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Selvaraj S, Feist WN, Viel S, Vaidyanathan S, Dudek AM, Gastou M, Rockwood SJ, Ekman FK, Oseghale AR, Xu L, Pavel-Dinu M, Luna SE, Cromer MK, Sayana R, Gomez-Ospina N, Porteus MH. High-efficiency transgene integration by homology-directed repair in human primary cells using DNA-PKcs inhibition. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:731-744. [PMID: 37537500 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic applications of nuclease-based genome editing would benefit from improved methods for transgene integration via homology-directed repair (HDR). To improve HDR efficiency, we screened six small-molecule inhibitors of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a key protein in the alternative repair pathway of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), which generates genomic insertions/deletions (INDELs). From this screen, we identified AZD7648 as the most potent compound. The use of AZD7648 significantly increased HDR (up to 50-fold) and concomitantly decreased INDELs across different genomic loci in various therapeutically relevant primary human cell types. In all cases, the ratio of HDR to INDELs markedly increased, and, in certain situations, INDEL-free high-frequency (>50%) targeted integration was achieved. This approach has the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cell-based therapies and broaden the use of targeted integration as a research tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar Selvaraj
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - William N Feist
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sebastien Viel
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Immunology Department, Lyon Sud University Hospital, Pierre-Bénite, France
- International Center of Research in Infectiology, Lyon University, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR 5308, ENS, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Sriram Vaidyanathan
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amanda M Dudek
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marc Gastou
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sarah J Rockwood
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Freja K Ekman
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aluya R Oseghale
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Liwen Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mara Pavel-Dinu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sofia E Luna
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - M Kyle Cromer
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruhi Sayana
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Natalia Gomez-Ospina
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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2
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Aamer W, Al-Maraghi A, Syed N, Gandhi GD, Aliyev E, Al-Kurbi AA, Al-Saei O, Kohailan M, Krishnamoorthy N, Palaniswamy S, Al-Malki K, Abbasi S, Agrebi N, Abbaszadeh F, Akil ASAS, Badii R, Ben-Omran T, Lo B, Mokrab Y, Fakhro KA. Burden of Mendelian disorders in a large Middle Eastern biobank. Genome Med 2024; 16:46. [PMID: 38584274 PMCID: PMC11000384 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome sequencing of large biobanks from under-represented ancestries provides a valuable resource for the interrogation of Mendelian disease burden at world population level, complementing small-scale familial studies. METHODS Here, we interrogate 6045 whole genomes from Qatar-a Middle Eastern population with high consanguinity and understudied mutational burden-enrolled at the national Biobank and phenotyped for 58 clinically-relevant quantitative traits. We examine a curated set of 2648 Mendelian genes from 20 panels, annotating known and novel pathogenic variants and assessing their penetrance and impact on the measured traits. RESULTS We find that 62.5% of participants are carriers of at least 1 known pathogenic variant relating to recessive conditions, with homozygosity observed in 1 in 150 subjects (0.6%) for which Peninsular Arabs are particularly enriched versus other ancestries (5.8-fold). On average, 52.3 loss-of-function variants were found per genome, 6.5 of which affect a known Mendelian gene. Several variants annotated in ClinVar/HGMD as pathogenic appeared at intermediate frequencies in this cohort (1-3%), highlighting Arab founder effect, while others have exceedingly high frequencies (> 5%) prompting reconsideration as benign. Furthermore, cumulative gene burden analysis revealed 56 genes having gene carrier frequency > 1/50, including 5 ACMG Tier 3 panel genes which would be candidates for adding to newborn screening in the country. Additionally, leveraging 58 biobank traits, we systematically assess the impact of novel/rare variants on phenotypes and discover 39 candidate large-effect variants associating with extreme quantitative traits. Furthermore, through rare variant burden testing, we discover 13 genes with high mutational load, including 5 with impact on traits relevant to disease conditions, including metabolic disorder and type 2 diabetes, consistent with the high prevalence of these conditions in the region. CONCLUSIONS This study on the first phase of the growing Qatar Genome Program cohort provides a comprehensive resource from a Middle Eastern population to understand the global mutational burden in Mendelian genes and their impact on traits in seemingly healthy individuals in high consanguinity settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Aamer
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Najeeb Syed
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Elbay Aliyev
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Omayma Al-Saei
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | | | | | - Saleha Abbasi
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nourhen Agrebi
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Ramin Badii
- Diagnostic Genomic Division, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tawfeg Ben-Omran
- Section of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Pediatric, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
- Division of Genetic & Genomics Medicine, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bernice Lo
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Younes Mokrab
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Khalid A Fakhro
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
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3
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Ababio GK, Ekem I, Acquaye J, Oppong SY, Amoah AGB, Brandful J, Quaye IK. Detection of Transversions and Transitions in HBG2 Cis-Elements Associated with Sickle Cell Allele in Ghanaians. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:666-674. [PMID: 37395849 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10438-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Short tandem repeats located 5' prime to the β-globin gene, have been observed to be in linkage disequilibrium with the HbS allele, and thought to affect the severity of sickle cell disease. Here, we report on new mutants within the HBG2 region that may impact sickle cell disease. To determine the cis-acting elements microsatellites, indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), within the HBG2 region by sequencing, in subjects with sickle cell disease. The case-control study was located at the Center for Clinical Genetics, Sickle cell unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A questionnaire was used for demographic data and clinical information. Hematological profile (red blood cell, white blood cell, platelet, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume) were assessed in 83 subjects. A set of 45 samples comprising amplified DNA on the HBG2 gene from HbSS (22), HbSC (17) and 6 controls (HbAA) were sequenced. Differences in the microsatellite region between sickle cell disease (SCD) (HbSS and HbSC) genotypes and control subjects were identified by counting and assessed by Chi-square analysis. Red blood cells, hematocrit, platelets, white blood cells and hemoglobin indices differed in genotypic groups. HbSS subjects were affirmed to have severer hemolytic anemia than HbSC subjects. Two indels (T1824 and C905) were seen in both SS and SC genotypes. Two peculiar SNPs: G:T1860 (transition) and A:G1872 transversions were found within the HBG2 gene that were significantly associated with the HbSS genotype (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.006) and HbS allele respectively (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.006). Cis-acting elements in HbSS and HbSC were different and may contribute to the phenotype seen in the disease state.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Ababio
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana.
| | - I Ekem
- Department of Hematology, University of Cape Coast School of Medicine, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - J Acquaye
- Department of Hematology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - S Y Oppong
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - A G B Amoah
- Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - J Brandful
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, Legon, Ghana
| | - I K Quaye
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Namibia Medical School, Windhoek, Namibia.
- Regent University College of Science and Technology, Dansoman, Accra, Ghana.
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4
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Yang Y, He L, Xie Y, Zhu L, Wu J, Fan Y, Yang Y, Sun X. In situ correction of various β-thalassemia mutations in human hematopoietic stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1276890. [PMID: 38333188 PMCID: PMC10850376 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1276890] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
β-thalassemia (β-thal) is the most common monogenic disorder caused by various mutations in the human hemoglobin β (HBB) gene and affecting millions of people worldwide. Electroporation of Cas9 and single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex-mediated gene targeting in patient-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), followed by autologous transplantation, holds the promise to cure patients lacking a compatible bone marrow donor. In this study, a universal gene correction method was devised to achieve in situ correction of most types of HBB mutations by using validated CRISPR/sgRNA-RNP complexes and recombinant adeno-associated viral 6 (rAAV6) donor-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) in HSCs. The gene-edited HSCs exhibited multi-lineage formation abilities, and the expression of β-globin transcripts was restored in differentiated erythroid cells. The method was applied to efficiently correct different mutations in β-thal patient-derived HSCs, and the edited HSCs retained the ability to engraft into the bone marrow of immunodeficient NOD-scid-IL2Rg-/- (NSI) mice. This study provides an efficient and safe approach for targeting HSCs by HDR at the HBB locus, which provides a potential therapeutic approach for treating other types of monogenic diseases in patient-specific HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghong Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lina He
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zigong Hospital of Women and Children Health Care, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingjun Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lifen Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofang Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Rós FA, Couto SCF, Milhomens J, Ovider I, Maio KT, Jennifer V, Ramos RN, Picanço-Castro V, Kashima S, Calado RT, Barros LRC, Rocha V. A systematic review of clinical trials for gene therapies for β-hemoglobinopathy around the world. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:1300-1306. [PMID: 37318395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Amidst the success of cell therapy for the treatment of onco-hematological diseases, the first recently Food and Drug Administration-approved gene therapy product for patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) indicates the feasibility of gene therapy as curative for genetic hematologic disorders. This work analyzed the current-world scenario of clinical trials involving gene therapy for β-hemoglobinopathies. METHODS Eighteen trials for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and 24 for patients with TDT were analyzed. RESULTS Most are phase 1 and 2 trials, funded by the industry and are currently recruiting volunteers. Treatment strategies for both diseases are fetal hemoglobin induction (52.4%); addition of wild-type or therapeutic β-globin gene (38.1%) and correction of mutations (9,5%). Gene editing (52.4%) and gene addition (40.5%) are the two most used techniques. The United States and France are the countries with the greatest number of clinical trials centers for SCD, with 83.1% and 4.2%, respectively. The United States (41.1%), China (26%) and Italy (6.8%) lead TDT trials centers. CONCLUSIONS Geographic trial concentration indicates the high costs of this technology, logistical issues and social challenges that need to be overcome for gene therapy to reach low- and middle-income countries where SCD and TDT are prevalent and where they most impact the patient's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Augusto Rós
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate program in Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Samuel Campanelli Freitas Couto
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Fundação Pró-Sangue-Hemocentro de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonathan Milhomens
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ian Ovider
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate program in Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karina Tozatto Maio
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Viviane Jennifer
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Postgraduate program in Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nalio Ramos
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto D'Or de Ensino e Pesquisa, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Virginia Picanço-Castro
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Simone Kashima
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Calado
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luciana Rodrigues Carvalho Barros
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderson Rocha
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Directed Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Fundação Pró-Sangue-Hemocentro de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Translational Research in Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Churchill Hospital, Department of Hematology, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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6
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Galy A, Dewannieux M. Recent advances in hematopoietic gene therapy for genetic disorders. Arch Pediatr 2023; 30:8S24-8S31. [PMID: 38043980 DOI: 10.1016/s0929-693x(23)00224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic gene therapy is based on the transplantation of gene-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cells and since the inception of this approach, many technological and medical improvements have been achieved. This review focuses on the clinical studies that have used hematopoietic gene therapy to successfully treat several rare and severe genetic disorders of the blood or immune system as well as some non-hematological diseases. Today, in some cases hematopoietic gene therapy has progressed to the point of being equal to, or better than, allogeneic bone marrow transplant. In others, further improvements are needed to obtain more consistent efficacy or to reduce the risks posed by vectors or protocols. Several hematopoietic gene therapy products showing both long-term efficacy and safety have reached the market, but economic considerations challenge the possibility of patient access to novel disease-modifying therapies. © 2023 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of French Society of Pediatrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Galy
- ART-TG, Inserm US35, Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
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7
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Movahedi Motlagh F, Soleimanpour‐Lichaei HR, Shamsara M, Etemadzadeh A, Modarressi MH. CRISPR/Cas9 Ablated BCL11A Unveils the Genes with Possible Role of Globin Switching. Adv Pharm Bull 2023; 13:799-805. [PMID: 38022811 PMCID: PMC10676543 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2023.074] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) upregulation is a mitigating factor in β-hemoglobinopathies therapy like β-thalassemia and sickle cell diseases. Finding molecular mechanisms and the key regulators responsible for globin switching could be helpful to develop effective ways to HbF upregulation. In our prior in silico report, we identified a few factors that are likely to be responsible for globin switching. The goal of this study is to experimentally validate the factors. Methods We established K562 cell line with BCL11A knock down leading to increase in HBG1/2 using CRISPR/Cas9 system. Then, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we determined the expression level of the factors which were previously identified in our prior in silico study. Results our analysis showed that BCL11A was substantially knocked down, resulting in the upregulation of HBG1/2 in the BCL11A-ablated K562 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 system. Additionally, the experimental data acquired in this study validated our prior bioinformatics findings about three potentially responsible genes for globin switching, namely HIST1H2Bl, TRIM58, and Al133243.2. Conclusion BCL11A is a promising candidate for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies, with high HbF reactivation. In addition, HIST1H2BL, TRIM58 and Al133243.2 are likely to be involved in the mechanism of hemoglobin switching. To further validate the selected genes, more experimental in vivo and in vitro studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamid Reza Soleimanpour‐Lichaei
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- Animal Biotechnology Group, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Etemadzadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Ebrahimi S, Khosravi MA, Raz A, Karimipoor M, Parvizi P. CRISPR-Cas Technology as a Revolutionary Genome Editing tool: Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2023; 27:219-46. [PMID: 37873636 PMCID: PMC10707817 DOI: 10.61186/ibj.27.5.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Programmable nucleases are powerful genomic tools for precise genome editing. These tools precisely recognize, remove, or change DNA at a defined site, thereby, stimulating cellular DNA repair pathways that can cause mutations or accurate replacement or deletion/insertion of a sequence. CRISPR-Cas9 system is the most potent and useful genome editing technique adapted from the defense immune system of certain bacteria and archaea against viruses and phages. In the past decade, this technology made notable progress, and at present, it has largely been used in genome manipulation to make precise gene editing in plants, animals, and human cells. In this review, we aim to explain the basic principle, mechanisms of action, and applications of this system in different areas of medicine, with emphasizing on the detection and treatment of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Ebrahimi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Khosravi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Karimipoor
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Abstract
Thalassemia syndromes are common monogenic disorders and represent a significant health issue worldwide. In this review, the authors elaborate on fundamental genetic knowledge about thalassemias, including the structure and location of globin genes, the production of hemoglobin during development, the molecular lesions causing α-, β-, and other thalassemia syndromes, the genotype-phenotype correlation, and the genetic modifiers of these conditions. In addition, they briefly discuss the molecular techniques applied for diagnosis and innovative cell and gene therapy strategies to cure these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Tesio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy. https://twitter.com/nicolotesio
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Broad Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Hardouin G, Antoniou P, Martinucci P, Felix T, Manceau S, Joseph L, Masson C, Scaramuzza S, Ferrari G, Cavazzana M, Miccio A. Adenine base editor-mediated correction of the common and severe IVS1-110 (G>A) β-thalassemia mutation. Blood 2023; 141:1169-1179. [PMID: 36508706 PMCID: PMC10651780 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia (BT) is one of the most common genetic diseases worldwide and is caused by mutations affecting β-globin production. The only curative treatment is allogenic hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) transplantation, an approach limited by compatible donor availability and immunological complications. Therefore, transplantation of autologous, genetically-modified HSPCs is an attractive therapeutic option. However, current gene therapy strategies based on the use of lentiviral vectors are not equally effective in all patients and CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease-based strategies raise safety concerns. Thus, base editing strategies aiming to correct the genetic defect in patients' HSPCs could provide safe and effective treatment. Here, we developed a strategy to correct one of the most prevalent BT mutations (IVS1-110 [G>A]) using the SpRY-ABE8e base editor. RNA delivery of the base editing system was safe and led to ∼80% of gene correction in the HSPCs of patients with BT without causing dangerous double-strand DNA breaks. In HSPC-derived erythroid populations, this strategy was able to restore β-globin production and correct inefficient erythropoiesis typically observed in BT both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, this proof-of-concept study paves the way for the development of a safe and effective autologous gene therapy approach for BT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Hardouin
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Biotherapy Clinical Investigation Center, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Human Lymphohematopoiesis Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Panagiotis Antoniou
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Martinucci
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Tristan Felix
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Manceau
- Biotherapy Clinical Investigation Center, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Laure Joseph
- Biotherapy Clinical Investigation Center, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Biotherapy Department, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Masson
- Bioinformatics Platform, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Samantha Scaramuzza
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Cavazzana
- Biotherapy Clinical Investigation Center, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Human Lymphohematopoiesis Laboratory, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
- Biotherapy Department, Necker Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
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11
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Vats S, Ballesteros C, Hung S, Sparapani S, Wong K, Haruna J, Li C, Authier S. An Overview of Gene Editing Modalities and Related Non-clinical Testing Considerations. Int J Toxicol 2023; 42:207-218. [PMID: 36762691 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231153996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has become an important modality for a wide range of therapeutic indications with a rapid increase in the number of therapeutic candidates being developed in this field. Understanding the molecular biology underlying the gene therapy is often critical to develop appropriate safety assessment strategies. We aimed to discuss some of the commonly used gene therapy modalities and common preclinical toxicology testing considerations when developing gene therapies. Non-viral gene delivery methods such as electroporation, microinjection, peptide nanoparticles and lipid nanoparticles are deployed as innovative molecular molecular construct which are included in the design of novel gene therapies and the associated molecular biology mechanisms have become relevant knowledge to non-clinical toxicology. Viral gene delivery methodologies including Adenovirus vectors, Adeno-Associated virus vectors and Lentivirus gene therapy vectors have also advanced considerably across numerous therapeutic areas, raising unique non-clinical toxicology and immunological considerations. General toxicology, biodistribution and tumorigenicity are the pillars of non-clinical safety testing in gene therapies. Evaluating the tumorigenicity potential of a gene editing therapy often leverages molecular pathology while some translational challenges remain. Toxicology study design is entering a new era where science-driven customized approaches and program specific considerations have become the norm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Vats
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Selly Hung
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Karen Wong
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Christian Li
- 70294Charles River Laboratories, Laval, QC, Canada
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12
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Takase S, Hiroyama T, Shirai F, Maemoto Y, Nakata A, Arata M, Matsuoka S, Sonoda T, Niwa H, Sato S, Umehara T, Shirouzu M, Nishigaya Y, Sumiya T, Hashimoto N, Namie R, Usui M, Ohishi T, Ohba SI, Kawada M, Hayashi Y, Harada H, Yamaguchi T, Shinkai Y, Nakamura Y, Yoshida M, Ito A. A specific G9a inhibitor unveils BGLT3 lncRNA as a universal mediator of chemically induced fetal globin gene expression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:23. [PMID: 36635268 PMCID: PMC9837035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35404-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a heritable disorder caused by β-globin gene mutations. Induction of fetal γ-globin is an established therapeutic strategy. Recently, epigenetic modulators, including G9a inhibitors, have been proposed as therapeutic agents. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby these small molecules reactivate γ-globin remain unclear. Here we report the development of a highly selective and non-genotoxic G9a inhibitor, RK-701. RK-701 treatment induces fetal globin expression both in human erythroid cells and in mice. Using RK-701, we find that BGLT3 long non-coding RNA plays an essential role in γ-globin induction. RK-701 selectively upregulates BGLT3 by inhibiting the recruitment of two major γ-globin repressors in complex with G9a onto the BGLT3 gene locus through CHD4, a component of the NuRD complex. Remarkably, BGLT3 is indispensable for γ-globin induction by not only RK-701 but also hydroxyurea and other inducers. The universal role of BGLT3 in γ-globin induction suggests its importance in SCD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Takase
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Takashi Hiroyama
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Shirai
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yuki Maemoto
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakata
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Mayumi Arata
- Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Seiji Matsuoka
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sonoda
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Niwa
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shin Sato
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takashi Umehara
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yosuke Nishigaya
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Tatsunobu Sumiya
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Noriaki Hashimoto
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Namie
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Masaya Usui
- Support Unit for Bio-Material Analysis, Research Resources Division, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Ohishi
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Numazu, Shizuoka, 410-0301, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Ohba
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Numazu, Shizuoka, 410-0301, Japan
| | - Manabu Kawada
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Numazu, Shizuoka, 410-0301, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hayashi
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hironori Harada
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Tokio Yamaguchi
- RIKEN Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yoichi Shinkai
- Cellular Memory Laboratory, Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Minoru Yoshida
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan. .,Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan. .,Department of Biotechnology, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
| | - Akihiro Ito
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan. .,Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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13
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Aslan A, Yuka SA. Stem Cell-Based Therapeutic Approaches in Genetic Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1436:19-53. [PMID: 36735185 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells, which can self-renew and differentiate into different cell types, have become the keystone of regenerative medicine due to these properties. With the achievement of superior clinical results in the therapeutic approaches of different diseases, the applications of these cells in the treatment of genetic diseases have also come to the fore. Foremost, conventional approaches of stem cells to genetic diseases are the first approaches in this manner, and they have brought safety issues due to immune reactions caused by allogeneic transplantation. To eliminate these safety issues and phenotypic abnormalities caused by genetic defects, firstly, basic genetic engineering practices such as vectors or RNA modulators were combined with stem cell-based therapeutic approaches. However, due to challenges such as immune reactions and inability to target cells effectively in these applications, advanced molecular methods have been adopted in ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas genome editing nucleases, which allow modular designs in stem cell-based genetic diseases' therapeutic approaches. Current studies in genetic diseases are in the direction of creating permanent treatment regimens by genomic manipulation of stem cells with differentiation potential through genome editing tools. In this chapter, the stem cell-based therapeutic approaches of various vital genetic diseases were addressed wide range from conventional applications to genome editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayça Aslan
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selcen Arı Yuka
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Health Biotechnology Joint Research and Application Center of Excellence, Istanbul, Turkey.
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14
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Zhu J, Li H, Aerbajinai W, Kumkhaek C, Pirooznia M, Saxena A, Dagur P, Chin K, Rodgers GP. Kruppel-like factor 1-GATA1 fusion protein improves the sickle cell disease phenotype in mice both in vitro and in vivo. Blood 2022; 140:2276-2289. [PMID: 36399071 PMCID: PMC9837447 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021014877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia are among the most common genetic disorders worldwide, affecting global health and mortality. Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2, α2δ2) is expressed at a low level in adult blood due to the lack of the Kruppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) binding motif in the δ-globin promoter region. However, HbA2 is fully functional as an oxygen transporter, and could be a valid antisickling agent in SCD, as well as a substitute for hemoglobin A in β-thalassemia. We have previously demonstrated that KLF1-GATA1 fusion protein could interact with the δ-globin promoter and increase δ-globin expression in human primary CD34+ cells. We report the effects of 2 KLF1-GATA1 fusion proteins on hemoglobin expression, as well as SCD phenotypic correction in vitro and in vivo. Forced expression of KLF1-GATA1 fusion protein enhanced δ-globin gene and HbA2 expression, as well as reduced hypoxia-related sickling, in erythroid cells cultured from both human sickle CD34+ cells and SCD mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The fusion proteins had no impact on erythroid cell differentiation, proliferation, and enucleation. Transplantation of highly purified SCD mouse HSCs expressing KLF1-GATA1 fusion protein into SCD mice lessened the severity of the anemia, reduced the sickling of red blood cells, improved SCD-related pathological alterations in spleen, kidney, and liver, and restored urine-concentrating ability in recipient mice. Taken together, these results indicate that the use of KLF1-GATA1 fusion constructs may represent a new gene therapy approach for hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiong Zhu
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Hongzhen Li
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Wulin Aerbajinai
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Chutima Kumkhaek
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Core, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ankit Saxena
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Pradeep Dagur
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kyung Chin
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Griffin P. Rodgers
- Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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15
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Antoniou P, Hardouin G, Martinucci P, Frati G, Felix T, Chalumeau A, Fontana L, Martin J, Masson C, Brusson M, Maule G, Rosello M, Giovannangeli C, Abramowski V, de Villartay JP, Concordet JP, Del Bene F, El Nemer W, Amendola M, Cavazzana M, Cereseto A, Romano O, Miccio A. Base-editing-mediated dissection of a γ-globin cis-regulatory element for the therapeutic reactivation of fetal hemoglobin expression. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6618. [PMID: 36333351 PMCID: PMC9636226 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34493-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia affect the production of the adult β-hemoglobin chain. The clinical severity is lessened by mutations that cause fetal γ-globin expression in adult life (i.e., the hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin). Mutations clustering ~200 nucleotides upstream of the HBG transcriptional start sites either reduce binding of the LRF repressor or recruit the KLF1 activator. Here, we use base editing to generate a variety of mutations in the -200 region of the HBG promoters, including potent combinations of four to eight γ-globin-inducing mutations. Editing of patient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells is safe, leads to fetal hemoglobin reactivation and rescues the pathological phenotype. Creation of a KLF1 activator binding site is the most potent strategy - even in long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Compared with a Cas9-nuclease approach, base editing avoids the generation of insertions, deletions and large genomic rearrangements and results in higher γ-globin levels. Our results demonstrate that base editing of HBG promoters is a safe, universal strategy for treating β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Antoniou
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Hardouin
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Human Lymphohematopoiesis, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
- Biotherapy Department and Clinical Investigation Center, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, INSERM, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Martinucci
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Giacomo Frati
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Tristan Felix
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Anne Chalumeau
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Letizia Fontana
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jeanne Martin
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Cecile Masson
- Bioinformatics Platform, Imagine Institute, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Megane Brusson
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Maule
- CIBIO, University of Trento, 38100, Trento, Italy
| | - Marion Rosello
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75015, Paris, France
| | | | - Vincent Abramowski
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of genome dynamics in the immune system, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre de Villartay
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of genome dynamics in the immune system, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Paul Concordet
- INSERM U1154, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Filippo Del Bene
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Wassim El Nemer
- Établissement Français du Sang, UMR 7268, 13005, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Mario Amendola
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Marina Cavazzana
- Biotherapy Department and Clinical Investigation Center, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, INSERM, 75015, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
- Imagine Institute, 75015, Paris, France
| | | | - Oriana Romano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015, Paris, France.
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16
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Activation of stably silenced genes by recruitment of a synthetic de-methylating module. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5582. [PMID: 36151095 PMCID: PMC9508233 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stably silenced genes that display a high level of CpG dinucleotide methylation are refractory to the current generation of dCas9-based activation systems. To counter this, we create an improved activation system by coupling the catalytic domain of DNA demethylating enzyme TET1 with transcriptional activators (TETact). We show that TETact demethylation-coupled activation is able to induce transcription of suppressed genes, both individually and simultaneously in cells, and has utility across a number of cell types. Furthermore, we show that TETact can effectively reactivate embryonic haemoglobin genes in non-erythroid cells. We anticipate that TETact will expand the existing CRISPR toolbox and be valuable for functional studies, genetic screens and potential therapeutics. Stably silenced genes with methylated CpG at the promoter are refractory to current CRISPR activation systems. Here the authors create a more robust activation system, TETact that recruits DNA-demethylating TET1 with transcriptional activators.
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17
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Chen T, Zhang Q, Shang X, Zou S, Qin J, Li K, Lin B, Tao Z, Long X, Xu X. Diamond-Blackfan anaemia caused by a de novo initiation codon mutation resulting in a shorter isoform of GATA1. Clin Genet 2022; 102:548-554. [PMID: 36029112 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia (DBA) is an inherited marrow failure disorder characterised by selective erythroid aplasia. Herein, we reported a case of DBA caused by a novel GATA1 gene mutation. The proband manifested normocytic normochromic anaemia, while the parents were asymptomatic. Next-generation sequencing identified a novel de novo mutation at GATA1 initiation codon (GATA1:c.3G>A) in the proband. The mutation led to a shortened GATA1 protein (GATA1s), which caused a reduction in full-length functional GATA1 protein (GATA1fl). This is the first report of GATA1-related DBA patient in the East Asian population, which expanded the mutational spectrum of DBA furthering understanding of its pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuan Shang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaomin Zou
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaofeng Qin
- Department of Pediatrics, Liuzhou People's Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Kui Li
- Guangzhou Huayin Medical Laboratory Center Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangzhou Jiexu Gene Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Lin
- Guangzhou Huayin Medical Laboratory Center Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangzhou Jiexu Gene Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenzhong Tao
- Guangzhou Huayin Medical Laboratory Center Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangzhou Jiexu Gene Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xingjiang Long
- Department of Pediatrics, Liuzhou People's Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Innovative Research Center for Diagnosis and Therapy of Thalassemias, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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18
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Popay TM, Dixon JR. Coming full circle: on the origin and evolution of the looping model for enhancer-promoter communication. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102117. [PMID: 35691341 PMCID: PMC9283939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian organisms, enhancers can regulate transcription from great genomic distances. How enhancers affect distal gene expression has been a major question in the field of gene regulation. One model to explain how enhancers communicate with their target promoters, the chromatin looping model, posits that enhancers and promoters come in close spatial proximity to mediate communication. Chromatin looping has been broadly accepted as a means for enhancer–promoter communication, driven by accumulating in vitro and in vivo evidence. The genome is now known to be folded into a complex 3D arrangement, created and maintained in part by the interplay of the Cohesin complex and the DNA-binding protein CTCF. In the last few years, however, doubt over the relationship between looping and transcriptional activation has emerged, driven by studies finding that only a modest number of genes are perturbed with acute degradation of looping machinery components. In parallel, newer models describing distal enhancer action have also come to prominence. In this article, we explore the emergence and development of the looping model as a means for enhancer–promoter communication and review the contrasting evidence between historical gene-specific and current global data for the role of chromatin looping in transcriptional regulation. We also discuss evidence for alternative models to chromatin looping and their support in the literature. We suggest that, while there is abundant evidence for chromatin looping as a major mechanism for enhancer function, enhancer–promoter communication is likely mediated by more than one mechanism in an enhancer- and context-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M Popay
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jesse R Dixon
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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19
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Ata F, Yousaf Z, Sardar S, Javed S, Iqbal P, Khamees I, Malkawi LS, Yassin MA. Protocol for "Genetic composition of sickle cell disease in the Arab population: A systematic review". Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e450. [PMID: 35509404 PMCID: PMC9062566 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a global health issue in hematology with a progressively increasing prevalence. There are recent advances in the management of SCD, with new drugs being introduced. It is essential to analyze the genetic makeup of SCD regionally to anticipate the effectiveness of management modalities. This systematic review's main objectives are (a) to combine the existing knowledge of the genetic composition of SCD in the Arab population and (b) to analyze the various phenotypes of SCD prevalent in the Arab population. Methods We will perform a systematic review and search multiple electronic databases predefined search terms to identify eligible articles. Eligible studies should report findings on the genetic testing of Sickle Cell disease in the 22 Arab countries. Case reports, case series, observational studies with cross‐sectional or prospective research design, case‐control studies, and experimental studies will be included. Study quality will be independently evaluated by two reviewers using the statistical methodology and categories guided by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook and PRISMA guidelines. Discussion This review will explore and integrate the evidence available on the various genotypes and phenotypes of SCD in the Arab population. By acquiring and summarizing data about the genetic and phenotypic variants of the SCD patient population, this study will add to the knowledge and help find more precise treatments. Systematic review registration The protocol is registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42020218666).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateen Ata
- Department of Internal Medicine Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar
| | - Zohaib Yousaf
- Department of Internal Medicine Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar
| | - Sundus Sardar
- Department of Internal Medicine Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar
| | - Saad Javed
- Department of Internal Medicine Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore Pakistan
| | - Phool Iqbal
- Department of Internal Medicine Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar
| | - Ibraheem Khamees
- Department of Internal Medicine Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar
| | - Lujain Salahaldeen Malkawi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid Jordan
| | - Mohamed A Yassin
- Department of Medical Oncology/Hematology National Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar
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20
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Liu B, Brendel C, Vinjamur DS, Zhou Y, Harris C, McGuinness M, Manis JP, Bauer DE, Xu H, Williams DA. Development of a double shmiR lentivirus effectively targeting both BCL11A and ZNF410 for enhanced induction of fetal hemoglobin to treat β-hemoglobinopathies. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2693-2708. [PMID: 35526095 PMCID: PMC9372373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A promising treatment for β-hemoglobinopathies is the de-repression of γ-globin expression leading to increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) by targeting BCL11A. Here, we aim to improve a lentivirus vector (LV) containing a single BCL11A shmiR (SS) to further increase γ-globin induction. We engineered a novel LV to express two shmiRs simultaneously targeting BCL11A and the γ-globin repressor, ZNF410. Erythroid cells derived from human HSCs transduced with the double shmiR (DS) showed up to 70% reduction of both BCL11A and ZNF410 proteins. There was a consistent and significant additional 10% increase in HbF compared to targeting BCL11A alone in erythroid cells. Erythrocytes differentiated from SCD HSCs transduced with the DS demonstrated significantly reduced in vitro sickling phenotype compared to the SS. Erythrocytes differentiated from transduced HSCs from β-thalassemia major patients demonstrated improved globin chain balance by increased γ-globin with reduced microcytosis. Reconstitution of DS-transduced cells from Berkeley SCD mice was associated with a statistically larger reduction in peripheral blood hemolysis markers compared with the SS vector. Overall, these results indicate that the DS LV targeting BCL11A and ZNF410 can enhance HbF induction for treating β-hemoglobinopathies and could be used as a model to simultaneously and efficiently target multiple gene products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Liu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christian Brendel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Divya S Vinjamur
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yu Zhou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chad Harris
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meaghan McGuinness
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John P Manis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haiming Xu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David A Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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21
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Abbasalipour M, Khosravi MA, Zeinali S, Khanahmad H, Azadmanesh K, Karimipoor M. Lentiviral vector containing beta-globin gene for beta thalassemia gene therapy. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Ravi NS, Wienert B, Wyman SK, Bell HW, George A, Mahalingam G, Vu JT, Prasad K, Bandlamudi BP, Devaraju N, Rajendiran V, Syedbasha N, Pai AA, Nakamura Y, Kurita R, Narayanasamy M, Balasubramanian P, Thangavel S, Marepally S, Velayudhan SR, Srivastava A, DeWitt MA, Crossley M, Corn JE, Mohankumar KM. Identification of novel HPFH-like mutations by CRISPR base editing that elevate the expression of fetal hemoglobin. eLife 2022; 11:65421. [PMID: 35147495 PMCID: PMC8865852 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring point mutations in the HBG promoter switch hemoglobin synthesis from defective adult beta-globin to fetal gamma-globin in sickle cell patients with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) and ameliorate the clinical severity. Inspired by this natural phenomenon, we tiled the highly homologous HBG proximal promoters using adenine and cytosine base editors that avoid the generation of large deletions and identified novel regulatory regions including a cluster at the –123 region. Base editing at –123 and –124 bp of HBG promoter induced fetal hemoglobin (HbF) to a higher level than disruption of well-known BCL11A binding site in erythroblasts derived from human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). We further demonstrated in vitro that the introduction of –123T > C and –124T > C HPFH-like mutations drives gamma-globin expression by creating a de novo binding site for KLF1. Overall, our findings shed light on so far unknown regulatory elements within the HBG promoter and identified additional targets for therapeutic upregulation of fetal hemoglobin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithin Sam Ravi
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Beeke Wienert
- Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, United States
| | - Stacia K Wyman
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Henry William Bell
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anila George
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | - Jonathan T Vu
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Kirti Prasad
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | | | - Vignesh Rajendiran
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Nazar Syedbasha
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Aswin Anand Pai
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Research and Development Department, Central Blood Institute Blood Service Headquarters, Japanese Red Cross Society, Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Srujan Marepally
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Shaji R Velayudhan
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Alok Srivastava
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Mark A DeWitt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Merlin Crossley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - Jacob E Corn
- Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Rao I, Crisafulli L, Paulis M, Ficara F. Hematopoietic Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells: Hope and Promise for the Treatment of Inherited Blood Disorders. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030557. [PMID: 35159366 PMCID: PMC8834203 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited blood disorders comprise a large spectrum of diseases due to germline mutations in genes with key function in the hematopoietic system; they include immunodeficiencies, anemia or metabolic diseases. For most of them the only curative treatment is bone marrow transplantation, a procedure associated to severe complications; other therapies include red blood cell and platelet transfusions, which are dependent on donor availability. An alternative option is gene therapy, in which the wild-type form of the mutated gene is delivered into autologous hematopoietic stem cells using viral vectors. A more recent therapeutic perspective is gene correction through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, that overcomes safety concerns due to insertional mutagenesis and allows correction of base substitutions in large size genes difficult to incorporate into vectors. However, applying this technique to genomic disorders caused by large gene deletions is challenging. Chromosomal transplantation has been proposed as a solution, using a universal source of wild-type chromosomes as donor, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as acceptor. One of the obstacles to be addressed for translating PSC research into clinical practice is the still unsatisfactory differentiation into transplantable hematopoietic stem or mature cells. We provide an overview of the recent progresses in this field and discuss challenges and potential of iPSC-based therapies for the treatment of inherited blood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Rao
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (I.R.); (L.C.); (M.P.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090 Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Laura Crisafulli
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (I.R.); (L.C.); (M.P.)
- UOS Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Marianna Paulis
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (I.R.); (L.C.); (M.P.)
- UOS Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ficara
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (I.R.); (L.C.); (M.P.)
- UOS Milan Unit, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, 20138 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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24
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[Research progress on in vitro expansion and clinical application of hematopoietic stem cell]. ZHONGHUA XUE YE XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA XUEYEXUE ZAZHI 2022; 43:167-172. [PMID: 35381684 PMCID: PMC8980649 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2022.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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25
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Ramadier S, Chalumeau A, Felix T, Othman N, Aknoun S, Casini A, Maule G, Masson C, De Cian A, Frati G, Brusson M, Concordet JP, Cavazzana M, Cereseto A, El Nemer W, Amendola M, Wattellier B, Meneghini V, Miccio A. Combination of lentiviral and genome editing technologies for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Mol Ther 2022; 30:145-163. [PMID: 34418541 PMCID: PMC8753569 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a mutation in the β-globin gene leading to polymerization of the sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and deformation of red blood cells. Autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) genetically modified using lentiviral vectors (LVs) to express an anti-sickling β-globin leads to some clinical benefit in SCD patients, but it requires high-level transgene expression (i.e., high vector copy number [VCN]) to counteract HbS polymerization. Here, we developed therapeutic approaches combining LV-based gene addition and CRISPR-Cas9 strategies aimed to either knock down the sickle β-globin and increase the incorporation of an anti-sickling globin (AS3) in hemoglobin tetramers, or to induce the expression of anti-sickling fetal γ-globins. HSPCs from SCD patients were transduced with LVs expressing AS3 and a guide RNA either targeting the endogenous β-globin gene or regions involved in fetal hemoglobin silencing. Transfection of transduced cells with Cas9 protein resulted in high editing efficiency, elevated levels of anti-sickling hemoglobins, and rescue of the SCD phenotype at a significantly lower VCN compared to the conventional LV-based approach. This versatile platform can improve the efficacy of current gene addition approaches by combining different therapeutic strategies, thus reducing the vector amount required to achieve a therapeutic VCN and the associated genotoxicity risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Ramadier
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France; Phasics, Bâtiment Explorer, Espace Technologique, Route de l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 St. Aubin, France
| | - Anne Chalumeau
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Tristan Felix
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Othman
- Phasics, Bâtiment Explorer, Espace Technologique, Route de l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 St. Aubin, France
| | - Sherazade Aknoun
- Phasics, Bâtiment Explorer, Espace Technologique, Route de l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 St. Aubin, France
| | | | - Giulia Maule
- CIBIO, University of Trento, 38100 Trento, Italy
| | - Cecile Masson
- Paris-Descartes Bioinformatics Platform, Imagine Institute, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Anne De Cian
- INSERM U1154, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Giacomo Frati
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Megane Brusson
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Paul Concordet
- INSERM U1154, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Marina Cavazzana
- Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France; Imagine Institute, 75015 Paris, France; Biotherapy Department and Clinical Investigation Center, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, INSERM, 75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Wassim El Nemer
- Etablissement Français du Sang PACA-Corse, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, EFS, CNRS, ADES, "Biologie des Groupes Sanguins," 13000 Marseille, France; Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | | | - Benoit Wattellier
- Phasics, Bâtiment Explorer, Espace Technologique, Route de l'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 St. Aubin, France
| | - Vasco Meneghini
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France; Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France.
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26
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HSCT remains the only cure for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia until gene therapy strategies are proven to be safe. Bone Marrow Transplant 2021; 56:2882-2888. [PMID: 34531544 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-021-01461-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Patients with β-thalassemia suffer from severe anemia, iron overload and multiple complications, that affect their quality of life and well-being. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from an HLA-matched sibling donor, performed in childhood, has been the gold standard for thalassemic patients for decades. Unfortunately, siblings are available only for the minority of patients. Fully matched unrelated donors have been the second choice for cure, with equal results as far as overall survival is concerned, having though the cost of frequent and serious complications. On the other hand, haploidentical transplantation is performed more frequently during the last decade, with promising results. Gene therapy represents a novel therapeutic approach, with impressive results from clinical trials, both from gene addition strategies, as well as from the emerging gene editing tools. After reviewing current critical points of HSCT using alternative donors and assessing recently reported safety issues of gene therapy methods, we conclude that, although a breakthrough, the safety of gene therapy remains to be established.
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27
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Gutierrez-Guerrero A, Abrey Recalde MJ, Mangeot PE, Costa C, Bernadin O, Périan S, Fusil F, Froment G, Martinez-Turtos A, Krug A, Martin F, Benabdellah K, Ricci EP, Giovannozzi S, Gijsbers R, Ayuso E, Cosset FL, Verhoeyen E. Baboon Envelope Pseudotyped "Nanoblades" Carrying Cas9/gRNA Complexes Allow Efficient Genome Editing in Human T, B, and CD34 + Cells and Knock-in of AAV6-Encoded Donor DNA in CD34 + Cells. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:604371. [PMID: 34713246 PMCID: PMC8525375 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.604371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmable nucleases have enabled rapid and accessible genome engineering in eukaryotic cells and living organisms. However, their delivery into human blood cells can be challenging. Here, we have utilized "nanoblades," a new technology that delivers a genomic cleaving agent into cells. These are modified murine leukemia virus (MLV) or HIV-derived virus-like particle (VLP), in which the viral structural protein Gag has been fused to Cas9. These VLPs are thus loaded with Cas9 protein complexed with the guide RNAs. Highly efficient gene editing was obtained in cell lines, IPS and primary mouse and human cells. Here, we showed that nanoblades were remarkably efficient for entry into human T, B, and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) thanks to their surface co-pseudotyping with baboon retroviral and VSV-G envelope glycoproteins. A brief incubation of human T and B cells with nanoblades incorporating two gRNAs resulted in 40 and 15% edited deletion in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) gene locus, respectively. CD34+ cells (HSPCs) treated with the same nanoblades allowed 30-40% exon 1 drop-out in the WAS gene locus. Importantly, no toxicity was detected upon nanoblade-mediated gene editing of these blood cells. Finally, we also treated HSPCs with nanoblades in combination with a donor-encoding rAAV6 vector resulting in up to 40% of stable expression cassette knock-in into the WAS gene locus. Summarizing, this new technology is simple to implement, shows high flexibility for different targets including primary immune cells of human and murine origin, is relatively inexpensive and therefore gives important prospects for basic and clinical translation in the area of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Gutierrez-Guerrero
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Maria Jimena Abrey Recalde
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France.,Laboratory of Lentiviral Vectors and Gene Therapy, University Institute of Italian Hospital, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Philippe E Mangeot
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Costa
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Ornellie Bernadin
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Séverine Périan
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Floriane Fusil
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Gisèle Froment
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Adrien Krug
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, Nice, France
| | - Francisco Martin
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Genomic Medicine Department, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Emiliano P Ricci
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France.,Laboratory of Biology and Modeling of the Cell (LBMC), Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon), Université Claude Bernard, Inserm, U1210, CNRS, UMR5239, Lyon, France
| | - Simone Giovannozzi
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology & Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology & Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eduard Ayuso
- INSERM UMR1089, University of Nantes, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, Nice, France
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28
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Azhagiri MKK, Babu P, Venkatesan V, Thangavel S. Homology-directed gene-editing approaches for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell gene therapy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:500. [PMID: 34503562 PMCID: PMC8428126 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02565-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of next-generation genome engineering tools like CRISPR-Cas9 has transformed the field of gene therapy, rendering targeted treatment for several incurable diseases. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) continue to be the ideal target cells for gene manipulation due to their long-term repopulation potential. Among the gene manipulation strategies such as lentiviral gene augmentation, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated gene editing, base editing and prime editing, only the homology-directed repair (HDR)-mediated gene editing provides the option of inserting a large transgene under its endogenous promoter or any desired locus. In addition, HDR-mediated gene editing can be applied for the gene knock-out, correction of point mutations and introduction of beneficial mutations. HSPC gene therapy studies involving lentiviral vectors and NHEJ-based gene-editing studies have exhibited substantial clinical progress. However, studies involving HDR-mediated HSPC gene editing have not yet progressed to the clinical testing. This suggests the existence of unique challenges in exploiting HDR pathway for HSPC gene therapy. Our review summarizes the mechanism, recent progresses, challenges, and the scope of HDR-based gene editing for the HSPC gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar K Azhagiri
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), a Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Prathibha Babu
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), a Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Vigneshwaran Venkatesan
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), a Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Saravanabhavan Thangavel
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), a Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
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29
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Drysdale CM, Nassehi T, Gamer J, Yapundich M, Tisdale JF, Uchida N. Hematopoietic-Stem-Cell-Targeted Gene-Addition and Gene-Editing Strategies for β-hemoglobinopathies. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:191-208. [PMID: 33545079 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a well-defined point mutation in the β-globin gene and therefore is an optimal target for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene-addition/editing therapy. In HSC gene-addition therapy, a therapeutic β-globin gene is integrated into patient HSCs via lentiviral transduction, resulting in long-term phenotypic correction. State-of-the-art gene-editing technology has made it possible to repair the β-globin mutation in patient HSCs or target genetic loci associated with reactivation of endogenous γ-globin expression. With both approaches showing signs of therapeutic efficacy in patients, we discuss current genetic treatments, challenges, and technical advances in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Drysdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tina Nassehi
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jackson Gamer
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Morgan Yapundich
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John F Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Naoya Uchida
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
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30
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Boontanrart MY, Schröder MS, Stehli GM, Banović M, Wyman SK, Lew RJ, Bordi M, Gowen BG, DeWitt MA, Corn JE. ATF4 Regulates MYB to Increase γ-Globin in Response to Loss of β-Globin. Cell Rep 2021; 32:107993. [PMID: 32755585 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107993] [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: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Hemoglobinopathies can trigger rapid production of red blood cells in a process known as stress erythropoiesis. Cellular stress prompts differentiating erythroid precursors to express high levels of fetal γ-globin. However, the mechanisms underlying γ-globin production during cellular stress are still poorly defined. Here, we use CRISPR-Cas genome editing to model the stress caused by reduced levels of adult β-globin. We find that decreased β-globin is sufficient to induce robust re-expression of γ-globin, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of differentiating isogenic erythroid precursors implicates ATF4 as a causal regulator of this response. ATF4 binds within the HBS1L-MYB intergenic enhancer and regulates expression of MYB, a known γ-globin regulator. Overall, the reduction of ATF4 upon β-globin knockout decreases the levels of MYB and BCL11A. Identification of ATF4 as a key regulator of globin compensation adds mechanistic insight to the poorly understood phenomenon of stress-induced globin compensation and could inform strategies to treat hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Y Boontanrart
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | - Marija Banović
- Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Stacia K Wyman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Rachel J Lew
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Matteo Bordi
- Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin G Gowen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Mark A DeWitt
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jacob E Corn
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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31
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Conran N, Embury SH. Sickle cell vaso-occlusion: The dialectic between red cells and white cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:1458-1472. [PMID: 33794696 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211005392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia, a hereditary hemoglobinopathy, has fascinated clinicians and scientists alike since its description over 100 years ago. A single gene mutation in the HBB gene results in the production of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) S, whose polymerization when deoxygenated alters the physiochemical properties of red blood cells, in turn triggering pan-cellular activation and pathological mechanisms that include hemolysis, vaso-occlusion, and ischemia-reperfusion to result in the varied and severe complications of the disease. Now widely regarded as an inflammatory disease, in recent years attention has included the role of leukocytes in vaso-occlusive processes in view of the part that these cells play in innate immune processes, their inherent ability to adhere to the endothelium when activated, and their sheer physical and potentially obstructive size. Here, we consider the role of sickle red blood cell populations in elucidating the importance of adhesion vis-a-vis polymerization in vaso-occlusion, review the direct adhesion of sickle red cells to the endothelium in vaso-occlusive processes, and discuss how red cell- and leukocyte-centered mechanisms are not mutually exclusive. Given the initial clinical success of crizanlizumab, a specific anti-P selectin therapy, we suggest that it is appropriate to take a holistic approach to understanding and exploring the complexity of vaso-occlusive mechanisms and the adhesive roles of the varied cell types, including endothelial cells, platelets, leukocytes, and red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Conran
- Hematology Center, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Barão Geraldo 13083-8, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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32
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Comisel RM, Kara B, Fiesser FH, Farid SS. Lentiviral vector bioprocess economics for cell and gene therapy commercialization. Biochem Eng J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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33
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Zittersteijn HA, Harteveld CL, Klaver-Flores S, Lankester AC, Hoeben RC, Staal FJT, Gonçalves MAFV. A Small Key for a Heavy Door: Genetic Therapies for the Treatment of Hemoglobinopathies. Front Genome Ed 2021; 2:617780. [PMID: 34713239 PMCID: PMC8525365 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.617780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the past decades, the search for a treatment for severe hemoglobinopathies has gained increased interest within the scientific community. The discovery that ɤ-globin expression from intact HBG alleles complements defective HBB alleles underlying β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, has provided a promising opening for research directed at relieving ɤ-globin repression mechanisms and, thereby, improve clinical outcomes for patients. Various gene editing strategies aim to reverse the fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch to up-regulate ɤ-globin expression through disabling either HBG repressor genes or repressor binding sites in the HBG promoter regions. In addition to these HBB mutation-independent strategies involving fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis de-repression, the expanding genome editing toolkit is providing increased accuracy to HBB mutation-specific strategies encompassing adult hemoglobin (HbA) restoration for a personalized treatment of hemoglobinopathies. Moreover, besides genome editing, more conventional gene addition strategies continue under investigation to restore HbA expression. Together, this research makes hemoglobinopathies a fertile ground for testing various innovative genetic therapies with high translational potential. Indeed, the progressive understanding of the molecular clockwork underlying the hemoglobin switch together with the ongoing optimization of genome editing tools heightens the prospect for the development of effective and safe treatments for hemoglobinopathies. In this context, clinical genetics plays an equally crucial role by shedding light on the complexity of the disease and the role of ameliorating genetic modifiers. Here, we cover the most recent insights on the molecular mechanisms underlying hemoglobin biology and hemoglobinopathies while providing an overview of state-of-the-art gene editing platforms. Additionally, current genetic therapies under development, are equally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidde A. Zittersteijn
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis L. Harteveld
- Department of Human and Clinical Genetics, The Hemoglobinopathies Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan C. Lankester
- Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Transplantation Program, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Rob C. Hoeben
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Frank J. T. Staal
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Abstract
The ability to read, write, and edit genomic information in living organisms can have a profound impact on research, health, economic, and environmental issues. The CRISPR/Cas system, recently discovered as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes, has revolutionized the ease and throughput of genome editing in mammalian cells and has proved itself indispensable to the engineering of immune cells and identification of novel immune mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the CRISPR/Cas9 system and the history of its discovery and optimization. We then focus on engineering T cells and other types of immune cells, with emphasis on therapeutic applications. Last, we describe the different modifications of Cas9 and their recent applications in the genome-wide screening of immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segi Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Cedric Hupperetz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seongjoon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Chan Hyuk Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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35
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Antoniou P, Miccio A, Brusson M. Base and Prime Editing Technologies for Blood Disorders. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:618406. [PMID: 34713251 PMCID: PMC8525391 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.618406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclease-based genome editing strategies hold great promise for the treatment of blood disorders. However, a major drawback of these approaches is the generation of potentially harmful double strand breaks (DSBs). Base editing is a CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing technology that allows the introduction of point mutations in the DNA without generating DSBs. Two major classes of base editors have been developed: cytidine base editors or CBEs allowing C>T conversions and adenine base editors or ABEs allowing A>G conversions. The scope of base editing tools has been extensively broadened, allowing higher efficiency, specificity, accessibility to previously inaccessible genetic loci and multiplexing, while maintaining a low rate of Insertions and Deletions (InDels). Base editing is a promising therapeutic strategy for genetic diseases caused by point mutations, such as many blood disorders and might be more effective than approaches based on homology-directed repair, which is moderately efficient in hematopoietic stem cells, the target cell population of many gene therapy approaches. In this review, we describe the development and evolution of the base editing system and its potential to correct blood disorders. We also discuss challenges of base editing approaches-including the delivery of base editors and the off-target events-and the advantages and disadvantages of base editing compared to classical genome editing strategies. Finally, we summarize the recent technologies that have further expanded the potential to correct genetic mutations, such as the novel base editing system allowing base transversions and the more versatile prime editing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Mégane Brusson
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
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36
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Chalumeau A, Frati G, Magrin E, Miccio A. Reverse Phase-high-performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) Analysis of Globin Chains from Human Erythroid Cells. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e3899. [PMID: 33732786 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
β-hemoglobinopathies are severe genetic disorders characterized either by the abnormal synthesis of the adult β-globin chains of the hemoglobin (Hb) tetramer (βS-globin chains) in sickle cell disease (SCD) or by the reduced β-globin production in β-thalassemia. The identification and quantification of globin chains are crucial for the diagnosis of these diseases and for testing new therapeutic approaches aimed at correcting the β-hemoglobinopathy phenotype. Conventional techniques to detect the different Hb molecules include cellulose-acetate electrophoresis (CEA), capillary electrophoresis (CE), isoelectric focusing (IEF), and cation-exchange-HPLC (CE-HPLC). However, these methods cannot distinguish the different globin chains and precisely determine their relative expression. We have set up a high-resolution and reproducible reverse phase-HPLC (RP-HPLC) to detect and identify the globin chains composing the hemoglobin tetramers based on their different hydrophobic properties. RP-HPLC mobile phases are composed of acetonitrile (ACN) that creates a hydrophobic environment and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which breaks the heme group within the Hb tetramers releasing individual globin chains. Hb-containing lysates are loaded onto the AerisTM 3.6-µm WIDEPORE C4 200 Å LC Column and a gradient of increasing hydrophobicity of the mobile phase over time allows globin chain separation. The relative amount of globin chains is measured at a wavelength (λ) of 220 nm. This protocol is designed for evaluating globin chains in (i) red blood cells (RBCs) obtained from human peripheral blood, (ii) RBCs in vitro differentiated from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and (iii) burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E), i.e., erythroid progenitors obtained in vitro from human peripheral blood or in vitro cultured HSPCs. This technique allows to precisely identify the different globin chains and obtain a relative quantification. RP-HPLC can be used to confirm the diagnosis of β-hemoglobinopathies, to evaluate the disease severity and validate novel approaches for the treatment of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Chalumeau
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Giacomo Frati
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Elisa Magrin
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Université de Paris, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of chromatin and gene regulation during development, INSERM UMR 1163, F-75015, Paris, France
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When basic science reaches into rational therapeutic design: from historical to novel leads for the treatment of β-globinopathies. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 27:141-148. [PMID: 32167946 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW β-hemoglobinopathies, such as β-Thalassemias (β-Thal) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are among the most common inherited genetic disorders in humans worldwide. These disorders are characterized by a quantitative (β-Thal) or qualitative (SCD) defects in adult hemoglobin production, leading to anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and severe secondary complications. Reactivation of the fetal globin genes (γ-globin), making-up fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which are normally silenced in adults, represents a major strategy to ameliorate anemia and disease severity. RECENT FINDINGS Following the identification of the first 'switching factors' for the reactivation of fetal globin gene expression more than 10 years ago, a multitude of novel leads have recently been uncovered. SUMMARY Recent findings provided invaluable functional insights into the genetic and molecular networks controlling globin genes expression, revealing that complex repression systems evolved in erythroid cells to maintain HbF silencing in adults. This review summarizes these unique and exciting discoveries of the regulatory factors controlling the globin switch. New insights and novel leads for therapeutic strategies based on the pharmacological induction of HbF are discussed. This represents a major breakthrough for rational drug design in the treatment of β-Thal and SCD.
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38
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Kim S, Hupperetz C, Lim S, Kim CH. Genome editing of immune cells using CRISPR/Cas9. BMB Rep 2021; 54:59-69. [PMID: 33298251 PMCID: PMC7851445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to read, write, and edit genomic information in living organisms can have a profound impact on research, health, economic, and environmental issues. The CRISPR/Cas system, recently discovered as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes, has revolutionized the ease and throughput of genome editing in mammalian cells and has proved itself indispensable to the engineering of immune cells and identification of novel immune mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the CRISPR/ Cas9 system and the history of its discovery and optimization. We then focus on engineering T cells and other types of immune cells, with emphasis on therapeutic applications. Last, we describe the different modifications of Cas9 and their recent applications in the genome-wide screening of immune cells. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(1): 59-69].
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Affiliation(s)
- Segi Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Cedric Hupperetz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seongjoon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Chan Hyuk Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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39
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Konishi CT, Long C. Progress and challenges in CRISPR-mediated therapeutic genome editing for monogenic diseases. J Biomed Res 2020; 35:148-162. [PMID: 33402545 PMCID: PMC8038532 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.34.20200105] [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] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There are an estimated 10 000 monogenic diseases affecting tens of millions of individuals worldwide. The application of CRISPR/Cas genome editing tools to treat monogenic diseases is an emerging strategy with the potential to generate personalized treatment approaches for these patients. CRISPR/Cas-based systems are programmable and sequence-specific genome editing tools with the capacity to generate base pair resolution manipulations to DNA or RNA. The complexity of genomic insults resulting in heritable disease requires patient-specific genome editing strategies with consideration of DNA repair pathways, and CRISPR/Cas systems of different types, species, and those with additional enzymatic capacity and/or delivery methods. In this review we aim to discuss broad and multifaceted therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas gene editing systems including in harnessing of homology directed repair, non-homologous end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, and base editing to permanently correct diverse monogenic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin T Konishi
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Chengzu Long
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.,Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.,Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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40
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Mashel TV, Tarakanchikova YV, Muslimov AR, Zyuzin MV, Timin AS, Lepik KV, Fehse B. Overcoming the delivery problem for therapeutic genome editing: Current status and perspective of non-viral methods. Biomaterials 2020; 258:120282. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ponomarenko M, Sharypova E, Drachkova I, Chadaeva I, Arkova O, Podkolodnaya O, Ponomarenko P, Kolchanov N, Savinkova L. Unannotated single nucleotide polymorphisms in the TATA box of erythropoiesis genes show in vitro positive involvements in cognitive and mental disorders. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 21:165. [PMID: 33092544 PMCID: PMC7579878 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-020-01106-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemoglobin is a tetramer consisting of two α-chains and two β-chains of globin. Hereditary aberrations in the synthesis of one of the globin chains are at the root of thalassemia, one of the most prevalent monogenic diseases worldwide. In humans, in addition to α- and β-globins, embryonic zeta-globin and fetal γ-globin are expressed. Immediately after birth, the expression of fetal Aγ- and Gγ-globin ceases, and then adult β-globin is mostly expressed. It has been shown that in addition to erythroid cells, hemoglobin is widely expressed in nonerythroid cells including neurons of the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum in rodents; embryonic and adult brain neurons in mice; and mesencephalic dopaminergic brain cells in humans, mice, and rats. Lately, there is growing evidence that different forms of anemia (changes in the number and quality of blood cells) may be involved in (or may accompany) the pathogenesis of various cognitive and mental disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, depression of various severity levels, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. Higher hemoglobin concentrations in the blood may lead to hyperviscosity, hypovolemia, and lung diseases, which may cause brain hypoxia and anomalies of brain function, which may also result in cognitive deficits. METHODS In this study, a search for unannotated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of erythroid genes was initially performed using our previously created and published SNP-TATA_Z-tester, which is a Web service for computational analysis of a given SNP for in silico estimation of its influence on the affinity of TATA-binding protein (TBP) for TATA and TATA-like sequences. The obtained predictions were finally verified in vitro by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS On the basis of these experimental in vitro results and literature data, we studied TATA box SNPs influencing both human erythropoiesis and cognitive abilities. For instance, TBP-TATA affinity in the HbZ promoter decreases 6.6-fold as a result of a substitution in the TATA box (rs113180943), thereby possibly disrupting stage-dependent events of "switching" of hemoglobin genes and thus causing erythroblastosis. Therefore, rs113180943 may be a candidate marker of severe hemoglobinopathies with comorbid cognitive and mental disorders associated with cerebral blood flow disturbances. CONCLUSIONS The literature data and experimental and computations results suggest that the uncovered candidate SNP markers of erythropoiesis anomalies may also be studied in cohorts of patients with cognitive and/or mental disorders with comorbid erythropoiesis diseases in comparison to conventionally healthy volunteers. Research into the regulatory mechanisms by which the identified SNP markers contribute to the development of hemoglobinopathies and of the associated cognitive deficits will allow physicians not only to take timely and adequate measures against hemoglobinopathies but also to implement strategies preventing cognitive and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Ponomarenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia. .,Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova Street, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina Sharypova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Irina Drachkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Irina Chadaeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Olga Arkova
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova Street, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Olga Podkolodnaya
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Petr Ponomarenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Nikolay Kolchanov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Ludmila Savinkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies are the most common single-gene diseases and are estimated to affect millions of people worldwide. Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are the most prevalent diseases of this group. Today, despite the decreasing number of newborns diagnosed with a hemoglobinopathy, it remains an important health problem for many countries. Although regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, advanced iron chelation, and supportive therapy alternatives have improved life expectancy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative option for patients with hemoglobinopathies to prevent irreversible organ damage. Modern transplantation approaches and careful posttransplantation follow-up of patients have improved survival outcomes, and HSCT has now been performed in several patients with hemoglobinopathies worldwide. Considering current experiences, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is recommended in cases of β-thalassemia (β-thal) in the presence of a matched family or unrelated donor, without secondary organ damage due to transfusion. In patients with sickle cell anemia, transplantation indications include transfusion dependence and cases of secondary organ damage. Recently, gene therapy as a possible treatment option has yielded promising results, though it is not in routine clinical use at its current stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Akif Yesilipek
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Medicalpark Antalya Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
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43
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Yang P, Chou SJ, Li J, Hui W, Liu W, Sun N, Zhang RY, Zhu Y, Tsai ML, Lai HI, Smalley M, Zhang X, Chen J, Romero Z, Liu D, Ke Z, Zou C, Lee CF, Jonas SJ, Ban Q, Weiss PS, Kohn DB, Chen K, Chiou SH, Tseng HR. Supramolecular nanosubstrate-mediated delivery system enables CRISPR-Cas9 knockin of hemoglobin beta gene for hemoglobinopathies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/43/eabb7107. [PMID: 33097539 PMCID: PMC7608838 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb7107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Leveraging the endogenous homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway, the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system can be applied to knock in a therapeutic gene at a designated site in the genome, offering a general therapeutic solution for treating genetic diseases such as hemoglobinopathies. Here, a combined supramolecular nanoparticle (SMNP)/supramolecular nanosubstrate-mediated delivery (SNSMD) strategy is used to facilitate CRISPR-Cas9 knockin of the hemoglobin beta (HBB) gene into the adeno-associated virus integration site 1 (AAVS1) safe-harbor site of an engineered K562 3.21 cell line harboring the sickle cell disease mutation. Through stepwise treatments of the two SMNP vectors encapsulating a Cas9•single-guide RNA (sgRNA) complex and an HBB/green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding plasmid, CRISPR-Cas9 knockin was successfully achieved via HDR. Last, the HBB/GFP-knockin K562 3.21 cells were introduced into mice via intraperitoneal injection to show their in vivo proliferative potential. This proof-of-concept demonstration paves the way for general gene therapeutic solutions for treating hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yang
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shih-Jie Chou
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jindian Li
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9061, USA
| | - Wenqiao Hui
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Wenfei Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Na Sun
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ryan Y Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ming-Long Tsai
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Henkie I Lai
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Matthew Smalley
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jiayuan Chen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zulema Romero
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, DGSOM, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Dahai Liu
- School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Zunfu Ke
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chang Zou
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Chin-Fa Lee
- Department of Chemistry, i-Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture, National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), 145 Xingda Road, South Dist., Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Steven J Jonas
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute, California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Qian Ban
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Paul S Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Donald B Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, DGSOM, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Kai Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9061, USA.
| | - Shih-Hwa Chiou
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomic Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging (CIMI), California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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44
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Dai C, Lin Z, Agarwal K, Mikhael C, Aich A, Gupta K, Cho JH. Self-Assembled 3D Nanosplit Rings for Plasmon-Enhanced Optofluidic Sensing. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:6697-6705. [PMID: 32808792 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c02575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plasmonic sensors are commonly defined on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces with an enhanced electromagnetic field only near the surface, which requires precise positioning of the targeted molecules within hotspots. To address this challenge, we realize segmented nanocylinders that incorporate plasmonic (1-50 nm) gaps within three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures (nanocylinders) using electron irradiation triggered self-assembly. The 3D structures allow desired plasmonic patterns on their inner cylindrical walls forming the nanofluidic channels. The nanocylinders bridge nanoplasmonics and nanofluidics by achieving electromagnetic field enhancement and fluid confinement simultaneously. This hybrid system enables rapid diffusion of targeted species to the larger spatial hotspots in the 3D plasmonic structures, leading to enhanced interactions that contribute to a higher sensitivity. This concept has been demonstrated by characterizing an optical response of the 3D plasmonic nanostructures using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which shows enhancement over a 22 times higher intensity for hemoglobin fingerprints with nanocylinders compared to 2D nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Dai
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Zihao Lin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kriti Agarwal
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carol Mikhael
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Anupam Aich
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Kalpna Gupta
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- SCIRE, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, California 90822, United States
| | - Jeong-Hyun Cho
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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45
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Precise and error-prone CRISPR-directed gene editing activity in human CD34+ cells varies widely among patient samples. Gene Ther 2020; 28:105-113. [PMID: 32873924 PMCID: PMC7902267 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-00192-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and their associated CRISPR-associated nucleases (Cas) are among the most promising technologies for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies including Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). We are only beginning to identify the molecular variables that influence the specificity and the efficiency of CRISPR- directed gene editing, including the position of the cleavage site and the inherent variability among patient samples selected for CRISPR-directed gene editing. Here, we target the beta globin gene in human CD34+ cells to assess the impact of these two variables and find that both contribute to the global diversity of genetic outcomes. Our study demonstrates a unique genetic profile of indels that is generated based on where along the beta globin gene attempts are made to correct the SCD single base mutation. Interestingly, even within the same patient sample, the location of where along the beta globin gene the DNA is cut, HDR activity varies widely. Our data establish a framework upon which realistic protocols inform strategies for gene editing for SCD overcoming the practical hurdles that often impede clinical success.
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46
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Salinas Cisneros G, Thein SL. Recent Advances in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. Front Physiol 2020; 11:435. [PMID: 32508672 PMCID: PMC7252227 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) was first described in the Western literature more than 100 years ago. Elucidation of its molecular basis prompted numerous biochemical and genetic studies that have contributed to a better understanding of its pathophysiology. Unfortunately, the translation of such knowledge into developing treatments has been disproportionately slow and elusive. In the last 10 years, discovery of BCL11A, a major γ-globin gene repressor, has led to a better understanding of the switch from fetal to adult hemoglobin and a resurgence of efforts on exploring pharmacological and genetic/genomic approaches for reactivating fetal hemoglobin as possible therapeutic options. Alongside therapeutic reactivation of fetal hemoglobin, further understanding of stem cell transplantation and mixed chimerism as well as gene editing, and genomics have yielded very encouraging outcomes. Other advances have contributed to the FDA approval of three new medications in 2017 and 2019 for management of sickle cell disease, with several other drugs currently under development. In this review, we will focus on the most important advances in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Salinas Cisneros
- Sickle Cell Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Swee L Thein
- Sickle Cell Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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47
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de Azevedo JTC, Malmegrim KCR. Immune mechanisms involved in sickle cell disease pathogenesis: current knowledge and perspectives. Immunol Lett 2020; 224:1-11. [PMID: 32437728 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a single point mutation in the β-chain of the hemoglobin gene that results in the replacement of glutamic acid with valine in the hemoglobin protein. However, recent studies have demonstrated that alterations in several other genes, especially immune related genes, may be associated with complications of SCD. In fact, higher chronic inflammatory status is related to more severe clinical symptoms in SCD patients, suggesting crucial roles of the immune system in SCD physiopathology. Nevertheless, although participation of innate immune cells in SCD pathogenesis has been broadly and extensively described, little is known about the roles of the adaptive immune system in this disease. In addition, the influence of treatments on the immune system of SCD patients and their complications (such as alloimmunization) are not yet completely understood. Thus, we reviewed the current knowledge about the immune mechanisms involved in SCD pathogenesis. We suggest recommendations for future studies to allow for a broader understanding of SCD pathogenesis, helping in the development of new therapies and improvement in the life quality and expectancy of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Teixeira Cottas de Azevedo
- Center for Cell-based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Kelen Cristina Ribeiro Malmegrim
- Center for Cell-based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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48
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Bou-Fakhredin R, Tabbikha R, Daadaa H, Taher AT. Emerging therapies in β-thalassemia: toward a new era in management. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2020; 25:113-122. [DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2020.1752180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Bou-Fakhredin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rami Tabbikha
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hisham Daadaa
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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49
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Liu W, Kleine-Holthaus SM, Herranz-Martin S, Aristorena M, Mole SE, Smith AJ, Ali RR, Rahim AA. Experimental gene therapies for the NCLs. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165772. [PMID: 32220628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), also known as Batten disease, are a group of rare monogenic neurodegenerative diseases predominantly affecting children. All NCLs are lethal and incurable and only one has an approved treatment available. To date, 13 NCL subtypes (CLN1-8, CLN10-14) have been identified, based on the particular disease-causing defective gene. The exact functions of NCL proteins and the pathological mechanisms underlying the diseases are still unclear. However, gene therapy has emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy for this group of conditions. Here we provide a short review discussing updates on the current gene therapy studies for the NCLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfei Liu
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK
| | | | - Saul Herranz-Martin
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK; Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC) and Departamento de Biología Molecular,Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sara E Mole
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | | | - Robin R Ali
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Ahad A Rahim
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK.
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50
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Lentiviral and genome-editing strategies for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies. Blood 2020; 134:1203-1213. [PMID: 31467062 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019000949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are the most prevalent monogenic diseases. These disorders are caused by quantitative or qualitative defects in the production of adult hemoglobin. Gene therapy is a potential treatment option for patients lacking an allogenic compatible hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donor. New-generation lentiviral vectors (LVs) carrying a β-globin-like gene have revolutionized this field by allowing effective HSC transduction, with no evidence of genotoxicity to date. Several clinical trials with different types of vector are underway worldwide; the initial results are encouraging with regard to the sustained production of therapeutic hemoglobin, improved biological parameters, a lower transfusion requirement, and better quality of life. Long-term follow-up studies will confirm the safety of LV-based gene therapy. The optimization of patient conditioning, HSC harvesting, and HSC transduction has further improved the therapeutic potential of this approach. Novel LV-based strategies for reactivating endogenous fetal hemoglobin (HbF) are also promising, because elevated HbF levels can reduce the severity of both β-thalassemia and SCD. Lastly, genome-editing approaches designed to correct the disease-causing mutation or reactivate HbF are currently under investigation. Here, we discuss the clinical outcomes of current LV-based gene addition trials and the promising advantages of novel alternative therapeutic strategies.
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