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Piñón Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Sharma A, Gratz IK, Koller U. Challenges and progress related to gene editing in rare skin diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115294. [PMID: 38527624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115294] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Genodermatoses represent a large group of inherited skin disorders encompassing clinically-heterogeneous conditions that manifest in the skin and other organs. Depending on disease variant, associated clinical manifestations and secondary complications can severely impact patients' quality of life and currently available treatments are transient and not curative. Multiple emerging approaches using CRISPR-based technologies offer promising prospects for therapy. Here, we explore current advances and challenges related to gene editing in rare skin diseases, including different strategies tailored to mutation type and structural organization of the affected gene, considerations for in vivo and ex vivo applications, the critical issue of delivery into the skin, and immune aspects of therapy. Against the backdrop of a landmark FDA approval for the first re-dosable gene replacement therapy for a rare genetic skin disorder, gene editing approaches are inching closer to the clinics and the possibility of a local permanent cure for patients affected by these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefina Piñón Hofbauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christina Guttmann-Gruber
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Verena Wally
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anshu Sharma
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Iris K Gratz
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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Stone RC, Aviv A, Paus R. Telomere Dynamics and Telomerase in the Biology of Hair Follicles and their Stem Cells as a Model for Aging Research. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:1031-1040. [PMID: 33509633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we propose that telomere length dynamics play an important but underinvestigated role in the biology of the hair follicle (HF), a prototypic, cyclically remodeled miniorgan that shows an intriguing aging pattern in humans. Whereas the HF pigmentary unit ages quickly, its epithelial stem cell (ESC) component and regenerative capacity are surprisingly aging resistant. Telomerase-deficient mice with short telomeres display an aging phenotype of hair graying and hair loss that is attributed to impaired HF ESC mobilization. Yet, it remains unclear whether the function of telomerase and telomeres in murine HF biology translate to the human system. Therefore, we propose new directions for future telomere research of the human HF. Such research may guide the development of novel treatments for selected disorders of human hair growth or pigmentation (e.g., chemotherapy-induced alopecia, telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, graying). It might also increase the understanding of the global role of telomeres in aging-related human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka C Stone
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| | - Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA; Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Monasterium Laboratory, Münster, Germany
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3
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Yin Y, Takahashi Y, Ebisuura N, Nishikawa M, Takakura Y. Removal of transgene-expressing cells by a specific immune response induced by sustained transgene expression. J Gene Med 2014; 16:97-106. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yalei Yin
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Norifumi Ebisuura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Makiya Nishikawa
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Takakura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
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Li X, Liang L, Zhao P, Uchida K, Baba H, Huang H, Bai W, Bai L, Zhang M. The effects of adenoviral transfection of the keratinocyte growth factor gene on epidermal stem cells: an in vitro study. Mol Cells 2013; 36:316-21. [PMID: 24170090 PMCID: PMC3887989 DOI: 10.1007/s10059-013-0093-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal stem cells (ESCs) are characterized as slowcycling, multi-potent, and self-renewing cells that not only maintain somatic homeostasis but also participate in tissue regeneration and repair. To examine the feasibility of adenoviral vector-mediated keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) gene transfer into in vitro-expanded ESCs, ESCs were isolated from samples of human skin, cultured in vitro, and then transfected with recombinant adenovirus (Ad) carrying the human KGF gene (AdKGF) or green fluorescent protein gene (AdGFP). The effects of KGF gene transfer on cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, cell surface antigen phenotype, and β-catenin expression were investigated. Compared to ESCs transfected with AdGFP, AdKGFtransfected ESCs grew well, maintained a high proliferative capacity in keratinocyte serum-free medium, and expressed high levels of β-catenin. AdKGF infection increased the number of ESCs in the G0/G1 phase and promoted ESCs entry into the G2/M phase, but had no effect on cell surface antigen phenotype (CD49f(+)/CD71(-)). The results suggest that KGF gene transfer can stimulate ESCs to grow and undergo cell division, which can be applied to enhance cutaneous wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Li
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences and Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China
| | - Ling Liang
- The First Clinical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Pin Zhao
- Changsha Medical University, Changsha 410219, China
| | - Kenzo Uchida
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Fukui University Faculty of Medical Sciences, Eiheiji Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Hisatoshi Baba
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Fukui University Faculty of Medical Sciences, Eiheiji Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Hong Huang
- School of Information, University of South Florida, USA
| | - Wenfang Bai
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences and Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China
| | - Liming Bai
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences and Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China
| | - Mingsheng Zhang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences and Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China
- The First Clinical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Bire S, Rouleux-Bonnin F. Transgene Site-Specific Integration: Problems and Solutions. SITE-DIRECTED INSERTION OF TRANSGENES 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-4531-5_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Salehi M, Taheri T, Mohit E, Zahedifard F, Seyed N, Taslimi Y, Sattari M, Bolhassani A, Rafati S. Recombinant Leishmania tarentolae encoding the HPV type 16 E7 gene in tumor mice model. Immunotherapy 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.12.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer, the third most prevalent cause of cancer in women worldwide, is associated with HPVs. The critical role of E7 protein in HPV-related malignancies has designated it as a strong contender for generating vaccines against HPV. Materials & methods: In this study, we developed a novel live vaccine using recombinant Leishmania tarentolae expressing E7-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein for the protection of mice against HPV-associated tumors. In order to transfect L. tarentolae with E7-GFP fusion construct, pLEXSY-neo2 system was applied. Followed by PCR, fluorescence imaging and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, integration of E7-GFP gene into parasites genome was confirmed. A comparative study of six groups of C57BL/6 mice was performed to analyze antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses against E7 encoding live and DNA vaccines. Furthermore, the anti-tumor protective effect of L. tarentolae-E7-GFP was compared to other vaccination strategies, namely pcDNA-E7 as the DNA vaccine and pcDNA-E7/L. tarentolae-E7-GFP as the prime-boost regimen. Results: We found that E7-GFP expressing recombinant L. tarentolae induces significant levels of IgG2a and IFN-γ, while there is no significant IL-5 production compared with that of other strategies and control groups before and after challenge with TC-1 tumor cells. It is noteworthy that the designed live vaccine showed the best protection and minimum tumor size among all groups against TC-1-induced tumors. Conclusion: Overall, the results obtained revealed that the E7-GFP recombinant L. tarentolae could be a potential live vaccine for induction of immune responses in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Salehi
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Mohit
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Zahedifard
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Taslimi
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mandana Sattari
- Department of Immunology, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Molecular Immunology & Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Eldardiri M, Martin Y, Roxburgh J, Lawrence-Watt DJ, Sharpe JR. Wound contraction is significantly reduced by the use of microcarriers to deliver keratinocytes and fibroblasts in an in vivo pig model of wound repair and regeneration. Tissue Eng Part A 2011; 18:587-97. [PMID: 21939396 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2011.0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In full-thickness injuries caused by extensive burns or penetrating traumatic injuries, the natural epidermal stem cell niche is destroyed, and wound healing occurs through migration of cells from the wound edges and wound contraction. This can lead to significant contracture formation, especially in large full-thickness injuries, causing lack of mobility and pain. Contraction is reduced when wounds are treated using split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) or dermal substitutes, particularly in combination with cultured autologous keratinocytes, delivered as confluent sheets or sprayed as a single cell suspension (SAK). Here, we show that the application of keratinocytes alone or keratinocytes with fibroblasts, delivered on microcarriers, in combination with STSG or a dermal substitute, significantly reduces contraction of wounds in vivo in a porcine model of wound repair and regeneration. A decrease in alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts, the cell type responsible for wound contraction, accompanies the reduction in contraction. These findings demonstrate the potential for a significant clinical advantage in the treatment of full-thickness injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Eldardiri
- Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, West Sussex, United Kingdom
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Distinct strategies are required to suppress antigen-specific responses to genetically modified keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Mol Ther 2011; 20:196-203. [PMID: 21988876 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratinocytes and fibroblasts are potential targets of gene/cell therapy for genodermatoses. Immune elimination of genetically modified cells, however, presents a major impediment to effective therapy. Using ex vivo approaches to gene transfer, we have previously shown that expression of an antigen by either cell type in skin induces immune rejection of transplanted cells, although the nature of immune responses induced by these two cell types are distinct. In this study, we explore the efficacy of local immunosuppressive strategies to divert destructive immune responses from genetically modified fibroblast and keratinocytes. Expression of CTLA4Ig and, to a lesser extent, PDL1, by antigenic fibroblasts protected them from immune rejection resulting in long-term graft survival (>18 weeks). Similar treatment was not effective for antigenic keratinocytes. Long-term protection of transgenic keratinocytes was achieved through transient blockade of CD40/CD154 interactions during the first 2 weeks of cell transplantation. Although neither of these strategies induced antigen-specific tolerance, they were sufficient to prevent rejection of genetically modified cells. These results indicate that different strategies are required to protect antigenic cell types even within the same tissue. Moreover, induction of antigen-specific tolerance is not a necessary requirement for long-term survival of genetically modified skin cells.
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Abstract
In this chapter we review protocols for transient transfection of primary keratinocytes. The ability to transfect primary epidermal cells regardless of their differentiation status allows the biochemical and molecular characterization of multiple proteins. We review methods to analyze exogenous protein abundance in transfected keratinocytes by immunoblot and immunoprecipitation. We also present protocols to determine the subcellular distribution of these proteins by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Dagnino
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Child Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Transgene-specific host responses in cutaneous gene therapy: the role of cells expressing the transgene. Gene Ther 2009; 16:1138-45. [PMID: 19440226 PMCID: PMC2741533 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A major issue in long-term gene therapy is host immune responses to therapeutic cells when transgene encodes a potential antigen. The nature of these responses depends on several factors including the type of cell and tissue expressing the transgene. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which are known to display distinct immunogenic profiles, are both potential targets for transgene expression in cutaneous gene therapy. However, whether there is an immunological advantage in targeting one cell type over the other is not known. To study the effect of cell type on transgene-specific host responses independent of antigen levels or methods of gene transfer and transplantation, we used a skin transplantation model in which transgene expression can be targeted transgene to either keratinocytes or fibroblasts. Although targeting an antigen to either cell type resulted in the induction of immune responses, these responses differed significantly. Transgenic keratinocytes were rejected acutely by a dominant Th2 response, while in the majority of grafted animals transgenic fibroblasts failed to induce acute rejection despite the induction of Th1 type inflammation in the graft. In a small number of mice, transgenic fibroblasts persisted for at least 20 weeks despite elicitation of antigen-specific responses. Therefore, fibroblasts may be an immunologically preferred target over keratinocytes for cutaneous gene therapy.
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