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Li M, Yuan Y, Hou Z, Hao S, Jin L, Wang B. Human brain organoid: trends, evolution, and remaining challenges. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2387-2399. [PMID: 38526275 PMCID: PMC11090441 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390972] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Advanced brain organoids provide promising platforms for deciphering the cellular and molecular processes of human neural development and diseases. Although various studies and reviews have described developments and advancements in brain organoids, few studies have comprehensively summarized and analyzed the global trends in this area of neuroscience. To identify and further facilitate the development of cerebral organoids, we utilized bibliometrics and visualization methods to analyze the global trends and evolution of brain organoids in the last 10 years. First, annual publications, countries/regions, organizations, journals, authors, co-citations, and keywords relating to brain organoids were identified. The hotspots in this field were also systematically identified. Subsequently, current applications for brain organoids in neuroscience, including human neural development, neural disorders, infectious diseases, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and toxicity assessment studies, are comprehensively discussed. Towards that end, several considerations regarding the current challenges in brain organoid research and future strategies to advance neuroscience will be presented to further promote their application in neurological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuhan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zongkun Hou
- School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Shilei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bochu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Singh R, Yadav D, Ingole PG, Ahn YH. Magnetic engineering nanoparticles: Versatile tools revolutionizing biomedical applications. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213948. [PMID: 38959651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles has increased significantly over the past few years in a number of fields, including diagnostics, biomedicine, environmental remediation, and water treatment, generating public interest. Among various types of nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as an essential tool for biomedical applications due to their distinct physicochemical properties compared to other nanoparticles. This review article focuses on the recent growth of MNPs and comprehensively reviews the advantages, multifunctional approaches, biomedical applications, and latest research on MNPs employed in various biomedical techniques. Biomedical applications of MNPs hold on to their ability to rapidly switch magnetic states under an external field at room temperature. Ideally, these MNPs should be highly susceptible to magnetization when the field is applied and then lose that magnetization just as quickly once the field is removed. This unique property allows MNPs to generate heat when exposed to high-frequency magnetic fields, making them valuable tools in developing treatments for hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. This review underscores the role of MNPs as tools that hold immense promise in transforming various aspects of healthcare, from diagnostics and imaging to therapeutic treatments, with discussion on a wide range of peer-reviewed articles published on the subject. At the conclusion of this work, challenges and potential future advances of MNPs in the biomedical field are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randeep Singh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea.
| | - Diksha Yadav
- Chemical Engineering Group, Engineering Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam 785006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Pravin G Ingole
- Chemical Engineering Group, Engineering Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam 785006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India.
| | - Young-Ho Ahn
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Rallabandi R, Sharp B, Majerus S, Royster A, Hoffer S, Ikeda M, Devaux P. Engineering single-cycle MeV vector for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101290. [PMID: 39070290 PMCID: PMC11283025 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing has vast applications in basic and clinical research and is a promising tool for several disorders. Our lab previously developed a non-integrating RNA virus, measles virus (MeV), as a single-cycle reprogramming vector by replacing the viral attachment protein with the reprogramming factors for induced pluripotent stem cell generation. Encouraged by the MeV reprogramming vector efficiency, in this study, we develop a single-cycle MeV vector to deliver the gRNA(s) and Cas9 nuclease to human cells for efficient gene editing. We show that the MeV vector achieved on-target gene editing of the reporter (mCherry) and endogenous genes (HBB and FANCD1) in human cells. Additionally, the MeV vector achieved precise knock-in via homology-directed repair using a single-stranded oligonucleotide donor. The MeV vector is a new and flexible platform for gene knock-out and knock-in modifications in human cells, capable of incorporating new technologies as they are developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Rallabandi
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Virology and Gene Therapy Graduate Track, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Brenna Sharp
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Spencer Majerus
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Austin Royster
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Sarrianna Hoffer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Mia Ikeda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Patricia Devaux
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Virology and Gene Therapy Graduate Track, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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4
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Sartori-Maldonado R, Montaser H, Soppa I, Eurola S, Juutila J, Balaz M, Puttonen H, Otonkoski T, Saarimäki-Vire J, Wartiovaara K. Thymidylate synthase disruption to limit cell proliferation in cell therapies. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2535-2548. [PMID: 38867450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine and gene therapy approaches. However, transplantation of living cells entails a fundamental risk of unwanted growth, potentially exacerbated by CRISPR-Cas9 or other genetic manipulations. Here, we describe a safety system to control cell proliferation while allowing robust and efficient cell manufacture, without any added genetic elements. Inactivating TYMS, a key nucleotide metabolism enzyme, in several cell lines resulted in cells that proliferate only when supplemented with exogenous thymidine. Under supplementation, TYMS-/--pluripotent stem cells proliferate, produce teratomas, and successfully differentiate into potentially therapeutic cell types such as pancreatic β cells. Our results suggest that supplementation with exogenous thymidine affects stem cell proliferation, but not the function of stem cell-derived cells. After differentiation, postmitotic cells do not require thymidine in vitro or in vivo, as shown by the production of functional human insulin in mice up to 5 months after implantation of stem cell-derived pancreatic tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Sartori-Maldonado
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hossam Montaser
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Inkeri Soppa
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Solja Eurola
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juhana Juutila
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Melanie Balaz
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henri Puttonen
- Department of Pathology, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Otonkoski
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonna Saarimäki-Vire
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirmo Wartiovaara
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Clinical Genetics, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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5
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Chen KS, Koubek EJ, Sakowski SA, Feldman EL. Stem cell therapeutics and gene therapy for neurologic disorders. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00427. [PMID: 39096590 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00427] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid advances in biological knowledge and technological innovation have greatly advanced the fields of stem cell and gene therapies to combat a broad spectrum of neurologic disorders. Researchers are currently exploring a variety of stem cell types (e.g., embryonic, progenitor, induced pluripotent) and various transplantation strategies, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Similarly, various gene modification techniques (zinc finger, TALENs, CRISPR-Cas9) are employed with various delivery vectors to modify underlying genetic contributors to neurologic disorders. While these two individual fields continue to blaze new trails, it is the combination of these technologies which enables genetically engineered stem cells and vastly increases investigational and therapeutic opportunities. The capability to culture and expand stem cells outside the body, along with their potential to correct genetic abnormalities in patient-derived cells or enhance cells with extra gene products, unleashes the full biological potential for innovative, multifaceted approaches to treat complex neurological disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of stem cell and gene therapies in the context of neurologic disorders, highlighting recent advances and current shortcomings, and discuss prospects for future therapies in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily J Koubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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6
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Zhang C, Xu J, Wu Y, Xu C, Xu P. Base Editors-Mediated Gene Therapy in Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Hematologic Diseases. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:1387-1405. [PMID: 38644403 PMCID: PMC11319617 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-024-10715-5] [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] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Base editors, developed from the CRISPR/Cas system, consist of components such as deaminase and Cas variants. Since their emergence in 2016, the precision, efficiency, and safety of base editors have been gradually optimized. The feasibility of using base editors in gene therapy has been demonstrated in several disease models. Compared with the CRISPR/Cas system, base editors have shown great potential in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and HSC-based gene therapy, because they do not generate double-stranded breaks (DSBs) while achieving the precise realization of single-base substitutions. This precise editing mechanism allows for the permanent correction of genetic defects directly at their source within HSCs, thus promising a lasting therapeutic effect. Recent advances in base editors are expected to significantly increase the number of clinical trials for HSC-based gene therapies. In this review, we summarize the development and recent progress of DNA base editors, discuss their applications in HSC gene therapy, and highlight the prospects and challenges of future clinical stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpeng Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jinchao Xu
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yikang Wu
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Can Xu
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
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7
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Gao J, Gunasekar S, Xia ZJ, Shalin K, Jiang C, Chen H, Lee D, Lee S, Pisal ND, Luo JN, Griciuc A, Karp JM, Tanzi R, Joshi N. Gene therapy for CNS disorders: modalities, delivery and translational challenges. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:553-572. [PMID: 38898231 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00829-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as a powerful tool to modulate abnormal gene expression, a hallmark of most CNS disorders. The transformative potentials of recently approved gene therapies for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and active cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy are encouraging further development of this approach. However, most attempts to translate gene therapy to the clinic have failed to make it to market. There is an urgent need not only to tailor the genes that are targeted to the pathology of interest but to also address delivery challenges and thereby maximize the utility of genetic tools. In this Review, we provide an overview of gene therapy modalities for CNS diseases, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different delivery strategies and routes of administration. Important gaps in understanding that could accelerate the clinical translatability of CNS genetic interventions are addressed, and we present lessons learned from failed clinical trials that may guide the future development of gene therapies for the treatment and management of CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
- Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Swetharajan Gunasekar
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ziting Judy Xia
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kiruba Shalin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Jiang
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | - Dongtak Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sohyung Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nishkal D Pisal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - James N Luo
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana Griciuc
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey M Karp
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Rudolph Tanzi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nitin Joshi
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Kong C, Yin G, Wang X, Sun Y. In Utero Gene Therapy and its Application in Genetic Hearing Loss. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400193. [PMID: 39007241 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400193] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
For monogenic genetic diseases, in utero gene therapy (IUGT) shows the potential for early prevention against irreversible and lethal pathological changes. Moreover, animal models have also demonstrated the effectiveness of IUGT in the treatment of coagulation disorders, hemoglobinopathies, neurogenetic disorders, and metabolic and pulmonary diseases. For major alpha thalassemia and severe osteogenesis imperfecta, in utero stem cell transplantation has entered the phase I clinical trial stage. Within the realm of the inner ear, genetic hearing loss significantly hampers speech, cognitive, and intellectual development in children. Nowadays, gene therapies offer substantial promise for deafness, with the success of clinical trials in autosomal recessive deafness 9 using AAV-OTOF gene therapy. However, the majority of genetic mutations that cause deafness affect the development of cochlear structures before the birth of fetuses. Thus, gene therapy before alterations in cochlear structure leading to hearing loss has promising applications. In this review, addressing advances in various fields of IUGT, the progress, and application of IUGT in the treatment of genetic hearing loss are focused, in particular its implementation methods and unique advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Kong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ge Yin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
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9
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Loret C, Pauset A, Faye PA, Prouzet-Mauleon V, Pyromali I, Nizou A, Miressi F, Sturtz F, Favreau F, Turcq B, Lia AS. CRISPR Base Editing to Create Potential Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Models with High Editing Efficiency: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Harboring SH3TC2 Variants. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1550. [PMID: 39062123 PMCID: PMC11274897 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071550] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent a powerful tool to investigate neuropathological disorders in which the cells of interest are inaccessible, such as in the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), the most common inherited peripheral neuropathy. Developing appropriate cellular models becomes crucial in order to both study the disease's pathophysiology and test new therapeutic approaches. The generation of hiPS cellular models for disorders caused by a single nucleotide variation has been significantly improved following the development of CRISPR-based editing tools. In this study, we efficiently and quickly generated, by CRISPR editing, the two first hiPSCs cellular models carrying alterations involved in CMT4C, also called AR-CMTde-SH3TC2. This subtype of CMT is associated with alterations in the SH3TC2 gene and represents the most prevalent form of autosomal recessive demyelinating CMT. We aimed to develop models for two different SH3TC2 nonsense variants, c.211C>T, p.Gln71* and the most common AR-CMTde-SH3TC2 alteration, c.2860C>T, p.Arg954*. First, in order to determine the best CRISPR strategy to adopt on hiPSCs, we first tested a variety of sgRNAs combined with a selection of recent base editors using the conveniently cultivable and transfectable HEK-293T cell line. The chosen CRISPR base-editing strategy was then applied to hiPSCs derived from healthy individuals to generate isogenic CMT disease models with up to 93% editing efficiency. For point mutation generation, we first recommend to test your strategies on alternative cell line such as HEK-293T before hiPSCs to evaluate a variety of sgRNA-BE combinations, thus boosting the chance of achieving edited cellular clones with the hard-to-culture and to transfect hiPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Loret
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
| | - Amandine Pauset
- University of Bordeaux, CRISP'edit, TBMCore UAR CNRS 3427, US Inserm 005, F-33000 Bordeaux, France (V.P.-M.); (B.T.)
- University of Bordeaux, Modeling Transformation and Resistance in Leukemia, BRIC Inserm U1312, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre-Antoine Faye
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
- CHU Limoges, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | - Valérie Prouzet-Mauleon
- University of Bordeaux, CRISP'edit, TBMCore UAR CNRS 3427, US Inserm 005, F-33000 Bordeaux, France (V.P.-M.); (B.T.)
- University of Bordeaux, Modeling Transformation and Resistance in Leukemia, BRIC Inserm U1312, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Ioanna Pyromali
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
| | - Angélique Nizou
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
| | - Federica Miressi
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
| | - Franck Sturtz
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
- CHU Limoges, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | - Frédéric Favreau
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
- CHU Limoges, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | - Béatrice Turcq
- University of Bordeaux, CRISP'edit, TBMCore UAR CNRS 3427, US Inserm 005, F-33000 Bordeaux, France (V.P.-M.); (B.T.)
- University of Bordeaux, Modeling Transformation and Resistance in Leukemia, BRIC Inserm U1312, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Lia
- University of Limoges, NeurIT UR 20218, GEIST Institute, F-87000 Limoges, France; (P.-A.F.); (I.P.); (A.N.); (F.M.); (F.S.); (F.F.); (A.-S.L.)
- CHU Limoges, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, F-87000 Limoges, France
- CHU Limoges, Department of Bioinformatics, F-87000 Limoges, France
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10
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Su H, Zhi D, Song Y, Yang Y, Wang D, Li X, Cao G. Exploring the formation mechanism of short-tailed phenotypes in animals using mutant mice with the TBXT gene c.G334T developed by CRISPR/Cas9. Gene 2024; 910:148310. [PMID: 38401832 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
With the change in diet structure, individuals prefer to consume mutton with less fat. However, sheep tail has a lot of fat. We identified a breed of low-fat short-tailed sheep (i.e., Hulunbuir short-tailed sheep). It is necessary to develop an animal model that can promote research on the potential mechanisms of the short-tail phenotype in sheep, which results from the TBXT gene c.G334T mutation. To create animal models, we selected mice as experimental animals. Mouse embryos lacking the TBXT protein, which crucially regulates mouse embryonic development, cannot develop normally. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to generate site-specific mutation (c.G334T) in the TBXT gene of mice, and found that the mouse TBXT mutation (c.G334T) leads to a short-tail phenotype. Furthermore, we investigated the interaction between TBXT and Wnt signaling pathways. The expressions of TBXT, Axin2, Dkk1, Wnt3, Wnt3a, and Wnt5a were discovered to be significantly different between mutant embryos and wild embryos by obtaining mouse embryos at various developmental stages and examining the expression relationship between the TBXT and Wnt signaling pathway-related components in all of these embryos. Therefore, as a transcription factor, TBXT regulates the expression of the aforementioned Wnt signaling pathway components by forming a regulatory network for the normal development of mouse embryos. This study enriches the research on the functional role of the TBXT in the development of mouse embryos and the mechanism by which the short-tailed phenotype in sheep develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
| | - Dafu Zhi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
| | - Yongli Song
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, China.
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Daqing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China; Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Xiunan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China; Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Guifang Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
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11
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Naing C, Ni H, Aung HH, Htet NH, Nikolova D. Gene therapy for people with hepatocellular carcinoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 6:CD013731. [PMID: 38837373 PMCID: PMC11152182 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013731.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for 70% to 85% of individuals with primary liver cancer. Gene therapy, which uses genes to treat or prevent diseases, holds potential for treatment, especially for tumours. Trials on the effects of gene therapy in people with hepatocellular carcinoma have been published or are ongoing. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of gene therapy in people with hepatocellular carcinoma, irrespective of sex, administered dose, and type of formulation. SEARCH METHODS We identified randomised clinical trials through electronic searches in The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science. We searched five online clinical trial registries to identify unpublished or ongoing trials. We checked reference lists of the retrieved studies for further trials. The date of last search was 20 January 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We aimed to include randomised clinical trials assessing any type of gene therapy in people diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, irrespective of year, language of publication, format, or outcomes reported. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed Cochrane methodology and used Review Manager to prepare the review. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality/overall survival (whatever data were provided), serious adverse events during treatment, and health-related quality of life. The secondary outcomes were proportion of people with disease progression, adverse events considered non-serious, and proportion of people without improvement in liver function tests. We assessed risk of bias of the included trials using RoB 2 and the certainty of evidence using GRADE. We presented the results of time-to-event outcomes as hazard ratios (HR), dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR), and continuous outcomes as mean difference (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our primary analyses were based on intention-to-treat and outcome data at the longest follow-up. MAIN RESULTS We included six randomised clinical trials with 364 participants. The participants had unresectable (i.e. advanced inoperable) hepatocellular carcinoma. We found no trials assessing the effects of gene therapy in people with operable hepatocellular carcinoma. Four trials were conducted in China, one in several countries (from North America, Asia, and Europe), and one in Egypt. The number of participants in the six trials ranged from 10 to 129 (median 47), median age was 55.2 years, and the mean proportion of males was 72.7%. The follow-up duration ranged from six months to five years. As the trials compared different types of gene therapy and had different controls, we could not perform meta-analyses. Five of the six trials administered co-interventions equally to the experimental and control groups. All trials assessed one or more outcomes of interest in this review. The certainty of evidence was very low in five of the six comparisons and low in the double-dose gene therapy comparison. Below, we reported the results of the primary outcomes only. Pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) plus best supportive care versus best supportive care alone There is uncertainty about whether there may be little to no difference between the effect of Pexa-Vec plus best supportive care compared with best supportive care alone on overall survival (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.82; 1 trial (censored observation at 20-month follow-up), 129 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and on serious adverse events (RR 1.42, 95% CI 0.60 to 3.33; 1 trial at 20 months after treatment, 129 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The trial reported quality of life narratively as "assessment of quality of life and time to symptomatic progression was confounded by the high patient dropout rate." Adenovirus-thymidine kinase with ganciclovir (ADV-TK/GCV) plus liver transplantation versus liver transplantation alone There is uncertainty about whether ADV-TK/GCV plus liver transplantation may benefit all-cause mortality at the two-year follow-up (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.76; 1 trial, 45 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report serious adverse events other than mortality or quality of life. Double-dose ADV-TK/GCV plus liver transplantation versus liver transplantation alone There is uncertainty about whether double-dose ADV-TK/GCV plus liver transplantation versus liver transplantation may benefit all-cause mortality at five-year follow-up (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.73; 1 trial, 86 participants; low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report serious adverse events other than mortality or quality of life. Recombinant human adenovirus-p53 with hydroxycamptothecin (rAd-p53/HCT) versus hydroxycamptothecin alone There is uncertainty about whether there may be little to no difference between the effect of rAd-p53/HCT versus hydroxycamptothecin alone on the overall survival at 12-month follow-up (RR 3.06, 95% CI 0.16 to 60.47; 1 trial, 48 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report serious adverse events or quality of life. rAd-p53/5-Fu (5-fluorouracil) plus transarterial chemoembolisation versus transarterial chemoembolisation alone The trial included 46 participants. We had insufficient data to assess overall survival. The trial did not report serious adverse events or quality of life. E1B-deleted (dl1520) adenovirus versus percutaneous ethanol injection The trial included 10 participants. It did not report data on overall survival, serious adverse events, or health-related quality of life. One trial did not provide any information on sponsorship; one trial received a national research grant, one trial by the Pedersen foundation, and three were industry-funded trials. We found five ongoing randomised clinical trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of gene therapy on the studied outcomes because of high risk of bias and imprecision of outcome results. The trials were underpowered and lacked trial data on clinically important outcomes. There was only one trial per comparison, and we could not perform meta-analyses. Therefore, we do not know if gene therapy may reduce, increase, or have little to no effect on all-cause mortality or overall survival, or serious adverse events in adults with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The impact of gene therapy on adverse events needs to be investigated further. Evidence on the effect of gene therapy on health-related quality of life is lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho Naing
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Han Ni
- Department of Medicine, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Htar Htar Aung
- School of Medicine, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital ─ Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Shmidt D, Mamonkin M. CAR T Cells in T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2024:S2152-2650(24)00211-8. [PMID: 38955579 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2024.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR T) therapy produced excellent activity in patients with relapsed/refractory B-lineage malignancies. However, extending these therapies to T cell cancers requires overcoming unique challenges. In the recent years, multiple approaches have been developed in preclinical models and some were tested in clinical trials in patients with treatment-refractory T-cell malignanices with promising early results. Here, we review main hurdles impeding the success of CAR T therapy in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL/LBL), discuss potential solutions, and summarize recent progress in both preclinical and clinical development of CAR T therapy for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Shmidt
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Maksim Mamonkin
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
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13
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Saw PE, Song E. Advancements in clinical RNA therapeutics: Present developments and prospective outlooks. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101555. [PMID: 38744276 PMCID: PMC11148805 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
RNA molecules have emerged as promising clinical therapeutics due to their ability to target "undruggable" proteins or molecules with high precision and minimal side effects. Nevertheless, the primary challenge in RNA therapeutics lies in rapid degradation and clearance from systemic circulation, the inability to traverse cell membranes, and the efficient intracellular delivery of bioactive RNA molecules. In this review, we explore the implications of RNAs in diseases and provide a chronological overview of the development of RNA therapeutics. Additionally, we summarize the technological advances in RNA-screening design, encompassing various RNA databases and design platforms. The paper then presents an update on FDA-approved RNA therapeutics and those currently undergoing clinical trials for various diseases, with a specific emphasis on RNA medicine and RNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phei Er Saw
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan 528200, China
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan 528200, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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14
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Mohammadi A, Bashiri Z, Rafiei S, Asgari H, Shabani R, Hosseini S, Koruji M. Testicular niche repair after gonadotoxic treatments: Current knowledge and future directions. Biol Cell 2024; 116:e2300123. [PMID: 38470182 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202300123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The testicular niche, which includes the germ cells, somatic cells, and extracellular matrix, plays a crucial role in maintaining the proper functions of the testis. Gonadotoxic treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have significantly improved the survival rates of cancer patients but have also been shown to have adverse effects on the testicular microenvironment. Therefore, repairing the testicular niche after gonadotoxic treatments is essential to restore its function. In recent years, several approaches, such as stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, growth factor therapy, and pharmacological interventions have been proposed as potential therapeutic strategies to repair the testicular niche. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of testis damage and repair mechanisms. We will cover a range of topics, including the mechanism of gonadotoxic action, repair mechanisms, and treatment approaches. Overall, this review highlights the importance of repairing the testicular niche after gonadotoxic treatments and identifies potential avenues for future research to improve the outcomes for cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Mohammadi
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Bashiri
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Endometrium and Endometriosis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Omid Fertility & Infertility Clinic, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Sara Rafiei
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Asgari
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ronak Shabani
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - SeyedJamal Hosseini
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Koruji
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Espuche B, Moya SE, Calderón M. Nanogels: Smart tools to enlarge the therapeutic window of gene therapy. Int J Pharm 2024; 653:123864. [PMID: 38309484 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.123864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy can potentially treat a great number of diseases, from cancer to rare genetic disorders. Very recently, the development and emergency approval of nucleic acid-based COVID-19 vaccines confirmed its strength and versatility. However, gene therapy encounters limitations due to the lack of suitable carriers to vectorize therapeutic genetic material inside target cells. Nanogels are highly hydrated nano-size crosslinked polymeric networks that have been used in many biomedical applications, from drug delivery to tissue engineering and diagnostics. Due to their easy production, tunability, and swelling properties they have called the attention as promising vectors for gene delivery. In this review, nanogels are discussed as vectors for nucleic acid delivery aiming to enlarge gene therapy's therapeutic window. Recent works highlighting the optimization of inherent transfection efficiency and biocompatibility are reviewed here. The importance of the monomer choice, along with the internal structure, surface decoration, and responsive features are outlined for the different transfection modalities. The possible sources of toxicological endpoints in nanogels are analyzed, and the strategies to limit them are compared. Finally, perspectives are discussed to identify the remining challenges for the nanogels before their translation to the market as transfection agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Espuche
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; POLYMAT, Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Sergio E Moya
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Marcelo Calderón
- POLYMAT, Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain.
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16
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Abdi Ghavidel A, Aghamiri S, Raee P, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Noori E, Bandehpour M, Kazemi B, Jajarmi V. Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in Leishmania Strains. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:121-134. [PMID: 38127288 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome manipulation of Leishmania species and the creation of modified strains are widely employed strategies for various purposes, including gene function studies, the development of live attenuated vaccines, and the engineering of host cells for protein production. OBJECTIVE Despite the introduction of novel manipulation approaches like CRISPR/Cas9 technology with significant advancements in recent years, the development of a reliable protocol for efficiently and precisely altering the genes of Leishmania strains remains a challenging endeavor. Following the successful adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for higher eukaryotic cells, several research groups have endeavored to apply this system to manipulate the genome of Leishmania. RESULTS Despite the substantial differences between Leishmania and higher eukaryotes, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been effectively tested and applied in Leishmania. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive review summarizes all the CRISPR/Cas9 systems that have been employed in Leishmania, providing details on their methods and the expression systems for Cas9 and gRNA. The review also explores the various applications of the CRISPR system in Leishmania, including the deletion of multicopy gene families, the development of the Leishmania vaccine, complete gene deletions, investigations into chromosomal translocations, protein tagging, gene replacement, large-scale gene knockout, genome editing through cytosine base replacement, and its innovative use in the detection of Leishmania. In addition, the review offers an up-to-date overview of all double-strand break repair mechanisms in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Abdi Ghavidel
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pourya Raee
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Effat Noori
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bandehpour
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Jajarmi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Bijlani S, Pang KM, Bugga LV, Rangasamy S, Narayanan V, Chatterjee S. Nuclease-free precise genome editing corrects MECP2 mutations associated with Rett syndrome. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1346781. [PMID: 38495533 PMCID: PMC10940404 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1346781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome is an acquired progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused by de novo mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene which encodes a pleiotropic protein that functions as a global transcriptional regulator and a chromatin modifier. Rett syndrome predominantly affects heterozygous females while affected male hemizygotes rarely survive. Gene therapy of Rett syndrome has proven challenging due to a requirement for stringent regulation of expression with either over- or under-expression being toxic. Ectopic expression of MECP2 in conjunction with regulatory miRNA target sequences has achieved some success, but the durability of this approach remains unknown. Here we evaluated a nuclease-free homologous recombination (HR)-based genome editing strategy to correct mutations in the MECP2 gene. The stem cell-derived AAVHSCs have previously been shown to mediate seamless and precise HR-based genome editing. We tested the ability of HR-based genome editing to correct pathogenic mutations in Exons 3 and 4 of the MECP2 gene and restore the wild type sequence while preserving all native genomic regulatory elements associated with MECP2 expression, thus potentially addressing a significant issue in gene therapy for Rett syndrome. Moreover, since the mutations are edited directly at the level of the genome, the corrections are expected to be durable with progeny cells inheriting the edited gene. The AAVHSC MECP2 editing vector was designed to be fully homologous to the target MECP2 region and to insert a promoterless Venus reporter at the end of Exon 4. Evaluation of AAVHSC editing in a panel of Rett cell lines bearing mutations in Exons 3 and 4 demonstrated successful correction and rescue of expression of the edited MECP2 gene. Sequence analysis of edited Rett cells revealed successful and accurate correction of mutations in both Exons 3 and 4 and permitted mapping of HR crossover events. Successful correction was observed only when the mutations were flanked at both the 5' and 3' ends by crossover events, but not when both crossovers occurred either exclusively upstream or downstream of the mutation. Importantly, we concluded that pathogenic mutations were successfully corrected in every Rett line analyzed, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of HR-based genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Bijlani
- Department of Surgery, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Ka Ming Pang
- Department of Surgery, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Lakshmi V. Bugga
- Department of Surgery, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Sampath Rangasamy
- Center for Rare Childhood Disorders (C4RCD), Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Vinodh Narayanan
- Center for Rare Childhood Disorders (C4RCD), Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Saswati Chatterjee
- Department of Surgery, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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18
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Li R, Su P, Shi Y, Shi H, Ding S, Su X, Chen P, Wu D. Gene doping detection in the era of genomics. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38403949 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3664] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Recent progress in gene editing has enabled development of gene therapies for many genetic diseases, but also made gene doping an emerging risk in sports and competitions. By delivery of exogenous transgenes into human body, gene doping not only challenges competition fairness but also places health risk on athletes. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has clearly inhibited the use of gene and cell doping in sports, and many techniques have been developed for gene doping detection. In this review, we will summarize the main tools for gene doping detection at present, highlight the main challenges for current tools, and elaborate future utilizations of high-throughput sequencing for unbiased, sensitive, economic and large-scale gene doping detections. Quantitative real-time PCR assays are the widely used detection methods at present, which are useful for detection of known targets but are vulnerable to codon optimization at exon-exon junction sites of the transgenes. High-throughput sequencing has become a powerful tool for various applications in life and health research, and the era of genomics has made it possible for sensitive and large-scale gene doping detections. Non-biased genomic profiling could efficiently detect new doping targets, and low-input genomics amplification and long-read third-generation sequencing also have application potentials for more efficient and straightforward gene doping detection. By closely monitoring scientific advancements in gene editing and sport genetics, high-throughput sequencing could play a more and more important role in gene detection and hopefully contribute to doping-free sports in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Li
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center of Agri-Products Quality and Safety, Shanghai, China
| | - Peipei Su
- Innovative Program of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shi
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Shi
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengqian Ding
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianbin Su
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peijie Chen
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Die Wu
- eHealth Program of Shanghai Anti-doping Laboratory, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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19
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Schambach A, Buchholz CJ, Torres-Ruiz R, Cichutek K, Morgan M, Trapani I, Büning H. A new age of precision gene therapy. Lancet 2024; 403:568-582. [PMID: 38006899 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01952-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has become a clinical reality as market-approved advanced therapy medicinal products for the treatment of distinct monogenetic diseases and B-cell malignancies. This Therapeutic Review aims to explain how progress in genome editing technologies offers the possibility to expand both therapeutic options and the types of diseases that will become treatable. To frame these impressive advances in the context of modern medicine, we incorporate examples from human clinical trials into our discussion on how genome editing will complement currently available strategies in gene therapy, which still mainly rely on gene addition strategies. Furthermore, safety considerations and ethical implications, including the issue of accessibility, are addressed as these crucial parameters will define the impact that gene therapy in general and genome editing in particular will have on how we treat patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Raul Torres-Ruiz
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Molecular Cytogenetics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Klaus Cichutek
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ivana Trapani
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy; Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.
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20
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Wal P, Aziz N, Singh CP, Rasheed A, Tyagi LK, Agrawal A, Wal A. Current Landscape of Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:356-376. [PMID: 38288826 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232268840231222035423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disorders (CVD) are the primary cause of death worldwide. Multiple factors have been accepted to cause cardiovascular diseases; among them, smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, age, and family history are flag-bearers. Individuals at risk of developing CVD are suggested to make drastic habitual changes as the primary intervention to prevent CVD; however, over time, the disease is bound to worsen. This is when secondary interventions come into play, including antihypertensive, anti-lipidemic, anti-anginal, and inotropic drugs. These drugs usually undergo surgical intervention in patients with a much higher risk of heart failure. These therapeutic agents increase the survival rate, decrease the severity of symptoms and the discomfort that comes with them, and increase the overall quality of life. However, most individuals succumb to this disease. None of these treatments address the molecular mechanism of the disease and hence are unable to halt the pathological worsening of the disease. Gene therapy offers a more efficient, potent, and important novel approach to counter the disease, as it has the potential to permanently eradicate the disease from the patients and even in the upcoming generations. However, this therapy is associated with significant risks and ethical considerations that pose noteworthy resistance. In this review, we discuss various methods of gene therapy for cardiovascular disorders and address the ethical conundrum surrounding it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranay Wal
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
| | - Namra Aziz
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
| | | | - Azhar Rasheed
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
| | - Lalit Kumar Tyagi
- Department of Pharmacy, Lloyd Institute of Management and Technology, Plot No.-11, Knowledge Park-II, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201306, India
| | - Ankur Agrawal
- School of Pharmacy, Jai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Gwalior, MP, India
| | - Ankita Wal
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
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21
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Beyer T, Martins T, Srikaran JJ, Seda M, Peskett E, Klose F, Junger K, Beales PL, Ueffing M, Boldt K, Jenkins D. Affinity Purification of Intraflagellar Transport (IFT) Proteins in Mice Using Endogenous Streptavidin/FLAG Tags. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2725:199-212. [PMID: 37856026 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3507-0_12] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Biological complexity is achieved through elaborate interactions between relatively few individual components. Affinity purification (AP) has allowed these networks of protein-protein interactions that regulate key biological processes to be interrogated systematically. In order to perform these studies at the required scale, easily transfectable immortalized cell lines have typically been used. Gene-editing now affords the systematic creation of isogenic mouse models carrying endogenous tags for affinity proteomics. This may allow protein-protein interactions to be characterized in the appropriate tissue for a particular biological process or disease phenotype under physiological conditions, and for interaction landscapes to be compared across tissues. Here we demonstrate application to intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins, which are WD40-domain-containing proteins that are essential for the formation and function of all types of cilia. We describe a method to generate mice with an endogenous C-terminal streptavidin/FLAG tag, using Ift80 as an example, and demonstrate the successful implementation of AP in this model. This method can easily be adapted for N- and C-terminal tagging of many other proteins in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Beyer
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tiago Martins
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Marian Seda
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emma Peskett
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Franziska Klose
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Junger
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philip L Beales
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karsten Boldt
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dagan Jenkins
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
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22
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Abdelwahed AH, Heineman BD, Wu GY. Novel Approaches to Inhibition of HBsAg Expression from cccDNA and Chromosomal Integrants: A Review. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1485-1497. [PMID: 38161502 PMCID: PMC10752814 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2023.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a widely prevalent liver infection that can cause acute or chronic hepatitis. Although current treatment modalities are highly effective in the suppression of viral levels, they cannot eliminate the virus or achieve definitive cure. This is a consequence of the complex nature of HBV-host interactions. Major challenges to achieving sustained viral suppression include the presence of a high viral burden from the HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the presence of reservoirs for HBV replication and antigen production, and the HBV-impaired innate and adaptive immune response of the host. Those therapeutic methods include cell entry inhibitors, HBsAg inhibitors, gene editing approaches, immune-targeting therapies and direct inhibitors of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Novel approaches that target these key mechanisms are now being studied in preclinical and clinical phases. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive review on mechanisms by which HBV escapes elimination from current treatments, and highlight new agents to achieve a definitive HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H. Abdelwahed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Brent D. Heineman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - George Y. Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
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23
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Blay E, Hardyman E, Morovic W. PCR-based analytics of gene therapies using adeno-associated virus vectors: Considerations for cGMP method development. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101132. [PMID: 37964893 PMCID: PMC10641278 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The field of gene therapy has evolved and improved so that today the treatment of thousands of genetic diseases is now possible. An integral aspect of the drug development process is generating analytical methods to be used throughout clinical and commercial manufacturing. Enumeration and identification assays using genetic testing are critical to ensure the safety, efficacy, and stability of many active pharmaceutical ingredients. While nucleic acid-based methods are already reliable and rapid, there are unique biological, technological, and regulatory aspects in gene therapies that must be considered. This review surveys aspects of method development and validation using nucleic acid-based testing of gene therapies by focusing on adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and their co-transfection factors. Key differences between quantitative PCR and droplet digital technologies are discussed to show how improvements can be made while still adhering to regulatory guidance. Example validation parameters for AAV genome titers are described to demonstrate the scope of analytical development. Finally, several areas for improving analytical testing are presented to inspire future innovation, including next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence. Reviewing the broad characteristics of gene therapy assessment serves as an introduction for new researchers, while clarifying processes for professionals already involved in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Blay
- Gene & Cell Therapy, PPD GMP Laboratories, Part of ThermoFisher Scientific, Middleton, WI, USA
| | - Elaine Hardyman
- Gene & Cell Therapy, PPD GMP Laboratories, Part of ThermoFisher Scientific, Middleton, WI, USA
| | - Wesley Morovic
- Gene & Cell Therapy, PPD GMP Laboratories, Part of ThermoFisher Scientific, Middleton, WI, USA
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24
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Ashok K, Bhargava CN, Asokan R, Pradeep C, Pradhan SK, Kennedy JS, Balasubramani V, Murugan M, Jayakanthan M, Geethalakshmi V, Manamohan M. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated editing of pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide ( PBAN) gene disrupts mating in the Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). 3 Biotech 2023; 13:370. [PMID: 37849767 PMCID: PMC10577122 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03798-3] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a globally important invasive pest, primarily on corn, causing severe yield loss. Overuse of synthetic chemicals has caused significant ecological harm, and in many instances control has failed. Therefore, developing efficient, environmentally friendly substitutes for sustainable management of this pest is of high priority. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing causes site-specific mutations that typically result in loss-of-function of the target gene. In this regard, identifying key genes that govern the reproduction of S. frugiperda and finding ways to introduce mutations in the key genes is very important for successfully managing this pest. In this study, the pheromone biosynthesis activator neuropeptide (PBAN) gene of S. frugiperda was cloned and tested for its function via a loss-of-function approach using CRISPR/Cas9. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex (single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting the PBAN gene + Cas9 protein) was validated through in vitro restriction assay followed by embryonic microinjection into the G0 stage for in vivo editing of the target gene. Specific suppression of PBAN by CRISPR/Cas9 in females significantly affected mating. Mating studies between wild males and mutant females resulted in no fecundity. This was in contrast to when mutant males were crossed with wild females, which resulted in reduced fecundity. These results suggest that mating disruption is more robust where PBAN is edited in females. The behavioural bioassay using an olfactometer revealed that mutant females were less attractive to wild males compared to wild females. This study is the first of its kind, supporting CRISPR/Cas9 mediating editing of the PBAN gene disrupting mating in S. frugiperda. Understanding the potential use of these molecular techniques may help develop novel management strategies that target other key functional genes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03798-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuppannasamy Ashok
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Karnataka India
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu India
| | - Chikmagalur Nagaraja Bhargava
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Karnataka India
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka India
| | - Ramasamy Asokan
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Karnataka India
| | - Chalapathi Pradeep
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Karnataka India
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Pradhan
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Karnataka India
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka India
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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25
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De Pablo-Moreno JA, Miguel-Batuecas A, Rodríguez-Merchán EC, Liras A. Treatment of congenital coagulopathies, from biologic to biotechnological drugs: The relevance of gene editing (CRISPR/Cas). Thromb Res 2023; 231:99-111. [PMID: 37839151 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Congenital coagulopathies have, throughout the history of medicine, been a focus of scientific study and of great interest as they constitute an alteration of one of the most important and conserved pathways of evolution. The first therapeutic strategies developed to address them were aimed at restoring the blood components lost during hemorrhage by administering whole blood or plasma. Later on, the use of cryoprecipitates was a significant breakthrough as it made it possible to decrease the volumes of blood infused. In the 1970' and 80', clotting factor concentrates became the treatment and, from the 1990's to the present day, recombinant factors -with increasingly longer half-lives- have taken over as the treatment of choice for certain coagulopathies in a seamless yet momentous transition from biological to biotechnological drugs. The beginning of this century, however, saw the emergence of new advanced (gene and cell) treatments, which are currently transforming the therapeutic landscape. The possibility to use cells and viruses as well as specific or bispecific antibodies as medicines is likely to spark a revolution in the world of pharmacology where therapies will be individualized and have long-term effects. Specifically, attention is nowadays focused on the development of gene editing strategies, chiefly those based on CRISPR/Cas technology. Rare coagulopathies such as hemophilia A and B, or even ultra-rare ones such as factor V deficiency, could be among those deriving the greatest benefit from these new developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A De Pablo-Moreno
- Department of Genetic, Physiology and Microbiology, Biology School, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Miguel-Batuecas
- Department of Genetic, Physiology and Microbiology, Biology School, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - E Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán
- Osteoarticular Surgery Research, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research-IdiPAZ (La Paz University Hospital-Autonomous University of Madrid), Spain
| | - Antonio Liras
- Department of Genetic, Physiology and Microbiology, Biology School, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
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26
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Fernandes DA. Liposomes for Cancer Theranostics. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2448. [PMID: 37896208 PMCID: PMC10610083 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most well-studied diseases and there have been significant advancements over the last few decades in understanding its molecular and cellular mechanisms. Although the current treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy) have provided complete cancer remission for many patients, cancer still remains one of the most common causes of death in the world. The main reasons for the poor response rates for different cancers include the lack of drug specificity, drug resistance and toxic side effects (i.e., in healthy tissues). For addressing the limitations of conventional cancer treatments, nanotechnology has shown to be an important field for constructing different nanoparticles for destroying cancer cells. Due to their size (i.e., less than 1 μm), nanoparticles can deliver significant amounts of cancer drugs to tumors and are able to carry moieties (e.g., folate, peptides) for targeting specific types of cancer cells (i.e., through receptor-mediated endocytosis). Liposomes, composed of phospholipids and an interior aqueous core, can be used as specialized delivery vehicles as they can load different types of cancer therapy agents (e.g., drugs, photosensitizers, genetic material). In addition, the ability to load imaging agents (e.g., fluorophores, radioisotopes, MRI contrast media) enable these nanoparticles to be used for monitoring the progress of treatment. This review examines a wide variety of different liposomes for cancer theranostics, with the different available treatments (e.g., photothermal, photodynamic) and imaging modalities discussed for different cancers.
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27
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Dubey AK, Mostafavi E. Biomaterials-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 delivery: recent challenges and opportunities in gene therapy. Front Chem 2023; 11:1259435. [PMID: 37841202 PMCID: PMC10568484 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1259435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of biomaterials in delivering CRISPR/Cas9 for gene therapy in infectious diseases holds tremendous potential. This innovative approach combines the advantages of CRISPR/Cas9 with the protective properties of biomaterials, enabling accurate and efficient gene editing while enhancing safety. Biomaterials play a vital role in shielding CRISPR/Cas9 components, such as lipid nanoparticles or viral vectors, from immunological processes and degradation, extending their effectiveness. By utilizing the flexibility of biomaterials, tailored systems can be designed to address specific genetic diseases, paving the way for personalized therapeutics. Furthermore, this delivery method offers promising avenues in combating viral illnesses by precisely modifying pathogen genomes, and reducing their pathogenicity. Biomaterials facilitate site-specific gene modifications, ensuring effective delivery to infected cells while minimizing off-target effects. However, challenges remain, including optimizing delivery efficiency, reducing off-target effects, ensuring long-term safety, and establishing scalable production techniques. Thorough research, pre-clinical investigations, and rigorous safety evaluations are imperative for successful translation from the laboratory to clinical applications. In this review, we discussed how CRISPR/Cas9 delivery using biomaterials revolutionizes gene therapy and infectious disease treatment, offering precise and safe editing capabilities with the potential to significantly improve human health and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Kumar Dubey
- Global Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
- Institute of Scholars, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Ebrahim Mostafavi
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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28
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Wu Z, Yu L, Shi W, Ma J. Argonaute protein-based nucleic acid detection technology. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1255716. [PMID: 37744931 PMCID: PMC10515653 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1255716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
It is vital to diagnose pathogens quickly and effectively in the research and treatment of disease. Argonaute (Ago) proteins are recently discovered nucleases with nucleic acid shearing activity that exhibit specific recognition properties beyond CRISPR-Cas nucleases, which are highly researched but restricted PAM sequence recognition. Therefore, research on Ago protein-mediated nucleic acid detection technology has attracted significant attention from researchers in recent years. Using Ago proteins in developing nucleic acid detection platforms can enable efficient, convenient, and rapid nucleic acid detection and pathogen diagnosis, which is of great importance for human life and health and technological development. In this article, we introduce the structure and function of Argonaute proteins and discuss the latest advances in their use in nucleic acid detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Stem Cell, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Weifeng Shi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinhong Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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29
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Ebrahimi S, Khosravi MA, Raz A, Karimipoor M, Parvizi P. CRISPR-Cas Technology as a Revolutionary Genome Editing tool: Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2023; 27:219-46. [PMID: 37873636 PMCID: PMC10707817 DOI: 10.61186/ibj.27.5.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Programmable nucleases are powerful genomic tools for precise genome editing. These tools precisely recognize, remove, or change DNA at a defined site, thereby, stimulating cellular DNA repair pathways that can cause mutations or accurate replacement or deletion/insertion of a sequence. CRISPR-Cas9 system is the most potent and useful genome editing technique adapted from the defense immune system of certain bacteria and archaea against viruses and phages. In the past decade, this technology made notable progress, and at present, it has largely been used in genome manipulation to make precise gene editing in plants, animals, and human cells. In this review, we aim to explain the basic principle, mechanisms of action, and applications of this system in different areas of medicine, with emphasizing on the detection and treatment of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Ebrahimi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Khosravi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Karimipoor
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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30
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Abdelhady AM, Phillips JA, Xu Y, Stroh M. Clinical Pharmacology and Translational Considerations in the Development of CRISPR-Based Therapies. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:591-603. [PMID: 37429825 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing holds the potential for curative treatments of human disease, however, clinical realization has proven to be a challenging journey with incremental progress made up until recently. Over the last decade, advances in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems have provided the necessary breakthrough for genome editing in the clinic. The progress of investigational CRISPR therapies from bench to bedside reflects the culmination of multiple advances occurring in parallel, several of which intersect with clinical pharmacology and translation. Directing the CRISPR therapy to the intended site of action has necessitated novel delivery platforms, and this has resulted in special considerations for the complete characterization of distribution, metabolism, and excretion, as well as immunogenicity. Once at the site of action, CRISPR therapies aim to make permanent alterations to the genome and achieve therapeutically relevant effects with a single dose. This fundamental aspect of the mechanism of action for CRISPR therapies results in new considerations for clinical translation and dose selection. Early advances in model-informed development of CRISPR therapies have incorporated key facets of the mechanism of action and have captured hallmark features of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics from phase I investigations. Given the recent emergence of CRISPR therapies in clinical development, the landscape continues to evolve rapidly with ample opportunity for continued innovation. Here, we provide a snapshot of selected topics in clinical pharmacology and translation that has supported the advance of systemically administered in vivo and ex vivo CRISPR-based investigational therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuanxin Xu
- Intellia Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark Stroh
- Intellia Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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Zhao C, Wang H, Zhan W, Lv X, Ma X. Exploitation of Proximity-Mediated Effects in Drug Discovery: An Update of Recent Research Highlights in Perturbing Pathogenic Proteins and Correlated Issues. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10122-10149. [PMID: 37489834 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The utilization of proximity-mediated effects to perturb pathogenic proteins of interest (POIs) has emerged as a powerful strategic alternative to conventional drug design approaches based on target occupancy. Over the past three years, the burgeoning field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) has witnessed the expansion of degradable POIs to membrane-associated, extracellular, proteasome-resistant, and even microbial proteins. Beyond TPD, researchers have achieved the proximity-mediated targeted protein stabilization, the recruitment of intracellular immunophilins to disturb undruggable targets, and the nonphysiological post-translational modifications of POIs. All of these strides provide new avenues for innovative drug discovery aimed at battling human malignancies and other major diseases. This perspective presents recent research highlights and discusses correlated issues in developing therapeutic modalities that exploit proximity-mediated effects to modulate pathogenic proteins, thereby guiding future academic and industrial efforts in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Henian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Wenhu Zhan
- iCarbonX (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lv
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
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32
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Mazloum A, Karagyaur M, Chernyshev R, van Schalkwyk A, Jun M, Qiang F, Sprygin A. Post-genomic era in agriculture and veterinary science: successful and proposed application of genetic targeting technologies. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1180621. [PMID: 37601766 PMCID: PMC10434572 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1180621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene editing tools have become an indispensable part of research into the fundamental aspects of cell biology. With a vast body of literature having been generated based on next generation sequencing technologies, keeping track of this ever-growing body of information remains challenging. This necessitates the translation of genomic data into tangible applications. In order to address this objective, the generated Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data forms the basis for targeted genome editing strategies, employing known enzymes of various cellular machinery, in generating organisms with specifically selected phenotypes. This review focuses primarily on CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the context of its advantages over Zinc finger proteins (ZNF) and Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) and meganucleases mutagenesis strategies, for use in agricultural and veterinary applications. This review will describe the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in creating modified organisms with custom-made properties, without the undesired non-targeted effects associated with virus vector vaccines and bioactive molecules produced in bacterial systems. Examples of the successful and unsuccessful applications of this technology to plants, animals and microorganisms are provided, as well as an in-depth look into possible future trends and applications in vaccine development, disease resistance and enhanced phenotypic traits will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mazloum
- Federal Center for Animal Health, Vladimir, Russia
| | - Maxim Karagyaur
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Antoinette van Schalkwyk
- Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ma Jun
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Fu Qiang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
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Li B, Tan W, Wang Z, Zhou H, Zou J, Li Y, Yoshida S, Zhou Y. Progress and prospects of gene therapy in ophthalmology from 2000 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18228. [PMID: 37539253 PMCID: PMC10395483 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gene therapy is a treatment approach at the genetic level, which brings great advances in many diseases and develops rapidly in recent years. Currently, its mechanism of action is mainly through the replacement of missing or defective genes, or the reduction of harmful gene products. However, the application of gene therapy in ophthalmology remains limited. Methods A total of 1143 articles and reviews published in the field of ocular gene therapies were found in the Web of Science Core Collection database and used for the bibliometric analysis. CiteSpace was mainly applied to the network analysis of countries, institutions, keywords, and dual-map overlay of journals. The visual analysis of authors, journals, and references was used by VOSviewer. The geographical distribution of publications was conducted by R language. Results The annual publications are increasing in general. Currently, the USA and the UK are two main sources of publications in this field. Switzerland, Denmark, and Finland are the top 3 countries that establish the most cooperation and exchanges with other countries or regions. The most cited and co-cited journal in this field is Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Gene therapy studies for eye diseases are mainly focused on retinal dysfunctions by the analysis of references, keywords, and counting of original research, including Leber's congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa. Conclusion This study used bibliometrics to analyze overall characteristics and put forward prospects for the future in the field of gene therapy in ophthalmology. Ocular diseases, especially hereditary retinal diseases, will be the major focus of gene therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zicong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Haixiang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jingling Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Shigeo Yoshida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yedi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
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Ma Q, Zhao M, Long B, Li H. Super-enhancer-associated gene CAPG promotes AML progression. Commun Biol 2023; 6:622. [PMID: 37296281 PMCID: PMC10256737 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04973-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common acute leukemia in adults, the barrier of refractory and drug resistance has yet to be conquered in the clinical. Abnormal gene expression and epigenetic changes play an important role in pathogenesis and treatment. A super-enhancer is an epigenetic modifier that promotes pro-tumor genes and drug resistance by activating oncogene transcription. Multi-omics integrative analysis identifies the super-enhancer-associated gene CAPG and its high expression level was correlated with poor prognosis in AML. CAPG is a cytoskeleton protein but has an unclear function in AML. Here we show the molecular function of CAPG in regulating NF-κB signaling pathway by proteomic and epigenomic analysis. Knockdown of Capg in the AML murine model resulted in exhausted AML cells and prolonged survival of AML mice. In conclusion, SEs-associated gene CAPG can contributes to AML progression through NF-κB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Minyi Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing Long
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haixia Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Yu Y, Gao Y, He L, Fang B, Ge W, Yang P, Ju Y, Xie X, Lei L. Biomaterial-based gene therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e259. [PMID: 37284583 PMCID: PMC10239531 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy, a medical approach that involves the correction or replacement of defective and abnormal genes, plays an essential role in the treatment of complex and refractory diseases, such as hereditary diseases, cancer, and rheumatic immune diseases. Nucleic acids alone do not easily enter the target cells due to their easy degradation in vivo and the structure of the target cell membranes. The introduction of genes into biological cells is often dependent on gene delivery vectors, such as adenoviral vectors, which are commonly used in gene therapy. However, traditional viral vectors have strong immunogenicity while also presenting a potential infection risk. Recently, biomaterials have attracted attention for use as efficient gene delivery vehicles, because they can avoid the drawbacks associated with viral vectors. Biomaterials can improve the biological stability of nucleic acids and the efficiency of intracellular gene delivery. This review is focused on biomaterial-based delivery systems in gene therapy and disease treatment. Herein, we review the recent developments and modalities of gene therapy. Additionally, we discuss nucleic acid delivery strategies, with a focus on biomaterial-based gene delivery systems. Furthermore, the current applications of biomaterial-based gene therapy are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yu
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yijun Gao
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Liming He
- Department of StomatologyChangsha Stomatological HospitalChangshaChina
| | - Bairong Fang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) SurgeryThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Wenhui Ge
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Pu Yang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) SurgeryThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yikun Ju
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) SurgeryThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiaoyan Xie
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Lanjie Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
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He Q, Hu H, Yang F, Song D, Zhang X, Dai X. Advances in chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114609. [PMID: 37001182 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently occurring cancer type seriously threatening the lives of women worldwide. Clinically, the high frequency of diverse resistance to current therapeutic strategies advocates a demand to develop novel and effective approaches for the efficient treatment of BC. The chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells therapy, one of the immunotherapies, has displayed powerful capacity to specifically kill and eliminate tumors. Due to the success of CAR-T therapy achieved in treating hematological malignancy, the effect of CAR-T cells therapy has been tested in various human diseases including breast cancer. This review summarized and discussed the landscape of the CAR-T therapy for breast cancer, including the advances, challenge and countermeasure of CAR-T therapy in research and clinical application. The roles of potential antigen targets, tumor microenvironment, immune escape in regulating CAR-T therapy, the combination of CAR-T therapy with other therapeutic strategies to further enhance therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T treatment were also highlighted. Therefore, our review provided a comprehensive understanding of CAR-T cell therapy in breast cancer which will awake huge interests for future in-depth investigation of CAR-T based therapy in cancer treatment.
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Ren Y, Yan C, Yang H. Erythrocytes: Member of the Immune System that Should Not Be Ignored. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 187:104039. [PMID: 37236411 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythrocytes are the most abundant type of cells in the blood and have a relatively simple structure when mature; they have a long life-span in the circulatory system. The primary function of erythrocytes is as oxygen carriers; however, they also play an important role in the immune system. Erythrocytes recognize and adhere to antigens and promote phagocytosis. The abnormal morphology and function of erythrocytes are also involved in the pathological processes of some diseases. Owing to the large number and immune properties of erythrocytes, their immune functions should not be ignored. Currently, research on immunity is focused on immune cells other than erythrocytes. However, research on the immune function of erythrocytes and the development of erythrocyte-mediated applications is of great significance. Therefore, we aimed to review the relevant literature and summarize the immune functions of erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Ren
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, China, 410000.
| | - Chengkai Yan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, China, 410000.
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, China, 410000.
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Wang L, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Zhai Y, Ji J, Yang X, Zhai G. Cellular Drug Delivery System for Disease Treatment. Int J Pharm 2023; 641:123069. [PMID: 37225024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123069] [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: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The application of variable novel drug delivery system has shown a flowering trend in recent years. Among them, the cell-based drug delivery system (DDS) utilizes the unique physiological function of cells to deliver drugs to the lesion area, which is the most complex and intelligent DDS at present. Compared with the traditional DDS, the cell-based DDS has the potential of prolonged circulation in body. Cellular DDS is expected to be the best carrier to realize multifunctional drug delivery. This paper introduces and analyzes common cellular DDSs such as blood cells, immune cells, stem cells, tumor cells and bacteria as well as relevant research examples in recent years. We hope that this review can provide a reference for future research on cell vectors and promote the innovative development and clinical transformation of cell-based DDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyue Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yukun Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Stomatologic Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 250001, P.R. China
| | - Yujia Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84124, United States of America
| | - Jianbo Ji
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P.R. China.
| | - Xiaoye Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P.R. China.
| | - Guangxi Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P.R. China.
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Sandhu A, Kumar A, Rawat K, Gautam V, Sharma A, Saha L. Modernising autism spectrum disorder model engineering and treatment via CRISPR-Cas9: A gene reprogramming approach. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:3114-3127. [PMID: 37274051 PMCID: PMC10237133 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i14.3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A neurological abnormality called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how a person perceives and interacts with others, leading to social interaction and communication issues. Limited and recurring behavioural patterns are another feature of the illness. Multiple mutations throughout development are the source of the neurodevelopmental disorder autism. However, a well-established model and perfect treatment for this spectrum disease has not been discovered. The rising era of the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system can streamline the complexity underlying the pathogenesis of ASD. The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a powerful genetic engineering tool used to edit the genome at the targeted site in a precise manner. The major hurdle in studying ASD is the lack of appropriate animal models presenting the complex symptoms of ASD. Therefore, CRISPR-Cas9 is being used worldwide to mimic the ASD-like pathology in various systems like in vitro cell lines, in vitro 3D organoid models and in vivo animal models. Apart from being used in establishing ASD models, CRISPR-Cas9 can also be used to treat the complexities of ASD. The aim of this review was to summarize and critically analyse the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated discoveries in the field of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arushi Sandhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kajal Rawat
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vipasha Gautam
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Antika Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
| | - Lekha Saha
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 0172, Chandigarh, India
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Mattar CNZ, Chan JKY, Choolani M. Gene modification therapies for hereditary diseases in the fetus. Prenat Diagn 2023; 43:674-686. [PMID: 36965009 PMCID: PMC10946994 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Proof-of-principle disease models have demonstrated the feasibility of an intrauterine gene modification therapy (in utero gene therapy (IUGT)) approach to hereditary diseases as diverse as coagulation disorders, haemoglobinopathies, neurogenetic disorders, congenital metabolic, and pulmonary diseases. Gene addition, which requires the delivery of an integrating or episomal transgene to the target cell nucleus to be transcribed, and gene editing, where the mutation is corrected within the gene of origin, have both been used successfully to increase normal protein production in a bid to reverse or arrest pathology in utero. While most experimental models have employed lentiviral, adenoviral, and adeno-associated viral vectors engineered to efficiently enter target cells, newer models have also demonstrated the applicability of non-viral lipid nanoparticles. Amelioration of pathology is dependent primarily on achieving sustained therapeutic transgene expression, silencing of transgene expression, production of neutralising antibodies, the dilutional effect of the recipient's growth on the mass of transduced cells, and the degree of pre-existing cellular damage. Safety assessment of any IUGT strategy will require long-term postnatal surveillance of both the fetal recipient and the maternal bystander for cell and genome toxicity, oncogenic potential, immune-responsiveness, and germline mutation. In this review, we discuss advances in the field and the push toward clinical translation of IUGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citra N. Z. Mattar
- Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- National University Health SystemsSingaporeSingapore
| | - Jerry K. Y. Chan
- KK Women's and Children's HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
| | - Mahesh Choolani
- Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- National University Health SystemsSingaporeSingapore
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Li X, Le Y, Zhang Z, Nian X, Liu B, Yang X. Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097736. [PMID: 37175441 PMCID: PMC10177981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a technique involving the modification of an individual's genes for treating a particular disease. The key to effective gene therapy is an efficient carrier delivery system. Viral vectors that have been artificially modified to lose their pathogenicity are used widely as a delivery system, with the key advantages of their natural high transduction efficiency and stable expression. With decades of development, viral vector-based gene therapies have achieved promising clinical outcomes. Currently, the three key vector strategies are based on adeno-associated viruses, adenoviruses, and lentiviruses. However, certain challenges, such as immunotoxicity and "off-target", continue to exist. In the present review, the above three viral vectors are discussed along with their respective therapeutic applications. In addition, the major translational challenges encountered in viral vector-based gene therapies are summarized, and the possible strategies to address these challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedan Li
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan 430207, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, China
| | - Yang Le
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan 430207, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, China
| | - Zhegang Zhang
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan 430207, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, China
| | - Xuanxuan Nian
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan 430207, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, China
| | - Bo Liu
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan 430207, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, China
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan 430207, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, China
- China National Biotech Group Company Limited, Beijing 100029, China
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Bhokisham N, Laudermilch E, Traeger LL, Bonilla TD, Ruiz-Estevez M, Becker JR. CRISPR-Cas System: The Current and Emerging Translational Landscape. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081103. [PMID: 37190012 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas technology has rapidly changed life science research and human medicine. The ability to add, remove, or edit human DNA sequences has transformative potential for treating congenital and acquired human diseases. The timely maturation of the cell and gene therapy ecosystem and its seamless integration with CRISPR-Cas technologies has enabled the development of therapies that could potentially cure not only monogenic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and muscular dystrophy, but also complex heterogenous diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Here, we review the current landscape of clinical trials involving the use of various CRISPR-Cas systems as therapeutics for human diseases, discuss challenges, and explore new CRISPR-Cas-based tools such as base editing, prime editing, CRISPR-based transcriptional regulation, CRISPR-based epigenome editing, and RNA editing, each promising new functionality and broadening therapeutic potential. Finally, we discuss how the CRISPR-Cas system is being used to understand the biology of human diseases through the generation of large animal disease models used for preclinical testing of emerging therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ethan Laudermilch
- Corporate Research Material Labs, 3M Center, 3M Company, Maplewood, MN 55144, USA
| | - Lindsay L Traeger
- Corporate Research Material Labs, 3M Center, 3M Company, Maplewood, MN 55144, USA
| | - Tonya D Bonilla
- Corporate Research Material Labs, 3M Center, 3M Company, Maplewood, MN 55144, USA
| | | | - Jordan R Becker
- Corporate Research Material Labs, 3M Center, 3M Company, Maplewood, MN 55144, USA
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Jiang T, Gonzalez KM, Cordova LE, Lu J. Nanotechnology-enabled gene delivery for cancer and other genetic diseases. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:523-540. [PMID: 37017558 PMCID: PMC10164135 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2200246] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite gene therapy is ideal for genetic abnormality-related diseases, the easy degradation, poor targeting, and inefficiency in entering targeted cells are plaguing the effective delivery of gene therapy. Viral and non-viral vectors have been used for delivering gene therapeutics in vivo by safeguarding nucleic acid agents to target cells and to reach the specific intracellular location. A variety of nanotechnology-enabled safe and efficient systems have been successfully developed to improve the targeting ability for effective therapeutic delivery of genetic drugs. AREAS COVERED In this review, we outline the multiple biological barriers associated with gene delivery process, and highlight recent advances to gene therapy strategy in vivo, including gene correction, gene silencing, gene activation and genome editing. We point out current developments and challenges exist of non-viral and viral vector systems in association with chemical and physical gene delivery technologies and their potential for the future. EXPERT OPINION This review focuses on the opportunities and challenges to various gene therapy strategy, with specific emphasis on overcoming the challenges through the development of biocompatibility and smart gene vectors for potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Jiang
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Karina Marie Gonzalez
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Leyla Estrella Cordova
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Jianqin Lu
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
- NCI-designated University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
- Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, United States
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Yarra SS, Ashok G, Mohan U. "Toehold Switches; a foothold for Synthetic Biology". Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:932-952. [PMID: 36527224 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Toehold switches are de novo designed riboregulators that contain two RNA components interacting through linear-linear RNA interactions, regulating the gene expression. These are highly versatile, exhibit excellent orthogonality, wide dynamic range, and are highly programmable, so can be used for various applications in synthetic biology. In this review, we summarized and discussed the design characteristics and benefits of toehold switch riboregulators over conventional riboregulators. We also discussed applications and recent advancements of toehold switch riboregulators in various fields like gene editing, DNA nanotechnology, translational repression, and diagnostics (detection of microRNAs and some pathogens). Toehold switches, therefore, furnished advancement in synthetic biology applications in various fields with their prominent features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Sumanjali Yarra
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Ganapathy Ashok
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Utpal Mohan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Peek JL, Wilson MH. Cell and gene therapy for kidney disease. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023:10.1038/s41581-023-00702-3. [PMID: 36973494 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00702-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Kidney disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Current interventions for kidney disease include dialysis and renal transplantation, which have limited efficacy or availability and are often associated with complications such as cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression. There is therefore a pressing need for novel therapies for kidney disease. Notably, as many as 30% of kidney disease cases are caused by monogenic disease and are thus potentially amenable to genetic medicine, such as cell and gene therapy. Systemic disease that affects the kidney, such as diabetes and hypertension, might also be targetable by cell and gene therapy. However, although there are now several approved gene and cell therapies for inherited diseases that affect other organs, none targets the kidney. Promising recent advances in cell and gene therapy have been made, including in the kidney research field, suggesting that this form of therapy might represent a potential solution for kidney disease in the future. In this Review, we describe the potential for cell and gene therapy in treating kidney disease, focusing on recent genetic studies, key advances and emerging technologies, and we describe several crucial considerations for renal genetic and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Peek
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Matthew H Wilson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health Services, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Toward the Development of Epigenome Editing-Based Therapeutics: Potentials and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054778. [PMID: 36902207 PMCID: PMC10003136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The advancement in epigenetics research over the past several decades has led to the potential application of epigenome-editing technologies for the treatment of various diseases. In particular, epigenome editing is potentially useful in the treatment of genetic and other related diseases, including rare imprinted diseases, as it can regulate the expression of the epigenome of the target region, and thereby the causative gene, with minimal or no modification of the genomic DNA. Various efforts are underway to successfully apply epigenome editing in vivo, such as improving target specificity, enzymatic activity, and drug delivery for the development of reliable therapeutics. In this review, we introduce the latest findings, summarize the current limitations and future challenges in the practical application of epigenome editing for disease therapy, and introduce important factors to consider, such as chromatin plasticity, for a more effective epigenome editing-based therapy.
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Mingarro G, Del Olmo ML. Improvements in the genetic editing technologies: CRISPR-Cas and beyond. Gene 2023; 852:147064. [PMID: 36435506 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gene editing is a great hope not only for the scientific community, but also for society in general. This is due to its potential therapeutic applications that would allow curing diseases of genetic origin. The first realistic approach to achieve this goal was the development of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) tools. This review deals with some of the improvements that have been designed to obtain more efficient and safer genome editing. Initial CRISPR-Cas (CRISPR associated) editing systems yield low efficiency and undesired editing products. To solve these problems, new approaches emerged, such as the creation of base editors. Recent discoveries have led to the development of many interesting alternatives, such as the CRISPR-associated transposable systems, which open the range by generating guided insertions, or the discovery of other programmable nucleases like the IscB family, which greatly increase the range of proteins available for editing uses. Also, to address the limitations of base editors, prime editors were created; this novel system, despite having some disadvantages compared to base editor systems, has the potential to generate all the possible point mutations. On the other hand, dual prime editing systems (like twin and homologous 3' extension-mediated prime editors) have been developed to create targeted insertions and enhance the editing outcomes, respectively. Furthermore, advances in gene editing do not reside solely in CRISPR-dependent systems, as we will discuss when treating the Replication Interrupted Template-Driven DNA Modification technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Mingarro
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València. Burjassot (València), Spain
| | - Marcel Lí Del Olmo
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València. Burjassot (València), Spain.
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Nousiainen A, Schenkwein D, Ylä-Herttuala S. Characterization of a new IN-I-PpoI fusion protein and a homology-arm containing transgene cassette that improve transgene expression persistence and 28S rRNA gene-targeted insertion of lentiviral vectors. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280894. [PMID: 36662822 PMCID: PMC9858087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting transgene integration into a safe genomic locus would be very important for gene therapy. We have generated lentivirus vectors containing the ribosomal RNA-recognising I-PpoI endonuclease fused to viral integrase, and transgene cassettes with target site homology arms to enhance insertion targeting. These new vectors were characterised with respect to the persistence of transgene expression, insertion targeting efficiency and chromosomal integrity of the transduced cells. The aim was to find an optimally safe and effective vector for human gene therapy. Fusion protein vectors with high endonuclease activity were the most effective in the accurate targeting of transgene insertion. The homology construct increased the insertion targeting efficiency to 28% in MRC-5 cells. However, karyotyping analysis showed that the high endonuclease activity induced the formation of derivative chromosomes in as many as 24% of the analysed primary T lymphocytes. The persistence of transgene expression was excellent in homology arm-containing fusion protein vectors with reduced endonuclease activity, and these fusion proteins did not cause any detectable chromosomal rearrangements attributable to the endonuclease activity. We thus conclude that instead of the fusion protein vectors that carry a highly active endonuclease, our vectors with the ability to tether the lentivirus preintegration complex to benign loci in the genome without high ribosomal DNA cleavage activity are better suited for lentivirus-based gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Nousiainen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Diana Schenkwein
- A. I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Kim Y, Jeong J, Choi D. Ex Vivo Base Editing Therapy with Chemically Derived Hepatic Progenitors. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2606:171-178. [PMID: 36592315 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2879-9_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ex vivo gene therapy through convergence study with progenitors and base/prime editors provides valuable approaches that can be utilized in the study and treatment of hereditary intractable diseases and models. Small molecule-mediated reprogramming of hepatocytes into bi-potent hepatic progenitors is a safe and efficient strategy for ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we described how to generate hepatic progenitors from terminally differentiated hepatocytes, deliver base/prime editors into the cells, select corrected hepatic progenitors, and transplant them into mice of inborn error of metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohan Kim
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jaemin Jeong
- Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- HY Indang Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dongho Choi
- Department of Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- HY Indang Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of HY-KIST Bio-Convergence, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Mahmoud Ahmed NH, Lai MI. The Novel Role of the B-Cell Lymphoma/Leukemia 11A (BCL11A) Gene in β-Thalassaemia Treatment. Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets 2023; 22:226-236. [PMID: 36734897 DOI: 10.2174/1871529x23666230123140926] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
β-thalassaemia is a genetic disorder resulting in a reduction or absence of β-globin gene expression. Due to the high prevalence of β-thalassaemia and the lack of available treatment other than blood transfusion and haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, the disease represents a considerable burden to clinical and economic systems. Foetal haemoglobin has an appreciated ameliorating effect in β-haemoglobinopathy, as the γ-globin chain substitutes the β-globin chain reduction by pairing with the excess α-globin chain in β-thalassaemia and reduces sickling in sickle cell disease (SCD). BCL11A is a critical regulator and repressor of foetal haemoglobin. Downregulation of BCL11A in adult erythroblasts and cell lines expressing adult haemoglobin led to a significant increase in foetal haemoglobin levels. Disruption of BCL11A erythroid enhancer resulted in disruption of the BCL11A gene solely in the erythroid lineages and increased γ-globin expression in adult erythroid cells. Autologous haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy represents an attractive treatment option to overcome the immune complications and donor availability associated with allogeneic transplantation. Using genome editing technologies, the disruption of BCL11A to induce γ- globin expression in HSCs has emerged as an alternative approach to treat β-thalassaemia. Targeting the +58 BCL11A erythroid enhancer or BCL11A binding motif at the γ-gene promoter with CRISPR-Cas9 or base editors has successfully disrupted the gene and the binding motif with a subsequent increment in HbF levels. This review outlines the critical role of BCL11A in γ-globin gene silencing and discusses the different genome editing approaches to downregulate BCL11A as a means for ameliorating β-thalassaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahil Hassan Mahmoud Ahmed
- Haematology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mei I Lai
- Haematology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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