effective treatments for this devastating disease remain unavailable. The lack of suitable models recapitulating the entire spectrum of the degenerative process has severely hindered the identification and validation of therapeutic strategies. The discovery that the degeneration in HD is caused by a mutation in a single gene has offered new opportunities to develop experimental models of HD, ranging from in vitro models to transgenic primates. However, recent advances in viral-vector technology provide promising alternatives based on the direct transfer of genes to selected sub-regions of the brain. Rodent studies have shown that overexpression of mutant human Htt in the striatum using adeno-associated virus or lentivirus vectors induces progressive neurodegeneration, which resembles that seen in HD. This article highlights progress made in modeling HD using viral vector gene transfer. We describe data obtained with of this highly flexible approach for the targeted overexpression of a disease-causing gene. The ability to deliver mutant Htt to specific tissues has opened pathological processes to experimental analysis and allowed targeted therapeutic development in rodent and primate pre-clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ruiz
- Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Institute of Biomedical Imaging (I2BM), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Fang X, Zhang Y, Zhang R, Yang L, Li M, Ye K, Guo X, Wang J, Su B. Genome sequence and global sequence variation map with 5.5 million SNPs in Chinese rhesus macaque. Genome Biol 2011; 12:R63. [PMID: 21733155 PMCID: PMC3218825 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2011-12-7-r63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Revised: 05/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is the most widely used nonhuman primate animal in biomedical research. A global map of genetic variations in rhesus macaque is valuable for both evolutionary and functional studies. Results Using next-generation sequencing technology, we sequenced a Chinese rhesus macaque genome with 11.56-fold coverage. In total, 96% of the reference Indian macaque genome was covered by at least one read, and we identified 2.56 million homozygous and 2.94 million heterozygous SNPs. We also detected a total of 125,150 structural variations, of which 123,610 were deletions with a median length of 184 bp (ranging from 25 bp to 10 kb); 63% of these deletions were located in intergenic regions and 35% in intronic regions. We further annotated 5,187 and 962 nonsynonymous SNPs to the macaque orthologs of human disease and drug-target genes, respectively. Finally, we set up a genome-wide genetic variation database with the use of Gbrowse. Conclusions Genome sequencing and construction of a global sequence variation map in Chinese rhesus macaque with the concomitant database provide applicable resources for evolutionary and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Fang
- Beijing Genomics Institute-Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
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27
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Simerly C, McFarland D, Castro C, Lin CC, Redinger C, Jacoby E, Mich-Basso J, Orwig K, Mills P, Ahrens E, Navara C, Schatten G. Interspecies chimera between primate embryonic stem cells and mouse embryos: monkey ESCs engraft into mouse embryos, but not post-implantation fetuses. Stem Cell Res 2011; 7:28-40. [PMID: 21543277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2011.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2010] [Revised: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unequivocal evidence for pluripotency in which embryonic stem cells contribute to chimeric offspring has yet to be demonstrated in human or nonhuman primates (NHPs). Here, rhesus and baboons ESCs were investigated in interspecific mouse chimera generated by aggregation or blastocyst injection. Aggregation chimera produced mouse blastocysts with GFP-nhpESCs at the inner cell mass (ICM), and embryo transfers (ETs) generated dimly-fluorescencing abnormal fetuses. Direct injection of GFP-nhpESCs into blastocysts produced normal non-GFP-fluorescencing fetuses. Injected chimera showed >70% loss of GFP-nhpESCs after 21 h culture. Outgrowths of all chimeric blastocysts established distinct but separate mouse- and NHP-ESC colonies. Extensive endogenous autofluorescence compromised anti-GFP detection and PCR analysis did not detect nhpESCs in fetuses. NhpESCs localize to the ICM in chimera and generate pregnancies. Because primate ESCs do not engraft post-implantation, and also because endogenous autofluorescence results in misleading positive signals, interspecific chimera assays for pluripotency with primate stem cells is unreliable with the currently available ESCs. Testing primate ESCs reprogrammed into even more naïve states in these inter-specific chimera assays will be an important future endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Simerly
- Division of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh Development Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Coors ME, Glover JJ, Juengst ET, Sikela JM. The ethics of using transgenic non-human primates to study what makes us human. Nat Rev Genet 2010; 11:658-62. [PMID: 20717156 PMCID: PMC2995325 DOI: 10.1038/nrg2864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A flood of comparative genomic data is resulting in the identification of human lineage-specific (HLS) sequences. As apes are our closest evolutionary relatives, transgenic introduction of HLS sequences into these species has the greatest potential to produce 'humanized' phenotypes and also to illuminate the functions of these sequences. We argue that such transgenic apes would also be more likely than other species to experience harm from such research, which renders such studies ethically unacceptable in apes and justifies regulatory barriers between these species and other non-human primates for HLS transgenic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn E Coors
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Bioethics and Humanities, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA.
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