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Navaratna TA, Alansari N, Eisenberg AR, O'Malley MA. Anaerobic fungi contain abundant, diverse, and transcriptionally active Long Terminal Repeat retrotransposons. Fungal Genet Biol 2024; 172:103897. [PMID: 38750926 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are a class of repetitive elements that are widespread in the genomes of plants and many fungi. LTR retrotransposons have been associated with rapidly evolving gene clusters in plants and virulence factor transfer in fungal-plant parasite-host interactions. We report here the abundance and transcriptional activity of LTR retrotransposons across several species of the early-branching Neocallimastigomycota, otherwise known as the anaerobic gut fungi (AGF). The ubiquity of LTR retrotransposons in these genomes suggests key evolutionary roles in these rumen-dwelling biomass degraders, whose genomes also contain many enzymes that are horizontally transferred from other rumen-dwelling prokaryotes. Up to 10% of anaerobic fungal genomes consist of LTR retrotransposons, and the mapping of sequences from LTR retrotransposons to transcriptomes shows that the majority of clusters are transcribed, with some exhibiting expression greater than 104 reads per kilobase million mapped reads (rpkm). Many LTR retrotransposons are strongly differentially expressed upon heat stress during fungal cultivation, with several exhibiting a nearly three-log10 fold increase in expression, whereas growth substrate variation modulated transcription to a lesser extent. We show that some LTR retrotransposons contain carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), and the expansion of CAZymes within genomes and among anaerobic fungal species may be linked to retrotransposon activity. We further discuss how these widespread sequences may be a source of promoters and other parts towards the bioengineering of anaerobic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejas A Navaratna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, United States; California NanoSystems Institute, United States
| | - Nabil Alansari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Amy R Eisenberg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, United States; California NanoSystems Institute, United States
| | - Michelle A O'Malley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, United States; California NanoSystems Institute, United States; Department of Bioengineering, UC Santa Barbara, United States.
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2
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Deng H, Tong S, Shen D, Zhang S, Fu Y. The characteristics of excitatory lineage differentiation and the developmental conservation in Reeler neocortex. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13587. [PMID: 38084819 PMCID: PMC11056708 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13587] [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] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The majority of neocortical projection neurons are generated indirectly from radial glial cells (RGCs) mediated by intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs) in mice. IPCs are thought to be a great breakthrough in the evolutionary expansion of the mammalian neocortex. However, the precise ratio of neuron production from IPCs and characteristics of RGC differentiation process are still unclear. Our study revealed that direct neurogenesis was seldom observed and increased slightly at late embryonic stage. Besides, we conducted retrovirus sparse labelling combined carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimide ester (CFSE) and Tbr2-CreER strain to reconstruct individual lineage tree in situ. The lineage trees simulated the output of RGCs at per round of division in sequence with high temporal, spatial and cellular resolution at P7. We then demonstrated that only 1.90% of neurons emanated from RGCs directly in mouse cerebral neocortex and 79.33% of RGCs contributed to the whole clones through IPCs. The contribution of indirect neurogenesis was underestimated previously because approximately a quarter of IPC-derived neurons underwent apoptosis. Here, we also showed that abundant IPCs from first-generation underwent self-renewing division and generated four neurons ultimately. We confirmed that the intermediate proliferative progenitors expressed higher Cux2 characteristically at early embryonic stage. Finally, we validated that the characteristics of neurogenetic process in lineages and developmental fate of neurons were conserved in Reeler mice. This study contributes to further understanding of neurogenesis in neocortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan‐Huan Deng
- Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shi‐Yuan Tong
- Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dan Shen
- Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shu‐Qing Zhang
- Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yinghui Fu
- Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain ScienceFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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3
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Selich A, Fleischauer J, Roepke T, Weisskoeppel L, Galla M, von Kaisenberg C, Maus UA, Schambach A, Rothe M. Inflammation-inducible promoters to overexpress immune inhibitory factors by MSCs. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:270. [PMID: 37742038 PMCID: PMC10518110 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03501-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are excessively investigated in the context of inflammation-driven diseases, but the clinical results are often moderate. MSCs are naturally activated by inflammatory signals, which lead to the secretion of immune inhibitory factors in inflamed tissues. Many work groups try to improve the therapeutic outcome of MSCs by genetic modification and the constitutive overexpression of immune modulatory transgenes. However, the ectopic secretion of immune inhibitory transgenes increases the chances of infections, and constitutive transgene expression is not necessary for chronic diseases undergoing different inflammatory stages. METHODS We designed and tested inflammation-induced promoters to control transgene expression from integrating lentiviral vectors in human umbilical cord MSCs. Therefore, we investigated different combinations of general transcription factor elements to achieve a minimal promoter with low basal activity. The best candidates were combined with interferon-induced GAS or ISRE DNA motifs. The constructs with the highest transgene expression upon addition of pro-inflammatory cytokines were compared to vectorized promoters from inflammation-induced genes (CD317, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 and IDO1). Finally, we investigated IL10 as a potential immune inhibitory transgene by transcriptome analyses, ELISA and in an acute lung injury mouse model. RESULTS The synthetic promoters achieved a high and specific transgene expression upon IFN-γ addition. However, the CXCL11 promoter showed synergistic activity upon IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL1-β treatment and surpassed the transgene expression height of all tested promoters in the study. We observed in transcriptome analyses that IL10 has no effect on MSCs and in ELISA that IL10 is only secreted by our genetically modified and activated CXCL11-IL10-MSCs. Finally, transplanted CXCL11-IL10-MSCs increased CD19+ and CD4+ lymphoid cells, and decreased CD11b+ Ly6g myeloid cells in an ALI mouse model. CONCLUSION These results provide new insights into MSC inflammatory activation and the subsequent translation into a tool for a tailored expression of transgenes in inflammatory microenvironments. The newly developed promoter elements are potentially interesting for other inflamed tissues, and can be combined with other elements or used in other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Selich
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Building J11, HBZ, Level 01, Room, 6540, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jenni Fleischauer
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Building J11, HBZ, Level 01, Room, 6540, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tina Roepke
- Division of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Luisa Weisskoeppel
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Building J11, HBZ, Level 01, Room, 6540, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Galla
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Building J11, HBZ, Level 01, Room, 6540, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich A Maus
- Division of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research, Partner Site BREATH, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Building J11, HBZ, Level 01, Room, 6540, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Rothe
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Building J11, HBZ, Level 01, Room, 6540, Hannover, Germany.
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Bastone AL, Dziadek V, John-Neek P, Mansel F, Fleischauer J, Agyeman-Duah E, Schaudien D, Dittrich-Breiholz O, Schwarzer A, Schambach A, Rothe M. Development of an in vitro genotoxicity assay to detect retroviral vector-induced lymphoid insertional mutants. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:515-533. [PMID: 37693949 PMCID: PMC10491817 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Safety assessment in retroviral vector-mediated gene therapy remains challenging. In clinical trials for different blood and immune disorders, insertional mutagenesis led to myeloid and lymphoid leukemia. We previously developed the In Vitro Immortalization Assay (IVIM) and Surrogate Assay for Genotoxicity Assessment (SAGA) for pre-clinical genotoxicity prediction of integrating vectors. Murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (mHSPCs) transduced with mutagenic vectors acquire a proliferation advantage under limiting dilution (IVIM) and activate stem cell- and cancer-related transcriptional programs (SAGA). However, both assays present an intrinsic myeloid bias due to culture conditions. To detect lymphoid mutants, we differentiated mHSPCs to mature T cells and analyzed their phenotype, insertion site pattern, and gene expression changes after transduction with retroviral vectors. Mutagenic vectors induced a block in differentiation at an early progenitor stage (double-negative 2) compared to fully differentiated untransduced mock cultures. Arrested samples harbored high-risk insertions close to Lmo2, frequently observed in clinical trials with severe adverse events. Lymphoid insertional mutants displayed a unique gene expression signature identified by SAGA. The gene expression-based highly sensitive molecular readout will broaden our understanding of vector-induced oncogenicity and help in pre-clinical prediction of retroviral genotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella L. Bastone
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Violetta Dziadek
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philipp John-Neek
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Mansel
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jenni Fleischauer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eric Agyeman-Duah
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Schaudien
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Adrian Schwarzer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Rothe
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH – Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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5
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Dabiri H, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Habibi Anbouhi M, Mirzaee Godarzee M, Haddadi MH, Basiri M, Ziaei V, Sadeghizadeh M, Hajizadeh Saffar E. Site-specific transgene integration in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Biomark Res 2023; 11:67. [PMID: 37403182 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are genetically engineered immune cells that can detect target antigens on the surface of target cells and eliminate them following adoptive transfer. Recent progress in CAR-based therapies has led to outstanding clinical success in certain patients with leukemias and lymphomas and offered therapeutic benefits to those resistant to conventional therapies. The universal approach to stable CAR transgene delivery into the T/NK cells is the use of viral particles. Such approaches mediate semi-random transgene insertions spanning the entire genome with a high preference for integration into sites surrounding highly-expressed genes and active loci. Regardless of the variable CAR expression level based on the integration site of the CAR transgene, foreign integrated DNA fragments may affect the neighboring endogenous genes and chromatin structure and potentially change a transduced T/NK cell behavior and function or even favor cellular transformation. In contrast, site-specific integration of CAR constructs using recent genome-editing technologies could overcome the limitations and disadvantages of universal random gene integration. Herein, we explain random and site-specific integration of CAR transgenes in CAR-T/NK cell therapies. Also, we tend to summarize the methods for site-specific integration as well as the clinical outcomes of certain gene disruptions or enhancements due to CAR transgene integration. Also, the advantages and limitations of using site-specific integration methods are discussed in this review. Ultimately, we will introduce the genomic safe harbor (GSH) standards and suggest some appropriate safety prospects for CAR integration in CAR-T/NK cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Dabiri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohadeseh Mirzaee Godarzee
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Basiri
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahab Ziaei
- National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Sadeghizadeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensiyeh Hajizadeh Saffar
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
- Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product Technology Development Center (ATMP-TDC), Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Dabiri H, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Habibi Anbouhi M, Mirzaee Godarzee M, Haddadi MH, Basiri M, Ziaei V, Sadeghizadeh M, Hajizadeh Saffar E. Site-specific transgene integration in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Biomark Res 2023; 11:67. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1186/s40364-023-00509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are genetically engineered immune cells that can detect target antigens on the surface of target cells and eliminate them following adoptive transfer. Recent progress in CAR-based therapies has led to outstanding clinical success in certain patients with leukemias and lymphomas and offered therapeutic benefits to those resistant to conventional therapies. The universal approach to stable CAR transgene delivery into the T/NK cells is the use of viral particles. Such approaches mediate semi-random transgene insertions spanning the entire genome with a high preference for integration into sites surrounding highly-expressed genes and active loci. Regardless of the variable CAR expression level based on the integration site of the CAR transgene, foreign integrated DNA fragments may affect the neighboring endogenous genes and chromatin structure and potentially change a transduced T/NK cell behavior and function or even favor cellular transformation. In contrast, site-specific integration of CAR constructs using recent genome-editing technologies could overcome the limitations and disadvantages of universal random gene integration. Herein, we explain random and site-specific integration of CAR transgenes in CAR-T/NK cell therapies. Also, we tend to summarize the methods for site-specific integration as well as the clinical outcomes of certain gene disruptions or enhancements due to CAR transgene integration. Also, the advantages and limitations of using site-specific integration methods are discussed in this review. Ultimately, we will introduce the genomic safe harbor (GSH) standards and suggest some appropriate safety prospects for CAR integration in CAR-T/NK cell therapies.
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7
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Arancibia D, Pol I, Vargas-Fernández M, Zárate RV, Signorelli JR, Zamorano P. OPTO-BLUE: An Integrated Bidirectional Optogenetic Lentiviral Platform for Controlled Light-Induced Gene Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119537. [PMID: 37298488 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulated systems for transgene expression are useful tools in basic research and a promising platform in biomedicine due to their regulated transgene expression by an inducer. The emergence of optogenetics expression systems enabled the construction of light-switchable systems, enhancing the spatial and temporal resolution of a transgene. The LightOn system is an optogenetic tool that regulates the expression of a gene of interest using blue light as an inducer. This system is based on a photosensitive protein (GAVPO), which dimerizes and binds to the UASG sequence in response to blue light, triggering the expression of a downstream transgene. Previously, we adapted the LightOn system to a dual lentiviral vector system for neurons. Here, we continue the optimization and assemble all components of the LightOn system into a single lentiviral plasmid, the OPTO-BLUE system. For functional validation, we used enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as an expression reporter (OPTO-BLUE-EGFP) and evaluated the efficiency of EGFP expression by transfection and transduction in HEK293-T cells exposed to continuous blue-light illumination. Altogether, these results prove that the optimized OPTO-BLUE system allows the light-controlled expression of a reporter protein according to a specific time and light intensity. Likewise, this system should provide an important molecular tool to modulate gene expression of any protein by blue light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duxan Arancibia
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
| | - Iracy Pol
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
| | - Martín Vargas-Fernández
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
| | - Rafaella V Zárate
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
- Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
| | - Janetti R Signorelli
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
| | - Pedro Zamorano
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
- Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
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8
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bin Umair M, Akusa FN, Kashif H, Seerat-e-Fatima, Butt F, Azhar M, Munir I, Ahmed M, Khalil W, Sharyar H, Rafique S, Shahid M, Afzal S. Viruses as tools in gene therapy, vaccine development, and cancer treatment. Arch Virol 2022; 167:1387-1404. [PMID: 35462594 PMCID: PMC9035288 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05432-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Using viruses to our advantage has been a huge leap for humanity. Their ability to mediate horizontal gene transfer has made them useful tools for gene therapy, vaccine development, and cancer treatment. Adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, retroviruses, lentiviruses, alphaviruses, and herpesviruses are a few of the most common candidates for use as therapeutic agents or efficient gene delivery systems. Efforts are being made to improve and perfect viral-vector-based therapies to overcome potential or reported drawbacks. Some preclinical trials of viral vector vaccines have yielded positive results, indicating their potential as prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine candidates. Utilization of the oncolytic activity of viruses is the future of cancer therapy, as patients will then be free from the harmful effects of chemo- or radiotherapy. This review discusses in vitro and in vivo studies showing the brilliant therapeutic potential of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musab bin Umair
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fujimura Nao Akusa
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hadia Kashif
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Seerat-e-Fatima
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fatima Butt
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Marium Azhar
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Munir
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ahmed
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Wajeeha Khalil
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Sharyar
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Rafique
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahid
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Samia Afzal
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, Pakistan
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Westhaus A, Cabanes Creus M, Jonker T, Sallard E, Navarro RG, Zhu E, Baltazar G, Lee S, Wilmott P, Gonzalez-Cordero A, Santilli G, Thrasher AJ, Alexander IE, Lisowski L. AAV-p40 bioengineering platform for variant selection based on transgene expression. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:664-682. [PMID: 35297686 PMCID: PMC10112876 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The power of AAV directed evolution for identifying novel vector variants with improved properties is well established, as evidenced by numerous publications reporting novel AAV variants. However, most capsid variants reported to date have been identified using either replication-competent selection platforms or PCR-based capsid DNA recovery methods, which can bias the selection towards efficient replication or unproductive intracellular trafficking, respectively. A central objective of this study was to validate a functional transduction (FT)-based method for rapid identification of novel AAV variants based on AAV capsid mRNA expression in target cells. We performed a comparison of the FT platform to existing replication competent strategies. Based on the selection kinetics and function of novel capsids identified in an in vivo screen in a xenograft model of human hepatocytes, we identified the mRNA-based FT selection as the most optimal AAV selection method. Lastly, to gain insight into the mRNA-based selection mechanism driven by the native AAV-p40 promoter, we studied its activity in a range of in vitro and in vivo targets. We found AAV-p40 to be a ubiquitously active promoter that can be modified for cell type-specific expression by incorporating binding sites for silencing transcription factors, allowing for cell-type-specific library selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Westhaus
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Marti Cabanes Creus
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Timo Jonker
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Erwan Sallard
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Gene Therapy Research Unit, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Grober Baltazar
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Scott Lee
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Patrick Wilmott
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, 522555, Stem Cell & Organoid Facility and Stem Cell Medicine Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- UCL-Institute of Child Health, Centre for Immunodeficiencies, 30 guilford street, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, WC1N 1EH;
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Institute of Child Health, London, UK, Molecular Immunology Unit, 30 guilford street, london, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, wc1n1eh;
| | - Ian Edward Alexander
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and Children's Medical Research Institute, Corner Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145 Sydney;
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
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10
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Baron Y, Sens J, Lange L, Nassauer L, Klatt D, Hoffmann D, Kleppa MJ, Barbosa PV, Keisker M, Steinberg V, Suerth JD, Vondran FWR, Meyer J, Morgan M, Schambach A, Galla M. Improved alpharetrovirus-based Gag.MS2 particles for efficient and transient delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 into target cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:810-823. [PMID: 35141043 PMCID: PMC8801357 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA-modifying technologies, such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system, are promising tools in the field of gene and cell therapies. However, high and prolonged expression of DNA-modifying enzymes may cause cytotoxic and genotoxic side effects and is therefore unwanted in therapeutic approaches. Consequently, development of new and potent short-term delivery methods is of utmost importance. Recently, we developed non-integrating gammaretrovirus- and MS2 bacteriophage-based Gag.MS2 (g.Gag.MS2) particles for transient transfer of non-retroviral CRISPR-Cas9 RNA into target cells. In the present study, we further improved the technique by transferring the system to the alpharetroviral vector platform (a.Gag.MS2), which significantly increased CRISPR-Cas9 delivery into target cells and allowed efficient targeted knockout of endogenous TP53/Trp53 genes in primary murine fibroblasts as well as primary human fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and cord-blood-derived CD34+ stem and progenitor cells. Strikingly, co-packaging of Cas9 mRNA and multiple single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) into a.Gag.MS2 chimera displayed efficient targeted knockout of up to three genes. Co-transfection of single-stranded DNA donor oligonucleotides during CRISPR-Cas9 particle production generated all-in-one particles, which mediated up to 12.5% of homology-directed repair in primary cell cultures. In summary, optimized a.Gag.MS2 particles represent a versatile tool for short-term delivery of DNA-modifying enzymes into a variety of target cells, including primary murine and human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Baron
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Johanna Sens
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Lucas Lange
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Larissa Nassauer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Denise Klatt
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Marc-Jens Kleppa
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Philippe Vollmer Barbosa
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Maximilian Keisker
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Viviane Steinberg
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Julia D Suerth
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Johann Meyer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Melanie Galla
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
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11
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Van Breedam E, Nijak A, Buyle-Huybrecht T, Di Stefano J, Boeren M, Govaerts J, Quarta A, Swartenbroekx T, Jacobs EZ, Menten B, Gijsbers R, Delputte P, Alaerts M, Hassannia B, Loeys B, Berneman Z, Timmermans JP, Jorens PG, Vanden Berghe T, Fransen E, Wouters A, De Vos WH, Ponsaerts P. Luminescent Human iPSC-Derived Neurospheroids Enable Modeling of Neurotoxicity After Oxygen-glucose Deprivation. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:550-569. [PMID: 35289376 PMCID: PMC9226265 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01212-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the considerable impact of stroke on both the individual and on society, a neuroprotective therapy for stroke patients is missing. This is partially due to the current lack of a physiologically relevant human in vitro stroke model. To address this problem, we have developed a luminescent human iPSC-derived neurospheroid model that enables real-time read-out of neural viability after ischemia-like conditions. We subjected 1- and 4-week-old neurospheroids, generated from iPSC-derived neural stem cells, to 6 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and measured neurospheroid luminescence. For both, we detected a decrease in luminescent signal due to ensuing neurotoxicity, as confirmed by conventional LDH assay and flow cytometric viability analysis. Remarkably, 1-week-old, but not 4-week-old neurospheroids recovered from OGD-induced injury, as evidenced by their reduced but overall increasing luminescence over time. This underscores the need for more mature neurospheroids, more faithfully recapitulating the in vivo situation. Furthermore, treatment of oxygen- and glucose-deprived neurospheroids with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK did not increase overall neural survival, despite its successful attenuation of apoptosis, in a human-based 3D environment. Nevertheless, owing to its three-dimensional organization and real-time viability reporting potential, the luminescent neurospheroids may become readily adopted in high-throughput screens aimed at identification of new therapeutic agents to treat acute ischemic stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Van Breedam
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Aleksandra Nijak
- Cardiogenomics Group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tamariche Buyle-Huybrecht
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Julia Di Stefano
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marlies Boeren
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jonas Govaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Quarta
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tine Swartenbroekx
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Eva Z Jacobs
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Menten
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Viral Vector Core (LVVC), KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maaike Alaerts
- Cardiogenomics Group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Behrouz Hassannia
- Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), VIB-UGent, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Bart Loeys
- Cardiogenomics Group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Zwi Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe G Jorens
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tom Vanden Berghe
- Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), VIB-UGent, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
- Human Molecular Genetics group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - An Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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12
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Raabe FJ, Stephan M, Waldeck JB, Huber V, Demetriou D, Kannaiyan N, Galinski S, Glaser LV, Wehr MC, Ziller MJ, Schmitt A, Falkai P, Rossner MJ. Expression of Lineage Transcription Factors Identifies Differences in Transition States of Induced Human Oligodendrocyte Differentiation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020241. [PMID: 35053357 PMCID: PMC8773672 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are critical for myelination and are implicated in several brain disorders. Directed differentiation of human-induced OLs (iOLs) from pluripotent stem cells can be achieved by forced expression of different combinations of the transcription factors SOX10 (S), OLIG2 (O), and NKX6.2 (N). Here, we applied quantitative image analysis and single-cell transcriptomics to compare different transcription factor (TF) combinations for their efficacy towards robust OL lineage conversion. Compared with S alone, the combination of SON increases the number of iOLs and generates iOLs with a more complex morphology and higher expression levels of myelin-marker genes. RNA velocity analysis of individual cells reveals that S generates a population of oligodendrocyte-precursor cells (OPCs) that appear to be more immature than those generated by SON and to display distinct molecular properties. Our work highlights that TFs for generating iOPCs or iOLs should be chosen depending on the intended application or research question, and that SON might be beneficial to study more mature iOLs while S might be better suited to investigate iOPC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian J. Raabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Marius Stephan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), 80804 Munich, Germany
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, 81669 Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Benedikt Waldeck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Verena Huber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Damianos Demetriou
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Nirmal Kannaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, 81669 Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Galinski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, 81669 Munich, Germany
| | - Laura V. Glaser
- Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Michael C. Wehr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, 81669 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael J. Ziller
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany;
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Andrea Schmitt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Moritz J. Rossner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; (F.J.R.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.); (V.H.); (D.D.); (N.K.); (S.G.); (M.C.W.); (A.S.); (P.F.)
- Systasy Bioscience GmbH, 81669 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence:
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13
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Van Looveren D, Giacomazzi G, Thiry I, Sampaolesi M, Gijsbers R. Improved functionality and potency of next generation BinMLV viral vectors toward safer gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:51-67. [PMID: 34553002 PMCID: PMC8433069 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
To develop safer retroviral murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based vectors, we previously mutated and re-engineered the MLV integrase: the W390A mutation abolished the interaction with its cellular tethering factors, BET proteins, and a retargeting peptide (the chromodomain of the CBX1 protein) was fused C-terminally. The resulting BET-independent MLVW390A-CBX was shown to integrate efficiently and more randomly, away from typical retroviral markers. In this study, we assessed the functionality and stability of expression of the redistributed MLVW390A-CBX vector in more depth, and evaluated safety using a clinically more relevant vector design encompassing a self-inactivated (SIN) LTR and a weak internal elongation factor 1α short (EFS) promoter. MLVW390A-CBX-EFS produced like MLVWT and efficiently transduced laboratory cells and primary human CD34+ hematopoetic stem cells (HSC) without transgene silencing over time, while displaying a more preferred, redistributed, and safer integration pattern. In a human mesoangioblast (MAB) stem cell model, the myogenic fusion capacity was hindered following MLVWT transduction, while this remained unaffected when applying MLVW390A-CBX. Likewise, smooth muscle cell differentiation of MABs was unaltered by MLVW390A-CBX-EFS. Taken together, our results underscore the potential of MLVW390A-CBX-EFS as a clinically relevant viral vector for ex-vivo gene therapy, combining efficient production with a preferable integration site distribution profile and stable expression over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Van Looveren
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Giacomazzi
- Laboratory of Translational Cardiomyology, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Research Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Irina Thiry
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Laboratory of Translational Cardiomyology, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Research Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Rudek LS, Zimmermann K, Galla M, Meyer J, Kuehle J, Stamopoulou A, Brand D, Sandalcioglu IE, Neyazi B, Moritz T, Rossig C, Altvater B, Falk CS, Abken H, Morgan MA, Schambach A. Generation of an NFκB-Driven Alpharetroviral "All-in-One" Vector Construct as a Potent Tool for CAR NK Cell Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:751138. [PMID: 34804035 PMCID: PMC8595471 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.751138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cell therapeutics are increasingly applied in oncology. Especially chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are successfully used to treat several B cell malignancies. Efforts to engineer CAR T cells for improved activity against solid tumors include co-delivery of pro-inflammatory cytokines in addition to CARs, via either constitutive cytokine expression or inducible cytokine expression triggered by CAR recognition of its target antigen-so-called "T cells redirected for universal cytokine-mediated killing" (TRUCKs) or fourth-generation CARs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that TRUCK principles could be expanded to improve anticancer functions of NK cells. A comparison of the functionality of inducible promoters responsive to NFAT or NFκB in NK cells showed that, in contrast to T cells, the inclusion of NFκB-responsive elements within the inducible promoter construct was essential for CAR-inducible expression of the transgene. We demonstrated that GD2CAR-specific activation induced a tight NFκB-promoter-driven cytokine release in NK-92 and primary NK cells together with an enhanced cytotoxic capacity against GD2+ target cells, also shown by increased secretion of cytolytic cytokines. The data demonstrate biologically relevant differences between T and NK cells that are important when clinically translating the TRUCK concept to NK cells for the treatment of solid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreen Sophie Rudek
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina Zimmermann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Galla
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johann Meyer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Kuehle
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andriana Stamopoulou
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Brand
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - I Erol Sandalcioglu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Belal Neyazi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Bianca Altvater
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Regensburg Centre for Interventional Immunology, Department of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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15
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Greenbaum U, Dumbrava EI, Biter AB, Haymaker CL, Hong DS. Engineered T-cell Receptor T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:1252-1261. [PMID: 34728535 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Engineering immune cells to target cancer is a rapidly advancing technology. The first commercial products, chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, are now approved for hematologic malignancies. However, solid tumors pose a greater challenge for cellular therapy, in part because suitable cancer-specific antigens are more difficult to identify and surrounding healthy tissues are harder to avoid. In addition, impaired trafficking of immune cells to solid tumors, the harsh immune-inhibitory microenvironment, and variable antigen density and presentation help tumors evade immune cells targeting cancer-specific antigens. To overcome these obstacles, T cells are being engineered to express defined T-cell receptors (TCR). Given that TCRs target intracellular peptides expressed on tumor MHC molecules, this provides an expanded pool of potential targetable tumor-specific antigens relative to the cell-surface antigens that are targeted by CAR T cells. The affinity of TCR T cells can be tuned to allow for better tumor recognition, even with varying levels of antigen presentation on the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. Further enhancements to TCR T cells include improved platforms that enable more robust cell expansion and persistence; coadministration of small molecules that enhance tumor recognition and immune activation; and coexpression of cytokine-producing moieties, activating coreceptors, or mediators that relieve checkpoint blockade. Early-phase clinical trials pose logistical challenges involving production, large-scale manufacturing, and more. The challenges and obstacles to successful TCR T-cell therapy, and ways to overcome these and improve anticancer activity and efficacy, are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Greenbaum
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ecaterina I Dumbrava
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amadeo B Biter
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cara L Haymaker
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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16
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Choudhury S, Surendran N, Das A. Recent advances in the induced pluripotent stem cell-based skin regeneration. Wound Repair Regen 2021; 29:697-710. [PMID: 33970525 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Skin regeneration has been a challenging clinical problem especially in cases of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, and epidermolysis bullosa-related skin blisters. Prolonged non-healing wounds often lead to bacterial infections increasing the severity of wounds. Current treatment strategies for chronic wounds include debridement of wounds along with antibiotics, growth factors, and stem cell transplantation therapies. However, the compromised nature of autologous stem cells in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes limits the efficacy of the therapy. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has immensely influenced the field of regenerative therapy. Enormous efforts have been made to develop integration-free iPSCs suitable for clinical therapies. This review focuses on recent advances in the methods and reprogramming factors for generating iPSCs along with the existing challenges such as genetic alterations, tumorigenicity, immune rejection, and regulatory hurdles for the clinical application of iPSCs. Furthermore, this review also highlights the benefits of using iPSCs for the generation of skin cells and skin disease modeling over the existing clinical therapies for skin regeneration in chronic wounds and skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subholakshmi Choudhury
- Department of Applied Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Science and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Nidhi Surendran
- Department of Applied Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Amitava Das
- Department of Applied Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, India
- Academy of Science and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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17
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Efficient Genetic Safety Switches for Future Application of iPSC-Derived Cell Transplants. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11060565. [PMID: 34204193 PMCID: PMC8234706 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell products hold great promise as a potential cell source in personalized medicine. As concerns about the potential risk of graft-related severe adverse events, such as tumor formation from residual pluripotent cells, currently restrict their applicability, we established an optimized tool for therapeutic intervention that allows drug-controlled, specific and selective ablation of either iPSCs or the whole graft through genetic safety switches. To identify the best working system, different tools for genetic iPSC modification, promoters to express safety switches and different safety switches were combined. Suicide effects were slightly stronger when the suicide gene was delivered through lentiviral (LV) vectors compared to integration into the AAVS1 locus through TALEN technology. An optimized HSV-thymidine kinase and the inducible Caspase 9 both mediated drug-induced, efficient in vitro elimination of transgene-positive iPSCs. Choice of promoter allowed selective elimination of distinct populations within the graft: the hOct4 short response element restricted transgene expression to iPSCs, while the CAGs promoter ubiquitously drove expression in iPSCs and their progeny. Remarkably, both safety switches were able to prevent in vivo teratoma development and even effectively eliminated established teratomas formed by LV CAGs-transgenic iPSCs. These optimized tools to increase safety provide an important step towards clinical application of iPSC-derived transplants.
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18
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Genetic Correction of IL-10RB Deficiency Reconstitutes Anti-Inflammatory Regulation in iPSC-Derived Macrophages. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11030221. [PMID: 33804706 PMCID: PMC8003874 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11030221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient material from rare diseases such as very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) is often limited. The use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for disease modeling is a promising approach to investigate disease pathomechanisms and therapeutic strategies. We successfully developed VEO-IBD patient-derived iPSC lines harboring a mutation in the IL-10 receptor β-chain (IL-10RB) associated with defective IL-10 signaling. To characterize the disease phenotype, healthy control and VEO-IBD iPSCs were differentiated into macrophages. IL-10 stimulation induced characteristic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) downstream signaling and anti-inflammatory regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated cytokine secretion in healthy control iPSC-derived macrophages. In contrast, IL-10 stimulation of macrophages derived from patient iPSCs did not result in STAT3 phosphorylation and subsequent SOCS3 expression, recapitulating the phenotype of cells from patients with IL-10RB deficiency. In line with this, LPS-induced cytokine secretion (e.g., IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) could not be downregulated by exogenous IL-10 stimulation in VEO-IBD iPSC-derived macrophages. Correction of the IL-10RB defect via lentiviral gene therapy or genome editing in the adeno-associated virus integration site 1 (AAVS1) safe harbor locus led to reconstitution of the anti-inflammatory response. Corrected cells showed IL-10RB expression, IL-10-inducible phosphorylation of STAT3, and subsequent SOCS3 expression. Furthermore, LPS-mediated TNF-α secretion could be modulated by IL-10 stimulation in gene-edited VEO-IBD iPSC-derived macrophages. Our established disease models provide the opportunity to identify and validate new curative molecular therapies and to investigate phenotypes and consequences of additional individual IL-10 signaling pathway-dependent VEO-IBD mutations.
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19
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MacMullen C, Davis RL. High-Throughput Phenotypic Assay for Compounds That Influence Mitochondrial Health Using iPSC-Derived Human Neurons. SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:811-822. [PMID: 33724077 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211000671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There is a critical need to develop high-throughput assays to identify compounds that offer therapy for individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Most brain disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, share the common neuropathology of mitochondria dysfunction, which can lead to apoptosis of neurons, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and other cellular neuropathologies characteristic of these diseases. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a stable genomic insertion of the neurogenin-2 transcription factor under the control of the TetOn promoter can be differentiated into excitatory human neurons (i3Neurons) within 3 days of exposure to doxycycline. These neurons have been used to develop and validate a live-cell assay for parameters of mitochondrial dynamics and function using two compounds known to promote mitochondrial elongation in mouse neurons, 4-hydroxychalcone and 2,4-dihyrdroxychalcone. The assay involves plating the neurons in 384-well microtiter plates, treating them with known or unknown substances, and then capturing morphological information for the neuronal mitochondria using a lentivirus vector to express a mitochondrial-targeted fluorescence reporter. The i3Neuron cultures exposed to these two compounds for 24 h exhibit significantly decreased circularity and significantly increased length compared to controls, two morphological parameters correlated with increased mitochondrial health. The assay is rapid, with results obtained after a one-week-long i3Neuron culture or one month if neurons are co-cultured with astrocytes. This live-cell, mitochondrial phenotypic assay can be used for high-throughput screening or as an orthogonal assay for compounds obtained via other high-throughput screening campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney MacMullen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Ronald L Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, USA
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20
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In Vitro Generation of Vascular Wall-Typical Mesenchymal Stem Cells (VW-MSC) from Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Through VW-MSC-Specific Gene Transfer. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 32474869 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0655-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Among the adult stem cells, multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) turned out to be a promising option for cell-based therapies for the treatment of various diseases including autoimmune and cardiovascular disorders. MSCs bear a high proliferation and differentiation capability and exert immunomodulatory functions while being still clinically safe. As tissue-resident stem cells, MSCs can be isolated from various tissue including peripheral or umbilical cord blood, placenta, blood, fetal liver, lung, adipose tissue, and blood vessels, although the most commonly used source for MSCs is the bone marrow. However, the proportion of MSCs in primary isolates from adult tissue biopsies is rather low, and therefore MSCs must be intensively expanded in vitro before the MSCs find particular use in therapies that may require extensive and repetitive cell replacement. Therefore, more easily accessible sources of MSCs are needed. Here, we present a detailed protocol to generate tissue-typical MSCs by direct linage conversion using transcription factors defining target MSC identity from murine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
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21
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Sens J, Hoffmann D, Lange L, Vollmer Barbosa P, Morgan M, Falk CS, Schambach A. Knockout-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease and Therapy Modeling of IL-10-Associated Primary Immunodeficiencies. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:77-95. [PMID: 33023317 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Samples from patients with rare diseases, such as primary immunodeficiencies, are often limited, which hampers careful analysis of the pathomechanisms involved in immune cell dysregulation. To overcome this issue, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent an almost inexhaustible cell source and thus provide an excellent opportunity to generate disease models for rare diseases and to validate new therapeutic approaches. To obtain a better understanding of primary immunodeficiencies associated with the interleukin (IL)-10 signaling pathway, for example, very-early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD), we generated genetic knockouts (KOs) of IL-10RA (IL-10 receptor α-chain) and IL-10RB (IL-10 receptor β-chain) as well as the downstream targets of the IL-10-receptor (IL-10R) signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)1 and STAT3 via an sgRNA (single-guide RNA)-CRISPR-Cas9-expressing lentiviral system. IL-10 signaling-associated KO models and a VEO-IBD patient-derived iPSC clone were differentiated into macrophages for disease models. IL-10R- or STAT3-deficient disease models showed no IL-10-induced BCL3 or SOCS3 expression, whereas lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation induced IL-10R independently of BCL3 and SOCS3 expression. Cytokine secretion profiles from iPSC-derived macrophage disease models showed that IL-10 was involved in many inflammatory cytokine secretions, which indicated formation of both anti- and proinflammatory macrophage phenotypes. Macrophage-secreted cytokines were separated into IL-10R- and STAT3-dependent (IL-6, TNF-α), or into IL-10R-, STAT1-, and STAT3-dependent cytokines (CCL2, CXCL10). Importantly, lentiviral correction restored IL-10-mediated regulation of LPS-induced cytokine secretion in corrected IL-10RB, STAT1, and VEO-IBD patient-derived disease models. Furthermore, treatment of IL-10RB-deficient macrophages with anti-inflammatory small molecules (SB202190, filgotinib) reduced proinflammatory cytokine secretion patterns. Taken together, the described iPSC KO models gave new insights into the pathomechanisms of immune cell dysregulation and served as model systems to test potential therapeutic approaches, including lentiviral gene therapy and targeted small-molecule treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Sens
- Institute of Experimental Hematology.,REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine
| | - Dirk Hoffmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology.,REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine
| | - Lucas Lange
- Institute of Experimental Hematology.,REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine
| | - Philippe Vollmer Barbosa
- Institute of Experimental Hematology.,REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine.,Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology.,REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology; Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology.,REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Piras G, Montiel-Equihua C, Chan YKA, Wantuch S, Stuckey D, Burke D, Prunty H, Phadke R, Chambers D, Partida-Gaytan A, Leon-Rico D, Panchal N, Whitmore K, Calero M, Benedetti S, Santilli G, Thrasher AJ, Gaspar HB. Lentiviral Hematopoietic Stem Cell Gene Therapy Rescues Clinical Phenotypes in a Murine Model of Pompe Disease. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 18:558-570. [PMID: 32775491 PMCID: PMC7396971 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pompe disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by malfunctions of the acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme with a consequent toxic accumulation of glycogen in cells. Muscle wasting and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are the most common clinical signs that can lead to cardiac and respiratory failure within the first year of age in the more severe infantile forms. Currently available treatments have significant limitations and are not curative, highlighting a need for the development of alternative therapies. In this study, we investigated the use of a clinically relevant lentiviral vector to deliver systemically GAA through genetic modification of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). The overexpression of GAA in human HSPCs did not exert any toxic effect on this cell population, which conserved its stem cell capacity in xenograft experiments. In a murine model of Pompe disease treated at young age, we observed phenotypic correction of heart and muscle function with a significant reduction of glycogen accumulation in tissues after 6 months of treatment. These findings suggest that lentiviral-mediated HSPC gene therapy can be a safe alternative therapy for Pompe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppa Piras
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Claudia Montiel-Equihua
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Yee-Ka Agnes Chan
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Slawomir Wantuch
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Daniel Stuckey
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Derek Burke
- Enzyme and Metabolic laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Helen Prunty
- Enzyme and Metabolic laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Rahul Phadke
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Darren Chambers
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Armando Partida-Gaytan
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Diego Leon-Rico
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Neelam Panchal
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Kathryn Whitmore
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Miguel Calero
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Sara Benedetti
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Adrian J. Thrasher
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - H. Bobby Gaspar
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Program, Molecular and Cellular Immunology Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Orchard Therapeutics Ltd., London EC4N 6EU, UK
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23
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Fitzgerald M, Livingston M, Gibbs C, Deans TL. Rosa26 docking sites for investigating genetic circuit silencing in stem cells. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 5:ysaa014. [PMID: 33195816 PMCID: PMC7644442 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysaa014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Approaches in mammalian synthetic biology have transformed how cells can be programmed to have reliable and predictable behavior, however, the majority of mammalian synthetic biology has been accomplished using immortalized cell lines that are easy to grow and easy to transfect. Genetic circuits that integrate into the genome of these immortalized cell lines remain functional for many generations, often for the lifetime of the cells, yet when genetic circuits are integrated into the genome of stem cells gene silencing is observed within a few generations. To investigate the reactivation of silenced genetic circuits in stem cells, the Rosa26 locus of mouse pluripotent stem cells was modified to contain docking sites for site-specific integration of genetic circuits. We show that the silencing of genetic circuits can be reversed with the addition of sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. These findings demonstrate an approach to reactivate the function of genetic circuits in pluripotent stem cells to ensure robust function over many generations. Altogether, this work introduces an approach to overcome the silencing of genetic circuits in pluripotent stem cells that may enable the use of genetic circuits in pluripotent stem cells for long-term function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fitzgerald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Mark Livingston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Chelsea Gibbs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tara L Deans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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24
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Human Lentiviral Gene Therapy Restores the Cellular Phenotype of Autosomal Recessive Complete IFN-γR1 Deficiency. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:785-795. [PMID: 32355867 PMCID: PMC7184269 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal recessive (AR) complete interferon-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1) deficiency, also known as one genetic etiology of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD), is a life-threatening congenital disease leading to premature death. Affected patients present a pathognomonic predisposition to recurrent and severe infections with environmental mycobacteria or the Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Current therapeutic options are limited to antibiotic treatment and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, however with poor outcome. Given the clinical success of gene therapy, we introduce the first lentiviral-based gene therapy approach to restore expression and function of the human IFN-γR-downstream signaling cascade. In our study, we developed lentiviral vectors constitutively expressing the human IFN-γR1 and demonstrate stable transgene expression without interference with cell viability and proliferation in transduced human hematopoietic cells. Using an IFN-γR1-deficient HeLa cell model, we show stable receptor reconstitution and restored IFN-γR1 signaling without adverse effect on cell functionality. Transduction of both SV40-immortalized and primary fibroblasts derived from IFN-γR1-deficient MSMD patients was able to recover IFN-γR1 expression and restore type II IFN signaling upon stimulation with IFN-γ. In summary, we highlight lentiviral vectors to correct the IFN-γ mediated immunity and present the first gene therapy approach for patients suffering from AR complete IFN-γR1 deficiency.
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25
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Zhang L, Rossi A, Lange L, Meumann N, Koitzsch U, Christie K, Nesbit MA, Moore CBT, Hacker UT, Morgan M, Hoffmann D, Zengel J, Carette JE, Schambach A, Salvetti A, Odenthal M, Büning H. Capsid Engineering Overcomes Barriers Toward Adeno-Associated Virus Vector-Mediated Transduction of Endothelial Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 30:1284-1296. [PMID: 31407607 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (EC) are targets in gene therapy and regenerative medicine, but they are inefficiently transduced with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors of various serotypes. To identify barriers hampering efficient transduction and to develop an optimized AAV variant for EC transduction, we screened an AAV serotype 2-based peptide display library on primary human macrovascular EC. Using a new high-throughput selection and monitoring protocol, we identified a capsid variant, AAV-VEC, which outperformed the parental serotype as well as first-generation targeting vectors in EC transduction. AAV vector uptake was improved, resulting in significantly higher transgene expression levels from single-stranded vector genomes detectable within a few hours post-transduction. Notably, AAV-VEC transduced not only proliferating EC but also quiescent EC, although higher particle-per-cell ratios had to be applied. Also, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial progenitor cells, a novel tool in regenerative medicine and gene therapy, were highly susceptible toward AAV-VEC transduction. Thus, overcoming barriers by capsid engineering significantly expands the AAV tool kit for a wide range of applications targeting EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zhang
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - A Rossi
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,International Center for Research in Infectiology (CIRI), INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Lyon, France
| | - L Lange
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - N Meumann
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - U Koitzsch
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - K Christie
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Ulster, Northern Ireland
| | - M A Nesbit
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Ulster, Northern Ireland
| | - C B T Moore
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Ulster, Northern Ireland.,Avellino Labs USA, Menlo Park, California
| | - U T Hacker
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,1st Medical Department, University Cancer Center Leipzig, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - M Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - D Hoffmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Zengel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - J E Carette
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - A Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - A Salvetti
- International Center for Research in Infectiology (CIRI), INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Lyon, France
| | - M Odenthal
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - H Büning
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Bonn-Cologne and Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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26
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Hoffmann D, Kuehle J, Lenz D, Philipp F, Zychlinski D, Lachmann N, Moritz T, Steinemann D, Morgan M, Skokowa J, Klein C, Schambach A. Lentiviral gene therapy and vitamin B3 treatment enable granulocytic differentiation of G6PC3-deficient induced pluripotent stem cells. Gene Ther 2020; 27:297-306. [PMID: 32051561 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-0127-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with genetic disorders are a valuable source for in vitro disease models, which enable drug testing and validation of gene and cell therapies. We generated iPSCs from a severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) patient, who presented with a nonsense mutation in the glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 3 (G6PC3) gene causing profound defects in granulopoiesis, associated with increased susceptibility of neutrophils to apoptosis. Generated SCN iPSC clones exhibited the capacity to differentiate into hematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage and we identified two cytokine conditions, i.e., using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in combination with interleukin-3, to model the SCN phenotype in vitro. Reduced numbers of granulocytes were produced by SCN iPSCs compared with control iPSCs in both settings, which reflected the phenotype in patients. Interestingly, our model showed increased monocyte/macrophage production from the SCN iPSCs. Most importantly, lentiviral genetic correction of SCN iPSCs with a codon-optimized G6PC3 transgene restored granulopoiesis and reduced apoptosis of in vitro differentiated myeloid cells. Moreover, addition of vitamin B3 clearly induced granulocytic differentiation of SCN iPSCs and increased the number of neutrophils to levels comparable with those obtained from healthy control iPSCs. In summary, we established an iPSC-derived in vitro disease model, which will serve as a tool to test the potency of alternative treatment options for SCN patients, such as small molecules and gene therapeutic vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Hoffmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johannes Kuehle
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Lenz
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Philipp
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Zychlinski
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nico Lachmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Doris Steinemann
- Institute of Cell and Molecular Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Skokowa
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Lange L, Hoffmann D, Schwarzer A, Ha TC, Philipp F, Lenz D, Morgan M, Schambach A. Inducible Forward Programming of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Hemato-endothelial Progenitor Cells with Hematopoietic Progenitor Potential. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 14:122-137. [PMID: 31839543 PMCID: PMC6962646 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising platform to model early embryonic developmental processes, to create disease models that can be evaluated by drug screens as well as proof-of-concept experiments for regenerative medicine. However, generation of iPSC-derived hemato-endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells for these applications is challenging due to variable and limited cell numbers, which necessitates enormous up-scaling or development of demanding protocols. Here, we unravel the function of key transcriptional regulators SCL, LMO2, GATA2, and ETV2 (SLGE) on early hemato-endothelial specification and establish a fully inducible and stepwise hemato-endothelial forward programming system based on SLGE-regulated overexpression. Regulated induction of SLGE in stable SLGE-iPSC lines drives very efficient generation of large numbers of hemato-endothelial progenitor cells (CD144+/CD73–), which produce hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD45+/CD34+/CD38–/CD45RA−/CD90+/CD49f+) through a gradual process of endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT). Inducible and robust hemato-endothelial forward programming of human iPSCs Efficient, scalable generation of hemato-endothelial progenitor cells Production of HPCs with HSC-like immunophenotype and multi-lineage potential Whole transcriptome screen for potential regulators of definitive hematopoiesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Lange
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Hoffmann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Adrian Schwarzer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostasis and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Teng-Cheong Ha
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Philipp
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Lenz
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 02115 Boston, MA, USA.
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Selich A, Zimmermann K, Tenspolde M, Dittrich-Breiholz O, von Kaisenberg C, Schambach A, Rothe M. Umbilical cord as a long-term source of activatable mesenchymal stromal cells for immunomodulation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:285. [PMID: 31547865 PMCID: PMC6755709 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1376-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are used in over 800 clinical trials mainly due to their immune inhibitory activity. Umbilical cord (UC), the second leading source of clinically used MSCs, is usually cut in small tissue pieces. Subsequent cultivation leads to a continuous outgrowth of MSC explant monolayers (MSC-EMs) for months. Currently, the first MSC-EM culture takes approximately 2 weeks to grow out, which is then expanded and applied to patients. The initiating tissue pieces are then discarded. However, when UC pieces are transferred to new culture dishes, MSC-EMs continue to grow out. In case the functional integrity of these cells is maintained, later induced cultures could also be expanded and used for cell therapy. This would drastically increase the number of available cells for each patient. To test the functionality of MSC-EMs from early and late induction time points, we compared the first cultures to those initiated after 2 months by investigating their clonality and immunomodulatory capacity. METHODS We analyzed the clonal composition of MSC-EM cultures by umbilical cord piece transduction using integrating lentiviral vectors harboring genetic barcodes assessed by high-throughput sequencing. We investigated the transcriptome of these cultures by microarrays. Finally, the secretome was analyzed by multiplexed ELISAs, in vitro assays, and in vivo in mice. RESULTS DNA barcode analysis showed polyclonal MSC-EMs even after months of induction cycles. A transcriptome and secretome analyses of early and late MSC cultures showed only minor changes over time. However, upon activation with TNF-α and IFN-γ, cells from both induction time points produced a multitude of immunomodulatory cytokines. Interestingly, the later induced MSC-EMs produced higher amounts of cytokines. To test whether the different cytokine levels were in a therapeutically relevant range, we used conditioned medium (CM) in an in vitro MLR and an in vivo killing assay. CM from late induced MSC-EMs was at least as immune inhibitory as CM from early induced MSC-EMs. CONCLUSION Human umbilical cord maintains a microenvironment for the long-term induction of polyclonal and immune inhibitory active MSCs for months. Thus, our results would offer the possibility to drastically increase the number of therapeutically applicable MSCs for a substantial amount of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Selich
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katharina Zimmermann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michel Tenspolde
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Rothe
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Selich A, Ha TC, Morgan M, Falk CS, von Kaisenberg C, Schambach A, Rothe M. Cytokine Selection of MSC Clones with Different Functionality. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:262-273. [PMID: 31303506 PMCID: PMC6700478 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are used in many clinical applications. However, ex vivo expansion is required to reach clinically relevant cell numbers, which might lead to selection of clones with different characteristics. To follow clonal selection, we transduced MSC progenitors in umbilical cord pieces (UCPs) with vectors encoding fluorescent proteins and genetic barcodes. After marked MSC cultures grew out from UCPs, we investigated the influence of cytokines on MSC functionality. Specific cytokine conditions selected for clones from common progenitors. MSC secretome analyses revealed differences dependent on the culture conditions used. Clones expanded in human serum containing culture medium secreted a plethora of growth factors. When expanded in the same medium containing TGF-β, MSCs secreted negligible amounts of cytokines but at the same time led to an increased human chimerism after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation into immunodeficient mice. Our results suggest a major influence of cytokine additives on MSC functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Selich
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Building J11, Level 01, Room 6540, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Teng-Cheong Ha
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Building J11, Level 01, Room 6540, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Building J11, Level 01, Room 6540, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Building J11, Level 01, Room 6540, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Rothe
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Building J11, Level 01, Room 6540, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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30
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Czerwińska P, Mazurek S, Kołodziejczak I, Wiznerowicz M. Gene delivery methods and genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2019; 24:180-187. [PMID: 30820192 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpor.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from normal somatic cells could be utilized to study tumorigenesis through overexpression of specific oncogenes, downregulation of tumor suppressors and dysregulation of other factors thought to promote tumorigenesis. Therefore, effective approaches that provide direct modifications of induced pluripotent stem cell genome are extremely needed. Emerging strategies are expected to provide the ability to more effectively introduce diverse genetic alterations, from as small as single-nucleotide modifications to whole gene amplification or deletion, all with a high degree of target specificity. To date, several techniques have been applied in stem cell studies to directly edit cell genome (ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR/Cas9). In this review, we summarize specific gene delivery strategies that were applied to stem cell studies together with genome editing techniques, which enable a direct modification of endogenous DNA sequences in the context of cancer studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Czerwińska
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Sylwia Mazurek
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iga Kołodziejczak
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Wiznerowicz
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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31
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Knopp Y, Geis FK, Heckl D, Horn S, Neumann T, Kuehle J, Meyer J, Fehse B, Baum C, Morgan M, Meyer J, Schambach A, Galla M. Transient Retrovirus-Based CRISPR/Cas9 All-in-One Particles for Efficient, Targeted Gene Knockout. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:256-274. [PMID: 30317165 PMCID: PMC6187057 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The recently discovered CRISPR/Cas9 system is widely used in basic research and is a useful tool for disease modeling and gene editing therapies. However, long-term expression of DNA-modifying enzymes can be associated with cytotoxicity and is particularly unwanted in clinical gene editing strategies. Because current transient expression methods may still suffer from cytotoxicity and/or low efficiency, we developed non-integrating retrovirus-based CRISPR/Cas9 all-in-one particles for targeted gene knockout. By redirecting the gammaretroviral packaging machinery, we transiently delivered Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) mRNA and single-guide RNA transcripts into various (including primary) cell types. Spatiotemporal co-delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 components resulted in efficient disruption of a surrogate reporter gene, as well as functional knockout of endogenous human genes CXCR4 and TP53. Although acting in a hit-and-run fashion, knockout efficiencies of our transient particles corresponded to 52%-80% of those obtained from constitutively active integrating vectors. Stable SpCas9 overexpression at high doses in murine NIH3T3 cells caused a substantial G0/G1 arrest accompanied by reduced cell growth and metabolic activity, which was prevented by transient SpCas9 transfer. In summary, the non-integrating retrovirus-based vector particles introduced here allow efficient and dose-controlled delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 components into target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Knopp
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Franziska K Geis
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Dirk Heckl
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Stefan Horn
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20246, Germany
| | - Thomas Neumann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Johannes Kuehle
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Janine Meyer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20246, Germany
| | - Christopher Baum
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany; Presidential Office, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Johann Meyer
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Melanie Galla
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany.
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Alhaji SY, Ngai SC, Abdullah S. Silencing of transgene expression in mammalian cells by DNA methylation and histone modifications in gene therapy perspective. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2018; 35:1-25. [PMID: 30514178 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1551594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation and histone modifications are vital in maintaining genomic stability and modulating cellular functions in mammalian cells. These two epigenetic modifications are the most common gene regulatory systems known to spatially control gene expression. Transgene silencing by these two mechanisms is a major challenge to achieving effective gene therapy for many genetic conditions. The implications of transgene silencing caused by epigenetic modifications have been extensively studied and reported in numerous gene delivery studies. This review highlights instances of transgene silencing by DNA methylation and histone modification with specific focus on the role of these two epigenetic effects on the repression of transgene expression in mammalian cells from integrative and non-integrative based gene delivery systems in the context of gene therapy. It also discusses the prospects of achieving an effective and sustained transgene expression for future gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suleiman Yusuf Alhaji
- a Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM , Serdang , Malaysia.,b Department of Human Anatomy , College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, ATBU , Bauchi , Nigeria
| | - Siew Ching Ngai
- c School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science , University of Nottingham Malaysia , Semenyih , Malaysia
| | - Syahril Abdullah
- a Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM , Serdang , Malaysia.,d UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience , Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM , Serdang , Malaysia
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Cullmann K, Blokland KEC, Sebe A, Schenk F, Ivics Z, Heinz N, Modlich U. Sustained and regulated gene expression by Tet-inducible "all-in-one" retroviral vectors containing the HNRPA2B1-CBX3 UCOE ®. Biomaterials 2018; 192:486-499. [PMID: 30508767 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic modification of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells may be necessary for the generation of effector cells for cellular therapies. Hereby, it can be important to induce transgene expression at restricted and defined time windows, especially if it interferes with pluripotency or differentiation. To achieve this, inducible expression systems can be used such as the tetracycline-inducible retroviral vector system, however, retroviral expression can be subjected to epigenetic silencing or to position-effect variegation. One strategy to overcome this is the incorporation of ubiquitous chromatin opening elements (UCOE®'s) into retroviral vectors to maintain a transcriptionally permissive chromatin state at the integration site. In this study, we developed Tet-inducible all-in-one gammaretroviral vectors carrying different sized UCOE®'s derived from the A2UCOE. The ability to prevent vector silencing by preserving the Tet-regulatory potential was investigated in different cell lines, and in murine and human iPS cells. A 670-bp fragment spanning the CBX3 promoter region of A2UCOE (U670) was the most potent element in preventing silencing, and conferred the strongest expression from the vector in the induced state. While longer fragments of A2UCOEs also sustained expression, vector titers and induction efficiencies were impaired. Finally, we demonstrate that U670 can be used for constitutive expression of the transactivator in the all-in-one vector for faithful regulation of transgenes by doxycycline, including the thrombopoietin receptor Mpl conferring cytokine-dependent cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Cullmann
- Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Div. of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Kaj E C Blokland
- Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Div. of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Attila Sebe
- Div. of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Franziska Schenk
- Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Div. of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Div. of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Niels Heinz
- Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Div. of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany; BioNTech Innovative Manufacturing Services GmbH, Idar-Oberstein, Germany
| | - Ute Modlich
- Research Group for Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Div. of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany.
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Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a personalized approach to study conditions and diseases including those of the eye that lack appropriate animal models to facilitate the development of novel therapeutics. Corneal disease is one of the most common causes of blindness. Hence, significant efforts are made to develop novel therapeutic approaches including stem cell-derived strategies to replace the diseased or damaged corneal tissues, thus restoring the vision. The use of adult limbal stem cells in the management of corneal conditions has been clinically successful. However, its limited availability and phenotypic plasticity necessitate the need for alternative stem cell sources to manage corneal conditions. Mesenchymal and embryonic stem cell-based approaches are being explored; nevertheless, their limited differentiation potential and ethical concerns have posed a significant hurdle in its clinical use. hiPSCs have emerged to fill these technical and ethical gaps to render clinical utility. In this review, we discuss and summarize protocols that have been devised so far to direct differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to different corneal cell phenotypes. With the summarization, our review intends to facilitate an understanding which would allow developing efficient and robust protocols to obtain specific corneal cell phenotype from hPSCs for corneal disease modeling and for the clinics to treat corneal diseases and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rohit Shetty
- Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
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35
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Walker AJ, Majzner RG, Zhang L, Wanhainen K, Long AH, Nguyen SM, Lopomo P, Vigny M, Fry TJ, Orentas RJ, Mackall CL. Tumor Antigen and Receptor Densities Regulate Efficacy of a Chimeric Antigen Receptor Targeting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase. Mol Ther 2017; 25:2189-2201. [PMID: 28676342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored the utility of targeting anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a cell surface receptor overexpressed on pediatric solid tumors, using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based immunotherapy. T cells expressing a CAR incorporating the single-chain variable fragment sequence of the ALK48 mAb linked to a 4-1BB-CD3ζ signaling domain lysed ALK-expressing tumor lines and produced interferon-gamma upon antigen stimulation but had limited anti-tumor efficacy in two xenograft models of human neuroblastoma. Further exploration demonstrated that cytokine production was highly dependent upon ALK target density and that target density of ALK on neuroblastoma cell lines was insufficient for maximal activation of CAR T cells. In addition, ALK CAR T cells demonstrated rapid and complete antigen-induced loss of receptor from the T cell surface via internalization. Using a model that simultaneously modulated antigen density and CAR expression, we demonstrated that CAR functionality is regulated by target antigen and CAR density and that low expression of either contributes to limited anti-tumor efficacy of the ALK CAR. These data suggest that stoichiometric relationships between CAR receptors and target antigens may significantly impact the anti-tumor efficacy of CAR T cells and that manipulation of these parameters could allow precise tuning of CAR T cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec J Walker
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kelsey Wanhainen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Adrienne H Long
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sang M Nguyen
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Paola Lopomo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marc Vigny
- INSERM/UPMC, Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Terry J Fry
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rimas J Orentas
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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