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Rausch JW, Parvez S, Pathak S, Capoferri AA, Kearney MF. HIV Expression in Infected T Cell Clones. Viruses 2024; 16:108. [PMID: 38257808 PMCID: PMC10820123 DOI: 10.3390/v16010108] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The principal barrier to an HIV-1 cure is the persistence of infected cells harboring replication-competent proviruses despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV-1 transcriptional suppression, referred to as viral latency, is foremost among persistence determinants, as it allows infected cells to evade the cytopathic effects of virion production and killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and other immune factors. HIV-1 persistence is also governed by cellular proliferation, an innate and essential capacity of CD4+ T cells that both sustains cell populations over time and enables a robust directed response to immunological threats. However, when HIV-1 infects CD4+ T cells, this capacity for proliferation can enable surreptitious HIV-1 propagation without the deleterious effects of viral gene expression in latently infected cells. Over time on ART, the HIV-1 reservoir is shaped by both persistence determinants, with selective forces most often favoring clonally expanded infected cell populations harboring transcriptionally quiescent proviruses. Moreover, if HIV latency is incomplete or sporadically reversed in clonal infected cell populations that are replenished faster than they are depleted, such populations could both persist indefinitely and contribute to low-level persistent viremia during ART and viremic rebound if treatment is withdrawn. In this review, select genetic, epigenetic, cellular, and immunological determinants of viral transcriptional suppression and clonal expansion of HIV-1 reservoir T cells, interdependencies among these determinants, and implications for HIV-1 persistence will be presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W. Rausch
- HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.P.); (S.P.); (A.A.C.); (M.F.K.)
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2
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Lindqvist B, Jütte BB, Love L, Assi W, Roux J, Sönnerborg A, Tezil T, Verdin E, Svensson JP. T cell stimulation remodels the latently HIV-1 infected cell population by differential activation of proviral chromatin. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010555. [PMID: 35666761 PMCID: PMC9203004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The reservoir of latently HIV-1 infected cells is heterogeneous. To achieve an HIV-1 cure, the reservoir of activatable proviruses must be eliminated while permanently silenced proviruses may be tolerated. We have developed a method to assess the proviral nuclear microenvironment in single cells. In latently HIV-1 infected cells, a zinc finger protein tethered to the HIV-1 promoter produced a fluorescent signal as a protein of interest came in its proximity, such as the viral transactivator Tat when recruited to the nascent RNA. Tat is essential for viral replication. In these cells we assessed the proviral activation and chromatin composition. By linking Tat recruitment to proviral activity, we dissected the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency reversal and the consequences of HIV-1 production. A pulse of promoter-associated Tat was identified that contrasted to the continuous production of viral proteins. As expected, promoter H3K4me3 led to substantial expression of the provirus following T cell stimulation. However, the activation-induced cell cycle arrest and death led to a surviving cell fraction with proviruses encapsulated in repressive chromatin. Further, this cellular model was used to reveal mechanisms of action of small molecules. In a proof-of-concept study we determined the effect of modifying enhancer chromatin on HIV-1 latency reversal. Only proviruses resembling active enhancers, associated with H3K4me1 and H3K27ac and subsequentially recognized by BRD4, efficiently recruited Tat upon cell stimulation. Tat-independent HIV-1 latency reversal of unknown significance still occurred. We present a method for single cell assessment of the microenvironment of the latent HIV-1 proviruses, used here to reveal how T cell stimulation modulates the proviral activity and how the subsequent fate of the infected cell depends on the chromatin context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Lindqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Bianca B. Jütte
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luca Love
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Wlaa Assi
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Laboratory of Viral Infectious Diseases, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Julie Roux
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anders Sönnerborg
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Huddinge, I73, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tugsan Tezil
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Verdin
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, United States of America
| | - J. Peter Svensson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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3
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Pei WD, Zhang Y, Yin TL, Yu Y. Epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 in clinical settings: possibilities and challenges. Brief Funct Genomics 2021; 19:215-228. [PMID: 31819946 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenome editing is a promising approach for both basic research and clinical application. With the convergence of techniques from different fields, regulating gene expression artificially becomes possible. From a clinical point of view, targeted epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 of disease-related genes offers novel therapeutic avenues for many diseases. In this review, we summarize the EpiEffectors used in epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9, current applications of epigenome editing and progress made in this field. Moreover, application challenges such as off-target effects, inefficient delivery, stability and immunogenicity are discussed. In conclusion, epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 has broad prospects in the clinic, and future work will promote the application of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Di Pei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China.,Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China
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4
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Wang G, Zheng C. Zinc finger proteins in the host-virus interplay: multifaceted functions based on their nucleic acid-binding property. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:fuaa059. [PMID: 33175962 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are a huge family comprised of massive, structurally diverse proteins characterized by zinc ion coordinating. They engage in the host-virus interplay in-depth and occupy a significant portion of the host antiviral arsenal. Nucleic acid-binding is the basic property of certain ZFPs, which draws increasing attention due to their immense influence on viral infections. ZFPs exert multiple roles on the viral replications and host cell transcription profiles by recognizing viral genomes and host mRNAs. Their roles could be either antiviral or proviral and were separately discussed. Our review covers the recent research progress and provides a comprehensive understanding of ZFPs in antiviral immunity based on their DNA/RNA binding property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanming Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, FuZhou Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, FuZhou Fujian, 350108, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, AB T2N 4N1
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5
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Scott TA, O’Meally D, Grepo NA, Soemardy C, Lazar DC, Zheng Y, Weinberg MS, Planelles V, Morris KV. Broadly active zinc finger protein-guided transcriptional activation of HIV-1. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 20:18-29. [PMID: 33335944 PMCID: PMC7726486 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes a persistent viral infection resulting in the demise of immune regulatory cells. Clearance of HIV-1 infection results in integration of proviral DNA into the genome of host cells, which provides a means for evasion and long-term persistence. A therapeutic compound that specifically targets and sustainably activates a latent HIV-1 provirus could be transformative and is the goal for the "shock-and-kill" approach to a functional cure for HIV-1. Substantial progress has been made toward the development of recombinant proteins that target specific genomic loci for gene activation, repression, or inactivation by directed mutations. However, most of these modalities are too large or too complex for efficient therapeutic application. We describe here the development and testing of a novel recombinant zinc finger protein transactivator, ZFP-362-VPR, which specifically and potently enhances proviral HIV-1 transcription both in established latency models and activity across different viral clades. Additionally, ZFP-362-VPR-activated HIV-1 reporter gene expression in a well-established primary human CD4+ T cell latency model and off-target pathways were determined by transcriptome analyses. This study provides clear proof of concept for the application of a novel, therapeutically relevant, protein transactivator to purge cellular reservoirs of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan A. Scott
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Denis O’Meally
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nicole Anne Grepo
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Citradewi Soemardy
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Daniel C. Lazar
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yue Zheng
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT 92037, USA
| | - Marc S. Weinberg
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Wits-SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine & Hematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Vicente Planelles
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT 92037, USA
| | - Kevin V. Morris
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Perdigão PR, Cunha-Santos C, Barbas CF, Santa-Marta M, Goncalves J. Protein Delivery of Cell-Penetrating Zinc-Finger Activators Stimulates Latent HIV-1-Infected Cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 18:145-158. [PMID: 32637446 PMCID: PMC7317221 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite efforts to develop effective treatments for eradicating HIV-1, a cure has not yet been achieved. Whereas antiretroviral drugs target an actively replicating virus, latent, nonreplicative forms persist during treatment. Pharmacological strategies that reactivate latent HIV-1 and expose cellular reservoirs to antiretroviral therapy and the host immune system have, so far, been unsuccessful, often triggering severe side effects, mainly due to systemic immune activation. Here, we present an alternative approach for stimulating latent HIV-1 expression via direct protein delivery of cell-penetrating zinc-finger activators (ZFAs). Cys2-His2 zinc-fingers, fused to a transcription activation domain, were engineered to recognize the HIV-1 promoter and induce targeted viral transcription. Following conjugation with multiple positively charged nuclear localization signal (NLS) repeats, protein delivery of a single ZFA (3NLS-PBS1-VP64) efficiently internalized HIV-1 latently infected T-lymphocytes and specifically stimulated viral expression. We show that short-term treatment with this ZFA protein induces higher levels of viral reactivation in cell line models of HIV-1 latency than those observed with gene delivery. Our work establishes protein delivery of ZFA as a novel and safe approach toward eradication of HIV-1 reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro R.L. Perdigão
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Catarina Cunha-Santos
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos F. Barbas
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mariana Santa-Marta
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joao Goncalves
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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7
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Schwarzer R, Gramatica A, Greene WC. Reduce and Control: A Combinatorial Strategy for Achieving Sustained HIV Remissions in the Absence of Antiretroviral Therapy. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020188. [PMID: 32046251 PMCID: PMC7077203 DOI: 10.3390/v12020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) indefinitely persists, despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), within a small pool of latently infected cells. These cells often display markers of immunologic memory and harbor both replication-competent and -incompetent proviruses at approximately a 1:100 ratio. Although complete HIV eradication is a highly desirable goal, this likely represents a bridge too far for our current and foreseeable technologies. A more tractable goal involves engineering a sustained viral remission in the absence of ART––a “functional cure.” In this setting, HIV remains detectable during remission, but the size of the reservoir is small and the residual virus is effectively controlled by an engineered immune response or other intervention. Biological precedence for such an approach is found in the post-treatment controllers (PTCs), a rare group of HIV-infected individuals who, following ART withdrawal, do not experience viral rebound. PTCs are characterized by a small reservoir, greatly reduced inflammation, and the presence of a poorly understood immune response that limits viral rebound. Our goal is to devise a safe and effective means for replicating durable post-treatment control on a global scale. This requires devising methods to reduce the size of the reservoir and to control replication of this residual virus. In the following sections, we will review many of the approaches and tools that likely will be important for implementing such a “reduce and control” strategy and for achieving a PTC-like sustained HIV remission in the absence of ART.
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8
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Wang G, Zhao N, Berkhout B, Das AT. CRISPR-Cas based antiviral strategies against HIV-1. Virus Res 2018; 244:321-332. [PMID: 28760348 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria and archaea, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated proteins (Cas) confer adaptive immunity against exogenous DNA elements. This CRISPR-Cas system has been turned into an effective tool for editing of eukaryotic DNA genomes. Pathogenic viruses that have a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome or that replicate through a dsDNA intermediate can also be targeted with this DNA editing tool. Here, we review how CRISPR-Cas was used in novel therapeutic approaches against the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), focusing on approaches that aim to permanently inactivate all virus genomes or to prevent viral persistence in latent reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Na Zhao
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Atze T Das
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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9
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Wang P, Lu P, Qu X, Shen Y, Zeng H, Zhu X, Zhu Y, Li X, Wu H, Xu J, Lu H, Ma Z, Zhu H. Reactivation of HIV-1 from Latency by an Ingenol Derivative from Euphorbia Kansui. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9451. [PMID: 28842560 PMCID: PMC5573388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07157-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells harboring latent HIV-1 pose a major obstacle to eradication of the virus. The ‘shock and kill’ strategy has been broadly explored to purge the latent reservoir; however, none of the current latency-reversing agents (LRAs) can safely and effectively activate the latent virus in patients. In this study, we report an ingenol derivative called EK-16A, isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Euphorbia kansui, which displays great potential in reactivating latent HIV-1. A comparison of the doses used to measure the potency indicated EK-16A to be 200-fold more potent than prostratin in reactivating HIV-1 from latently infected cell lines. EK-16A also outperformed prostratin in ex vivo studies on cells from HIV-1-infected individuals, while maintaining minimal cytotoxicity effects on cell viability and T cell activation. Furthermore, EK-16A exhibited synergy with other LRAs in reactivating latent HIV-1. Mechanistic studies indicated EK-16A to be a PKCγ activator, which promoted both HIV-1 transcription initiation by NF-κB and elongation by P-TEFb signal pathways. Further investigations aimed to add this compound to the therapeutic arsenal for HIV-1 eradication are in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Panpan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xiying Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yinzhong Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hanxian Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hongzhou Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhongjun Ma
- Institute of Marine Biology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Huanzhang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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10
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Advancements in Developing Strategies for Sterilizing and Functional HIV Cures. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:6096134. [PMID: 28529952 PMCID: PMC5424177 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6096134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been successful in prolonging lifespan and reducing mortality of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the eradication of latent HIV reservoirs remains a challenge for curing HIV infection (HIV cure) because of HIV latency in primary memory CD4+ T cells. Currently, two types of HIV cures are in development: a “sterilizing cure” and a “functional cure.” A sterilizing cure refers to the complete elimination of replication-competent proviruses in the body, while a functional cure refers to the long-term control of HIV replication without treatment. Based on these concepts, significant progress has been made in different areas. This review focuses on recent advancements and future prospects for HIV cures.
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Deng J, Qu X, Lu P, Yang X, Zhu Y, Ji H, Wang Y, Jiang Z, Li X, Zhong Y, Yang H, Pan H, Young WB, Zhu H. Specific and Stable Suppression of HIV Provirus Expression In Vitro by Chimeric Zinc Finger DNA Methyltransferase 1. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 6:233-242. [PMID: 28325289 PMCID: PMC5363508 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 inserts its proviral DNA into the infected host cells, by which HIV proviral DNA can then be duplicated along with each cell division. Thus, provirus cannot be eradicated completely by current antiretroviral therapy. We have developed an innovative strategy to silence the HIV provirus by targeted DNA methylation on the HIV promoter region. We genetically engineered a chimeric DNA methyltransferase 1 composed of designed zinc-finger proteins to become ZF2 DNMT1. After transient transfection of the molecular clone encoding this chimeric protein into HIV-1 infected or latently infected cells, efficient suppression of HIV-1 expression by the methylation of CpG islands in 5′-LTR was observed and quantified. The effective suppression of HIV in latently infected cells by ZF2-DNMT1 is stable and can last through about 40 cell passages. Cytotoxic caused by ZF2-DNMT1 was only observed during cellular proliferation. Taken together, our results demonstrate the potential of this novel approach for anti-HIV-1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiying Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Panpan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Haiyan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhengtao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yangcheng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - He Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hanyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Won-Bin Young
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Huanzhang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
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Bialek JK, Dunay GA, Voges M, Schäfer C, Spohn M, Stucka R, Hauber J, Lange UC. Targeted HIV-1 Latency Reversal Using CRISPR/Cas9-Derived Transcriptional Activator Systems. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158294. [PMID: 27341108 PMCID: PMC4920395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technology is currently considered the most advanced tool for targeted genome engineering. Its sequence-dependent specificity has been explored for locus-directed transcriptional modulation. Such modulation, in particular transcriptional activation, has been proposed as key approach to overcome silencing of dormant HIV provirus in latently infected cellular reservoirs. Currently available agents for provirus activation, so-called latency reversing agents (LRAs), act indirectly through cellular pathways to induce viral transcription. However, their clinical performance remains suboptimal, possibly because reservoirs have diverse cellular identities and/or proviral DNA is intractable to the induced pathways. We have explored two CRISPR/Cas9-derived activator systems as targeted approaches to induce dormant HIV-1 proviral DNA. These systems recruit multiple transcriptional activation domains to the HIV 5' long terminal repeat (LTR), for which we have identified an optimal target region within the LTR U3 sequence. Using this target region, we demonstrate transcriptional activation of proviral genomes via the synergistic activation mediator complex in various in culture model systems for HIV latency. Observed levels of induction are comparable or indeed higher than treatment with established LRAs. Importantly, activation is complete, leading to production of infective viral particles. Our data demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-derived technologies can be applied to counteract HIV latency and may therefore represent promising novel approaches in the quest for HIV elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K. Bialek
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gábor A. Dunay
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maike Voges
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carola Schäfer
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Stucka
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Hauber
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike C. Lange
- Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Hossain MA, Barrow JJ, Shen Y, Haq MI, Bungert J. Artificial zinc finger DNA binding domains: versatile tools for genome engineering and modulation of gene expression. J Cell Biochem 2016; 116:2435-44. [PMID: 25989233 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing and alteration of gene expression by synthetic DNA binding activities gained a lot of momentum over the last decade. This is due to the development of new DNA binding molecules with enhanced binding specificity. The most commonly used DNA binding modules are zinc fingers (ZFs), TALE-domains, and the RNA component of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. These binding modules are fused or linked to either nucleases that cut the DNA and induce DNA repair processes, or to protein domains that activate or repress transcription of genes close to the targeted site in the genome. This review focuses on the structure, design, and applications of ZF DNA binding domains (ZFDBDs). ZFDBDs are relatively small and have been shown to penetrate the cell membrane without additional tags suggesting that they could be delivered to cells without a DNA or RNA intermediate. Advanced algorithms that are based on extensive knowledge of the mode of ZF/DNA interactions are used to design the amino acid composition of ZFDBDs so that they bind to unique sites in the genome. Off-target binding has been a concern for all synthetic DNA binding molecules. Thus, increasing the specificity and affinity of ZFDBDs will have a significant impact on their use in analytical or therapeutic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir A Hossain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610
| | - Joeva J Barrow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610
| | - Yong Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610
| | - Md Imdadul Haq
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610
| | - Jörg Bungert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Cancer Center, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610
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14
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The BET inhibitor OTX015 reactivates latent HIV-1 through P-TEFb. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24100. [PMID: 27067814 PMCID: PMC4828723 DOI: 10.1038/srep24100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
None of the currently used anti-HIV-1 agents can effectively eliminate latent HIV-1 reservoirs, which is a major hurdle to a complete cure for AIDS. We report here that a novel oral BET inhibitor OTX015, a thienotriazolodiazepine compound that has entered phase Ib clinical development for advanced hematologic malignancies, can effectively reactivate HIV-1 in different latency models with an EC50 value 1.95-4.34 times lower than JQ1, a known BET inhibitor that can reactivate HIV-1 latency. We also found that OTX015 was more potent when used in combination with prostratin. More importantly, OTX015 treatment induced HIV-1 full-length transcripts and viral outgrowth in resting CD4(+) T cells from infected individuals receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), while exerting minimal toxicity and effects on T cell activation. Finally, biochemical analysis showed that OTX015-mediated activation of HIV-1 involved an increase in CDK9 occupancy and RNAP II C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation. Our results suggest that the BET inhibitor OTX015 may be a candidate for anti-HIV-1-latency therapies.
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15
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Perdigão P, Gaj T, Santa-Marta M, Barbas CF, Goncalves J. Reactivation of Latent HIV-1 Expression by Engineered TALE Transcription Factors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150037. [PMID: 26933881 PMCID: PMC4774903 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of replication-competent HIV-1 -which resides mainly in resting CD4+ T cells--is a major hurdle to its eradication. While pharmacological approaches have been useful for inducing the expression of this latent population of virus, they have been unable to purge HIV-1 from all its reservoirs. Additionally, many of these strategies have been associated with adverse effects, underscoring the need for alternative approaches capable of reactivating viral expression. Here we show that engineered transcriptional modulators based on customizable transcription activator-like effector (TALE) proteins can induce gene expression from the HIV-1 long terminal repeat promoter, and that combinations of TALE transcription factors can synergistically reactivate latent viral expression in cell line models of HIV-1 latency. We further show that complementing TALE transcription factors with Vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, enhances HIV-1 expression in latency models. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that TALE transcription factors are a potentially effective alternative to current pharmacological routes for reactivating latent virus and that combining synthetic transcriptional activators with histone deacetylase inhibitors could lead to the development of improved therapies for latent HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Perdigão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdadede Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Departments of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Thomas Gaj
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Departments of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Mariana Santa-Marta
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdadede Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos F. Barbas
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Departments of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Joao Goncalves
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdadede Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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16
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Ji H, Jiang Z, Lu P, Ma L, Li C, Pan H, Fu Z, Qu X, Wang P, Deng J, Yang X, Wang J, Zhu H. Specific Reactivation of Latent HIV-1 by dCas9-SunTag-VP64-mediated Guide RNA Targeting the HIV-1 Promoter. Mol Ther 2016; 24:508-21. [PMID: 26775808 PMCID: PMC4786936 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 escapes antiretroviral agents by integrating into the host DNA and forming a latent transcriptionally silent HIV-1 provirus. Transcriptional activation is prerequisite for reactivation and the eradication of latent HIV-1 proviruses. dCas9-SunTag-VP64 transcriptional system has been reported that it can robustly activate the expression of an endogenous gene using a single guide RNA (sgRNA). Here, we systematically investigated the potential of dCas9-SunTag-VP64 with the designed sgRNAs for reactivating latent HIV-1. We found dCas9-SunTag-VP64 with sgRNA 4 or sgRNA 5 targeted from -164 to -146 or -124 to -106 bp upstream of the transcription start sites of HIV-1 could induce high expression of luciferase reporter gene after screening of sgRNAs targeting different regions of the HIV-1 promoter. Further, we confirmed that dCas9-SunTag-VP64 with sgRNA 4 or sgRNA 5 can effectively reactivate latent HIV-1 transcription in several latently infected human T-cell lines. Moreover, we confirmed that the reactivation of latent HIV-1 by dCas9-SunTag-VP64 with the designed sgRNA occurred through specific binding to the HIV-1 LTR promoter without genotoxicity and global T-cell activation. Taken together, our data demonstrated dCas9-SunTag-VP64 system can effectively and specifically reactivate latent HIV-1 transcription, suggesting that this strategy could offer a novel approach to anti-HIV-1 latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengtao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Panpan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiying Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junxiao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanzhang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Limsirichai P, Gaj T, Schaffer DV. CRISPR-mediated Activation of Latent HIV-1 Expression. Mol Ther 2016; 24:499-507. [PMID: 26607397 PMCID: PMC4786916 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete eradication of HIV-1 infection is impeded by the existence of cells that harbor chromosomally integrated but transcriptionally inactive provirus. These cells can persist for years without producing viral progeny, rendering them refractory to immune surveillance and antiretroviral therapy and providing a permanent reservoir for the stochastic reactivation and reseeding of HIV-1. Strategies for purging this latent reservoir are thus needed to eradicate infection. Here, we show that engineered transcriptional activation systems based on CRISPR/Cas9 can be harnessed to activate viral gene expression in cell line models of HIV-1 latency. We further demonstrate that complementing Cas9 activators with latency-reversing compounds can enhance latent HIV-1 transcription and that epigenome modulation using CRISPR-based acetyltransferases can also promote viral gene activation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CRISPR systems are potentially effective tools for inducing latent HIV-1 expression and that their use, in combination with antiretroviral therapy, could lead to improved therapies for HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajit Limsirichai
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Thomas Gaj
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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18
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Epigenome Editing: State of the Art, Concepts, and Perspectives. Trends Genet 2015; 32:101-113. [PMID: 26732754 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epigenome editing refers to the directed alteration of chromatin marks at specific genomic loci by using targeted EpiEffectors which comprise designed DNA recognition domains (zinc finger, TAL effector, or modified CRISPR/Cas9 complex) and catalytic domains from a chromatin-modifying enzyme. Epigenome editing is a promising approach for durable gene regulation, with many applications in basic research including the investigation of the regulatory functions and logic of chromatin modifications and cellular reprogramming. From a clinical point of view, targeted regulation of disease-related genes offers novel therapeutic avenues for many diseases. We review here the progress made in this field and discuss open questions in epigenetic regulation and its stability, methods to increase the specificity of epigenome editing, and improved delivery methods for targeted EpiEffectors. Future work will reveal if the approach of epigenome editing fulfills its great promise in basic research and clinical applications.
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19
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Zhang Y, Yin C, Zhang T, Li F, Yang W, Kaminski R, Fagan PR, Putatunda R, Young WB, Khalili K, Hu W. CRISPR/gRNA-directed synergistic activation mediator (SAM) induces specific, persistent and robust reactivation of the HIV-1 latent reservoirs. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16277. [PMID: 26538064 PMCID: PMC4633726 DOI: 10.1038/srep16277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Current antiretroviral therapy does not eliminate the integrated and transcriptionally silent HIV-1 provirus in latently infected cells. Recently, a "shock and kill" strategy has been extensively explored to eradicate the HIV-1 latent reservoirs for a permanent cure of AIDS. The therapeutic efficacy of currently used agents remains disappointing because of low efficiency, non-specificity and cellular toxicity. Here we present a novel catalytically-deficient Cas9-synergistic activation mediator (dCas9-SAM) technology to selectively, potently and persistently reactivate the HIV-1 latent reservoirs. By screening 16 MS2-mediated single guide RNAs, we identified long terminal repeat (LTR)-L and O that surround the enhancer region (-165/-145 for L and -92/-112 for O) and induce robust reactivation of HIV-1 provirus in HIV-1 latent TZM-bI epithelial, Jurkat T lymphocytic and CHME5 microglial cells. This compulsory reactivation induced cellular suicide via toxic buildup of viral proteins within HIV-1 latent Jurkat T and CHME5 microglial cells. These results suggest that this highly effective and target-specific dCas9-SAM system can serve as a novel HIV-latency-reversing therapeutic tool for the permanent elimination of HIV-1 latent reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Chaoran Yin
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Wensheng Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Rafal Kaminski
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Philip Regis Fagan
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Raj Putatunda
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Won-Bin Young
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
| | - Kamel Khalili
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and The Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
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20
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Wang X, Wang P, Fu Z, Ji H, Qu X, Zeng H, Zhu X, Deng J, Lu P, Zha S, Song Z, Zhu H. Designed transcription activator-like effector proteins efficiently induced the expression of latent HIV-1 in latently infected cells. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2015; 31:98-106. [PMID: 25403229 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.0121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV latency is the foremost barrier to clearing HIV infection from patients. Reactivation of latent HIV-1 represents a promising strategy to deplete these viral reservoirs. Here, we report a novel approach to reactivate latent HIV-1 provirus using artificially designed transcription activator-like effector (TALE) fusion proteins containing a DNA-binding domain specifically targeting the HIV-1 promoter and the herpes simplex virus-based transcriptional activator VP64 domain. We engineered four TALE genes (TALE1-4) encoding TALE proteins, each specifically targeting different 20-bp DNA sequences within the HIV-1 promoter, and we constructed four TALE-VP64 expression vectors corresponding to TALE1-4. We found that TALE1-VP64 effectively reactivated HIV-1 gene expression in latently infected C11 and A10.6 cells. We further confirmed that TALE1-VP64 reactivated latent HIV-1 via specific binding to the HIV-LTR promoter. Moreover, we also found that TALE1-VP64 did not affect cell proliferation or cell cycle distribution. Taken together, our data demonstrated that TALE1-VP64 can specifically and effectively reactivate latent HIV-1 transcription, suggesting that this strategy may provide a novel approach for anti-HIV-1 latency therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiying Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanxian Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junxiao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Panpan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shijun Zha
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhishuo Song
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanzhang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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