1
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Jericó D, Córdoba KM, Urigo F, Enríquez de Salamanca R, Anderson KE, Deybach JC, Ávila MA, Fontanellas A. Exploring current and emerging therapies for porphyrias. Liver Int 2024; 44:2174-2190. [PMID: 38813953 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Porphyrias are rare, mostly inherited disorders resulting from altered activity of specific enzymes in the haem synthesis pathway that lead to accumulation of pathway intermediates. Photocutaneous symptoms occur when excess amounts of photoreactive porphyrins circulate in the blood to the skin, whereas increases in potentially neurotoxic porphyrin precursors are associated with neurovisceral symptoms. Current therapies are suboptimal and their mechanisms are not well established. As described here, emerging therapies address underlying disease mechanisms by introducing a gene, RNA or other specific molecule with the potential to cure or slow progression of the disease. Recent progress in nanotechnology and nanoscience, particularly regarding particle design and formulation, is expanding disease targets. More secure and efficient drug delivery systems have extended our toolbox for transferring specific molecules, especially into hepatocytes, and led to proof-of-concept studies in animal models. Repurposing existing drugs as molecular chaperones or haem synthesis inhibitors is also promising. This review summarizes key examples of these emerging therapeutic approaches and their application for hepatic and erythropoietic porphyrias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jericó
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karol M Córdoba
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francesco Urigo
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Enríquez de Salamanca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reference Center for Inherited Metabolic Disease-MetabERN, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, UCM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karl E Anderson
- Porphyria Laboratory and Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jean-Charles Deybach
- French Porphyria Reference Center (CRMR Porphyries France), Université Paris, Paris, France
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Bitounis D, Amiji MM. Lipid nanoparticles target haematopoietic stem cells. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:1249-1250. [PMID: 38849545 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01682-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Bitounis
- Global Investigative Toxicology, Preclinical Safety, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Feng Q, Li Q, Zhou H, Wang Z, Lin C, Jiang Z, Liu T, Wang D. CRISPR technology in human diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e672. [PMID: 39081515 PMCID: PMC11286548 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene editing is a growing gene engineering technique that allows accurate editing of a broad spectrum of gene-regulated diseases to achieve curative treatment and also has the potential to be used as an adjunct to the conventional treatment of diseases. Gene editing technology, mainly based on clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein systems, which is capable of generating genetic modifications in somatic cells, provides a promising new strategy for gene therapy for a wide range of human diseases. Currently, gene editing technology shows great application prospects in a variety of human diseases, not only in therapeutic potential but also in the construction of animal models of human diseases. This paper describes the application of gene editing technology in hematological diseases, solid tumors, immune disorders, ophthalmological diseases, and metabolic diseases; focuses on the therapeutic strategies of gene editing technology in sickle cell disease; provides an overview of the role of gene editing technology in the construction of animal models of human diseases; and discusses the limitations of gene editing technology in the treatment of diseases, which is intended to provide an important reference for the applications of gene editing technology in the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Feng
- Laboratory Animal CenterCollege of Animal ScienceJilin UniversityChangchunChina
- Research and Development CentreBaicheng Medical CollegeBaichengChina
| | - Qirong Li
- Laboratory Animal CenterCollege of Animal ScienceJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Hengzong Zhou
- Laboratory Animal CenterCollege of Animal ScienceJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Zhan Wang
- Laboratory Animal CenterCollege of Animal ScienceJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Chao Lin
- School of Grain Science and TechnologyJilin Business and Technology CollegeChangchunChina
| | - Ziping Jiang
- Department of Hand and Foot SurgeryThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Tianjia Liu
- Research and Development CentreBaicheng Medical CollegeBaichengChina
| | - Dongxu Wang
- Laboratory Animal CenterCollege of Animal ScienceJilin UniversityChangchunChina
- Department of Hand and Foot SurgeryThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
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4
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Alex K, Winkler EC. Comparative ethical evaluation of epigenome editing and genome editing in medicine: first steps and future directions. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024; 50:398-406. [PMID: 37527926 PMCID: PMC11137457 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2022-108888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeted modifications of the human epigenome, epigenome editing (EE), are around the corner. For EE, techniques similar to genome editing (GE) techniques are used. While in GE the genetic information is changed by directly modifying DNA, intervening in the epigenome requires modifying the configuration of DNA, for example, how it is folded. This does not come with alterations in the base sequence ('genetic code'). To date, there is almost no ethical debate about EE, whereas the discussions about GE are voluminous. Our article introduces EE into bioethics by translating knowledge from science to ethics and by comparing the risks of EE with those of GE. We, first (I), make the case that a broader ethical debate on EE is due, provide scientific background on EE, compile potential use-cases and recap previous debates. We then (II) compare EE and GE and suggest that the severity of risks of novel gene technologies depends on three factors: (i) the choice of an ex vivo versus an in vivo editing approach, (ii) the time of intervention and intervention windows and (iii) the targeted diseases. Moreover, we show why germline EE is not effective and reject the position of strong epigenetic determinism. We conclude that EE is not always ethically preferable to GE in terms of risks, and end with suggestions for next steps in the current ethical debate on EE by briefly introducing ethical challenges of new areas of preventive applications of EE (III).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Alex
- Section Translational Medical Ethics, Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva C Winkler
- Section Translational Medical Ethics, Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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5
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Leonard A, Weiss MJ. Hematopoietic stem cell collection for sickle cell disease gene therapy. Curr Opin Hematol 2024; 31:104-114. [PMID: 38359264 PMCID: PMC11414477 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) is advancing rapidly, with two transformative products recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and numerous others under study. All current gene therapy protocols require ex vivo modification of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, several SCD-related problems impair HSC collection, including a stressed and damaged bone marrow, potential cytotoxicity by the major therapeutic drug hydroxyurea, and inability to use granulocyte colony stimulating factor, which can precipitate severe vaso-occlusive events. RECENT FINDINGS Peripheral blood mobilization of HSCs using the CXCR4 antagonist plerixafor followed by apheresis collection was recently shown to be safe and effective for most SCD patients and is the current strategy for mobilizing HSCs. However, exceptionally large numbers of HSCs are required to manufacture an adequate cellular product, responses to plerixafor are variable, and most patients require multiple mobilization cycles, increasing the risk for adverse events. For some, gene therapy is prohibited by the failure to obtain adequate numbers of HSCs. SUMMARY Here we review the current knowledge on HSC collection from individuals with SCD and potential improvements that may enhance the safety, efficacy, and availability of gene therapy for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Leonard
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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6
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Zheng Y, Li Y, Zhou K, Li T, VanDusen NJ, Hua Y. Precise genome-editing in human diseases: mechanisms, strategies and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:47. [PMID: 38409199 PMCID: PMC10897424 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01750-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise genome-editing platforms are versatile tools for generating specific, site-directed DNA insertions, deletions, and substitutions. The continuous enhancement of these tools has led to a revolution in the life sciences, which promises to deliver novel therapies for genetic disease. Precise genome-editing can be traced back to the 1950s with the discovery of DNA's double-helix and, after 70 years of development, has evolved from crude in vitro applications to a wide range of sophisticated capabilities, including in vivo applications. Nonetheless, precise genome-editing faces constraints such as modest efficiency, delivery challenges, and off-target effects. In this review, we explore precise genome-editing, with a focus on introduction of the landmark events in its history, various platforms, delivery systems, and applications. First, we discuss the landmark events in the history of precise genome-editing. Second, we describe the current state of precise genome-editing strategies and explain how these techniques offer unprecedented precision and versatility for modifying the human genome. Third, we introduce the current delivery systems used to deploy precise genome-editing components through DNA, RNA, and RNPs. Finally, we summarize the current applications of precise genome-editing in labeling endogenous genes, screening genetic variants, molecular recording, generating disease models, and gene therapy, including ex vivo therapy and in vivo therapy, and discuss potential future advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjiang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Kaiyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Tiange Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Nathan J VanDusen
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Yimin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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7
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Lee JM, Zeng J, Liu P, Nguyen MA, Loustaunau DS, Bauer DE, Yilmaz NK, Wolfe SA, Schiffer CA. Direct delivery of stabilized Cas-embedded base editors achieves efficient and accurate editing of clinically relevant targets. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.08.579528. [PMID: 38370706 PMCID: PMC10871342 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.08.579528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Over the last 5 years, cytosine base editors (CBEs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic tool for specific editing of single nucleotide variants and disrupting specific genes associated with disease. Despite this promise, the currently available CBE's have the significant liabilities of off-target and bystander editing activities, in part due to the mechanism by which they are delivered, causing limitations in their potential applications. In this study we engineeredhighly stabilized Cas-embedded CBEs (sCE_CBEs) that integrate several recent advances, andthat are highly expressible and soluble for direct delivery into cells as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Our resulting sCE_CBE RNP complexes efficiently and specifically target TC dinucleotides with minimal off-target or bystander mutations. Additional uracil glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) protein in trans further increased C-to-T editing efficiency and target purity in a dose-dependent manner, minimizing indel formation to untreated levels. A single electroporation was sufficient to effectively edit the therapeutically relevant locus for sickle cell disease in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) in a dose dependent manner without cellular toxicity. Significantly, these sCE_CBE RNPs permitted for the transplantation of edited HSPCs confirming highly efficient editing in engrafting hematopoietic stem cells in mice. The success of the designed sCBE editors, with improved solubility and enhanced on-target editing, demonstrates promising agents for cytosine base editing at other disease-related sites in HSPCs and other cell types.
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8
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Frost I, Mendoza AM, Chiou TT, Kim P, Aizenberg J, Kohn DB, De Oliveira SN, Weiss PS, Jonas SJ. Fluorinated Silane-Modified Filtroporation Devices Enable Gene Knockout in Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:41299-41309. [PMID: 37616579 PMCID: PMC10485797 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular delivery technologies that are cost-effective, non-cytotoxic, efficient, and cargo-agnostic are needed to enable the manufacturing of cell-based therapies as well as gene manipulation for research applications. Current technologies capable of delivering large cargoes, such as plasmids and CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), are plagued with high costs and/or cytotoxicity and often require substantial specialized equipment and reagents, which may not be available in resource-limited settings. Here, we report an intracellular delivery technology that can be assembled from materials available in most research laboratories, thus democratizing access to intracellular delivery for researchers and clinicians in low-resource areas of the world. These filtroporation devices permeabilize cells by pulling them through the pores of a cell culture insert by the application of vacuum available in biosafety cabinets. In a format that costs less than $10 in materials per experiment, we demonstrate the delivery of fluorescently labeled dextran, expression plasmids, and RNPs for gene knockout to Jurkat cells and human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell populations with delivery efficiencies of up to 40% for RNP knockout and viabilities of >80%. We show that functionalizing the surfaces of the filters with fluorinated silane moieties further enhances the delivery efficiency. These devices are capable of processing 500,000 to 4 million cells per experiment, and when combined with a 3D-printed vacuum application chamber, this throughput can be straightforwardly increased 6-12-fold in parallel experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaura
M. Frost
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- UCLA
Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Alexandra M. Mendoza
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los
Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California
NanoSystems Institute, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Tzu-Ting Chiou
- Department
of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Philseok Kim
- John A. Paulson
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Joanna Aizenberg
- John A. Paulson
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Donald B. Kohn
- Department
of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los
Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Eli
and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Satiro N. De Oliveira
- Department
of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Paul S. Weiss
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los
Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California
NanoSystems Institute, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los
Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Steven J. Jonas
- Department
of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California
NanoSystems Institute, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Eli
and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Children’s
Discovery and Innovation Institute, University
of California, Los Angeles, Los
Angeles, California 90095, United States
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9
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Piel FB, Rees DC, DeBaun MR, Nnodu O, Ranque B, Thompson AA, Ware RE, Abboud MR, Abraham A, Ambrose EE, Andemariam B, Colah R, Colombatti R, Conran N, Costa FF, Cronin RM, de Montalembert M, Elion J, Esrick E, Greenway AL, Idris IM, Issom DZ, Jain D, Jordan LC, Kaplan ZS, King AA, Lloyd-Puryear M, Oppong SA, Sharma A, Sung L, Tshilolo L, Wilkie DJ, Ohene-Frempong K. Defining global strategies to improve outcomes in sickle cell disease: a Lancet Haematology Commission. Lancet Haematol 2023; 10:e633-e686. [PMID: 37451304 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(23)00096-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric B Piel
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - David C Rees
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, King's College London, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michael R DeBaun
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt-Meharry Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Obiageli Nnodu
- Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, College of Health Sciences and Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Brigitte Ranque
- Department of Internal Medicine, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris Centre, University of Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Alexis A Thompson
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Russell E Ware
- Division of Hematology and Global Health Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Miguel R Abboud
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, and Sickle Cell Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Allistair Abraham
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Emmanuela E Ambrose
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Biree Andemariam
- New England Sickle Cell Institute, University of Connecticut Health, Connecticut, USA
| | - Roshan Colah
- Department of Haematogenetics, Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, India
| | - Raffaella Colombatti
- Pediatric Oncology Hematology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicola Conran
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Center of Hematology and Hemotherapy (Hemocentro), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Fernando F Costa
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Center of Hematology and Hemotherapy (Hemocentro), University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Robert M Cronin
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mariane de Montalembert
- Department of Pediatrics, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris Centre, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Elion
- Paris Cité University and University of the Antilles, Inserm, BIGR, Paris, France
| | - Erica Esrick
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anthea L Greenway
- Department Clinical Haematology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville and Department Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ibrahim M Idris
- Department of Hematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital/Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
| | - David-Zacharie Issom
- Department of Business Information Systems, School of Management, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dipty Jain
- Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Nagpur, India
| | - Lori C Jordan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Zane S Kaplan
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Monash Health and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Allison A King
- Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Divisions of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Hematology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michele Lloyd-Puryear
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samuel A Oppong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Lillian Sung
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Leon Tshilolo
- Institute of Biomedical Research/CEFA Monkole Hospital Centre and Official University of Mbuji-Mayi, Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Diana J Wilkie
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kwaku Ohene-Frempong
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, Kumasi, Ghana
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10
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Finotti A, Gambari R. Combined approaches for increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and de novo production of adult hemoglobin (HbA) in erythroid cells from β-thalassemia patients: treatment with HbF inducers and CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1204536. [PMID: 37529398 PMCID: PMC10387548 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1204536] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing (GE) is one of the most efficient and useful molecular approaches to correct the effects of gene mutations in hereditary monogenetic diseases, including β-thalassemia. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has been proposed for effective correction of the β-thalassemia mutation, obtaining high-level "de novo" production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). In addition to the correction of the primary gene mutations causing β-thalassemia, several reports demonstrate that gene editing can be employed to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF), obtaining important clinical benefits in treated β-thalassemia patients. This important objective can be achieved through CRISPR-Cas9 disruption of genes encoding transcriptional repressors of γ-globin gene expression (such as BCL11A, SOX6, KLF-1) or their binding sites in the HBG promoter, mimicking non-deletional and deletional HPFH mutations. These two approaches (β-globin gene correction and genome editing of the genes encoding repressors of γ-globin gene transcription) can be, at least in theory, combined. However, since multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing is associated with documented evidence concerning possible genotoxicity, this review is focused on the possibility to combine pharmacologically-mediated HbF induction protocols with the "de novo" production of HbA using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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11
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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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Crossley M, Christakopoulos GE, Weiss MJ. Effective therapies for sickle cell disease: are we there yet? Trends Genet 2022; 38:1284-1298. [PMID: 35934593 PMCID: PMC9837857 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.07.003] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common genetic blood disorder associated with acute and chronic pain, progressive multiorgan damage, and early mortality. Recent advances in technologies to manipulate the human genome, a century of research and the development of techniques enabling the isolation, efficient genetic modification, and reimplantation of autologous patient hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), mean that curing most patients with SCD could soon be a reality in wealthy countries. In parallel, ongoing research is pursuing more facile treatments, such as in-vivo-delivered genetic therapies and new drugs that can eventually be administered in low- and middle-income countries where most SCD patients reside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Crossley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 2052.
| | | | - Mitchell J Weiss
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Pinhas A, Zhou DB, Otero-Marquez O, Castanos Toral MV, Migacz JV, Glassberg J, Rosen RB, Chui TYP. Efficacy of CRISPR-Based Gene Editing in a Sickle Cell Disease Patient as Measured through the Eye. Case Rep Hematol 2022; 2022:6079631. [PMID: 36046774 PMCID: PMC9424027 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6079631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) exists on a phenotypic spectrum with variable genetic expressivity, making it difficult to assess an individual patient's risk of complications at any particular point in time. Current and emerging SCD treatments, including CRISPR-based gene editing, result in a variable proportion of affected red blood cells (RBCs) still vulnerable to sickling. Clinical serological indicators of disease such as hemoglobin, indirect bilirubin, and reticulocyte count and clinical metrics including number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations over time often fall short in their ability to objectively quantify ischemic disease activity and efficacy of treatments. Clearly, better clinical biomarkers are needed. The rapidly developing field of oculomics leverages the transparent nature of the ocular tissue to directly study the retinal microvasculature in order to characterize the status of systemic diseases. In this case report, we demonstrate the ability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) to detect and measure micro-occlusive events within the retinal capillary bed before and after RBC exchange transfusion and following CRISPR-based gene editing, as an indicator of systemic ischemic disease activity and measure of treatment efficacy. The implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Pinhas
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Davis B Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oscar Otero-Marquez
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria V Castanos Toral
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin V Migacz
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Glassberg
- Departments of Emergency Medicine,Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard B Rosen
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Toco Y P Chui
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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14
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Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by variable clinical outcomes, with some patients suffering life-threatening complications during childhood, and others living relatively symptom-free into old age. Because of this variability, there is an important potential role for precision medicine, in which particular different treatments are selected for different groups of patients. However, the application of precision medicine in SCD is limited by difficulties in identifying different prognostic groups and the small number of available treatments. The main genetic determinant of outcomes in SCD is the underlying β-globin genotype, with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and hemoglobin SC disease (HbSC) forming the 2 major forms of the disease in most populations of African origin. Although there are clear differences in clinical outcomes between these conditions, treatments approaches are very similar, with little evidence on how to treat HbSC in particular. Other genomic information, such as the co-inheritance of α-thalassemia, or high fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels, is of some prognostic value but insufficient to determine treatments. Precision medicine is further limited by the fact that the 2 main drugs used in SCD, penicillin and hydroxyurea, are currently recommended for all patients. Newer treatments, such as crizanlizumab and voxelotor, raise the possibility that groups will emerge who respond best to particular drugs or combinations. Perhaps the best current example of precision medicine in SCD is the selective use of blood transfusions as primary stroke prevention in children with evidence of cerebral vasculopathy. More precise treatments may emerge as we understand more about the pathology of SCD, including problems with erythropoiesis.
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Torres LS, Asada N, Weiss MJ, Trumpp A, Suda T, Scadden DT, Ito K. Recent advances in "sickle and niche" research - Tribute to Dr. Paul S Frenette. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1509-1535. [PMID: 35830837 PMCID: PMC9287685 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this retrospective, we review the two research topics that formed the basis of the outstanding career of Dr. Paul S. Frenette. In the first part, we focus on sickle cell disease (SCD). The defining feature of SCD is polymerization of the deoxygenated mutant hemoglobin, which leads to a vicious cycle of hemolysis and vaso-occlusion. We survey important discoveries in SCD pathophysiology that have led to recent advances in treatment of SCD. The second part focuses on the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche, the complex microenvironment within the bone marrow that controls HSC function and homeostasis. We detail the cells that constitute this niche, and the factors that these cells use to exert control over hematopoiesis. Here, we trace the scientific paths of Dr. Frenette, highlight key aspects of his research, and identify his most important scientific contributions in both fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidiane S Torres
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Noboru Asada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Mitchell J Weiss
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Toshio Suda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - David T Scadden
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keisuke Ito
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Einstein Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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