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Song X, Liu J, Chen T, Zheng T, Wang X, Guo X. Gene therapy and gene editing strategies in inherited blood disorders. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00180-2. [PMID: 38986807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.07.004] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy has shown significant potential in treating various diseases, particularly inherited blood disorders such as hemophilia, sickle cell disease, and thalassemia. Advances in understanding the regulatory network of disease-associated genes have led to the identification of additional therapeutic targets for treatment, especially for β-hemoglobinopathies. Erythroid regulatory factor BCL11A offers the most promising therapeutic target for β-hemoglobinopathies and reduction of its expression using the commercialized gene therapy product Casgevy was approved for use in the UK and USA in 2023. Notably, the emergence of innovative gene editing technologies has further broadened the gene therapy landscape, presenting new possibilities for treatment. Intensive studies indicate that base editing and prime editing, built upon CRISPR technology, enable precise single-base modification in hematopoietic stem cells for addressing inherited blood disorders ex vivo and in vivo. In this review, we present an overview of the current landscape of gene therapies, focusing on clinical research and gene therapy products for inherited blood disorders, evaluation of potential gene targets, and the gene editing tools employed in current gene therapy practices, which provides an insight for the establishment of safer and more effective gene therapy methods for a wider range of diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Song
- Institute of Blood Diseases, Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - JinLei Liu
- Institute of Blood Diseases, Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Tangcong Chen
- Institute of Blood Diseases, Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Tingfeng Zheng
- Institute of Blood Diseases, Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Institute of Blood Diseases, Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Xiang Guo
- Institute of Blood Diseases, Department of Hematology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China.
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2
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Liang J, Wan Y, Gao J, Zheng L, Wang J, Wu P, Li Y, Wang B, Wang D, Ma Y, Shen B, Lv X, Wang D, An N, Ma X, Geng G, Tong J, Liu J, Chen G, Gao M, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, Zhu P, Yin H, Zhu X, Shi L. Erythroid-intrinsic activation of TLR8 impairs erythropoiesis in inherited anemia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5678. [PMID: 38971858 PMCID: PMC11227506 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50066-w] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited non-hemolytic anemia is a group of rare bone marrow disorders characterized by erythroid defects. Although concerted efforts have been made to explore the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases, the understanding of the causative mutations are still incomplete. Here we identify in a diseased pedigree that a gain-of-function mutation in toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) is implicated in inherited non-hemolytic anemia. TLR8 is expressed in erythroid lineage and erythropoiesis is impaired by TLR8 activation whereas enhanced by TLR8 inhibition from erythroid progenitor stage. Mechanistically, TLR8 activation blocks annexin A2 (ANXA2)-mediated plasma membrane localization of STAT5 and disrupts EPO signaling in HuDEP2 cells. TLR8 inhibition improves erythropoiesis in RPS19+/- HuDEP2 cells and CD34+ cells from healthy donors and inherited non-hemolytic anemic patients. Collectively, we identify a gene implicated in inherited anemia and a previously undescribed role for TLR8 in erythropoiesis, which could potentially be explored for therapeutic benefit in inherited anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Yang Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
- Department of pediatric hematology and oncology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Lingyue Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Jingwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Peng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Bingrui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Ding Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Yige Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Biao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Xue Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Di Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Na An
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and Frontier of Science Center for Cell Response, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangfeng Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and Frontier of Science Center for Cell Response, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingyuan Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Jinhua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Guo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and Frontier of Science Center for Cell Response, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Gao
- Toll Biotech Co. Ltd., Beijing, 102200, China
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China
| | - Hang Yin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaofan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China.
- Department of pediatric hematology and oncology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lihong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, 301600, China.
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Myers G, Sun Y, Wang Y, Benmhammed H, Cui S. Roles of Nuclear Orphan Receptors TR2 and TR4 during Hematopoiesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:563. [PMID: 38790192 PMCID: PMC11121135 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
TR2 and TR4 (NR2C1 and NR2C2, respectively) are evolutionarily conserved nuclear orphan receptors capable of binding direct repeat sequences in a stage-specific manner. Like other nuclear receptors, TR2 and TR4 possess important roles in transcriptional activation or repression with developmental stage and tissue specificity. TR2 and TR4 bind DNA and possess the ability to complex with available cofactors mediating developmental stage-specific actions in primitive and definitive erythrocytes. In erythropoiesis, TR2 and TR4 are required for erythroid development, maturation, and key erythroid transcription factor regulation. TR2 and TR4 recruit and interact with transcriptional corepressors or coactivators to elicit developmental stage-specific gene regulation during hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greggory Myers
- Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; (G.M.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yanan Sun
- Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.S.); (H.B.)
| | - Yu Wang
- Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; (G.M.); (Y.W.)
| | - Hajar Benmhammed
- Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.S.); (H.B.)
| | - Shuaiying Cui
- Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (Y.S.); (H.B.)
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4
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Gambari R, Waziri AD, Goonasekera H, Peprah E. Pharmacogenomics of Drugs Used in β-Thalassemia and Sickle-Cell Disease: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4263. [PMID: 38673849 PMCID: PMC11050010 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this short review we have presented and discussed studies on pharmacogenomics (also termed pharmacogenetics) of the drugs employed in the treatment of β-thalassemia or Sickle-cell disease (SCD). This field of investigation is relevant, since it is expected to help clinicians select the appropriate drug and the correct dosage for each patient. We first discussed the search for DNA polymorphisms associated with a high expression of γ-globin genes and identified this using GWAS studies and CRISPR-based gene editing approaches. We then presented validated DNA polymorphisms associated with a high HbF production (including, but not limited to the HBG2 XmnI polymorphism and those related to the BCL11A, MYB, KLF-1, and LYAR genes). The expression of microRNAs involved in the regulation of γ-globin genes was also presented in the context of pharmacomiRNomics. Then, the pharmacogenomics of validated fetal hemoglobin inducers (hydroxyurea, butyrate and butyrate analogues, thalidomide, and sirolimus), of iron chelators, and of analgesics in the pain management of SCD patients were considered. Finally, we discuss current clinical trials, as well as international research networks focusing on clinical issues related to pharmacogenomics in hematological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, 40124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Aliyu Dahiru Waziri
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Kaduna 810001, Nigeria;
| | - Hemali Goonasekera
- Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo P.O. Box 271, Sri Lanka;
| | - Emmanuel Peprah
- Implementing Sustainable Evidence-Based Interventions through Engagement (ISEE) Lab, Department of Global and Environmental Health, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA;
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5
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Takada Y, Adachi K, Fujinaga Y, Yamashita Y, Itoh Y, Suzuki T. A Structure-Activity Relationship Study of SNAIL1 Peptides as Inhibitors of Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2024; 72:155-160. [PMID: 38296557 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c23-00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Peptides have recently garnered attention as middle-molecular-weight drugs with the characteristics of small molecules and macromolecules. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer, neuroblastoma, and leukemia, and some peptide-based LSD1 inhibitors designed based on the N-terminus of SNAIL1, a member of the SNAIL/SCRATCH family of transcription factors, have been reported. The N-terminus of SNAIL1 peptide acts as a cap of the catalytic site of LSD1, inhibiting interactions with LSD1. However, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these inhibitors is not yet fully understood. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to uncover the SAR and to identify novel SNAIL1 peptide-based LSD1 inhibitors. We synthesized peptide inhibitor candidates based on truncating the N-terminus of SNAIL1 or substituting its amino acid residues. In the truncation study, we found that SNAIL1 1-16 (2), which was composed of 16 residues, strongly inhibited LSD1. Furthermore, we investigated the SAR at residues-3 and -5 from the N-terminus and found that peptides 2j and 2k, in which leucine 5 of the parent peptide is substituted with unnatural amino acids, cyclohexylalanine and norleucine, respectively, strongly inhibited LSD1. This result suggests that the hydrophobic interaction between the inhibitor peptides and LSD1 affects the LSD1-inhibitory activity. We believe that this SAR information provides a basis for the development of more potent LSD1 inhibitors.
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Ibanez V, Vaitkus K, Ruiz MA, Lei Z, Maienschein-Cline M, Arbieva Z, Lavelle D. Effect of the LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 on γ-globin and global gene expression during erythroid differentiation in baboons (Papio anubis). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289860. [PMID: 38134183 PMCID: PMC10745162 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated levels of Fetal Hemoglobin interfere with polymerization of sickle hemoglobin thereby reducing anemia, lessening the severity of symptoms, and increasing life span of patients with sickle cell disease. An affordable, small molecule drug that stimulates HbF expression in vivo would be ideally suited to treat the large numbers of SCD patients that exist worldwide. Our previous work showed that administration of the LSD1 (KDM1A) inhibitor RN-1 to normal baboons increased Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) and was tolerated over a prolonged treatment period. HbF elevations were associated with changes in epigenetic modifications that included increased levels of H3K4 di-and tri-methyl lysine at the γ-globin promoter. While dramatic effects of the loss of LSD1 on hematopoietic differentiation have been observed in murine LSD1 gene deletion and silencing models, the effect of pharmacological inhibition of LSD1 in vivo on hematopoietic differentiation is unknown. The goal of these experiments was to investigate the in vivo mechanism of action of the LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 by determining its effect on γ-globin expression in highly purified subpopulations of bone marrow erythroid cells enriched for varying stages of erythroid differentiation isolated directly from baboons treated with RN-1 and also by investigating the effect of RN1 on the global transcriptome in a highly purified population of proerythroblasts. Our results show that RN-1 administered to baboons targets an early event during erythroid differentiation responsible for γ-globin repression and increases the expression of a limited number of genes including genes involved in erythroid differentiation such as GATA2, GFi-1B, and LYN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinzon Ibanez
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kestis Vaitkus
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Maria Armila Ruiz
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Zhengdeng Lei
- Research Informatics Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Ambry Genetics, Aliso Viejo, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Maienschein-Cline
- Research Informatics Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Zarema Arbieva
- Genomics Research Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Donald Lavelle
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Ibanez V, Vaitkus K, Zhang X, Ramasamy J, Rivers AE, Saunthararajah Y, Molokie R, Lavelle D. Combinatorial targeting of epigenome-modifying enzymes with decitabine and RN-1 synergistically increases HbF. Blood Adv 2023; 7:3891-3902. [PMID: 36884303 PMCID: PMC10405201 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels reduce the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD) and increase the lifespan of patients. Because curative strategies for bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy technologies remain unavailable to a large number of patients, the development of a safe and effective pharmacological therapy that increases HbF offers the greatest potential for disease intervention. Although hydroxyurea increases HbF, a substantial proportion of patients fail to demonstrate an adequate response. Pharmacological inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1) and lysine-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1), 2 epigenome-modifying enzymes associated with the multiprotein corepressor complex recruited to the repressed γ-globin gene, are powerful in vivo inducers of HbF. The hematological side effects of these inhibitors limit feasible clinical exposures. We evaluated whether administering these drugs in combination could reduce the dose and/or time of exposure to any single agent to minimize adverse effects, while achieving additive or synergistic increases in HbF. The DNMT1 inhibitor decitabine (0.5 mg/kg per day) and the LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 (0.25 mg/kg per day) administered in combination 2 days per week produced synergistic increases in F-cells, F-reticulocytes, and γ-globin messenger RNA in healthy baboons. Large increases in HbF and F-cells were observed in healthy, nonanemic, and anemic (phlebotomized) baboons. Combinatorial therapy targeting epigenome-modifying enzymes could thus be a useful strategy for producing larger increases in HbF to modify the clinical course of SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinzon Ibanez
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Research and Development, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Kestis Vaitkus
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Research and Development, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Xu Zhang
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Jagadeesh Ramasamy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Angela E. Rivers
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA
| | - Yogen Saunthararajah
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Robert Molokie
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Research and Development, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Donald Lavelle
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Research and Development, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
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8
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Finotti A, Gambari R. Combined approaches for increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and de novo production of adult hemoglobin (HbA) in erythroid cells from β-thalassemia patients: treatment with HbF inducers and CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1204536. [PMID: 37529398 PMCID: PMC10387548 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1204536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing (GE) is one of the most efficient and useful molecular approaches to correct the effects of gene mutations in hereditary monogenetic diseases, including β-thalassemia. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has been proposed for effective correction of the β-thalassemia mutation, obtaining high-level "de novo" production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). In addition to the correction of the primary gene mutations causing β-thalassemia, several reports demonstrate that gene editing can be employed to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF), obtaining important clinical benefits in treated β-thalassemia patients. This important objective can be achieved through CRISPR-Cas9 disruption of genes encoding transcriptional repressors of γ-globin gene expression (such as BCL11A, SOX6, KLF-1) or their binding sites in the HBG promoter, mimicking non-deletional and deletional HPFH mutations. These two approaches (β-globin gene correction and genome editing of the genes encoding repressors of γ-globin gene transcription) can be, at least in theory, combined. However, since multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing is associated with documented evidence concerning possible genotoxicity, this review is focused on the possibility to combine pharmacologically-mediated HbF induction protocols with the "de novo" production of HbA using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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9
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Tamaoki J, Maeda H, Kobayashi I, Takeuchi M, Ohashi K, Gore A, Bonkhofer F, Patient R, Weinstein BM, Kobayashi M. LSD1 promotes the egress of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into the bloodstream during the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. Dev Biol 2023:S0012-1606(23)00111-2. [PMID: 37353106 PMCID: PMC10393020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.06.012] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, primitive and definitive waves of hematopoiesis take place to provide proper blood cells for each developmental stage, with the possible involvement of epigenetic factors. We previously found that lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) promotes primitive hematopoietic differentiation by shutting down the gene expression program of hemangioblasts in an Etv2/Etsrp-dependent manner. In the present study, we demonstrated that zebrafish LSD1 also plays important roles in definitive hematopoiesis in the development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. A combination of genetic approaches and imaging analyses allowed us to show that LSD1 promotes the egress of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into the bloodstream during the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. Analysis of compound mutant lines with Etv2/Etsrp mutant zebrafish revealed that, unlike in primitive hematopoiesis, this function of LSD1 was independent of Etv2/Etsrp. The phenotype of LSD1 mutant zebrafish during the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition was similar to that of previously reported compound knockout mice of Gfi1/Gfi1b, which forms a complex with LSD1 and represses endothelial genes. Moreover, co-knockdown of zebrafish Gfi1/Gfi1b genes inhibited the development of HSPCs. We therefore hypothesize that the shutdown of the Gfi1/Gfi1b-target genes during the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition is one of the key evolutionarily conserved functions of LSD1 in definitive hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Tamaoki
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan; Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan
| | - Hiroki Maeda
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Isao Kobayashi
- Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Miki Takeuchi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Ken Ohashi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Aniket Gore
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Florian Bonkhofer
- Molecular Hematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Roger Patient
- Molecular Hematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Brant M Weinstein
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Makoto Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan.
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10
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Lu CF, Zhou YN, Zhang J, Su S, Liu Y, Peng GH, Zang W, Cao J. The role of epigenetic methylation/demethylation in the regulation of retinal photoreceptors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1149132. [PMID: 37305686 PMCID: PMC10251769 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1149132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors are integral and crucial for the retina, as they convert light into electrical signals. Epigenetics plays a vital role in determining the precise expression of genetic information in space and time during the development and maturation of photoreceptors, cell differentiation, degeneration, death, and various pathological processes. Epigenetic regulation has three main manifestations: histone modification, DNA methylation, and RNA-based mechanisms, where methylation is involved in two regulatory mechanisms-histone methylation and DNA methylation. DNA methylation is the most studied form of epigenetic modification, while histone methylation is a relatively stable regulatory mechanism. Evidence suggests that normal methylation regulation is essential for the growth and development of photoreceptors and the maintenance of their functions, while abnormal methylation can lead to many pathological forms of photoreceptors. However, the role of methylation/demethylation in regulating retinal photoreceptors remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to review the role of methylation/demethylation in regulating photoreceptors in various physiological and pathological situations and discuss the underlying mechanisms involved. Given the critical role of epigenetic regulation in gene expression and cellular differentiation, investigating the specific molecular mechanisms underlying these processes in photoreceptors may provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. Moreover, understanding these mechanisms could lead to the development of novel therapies that target the epigenetic machinery, thereby promoting the maintenance of retinal function throughout an individual's lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Fan Lu
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Songxue Su
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yupeng Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hua Peng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weidong Zang
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Chauhan W, Zennadi R. Keap1-Nrf2 Heterodimer: A Therapeutic Target to Ameliorate Sickle Cell Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030740. [PMID: 36978988 PMCID: PMC10045360 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic inheritable disease characterized by severe anemia, increased hemolysis, and recurrent, painful vaso-occlusive crises due to the polymerization of hemoglobin S (HbS)-generated oxidative stress. Up until now, only four drugs are approved for SCD in the US. However, each of these drugs affects only a limited array of SCD pathologies. Importantly, curative therapies, such as gene therapy, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are not available for every patient because of their high costs, availability of donor matching, and their serious adverse effects. Therefore, there is an unmet medical need for novel therapeutic strategies that target broader SCD sequelae. SCD phenotypic severity can be alleviated by increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression. This results in the inhibition of HbS polymerization and thus sickling, and a reduction in oxidative stress. The efficacy of HbF is due to its ability to dilute HbS levels below the threshold required for polymerization and to influence HbS polymer stability in RBCs. Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-complex signaling is one of the most important cytoprotective signaling controlling oxidative stress. Nrf2 is present in most organs and, after dissociation from Keap1, it accumulates in the cytoplasm, then translocates to the nucleus where it binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE) sequences and increases the expression of various cytoprotective antioxidant genes. Keeping this in mind, various researchers have proposed a role of multiple agents, more importantly tert-Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), curcumin, etc., (having electrophilic properties) in inhibiting keap1 activity, so that Nrf2 can translocate to the nucleus to activate the gamma globin gene, thus maintaining alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) and HbF levels. This leads to reduced oxidative stress, consequently minimizing SCD-associated complications. In this review, we will discuss the role of the Keap-1–Nrf2 complex in hemoglobinopathies, especially in SCD, and how this complex might represent a better target for more effective treatment options.
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12
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Han JY, Seo J, Choi Y, Im W, Ban JJ, Sung JJ. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing of Huntington's disease neurospheres. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:2127-2136. [PMID: 36550260 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08175-6] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal genetic disease caused by polyglutamine aggregation encoded by an expanded CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene (HTT). In this study, we cultured neurospheres derived from R6/2 mice, a representative animal model of HD, as an in vitro model. GuideRNAs were designed to induce large deletion or frameshift indel mutation of CAG expansion. These gRNAs and Cas9 were delivered to the R6/2 neurospheres and disease-related phenotypes were observed. METHODS AND RESULTS Deletion or indel mutation of the CAG repeat was confirmed by PCR, T7E1 assay and sequencing of the edited neurospheres. Edited neurospheres showed decreased polyglutamine aggregation compared with control HD neurospheres. In the edited neurosphere, we confirmed the upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whose reduced expressions are closely involved in the disease progression. In addition, flow cytometry result showed an increase in cell viability with an overall decrease in necrotic and apoptotic populations among edited R6/2 neurospheres. Additional siRNA experiments confirmed that the increased viability was decreased through inhibition of PGC-1α or BDNF. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed that CAG repeat of R6/2 mouse-derived neurospheres can be edited through CRISPR-Cas9. Editing of CAG repeat sequence decreases polyglutamine aggregation and cellular apoptosis of HD neurospheres, which may be related to the increased expressions of PGC-1α and BDNF. Our data provide the evidence that CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing has therapeutic potential on HD neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yun Han
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea
| | - Jaewoo Seo
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea
| | - Yoori Choi
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wooseok Im
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Ban
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea. .,Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Jung-Joon Sung
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea. .,Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. .,Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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13
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Fontana L, Alahouzou Z, Miccio A, Antoniou P. Epigenetic Regulation of β-Globin Genes and the Potential to Treat Hemoglobinopathies through Epigenome Editing. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030577. [PMID: 36980849 PMCID: PMC10048329 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030577] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-like globin gene expression is developmentally regulated during life by transcription factors, chromatin looping and epigenome modifications of the β-globin locus. Epigenome modifications, such as histone methylation/demethylation and acetylation/deacetylation and DNA methylation, are associated with up- or down-regulation of gene expression. The understanding of these mechanisms and their outcome in gene expression has paved the way to the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating various diseases, such as β-hemoglobinopathies. Histone deacetylase and DNA methyl-transferase inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials for hemoglobinopathies patients. However, these approaches are often uncertain, non-specific and their global effect poses serious safety concerns. Epigenome editing is a recently developed and promising tool that consists of a DNA recognition domain (zinc finger, transcription activator-like effector or dead clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats Cas9) fused to the catalytic domain of a chromatin-modifying enzyme. It offers a more specific targeting of disease-related genes (e.g., the ability to reactivate the fetal γ-globin genes and improve the hemoglobinopathy phenotype) and it facilitates the development of scarless gene therapy approaches. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of epigenome regulation of the β-globin locus, and we discuss the application of epigenome editing for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Fontana
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Université Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Zoe Alahouzou
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Université Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Université Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (P.A.)
| | - Panagiotis Antoniou
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation during Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Université Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France
- Genome Engineering, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D Unit, AstraZeneca, 431 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (P.A.)
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14
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Pavan AR, Lopes JR, Dos Santos JL. The state of the art of fetal hemoglobin-inducing agents. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1279-1293. [PMID: 36302760 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2141708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hematological genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the gene of the β-globin. Pharmacological treatments will continue to be an important approach, including the strategy to induce fetal hemoglobin (HbF). AREAS COVERED Here, we analyzed the articles described in the literature regarding the drug discovery of HbF inducers. The main approaches for such strategy will be discussed, highlighting those most promising. EXPERT OPINION The comprehension of the mechanisms involved in the β-globin regulation is the main key to design new drugs to induce HbF. Among the strategies, gamma-globin regulation by epigenetic enzymes seems to be a promising approach to be pursued, although the comprehension of the selectivity role for those new drugs is crucial to reduce adverse effects. The low druggability of transcription factors and their vital role in embryonic human development are critical points that should be taken in account for drug design. The guanylate cyclase and the NO/cGMP signaling pathway seem to be promising not only for HbF induction, but also for the protective effects in the cardiovascular system. The association of drugs acting through different mechanisms to induce HbF seems to be promising for the discovery of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Renata Pavan
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Juliana Romano Lopes
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Drugs and Medicine Department, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Drugs and Medicine Department, Araraquara, Brazil
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15
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Bou-Fakhredin R, De Franceschi L, Motta I, Cappellini MD, Taher AT. Pharmacological Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin in β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease: An Updated Perspective. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060753. [PMID: 35745672 PMCID: PMC9227505 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant amount of attention has recently been devoted to the mechanisms involved in hemoglobin (Hb) switching, as it has previously been established that the induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in significant amounts can reduce the severity of the clinical course in diseases such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). While the induction of HbF using lentiviral and genome-editing strategies has been made possible, they present limitations. Meanwhile, progress in the use of pharmacologic agents for HbF induction and the identification of novel HbF-inducing strategies has been made possible as a result of a better understanding of γ-globin regulation. In this review, we will provide an update on all current pharmacological inducer agents of HbF in β-thalassemia and SCD in addition to the ongoing research into other novel, and potentially therapeutic, HbF-inducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Bou-Fakhredin
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
| | - Lucia De Franceschi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Verona, 37128 Verona, Italy;
| | - Irene Motta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
- UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.B.-F.); (I.M.)
- UOC General Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (A.T.T.)
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (A.T.T.)
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16
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Khan F, Ali H, Musharraf SG. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-mediated γ-globin induction is correlated with the suppression of trans-acting factors in CD34 + progenitor cells: A role in the reactivation of fetal hemoglobin. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 927:175036. [PMID: 35618038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175036] [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: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sickle-cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia are public health issues that affect people all over the world. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction is a molecular intervention, including hydroxyurea, which has made an effort to improve current treatment. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is formerly reported with improving levels of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Hence, in this preclinical investigation, human peripheral whole blood-derived CD34+ progenitor cells were cultured to prove the efficacy of TDF on erythroid proliferation, differentiation, γ-globin gene expression regulation, and ultimately HbF production. We observed that TDF increased the proliferation of immature erythroid cells, delayed the terminal erythroid maturation without cytotoxicity as correlated with other HbF inducers. Here, the presented data show that TDF can induce HbF expression by up-regulating the γ-globin gene transcription up to 7.1 ± 0.46-fold and subsequently increased the F-cells (10.79 ± 1.9-fold) population in terminally differentiated erythroid cells. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that TDF-mediated γ-globin gene induction and HbF production was associated with down-fold regulation of BCL11A and SOX6, and their corresponding trans-acting regulators, FOP, KLF1, and GATA1. Collectively, our findings suggest TDF as an effective inducer of HbF in CD34+ cells and pave the way to put forward the assessment of TDF as a new potential therapy in treating β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Khan
- Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Hamad Ali
- Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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17
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Chauhan W, Shoaib S, Fatma R, Zaka‐ur‐Rab Z, Afzal M. β‐thalassemia, and the advent of new Interventions beyond Transfusion and Iron chelation. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 88:3610-3626. [DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Chauhan
- Human Genetics and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Shoaib Shoaib
- Department of Biochemistry, JNMC Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Rafat Fatma
- Human Genetics and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Zeeba Zaka‐ur‐Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, JNMC Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Mohammad Afzal
- Human Genetics and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
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18
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Down-regulation of the transcriptional repressor ZNF802 (JAZF1) reactivates fetal hemoglobin in β 0-thalassemia/HbE. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4952. [PMID: 35322124 PMCID: PMC8943019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08920-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactivating of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; α2γ2) can ameliorate the severity of β-thalassemia disease by compensating for adult hemoglobin deficiency in patients. Previously, microarray analysis revealed that zinc finger protein (ZNF)802 (also known as Juxta-posed with another zinc finger gene-1 (JAZF1)) was upregulated in human erythroblasts derived from adult peripheral blood compared with fetal liver-derived cells, implying a potential role as a HbF repressor. However, deficiency in ZNF802 induced by lentiviral shRNA in β0-thalassemia/hemoglobinE erythroblasts had no effect on erythroblast proliferation and differentiation. Remarkably, the induction of HBG expression was observed at the transcriptional and translational levels resulting in an increase of HbF to 35.0 ± 3.5%. Interestingly, the embryonic globin transcripts were also upregulated but the translation of embryonic globin was not detected. These results suggest ZNF802 might be a transcriptional repressor of the γ-globin gene in adult erythroid cells.
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19
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Novel histone deacetylase inhibitor CT-101 induces γ-globin gene expression in sickle erythroid progenitors with targeted epigenetic effects. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2022; 93:102626. [PMID: 34856533 PMCID: PMC9733664 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2021.102626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression ameliorates the clinical severity and prolong survival in persons with sickle cell disease (SCD). Hydroxyurea (HU) is the only FDA-approved HbF inducer however, additional therapeutics that produce an additive effect in SCD are needed. To this end, development of potent Class I histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) for HbF induction represents a rational molecularly targeted approach. In studies here, we evaluated CT-101, a novel Class I-restricted HDACi, a Largazole derivative, for pharmacodynamics, cytotoxicity, and targeted epigenetic effects. In SCD-derived erythroid progenitors, CT-101 induced HbF expression with additive activity in combination with HU. CT-101 preferentially activated γ-globin gene transcription, increased acetylated histone H3 levels, and conferred an open chromatin conformation in the γ-globin promoter. These data indicate CT-101 represents a strong potential candidate as a molecularly targeted inducer of HbF.
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20
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Sun Y, Habara A, Le CQ, Nguyen N, Chen R, Murphy GJ, Chui DHK, Steinberg MH, Cui S. Pharmacologic induction of PGC-1α stimulates fetal haemoglobin gene expression. Br J Haematol 2022; 197:97-109. [PMID: 35118652 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects millions around the world. Enhancement of fetal γ-globin levels and fetal haemoglobin (HbF) production in SCD patients leads to diminished severity of many clinical features of the disease. We recently identified the transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α as a new protein involved in the regulation of the globin genes. Here, we report that upregulation of PGC-1α by infection with a lentivirus expressing PGC-1α or by the small-molecule PGC-1α agonist ZLN005 in human primary erythroid progenitor CD34+ cells induces both fetal γ-globin mRNA and protein expression as well as the percentage of HbF-positive cell (F cells) without significantly affecting cell proliferation and differentiation. We further found that the combination of ZLN005 and hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) exhibited an additive effect on the expression of γ-globin and the generation of F cells from cultured CD34+ cells. In addition, ZLN005 induced robust expression of the murine embryonic βh1-globin gene and to a lesser extent, human γ-globin gene expression in sickle mice. These findings suggest that activation of PGC-1α by ZLN005 might provide a new path for modulating HbF levels with potential therapeutic benefit in β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Sun
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alawi Habara
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Cuong Quang Le
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicole Nguyen
- Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raymon Chen
- Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - George J Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David H K Chui
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Martin H Steinberg
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shuaiying Cui
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Demirci S, Leonard A, Essawi K, Tisdale JF. CRISPR-Cas9 to induce fetal hemoglobin for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:276-285. [PMID: 34729375 PMCID: PMC8526756 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing is potentially a curative technique available to all individuals with β-hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease (SCD). Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) inhibits sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization, and it is well described that naturally occurring hereditary persistence of HbF (HPFH) alleviates disease symptoms; therefore, reawakening of developmentally silenced HbF in adult red blood cells (RBCs) has long been of interest as a therapeutic strategy. Recent advances in genome editing platforms, particularly with the use of CRISPR-Cas9, have paved the way for efficient HbF induction through the creation of artificial HPFH mutations, editing of transcriptional HbF silencers, and modulating epigenetic intermediates that govern HbF expression. Clinical trials investigating BCL11A enhancer editing in patients with β-hemoglobinopathies have demonstrated promising results, although follow-up is short and the number of patients treated to date is low. While practical, economic, and clinical challenges of genome editing are well recognized by the scientific community, potential solutions to overcome these hurdles are in development. Here, we review the recent progress and obstacles yet to be overcome for the most effective and feasible HbF reactivation practice using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing as a curative strategy for patients with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selami Demirci
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Alexis Leonard
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Khaled Essawi
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - John F. Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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22
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Kaewsakulthong W, Pongpaksupasin P, Nualkaew T, Hongeng S, Fucharoen S, Jearawiriyapaisarn N, Sripichai O. Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 inhibition enhances robust fetal hemoglobin induction in human β 0-thalassemia/hemoglobin E erythroid cells. Hematol Rep 2021; 13:9215. [PMID: 35003571 PMCID: PMC8672213 DOI: 10.4081/hr.2021.9215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) ameliorates the clinical severity of β-thalassemias. Histone methyltransferase LSD1 enzyme removes methyl groups from the activating chromatin mark histone 3 lysine 4 at silenced genes, including the γ-globin genes. LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 induces HbF levels in cultured human erythroid cells. Here, the HbF-inducing activity of RN-1 was investigated in erythroid progenitor cells derived from β0-thalassemia/ hemoglobin E (HbE) patients. The significant and reproducible increases in γ-globin transcript and HbF expression upon RN-1 treatment were demonstrated in erythroid cells with divergent HbF baseline levels, the average of HbF induction was 17.7±0.8%. RN-1 at low concentration did not affect viability and proliferation of erythroid cells, but decreases in cell number were observed in cells treated with RN-1 at high concentration. Delayed terminal erythroid differentiation was revealed in β0-thalassemia/HbE erythroid cells treated with RN-1 as similar to other compounds that target LSD1 activity. Downregulation of repressors of γ- globin expression; NCOR1 and SOX6, was observed in RN-1 treatment. These findings provide proof of the concept that LSD1 epigenetic enzyme is a potential therapeutic target for β0-thalassemia/HbE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woratree Kaewsakulthong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
| | - Phitchapa Pongpaksupasin
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom
| | - Tiwaporn Nualkaew
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
| | - Suthat Fucharoen
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom
| | - Natee Jearawiriyapaisarn
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom
| | - Orapan Sripichai
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom.,National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
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Mukherjee M, Rahaman M, Ray SK, Shukla PC, Dolai TK, Chakravorty N. Revisiting fetal hemoglobin inducers in beta-hemoglobinopathies: a review of natural products, conventional and combinatorial therapies. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 49:2359-2373. [PMID: 34822068 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06977-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Beta-hemoglobinopathies exhibit a heterogeneous clinical picture with varying degrees of clinical severity. Pertaining to the limited treatment options available, where blood transfusion still remains the commonest mode of treatment, pharmacological induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has been a lucrative therapeutic intervention. Till now more than 70 different HbF inducers have been identified. The practical usage of many pharmacological drugs has been limited due to safety concerns. Natural compounds, like Resveratrol, Ripamycin and Bergaptene, with limited cytotoxicity and high efficacy have started capturing the attention of researchers. In this review, we have summarized pharmacological drugs and bioactive compounds isolated from natural sources that have been shown to increase HbF significantly. It primarily discusses recently identified synthetic and natural compounds, their mechanism of action, and their suitable screening platforms, including high throughput drug screening technology and biosensors. It also delves into the topic of combinatorial therapy and drug repurposing for HbF induction. Overall, we aim to provide insights into where we stand in HbF induction strategies for treating β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandrita Mukherjee
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Motiur Rahaman
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Suman Kumar Ray
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Praphulla Chandra Shukla
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Tuphan Kanti Dolai
- Department of Hematology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700014, India
| | - Nishant Chakravorty
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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Yu L, Myers G, Ku CJ, Schneider E, Wang Y, Singh SA, Jearawiriyapaisarn N, White A, Moriguchi T, Khoriaty R, Yamamoto M, Rosenfeld MG, Pedron J, Bushweller JH, Lim KC, Engel JD. An erythroid-to-myeloid cell fate conversion is elicited by LSD1 inactivation. Blood 2021; 138:1691-1704. [PMID: 34324630 PMCID: PMC8569417 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4Me) is most often associated with chromatin activation, and removing H3K4 methyl groups has been shown to be coincident with gene repression. H3K4Me demethylase KDM1a/LSD1 is a therapeutic target for multiple diseases, including for the potential treatment of β-globinopathies (sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia), because it is a component of γ-globin repressor complexes, and LSD1 inactivation leads to robust induction of the fetal globin genes. The effects of LSD1 inhibition in definitive erythropoiesis are not well characterized, so we examined the consequences of conditional inactivation of Lsd1 in adult red blood cells using a new Gata1creERT2 bacterial artificial chromosome transgene. Erythroid-specific loss of Lsd1 activity in mice led to a block in erythroid progenitor differentiation and to the expansion of granulocyte-monocyte progenitor-like cells, converting hematopoietic differentiation potential from an erythroid fate to a myeloid fate. The analogous phenotype was also observed in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, coincident with the induction of myeloid transcription factors (eg, PU.1 and CEBPα). Finally, blocking the activity of the transcription factor PU.1 or RUNX1 at the same time as LSD1 inhibition rescued myeloid lineage conversion to an erythroid phenotype. These data show that LSD1 promotes erythropoiesis by repressing myeloid cell fate in adult erythroid progenitors and that inhibition of the myeloid-differentiation pathway reverses the lineage switch induced by LSD1 inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Greggory Myers
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Department of Internal Medicine, and
| | - Chia-Jui Ku
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | | | - Yu Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
| | - Sharon A Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Natee Jearawiriyapaisarn
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Andrew White
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Takashi Moriguchi
- Division of Medical Chemistry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rami Khoriaty
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Department of Internal Medicine, and
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Michael G Rosenfeld
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA; and
| | - Julien Pedron
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville , VA
| | - John H Bushweller
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville , VA
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25
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Epigenetic plasticity of erythroid progenitors. Blood 2021; 138:1646-1648. [PMID: 34735002 PMCID: PMC8569413 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021013087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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26
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Ali H, Khan F, Musharraf SG. Cilostazol-mediated reversion of γ-globin silencing is associated with a high level of HbF production: A potential therapeutic candidate for β-globin disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112058. [PMID: 34426256 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversal of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) silencing is an attractive therapeutic intervention for β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. The current study proposes the therapeutic of repurposing of cilostazol, an FDA-approved antithrombotic agent, as a promising HbF inducer. Preliminary, we report that cilostazol induced erythroid differentiation and hemoglobinization of human erythroleukemia K562 cells. The erythroid differentiation was accompanied by increased expression of γ-globin mRNA transcripts and HbF production. Cilostazol induced erythroid differentiation and HbF production, without significantly affecting proliferation and viability of hemoglobin producing cells at maximum erythroid inducing concentration. Moreover, we investigated the effect of cilostazol on human β- and γ-globin transgenes in in vivo β-YAC transgenic mice, harboring human β-locus along with β-LCR. A good in vitro correlation was found with substantial up-regulation in fetal globin mRNA; whereas, the β-globin gene expression was not significantly changed. F-cells, analysis in the peripheral blood of cilostazol-treated mice, revealed a significant increase in the F-cells population as compared with sham control groups. Together, these findings support the potential of cilostazol as an HbF inducer, which can be evaluated further to develop a new HbF inducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamad Ali
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Faisal Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
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27
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Starlard-Davenport A, Fitzgerald A, Pace BS. Exploring epigenetic and microRNA approaches for γ-globin gene regulation. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:2347-2357. [PMID: 34292080 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211028195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions aimed at inducing fetal hemoglobin and reducing the concentration of sickle hemoglobin is an effective approach to ameliorating acute and chronic complications of sickle cell disease, exemplified by the long-term use of hydroxyurea. However, there remains an unmet need for the development of additional safe and effective drugs for single agent or combination therapy for individuals with β-hemoglobinopathies. Regulation of the γ-globin to β-globin switch is achieved by chromatin remodeling at the HBB locus on chromosome 11 and interactions of major DNA binding proteins, such as KLF1 and BCL11A in the proximal promoters of the globin genes. Experimental evidence also supports a role of epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone acetylation/methylation, and microRNA expression in γ-globin gene silencing during development. In this review, we will critically evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in γ-globin gene regulation and discuss data generated in tissue culture, pre-clinical animal models, and clinical trials to support drug development to date. The question remains whether modulation of epigenetic pathways will produce sufficient efficacy and specificity for fetal hemoglobin induction and to what extent targeting these pathways form the basis of prospects for clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Starlard-Davenport
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Ashley Fitzgerald
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Betty S Pace
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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28
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Pace BS, Perrine S, Li B, Makala L, Xu H, Takezaki M, Wolf RF, Wang A, Xu X, Huang J, Alimardanov A, Tawa GJ, Sangerman J, Faller A, Zheng W, Toney L, Haugabook SJ. Benserazide racemate and enantiomers induce fetal globin gene expression in vivo: Studies to guide clinical development for beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2021; 89:102561. [PMID: 33744514 PMCID: PMC8409227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2021.102561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Increased expression of developmentally silenced fetal globin (HBG) reduces the clinical severity of β-hemoglobinopathies. Benserazide has a relatively benign safety profile having been approved for 50 years in Europe and Canada for Parkinson's disease treatment. Benserazide was shown to activate HBG gene transcription in a high throughput screen, and subsequent studies confirmed fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction in erythroid progenitors from hemoglobinopathy patients, transgenic mice containing the entire human β-globin gene (β-YAC) and anemic baboons. The goal of this study is to evaluate efficacies and plasma exposure profiles of benserazide racemate and its enantiomers to select the chemical form for clinical development. Intermittent treatment with all forms of benserazide in β-YAC mice significantly increased proportions of red blood cells expressing HbF and HbF protein per cell with similar pharmacokinetic profiles and with no cytopenia. These data contribute to the regulatory justification for development of the benserazide racemate. Additionally, dose ranges and frequencies required for HbF induction using racemic benserazide were explored. Orally administered escalating doses of benserazide in an anemic baboon induced γ-globin mRNA up to 13-fold and establish an intermittent dose regimen for clinical studies as a therapeutic candidate for potential treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty S Pace
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Susan Perrine
- Phoenicia BioSciences, Weston, MA 02493, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hemoglobinopathy Thalassemia Research Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Biaoru Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Levi Makala
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Mayuko Takezaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Roman F Wolf
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Amy Wang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Junfeng Huang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Asaf Alimardanov
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gregory J Tawa
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jose Sangerman
- Phoenicia BioSciences, Weston, MA 02493, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hemoglobinopathy Thalassemia Research Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Aidan Faller
- Phoenicia BioSciences, Weston, MA 02493, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hemoglobinopathy Thalassemia Research Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - London Toney
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sharie J Haugabook
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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29
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Inhibition of Epigenetic Modifiers LSD1 and HDAC1 Blocks Rod Photoreceptor Death in Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa. J Neurosci 2021; 41:6775-6792. [PMID: 34193554 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3102-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifiers are increasingly being investigated as potential therapeutics to modify and overcome disease phenotypes. Diseases of the nervous system present a particular problem as neurons are postmitotic and demonstrate relatively stable gene expression patterns and chromatin organization. We have explored the ability of epigenetic modifiers to prevent degeneration of rod photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), using rd10 mice of both sexes. The histone modification eraser enzymes lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) are known to have dramatic effects on the development of rod photoreceptors. In the RP mouse model, inhibitors of these enzymes blocked rod degeneration, preserved vision, and affected the expression of multiple genes including maintenance of rod-specific transcripts and downregulation of those involved in inflammation, gliosis, and cell death. The neuroprotective activity of LSD1 inhibitors includes two pathways. First, through targeting histone modifications, they increase accessibility of chromatin and upregulate neuroprotective genes, such as from the Wnt pathway. We propose that this process is going in rod photoreceptors. Second, through nonhistone targets, they inhibit transcription of inflammatory genes and inflammation. This process is going in microglia, and lack of inflammation keeps rod photoreceptors alive.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Retinal degenerations are a leading cause of vision loss. RP is genetically very heterogeneous, and the multiple pathways leading to cell death are one reason for the slow progress in identifying suitable treatments for patients. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of LSD1and HDAC1 in a mouse model of RP leads to preservation of rod photoreceptors and visual function, retaining of expression of rod-specific genes, and with decreased inflammation, cell death, and Müller cell gliosis. We propose that these epigenetic inhibitors cause more open and accessible chromatin, allowing expression of neuroprotective genes. A second mechanism that allows rod photoreceptor survival is suppression of inflammation by epigenetic inhibitors in microglia. Manipulation of epigenetic modifiers is a new strategy to fight neurodegeneration in RP.
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30
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Karamperis K, Tsoumpeli MT, Kounelis F, Koromina M, Mitropoulou C, Moutinho C, Patrinos GP. Genome-based therapeutic interventions for β-type hemoglobinopathies. Hum Genomics 2021; 15:32. [PMID: 34090531 PMCID: PMC8178887 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-021-00329-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, various strategies have been proposed to solve the enigma of hemoglobinopathies, especially severe cases. However, most of them seem to be lagging in terms of effectiveness and safety. So far, the most prevalent and promising treatment options for patients with β-types hemoglobinopathies, among others, predominantly include drug treatment and gene therapy. Despite the significant improvements of such interventions to the patient's quality of life, a variable response has been demonstrated among different groups of patients and populations. This is essentially due to the complexity of the disease and other genetic factors. In recent years, a more in-depth understanding of the molecular basis of the β-type hemoglobinopathies has led to significant upgrades to the current technologies, as well as the addition of new ones attempting to elucidate these barriers. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to shed light on pharmacogenomics, gene addition, and genome editing technologies, and consequently, their potential use as direct and indirect genome-based interventions, in different strategies, referring to drug and gene therapy. Furthermore, all the latest progress, updates, and scientific achievements for patients with β-type hemoglobinopathies will be described in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kariofyllis Karamperis
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- The Golden Helix Foundation, London, UK
| | - Maria T Tsoumpeli
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Fotios Kounelis
- Department of Computing, Group of Large-Scale Data & Systems, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Koromina
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Catia Moutinho
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia
| | - George P Patrinos
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Pathology, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
- Zayed Center of Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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31
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Yang T, Yang Y, Wang Y. Predictive biomarkers and potential drug combinations of epi-drugs in cancer therapy. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:113. [PMID: 34001246 PMCID: PMC8130364 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01098-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics studies heritable genomic modifications that occur with the participation of epigenetic modifying enzymes but without alterations of the nucleotide structure. Small-molecule inhibitors of these epigenetic modifying enzymes are known as epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs), which can cause programmed death of tumor cells by affecting the cell cycle, angiogenesis, proliferation, and migration. Epi-drugs include histone methylation inhibitors, histone demethylation inhibitors, histone deacetylation inhibitors, and DNA methylation inhibitors. Currently, epi-drugs undergo extensive development, research, and application. Although epi-drugs have convincing anti-tumor effects, the patient's sensitivity to epi-drug application is also a fundamental clinical issue. The development and research of biomarkers for epi-drugs provide a promising direction for screening drug-sensitive patients. Here, we review the predictive biomarkers of 12 epi-drugs as well as the progress of combination therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs or immunotherapy. Further, we discuss the improvement in the development of natural ingredients with low toxicity and low side effects as epi-drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yunkai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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32
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Ali H, Khan F, Ghulam Musharraf S. Acyclovir induces fetal hemoglobin via downregulation of γ-globin repressors, BCL11A and SOX6 trans-acting factors. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114612. [PMID: 34010599 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological reactivation of developmentally silenced fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is an attractive approach to ameliorate the clinical manifestations of β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Hydroxyurea, the only HbF inducer, has obtained regulatory approval. However, hydroxyurea non-responders and associated myelosuppression making its widespread use undesirable. A high level of HbF with safe and effective agents remains an elusive therapeutic goal for this global health burden. This study demonstrated the effect of acyclovir on γ-globin expression and erythropoiesis, associated with increased HbF production. In vitro, human erythroleukemia cells and human CD34+ erythroid progenitors, and in vivo β-YAC transgenic mice were used as experimental models. We found that acyclovir significantly induces expression of the γ-globin gene and HbF synthesis in CD34+ erythroid progenitors, without affecting terminal erythroid differentiation and erythroid cell proliferation. In contrast to other HbF inducers, no associated cytotoxicity with acyclovir was observed. Further, we reported the effect of acyclovir on γ-globin gene transcriptional regulators including BCL11A, FOP1, KLF1 SOX6, and GATA-1. Significant downregulation of the γ-globin repressors BCL11A and SOX6 was observed at both mRNA and protein levels. Whereas, GATA-1, a master erythroid transcription factor, was upregulated in acyclovir treated human CD34+ erythroid culture. Similarly, the HbF inducing effect of acyclovir in β-YAC transgenic mice revealed a good in vitro correlation, with a substantial increase in fetal globin mRNA, and F cells population. These findings collectively suggest acyclovir as an effective HbF inducer and pave the way to evaluate its clinical efficacy in treating β-globin disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamad Ali
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Faisal Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
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Wessels MW, Cnossen MH, van Dijk TB, Gillemans N, Schmidt KLJ, van Lom K, Vinjamur DS, Coyne S, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, de Man SA, Pfundt R, Azmani Z, Brouwer RWW, Bauer DE, van den Hout MCGN, van IJcken WFJ, Philipsen S. Molecular analysis of the erythroid phenotype of a patient with BCL11A haploinsufficiency. Blood Adv 2021; 5:2339-2349. [PMID: 33938942 PMCID: PMC8114548 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003753] [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: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The BCL11A gene encodes a transcriptional repressor with essential functions in multiple tissues during human development. Haploinsufficiency for BCL11A causes Dias-Logan syndrome (OMIM 617101), an intellectual developmental disorder with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). Due to the severe phenotype, disease-causing variants in BCL11A occur de novo. We describe a patient with a de novo heterozygous variant, c.1453G>T, in the BCL11A gene, resulting in truncation of the BCL11A-XL protein (p.Glu485X). The truncated protein lacks the 3 C-terminal DNA-binding zinc fingers and the nuclear localization signal, rendering it inactive. The patient displayed high fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels (12.1-18.7% of total hemoglobin), in contrast to the parents who had HbF levels of 0.3%. We used cultures of patient-derived erythroid progenitors to determine changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility. In addition, we investigated DNA methylation of the promoters of the γ-globin genes HBG1 and HBG2. HUDEP1 and HUDEP2 cells were used as models for fetal and adult human erythropoiesis, respectively. Similar to HUDEP1 cells, the patient's cells displayed Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin (ATAC) peaks at the HBG1/2 promoters and significant expression of HBG1/2 genes. In contrast, HBG1/2 promoter methylation and genome-wide gene expression profiling were consistent with normal adult erythropoiesis. We conclude that HPFH is the major erythroid phenotype of constitutive BCL11A haploinsufficiency. Given the essential functions of BCL11A in other hematopoietic lineages and the neuronal system, erythroid-specific targeting of the BCL11A gene has been proposed for reactivation of γ-globin expression in β-hemoglobinopathy patients. Our data strongly support this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marjon H Cnossen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology
- Academic Center for Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias
| | - Thamar B van Dijk
- Academic Center for Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias
- Department of Cell Biology, and
| | - Nynke Gillemans
- Academic Center for Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias
- Department of Cell Biology, and
| | - K L Juliëtte Schmidt
- Academic Center for Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias
- Department of Cell Biology, and
| | - Kirsten van Lom
- Academic Center for Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Divya S Vinjamur
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Steven Coyne
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Department of Research and Development, Central Blood Institute, Blood Service Headquarters, Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN, BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Stella A de Man
- Department of Pediatrics, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Rolph Pfundt
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and
| | - Zakia Azmani
- Department of Cell Biology, and
- Center for Biomics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rutger W W Brouwer
- Department of Cell Biology, and
- Center for Biomics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Wilfred F J van IJcken
- Department of Cell Biology, and
- Center for Biomics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjaak Philipsen
- Academic Center for Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias
- Department of Cell Biology, and
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Abstract
Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can blunt the pathophysiology, temper the clinical course, and offer prospects for curative therapy of sickle cell disease. This review focuses on (1) HbF quantitative trait loci and the geography of β-globin gene haplotypes, especially those found in the Middle East; (2) how HbF might differentially impact the pathophysiology and many subphenotypes of sickle cell disease; (3) clinical implications of person-to-person variation in the distribution of HbF among HbF-containing erythrocytes; and (4) reactivation of HbF gene expression using both pharmacologic and cell-based therapeutic approaches. A confluence of detailed understanding of the molecular basis of HbF gene expression, coupled with the ability to precisely target by genomic editing most areas of the genome, is producing important preliminary therapeutic results that could provide new options for cell-based therapeutics with curative intent.
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Dai XJ, Liu Y, Xue LP, Xiong XP, Zhou Y, Zheng YC, Liu HM. Reversible Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) Inhibitors: A Promising Wrench to Impair LSD1. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2466-2488. [PMID: 33619958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent monoamine oxidase, lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) functions as a transcription coactivator or corepressor to regulate the methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 and 9 (H3K4/9), and it has emerged as a promising epigenetic target for anticancer treatment. To date, numerous inhibitors targeting LSD1 have been developed, some of which are undergoing clinical trials for cancer therapy. Although only two reversible LSD1 inhibitors CC-90011 and SP-2577 are in the clinical stage, the past decade has seen remarkable advances in the development of reversible LSD1 inhibitors. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review about structures, biological evaluation, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of reversible LSD1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jie Dai
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Lei-Peng Xue
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Xiao-Peng Xiong
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
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Ma Y, Liu S, Gao J, Chen C, Zhang X, Yuan H, Chen Z, Yin X, Sun C, Mao Y, Zhou F, Shao Y, Liu Q, Xu J, Cheng L, Yu D, Li P, Yi P, He J, Geng G, Guo Q, Si Y, Zhao H, Li H, Banes GL, Liu H, Nakamura Y, Kurita R, Huang Y, Wang X, Wang F, Fang G, Engel JD, Shi L, Zhang YE, Yu J. Genome-wide analysis of pseudogenes reveals HBBP1's human-specific essentiality in erythropoiesis and implication in β-thalassemia. Dev Cell 2021; 56:478-493.e11. [PMID: 33476555 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The human genome harbors 14,000 duplicated or retroposed pseudogenes. Given their functionality as regulatory RNAs and low conservation, we hypothesized that pseudogenes could shape human-specific phenotypes. To test this, we performed co-expression analyses and found that pseudogene exhibited tissue-specific expression, especially in the bone marrow. By incorporating genetic data, we identified a bone-marrow-specific duplicated pseudogene, HBBP1 (η-globin), which has been implicated in β-thalassemia. Extensive functional assays demonstrated that HBBP1 is essential for erythropoiesis by binding the RNA-binding protein (RBP), HNRNPA1, to upregulate TAL1, a key regulator of erythropoiesis. The HBBP1/TAL1 interaction contributes to a milder symptom in β-thalassemia patients. Comparative studies further indicated that the HBBP1/TAL1 interaction is human-specific. Genome-wide analyses showed that duplicated pseudogenes are often bound by RBPs and less commonly bound by microRNAs compared with retropseudogenes. Taken together, we not only demonstrate that pseudogenes can drive human evolution but also provide insights on their functional landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China.
| | - Siqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology & Medical Molecular Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xiaolin Yin
- 923rd Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Chenguang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yanan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fanqi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yi Shao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Jiayue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Li Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China
| | - Daqi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pingping Li
- 923rd Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ping Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (General Hospital), Chongqing 401120, China
| | - Jiahuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Guangfeng Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Qing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Yanmin Si
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Hualu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Haipeng Li
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Graham L Banes
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1220 Capitol Court, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - He Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technology, Beijing Zoo, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Department of Research and Development, Central Blood Institute, Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo 105-8521, Japan
| | - Yue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Gang Fang
- NYU Shanghai, 1555 Century Avenue, Shanghai 20012, China; Department of Biology, 1009 Silver Center, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA; School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - James Douglas Engel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lihong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
| | - Yong E Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution & State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Jia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100005, China; Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
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The methyltransferase PRMT1 regulates γ-globin translation. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100417. [PMID: 33587951 PMCID: PMC7966866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of fetal hemoglobin to overcome adult β-globin gene deficiency is an effective therapeutic strategy to ameliorate human β-hemoglobinopathies. Previous work has revealed that fetal γ-globin can be translationally induced via integrated stress signaling, but other studies have indicated that activating stress may eventually suppress γ-globin expression transcriptionally. The mechanism by which γ-globin expression is regulated at the translational level remains largely unknown, limiting our ability to determine whether activating stress is a realistic therapeutic option for these disorders. In this study, we performed a functional CRISPR screen targeting protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) to look for changes in γ-globin expression in K562 cells. We not only discovered that several specific PRMTs may block γ-globin transcription, but also revealed PRMT1 as a unique family member that is able to suppress γ-globin synthesis specifically at the translational level. We further identified that a non-AUG uORF within the 5' untranslated region of γ-globin serves as a barrier for translation, which is bypassed upon PRMT1 deficiency. Finally, we found that this novel mechanism of γ-globin suppression could be pharmacologically targeted by the PRMT1 inhibitor, furamidine dihydrochloride. These data raise new questions regarding methyltransferase function and may offer a new therapeutic direction for β-hemoglobinopathies.
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38
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When basic science reaches into rational therapeutic design: from historical to novel leads for the treatment of β-globinopathies. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 27:141-148. [PMID: 32167946 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW β-hemoglobinopathies, such as β-Thalassemias (β-Thal) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are among the most common inherited genetic disorders in humans worldwide. These disorders are characterized by a quantitative (β-Thal) or qualitative (SCD) defects in adult hemoglobin production, leading to anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and severe secondary complications. Reactivation of the fetal globin genes (γ-globin), making-up fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which are normally silenced in adults, represents a major strategy to ameliorate anemia and disease severity. RECENT FINDINGS Following the identification of the first 'switching factors' for the reactivation of fetal globin gene expression more than 10 years ago, a multitude of novel leads have recently been uncovered. SUMMARY Recent findings provided invaluable functional insights into the genetic and molecular networks controlling globin genes expression, revealing that complex repression systems evolved in erythroid cells to maintain HbF silencing in adults. This review summarizes these unique and exciting discoveries of the regulatory factors controlling the globin switch. New insights and novel leads for therapeutic strategies based on the pharmacological induction of HbF are discussed. This represents a major breakthrough for rational drug design in the treatment of β-Thal and SCD.
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Molokie R, DeSimone J, Lavelle D. Epigenetic regulation of hemoglobin switching in non-human primates. Semin Hematol 2020; 58:10-14. [PMID: 33509438 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Human hemoglobin switching describes the highly regulated, sequential expression of the 5 β-like globin genes (HBE, HBG2, HBG1, HBD and HBB) of the human β-globin gene complex. The sequential activation of these β or β-like globin genes during human development from early embryonic through late fetal ('adult') stages, and during erythroid maturation, occurs in an order corresponding to their 5' to 3' location on chromosome 11. The β-hemoglobinopathies are the most common inherited diseases in humanity, and are diseases of mutated HBB or its altered regulation. Since the other β-like globin genes can potentially substitute for defective HBB, much translational research is directed toward understanding and manipulating sequential activation at the human β-globin gene complex to treat β-hemoglobinopathies. Non-human primates provide a vital contribution to such efforts because of their recapitulation of the developmental/maturational switch in hemoglobin production as observed in humans (mice do not model this switch). Valuable insights into druggable epigenetic forces that mediate the switch have been thereby gained. We review important lessons learned in non-human primates, complemented by other studies, and suggest rational next steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Molokie
- Sickle Cell Center, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Joseph DeSimone
- Sickle Cell Center, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Donald Lavelle
- Sickle Cell Center, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
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Wang Y, Yu L, Engel JD, Singh SA. Epigenetic activities in erythroid cell gene regulation. Semin Hematol 2020; 58:4-9. [PMID: 33509442 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Interest in the role of epigenetic mechanisms in human biology has exponentially increased over the past several decades. The multitude of opposing and context-dependent chromatin-modifying enzymes/coregulator complexes is just beginning to be understood at a molecular level. This science has benefitted tremendously from studies of erythropoiesis, in which a series of β-globin genes are in sequence turned "on" and "off," serving as a fascinating model of coordinated gene expression. We, therefore, describe here epigenetic complexes about which we know most, using erythropoiesis as the context. The biochemical insights lay the foundation for proposing and developing novel treatments for diseases of red cells and of erythropoiesis, identifying for example epigenetic enzymes that can be drugged to manipulate β-globin locus regulation, to favor activation of unmutated fetal hemoglobin over mutated adult β-globin genes to treat sickle cell disease and β-thalassemias. Other potential translational applications are in redirecting hematopoietic commitment decisions, as treatment for bone marrow failure syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - James Douglas Engel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
| | - Sharon A Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
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Iftikhar F, Khan MBN, Musharraf SG. Monoterpenes as therapeutic candidates to induce fetal hemoglobin synthesis and up-regulation of gamma-globin gene: An in vitro and in vivo investigation. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 891:173700. [PMID: 33137331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacologically induced production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a pragmatic therapeutic strategy for the reduction of globin chain imbalance and improving the clinical severities of patients with β-hemoglobinopathies. To identify highly desirable new therapeutic HbF-inducing agents, we screened functionally diverse ten monoterpenes, as molecular entities for their potent induction and erythroid differentiation ability in human erythroleukemia cell line (K562) and transgenic mice. Benzidine hemoglobin staining demonstrated six compounds to have significantly induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. This induction paralleled well with the optimal accumulated quantity of total hemoglobin in treated cultures. The cytotoxic studies revealed that three (carvacrol, 3-carene, and 1,4-cineole) of the six compounds with their maximal erythroid expansion ability did not affect cell proliferation and were found non-toxic. Four compounds were found to have high potency, with 4-8-fold induction of HbF at both transcriptional and protein levels in vitro. Subsequently, an in vivo study with the three active non-cytotoxic compounds showed significant overexpression of the γ-globin gene and HbF production. Carvacrol emerged as a lead HbF regulator suggested by the increase in expression of γ-globin mRNA content (5.762 ± 0.54-fold in K562 cells and 5.59 ± 0.20-fold increase in transgenic mice), accompanied by an increase in fetal hemoglobin (F-cells) levels (83.47% in K562 cells and 79.6% in mice model). This study implicates monoterpenes as new HbF inducing candidates but warrants mechanistic elucidation to develop them into potential therapeutic drugs in β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fizza Iftikhar
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Behroz Naeem Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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Cannon M, Phillips H, Smith S, Williams K, Brinton L, Gregory C, Landes K, Desai P, Byrd J, Lapalombella R. Large-Scale Drug Screen Identifies FDA-Approved Drugs for Repurposing in Sickle-Cell Disease. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E2276. [PMID: 32708954 PMCID: PMC7408993 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is a debilitating hematological disorder with very few approved treatment options. Therapeutic reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is one of the most pursued methods for ameliorating the systemic manifestations of SCD. Despite this, very few pharmacological agents have advanced to clinical trials or marketing for use. In this study, we report the development of an HbF in situ intracellular immunoblot assay coupled to a high-throughput drug screen to identify Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs that can be repurposed clinically for treatment of SCD. Using this assay we evaluated the National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Collection (NCC), a publicly available library of 725 small molecules, and found nine candidates that can significantly re-express HbF in erythroid cell lines as well as primary erythroblasts derived from SCD patients. Furthermore, we show the strong effects on HbF expression of these candidates to occur with minimal cytotoxicity in 7 of the 9 drugs. Given these data and their proven history of use for other indications, we hypothesize that several of these candidate drugs warrant further investigation for use in SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Cannon
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Hannah Phillips
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Sidney Smith
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Katie Williams
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Lindsey Brinton
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Charles Gregory
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Kristina Landes
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Payal Desai
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
| | - John Byrd
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Rosa Lapalombella
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (M.C.); (H.P.); (S.S.); (K.W.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (K.L.); (P.D.); (J.B.)
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Khan F, Ali H, Musharraf SG. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate induces fetal hemoglobin production in K562 cells and β-YAC transgenic mice: A therapeutic approach for γ-globin induction. Exp Cell Res 2020; 394:112168. [PMID: 32653411 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacologic induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is an effective strategy for treating β-hemoglobinopathies like β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia by ameliorating disease severity. Hydroxyurea is the only FDA-approved agent that induces HbF, but significant nonresponders and toxicity limit its clinical usefulness. This study relates preclinical investigation of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) as a potential HbF inducing agent, using human erythroleukemia cell line and a β-YAC mouse model. Erythroid induction of K562 cells was studied by the benzidine/H2O2 reaction, total hemoglobin production was estimated by plasma hemoglobin assay kit, and γ-globin gene expression by RT-qPCR, whereas, fetal hemoglobin production was estimated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. We observed significantly increased γ- globin gene transcription and HbF expression mediated by TDF in K562 cells. Subsequent treatment of β-YAC transgenic mice with TDF confirmed HbF induction in vivo through an increase in γ-globin gene expression and in the percentage of HbF positive red blood cells. Moreover, TDF showed no cytotoxic effect at HbF inducing concentrations. These data support the potential development of TDF for the treatment of hematological disorders, including β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Hamad Ali
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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Holshouser S, Cafiero R, Robinson M, Kirkpatrick J, Casero RA, Hyacinth HI, Woster PM. Epigenetic Reexpression of Hemoglobin F Using Reversible LSD1 Inhibitors: Potential Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:14750-14758. [PMID: 32596612 PMCID: PMC7315572 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a single nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 11 in the β-globin gene. The resulting mutant hemoglobin S (HbS) is a poor oxygen transporter and causes a variety of vascular symptoms and organ failures. At birth, the DRED epigenetic complex forms and silences the γ-globin gene, and fetal hemoglobin (HbF, 2 α-, and 2 γ-subunits) is replaced by adult HbA (α2β2) or HbS (α2βs 2) in SCD patients. HbF is a potent inhibitor of HbS polymerization, thus alleviating the symptoms of SCD. The current therapy, hydroxyurea (HU), increases γ-globin and the HbF content in sickle cells but is highly underutilized due to concern for adverse effects and other complications. The DRED complex contains the epigenetic eraser lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which appears to serve as a scaffolding protein. Our recently discovered 1,2,4-triazole derivatives and cyclic peptide LSD1 inhibitors promote the upregulation of γ-globin production in vitro without significant toxicity. Herein, we demonstrate that these LSD1 inhibitors can be used to disrupt the DRED complex and increase the cellular HbF content in vitro and in vivo. This approach could lead to an innovative and effective treatment for SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Holshouser
- Department
of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 70 President St., Charleston, South Carolina 29414, United States
| | - Rebecca Cafiero
- Department
of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 70 President St., Charleston, South Carolina 29414, United States
| | - Mayra Robinson
- Department
of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 70 President St., Charleston, South Carolina 29414, United States
| | - Joy Kirkpatrick
- Department
of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 70 President St., Charleston, South Carolina 29414, United States
| | - Robert A. Casero
- Sidney
Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St. Room 551, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| | - Hyacinth I. Hyacinth
- Department
of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory
University, 2015 Uppergate Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United
States
| | - Patrick M. Woster
- Department
of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 70 President St., Charleston, South Carolina 29414, United States
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45
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UNC0638 induces high levels of fetal hemoglobin expression in β-thalassemia/HbE erythroid progenitor cells. Ann Hematol 2020; 99:2027-2036. [PMID: 32567028 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-04136-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Increased expression of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) improves the clinical severity of β-thalassemia patients. EHMT1/2 histone methyltransferases are epigenetic modifying enzymes that are responsible for catalyzing addition of the repressive histone mark H3K9me2 at silenced genes, including the γ-globin genes. UNC0638, a chemical inhibitor of EHMT1/2, has been shown to induce HbF expression in human erythroid progenitor cell cultures. Here, we report the HbF-inducing activity of UNC0638 in erythroid progenitor cells from β-thalassemia/HbE patients. UNC0638 treatment led to significant increases in γ-globin mRNA, HbF expression, and HbF-containing cells in the absence of significant cytotoxicity. Moreover, UNC0638 showed additive effects on HbF induction in combination with the immunomodulatory drug pomalidomide and the DNMT1 inhibitor decitabine. These studies provide a scientific proof of concept that a small molecule targeting EHMT1/2 epigenetic enzymes, used alone or in combination with pomalidomide or decitabine, is a potential therapeutic approach for HbF induction. Further development of structural analogs of UNC0638 with similar biological effects but improved pharmacokinetic properties may lead to promising therapies and possible clinical application for the treatment of β-thalassemia.
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Khamphikham P, Nualkaew T, Pongpaksupasin P, Kaewsakulthong W, Songdej D, Paiboonsukwong K, Engel JD, Hongeng S, Fucharoen S, Sripichai O, Jearawiriyapaisarn N. High-level induction of fetal haemoglobin by pomalidomide in β-thalassaemia/HbE erythroid progenitor cells. Br J Haematol 2020; 189:e240-e245. [PMID: 32358840 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pinyaphat Khamphikham
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.,Department of Forensic Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Tiwaporn Nualkaew
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Phitchapa Pongpaksupasin
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Woratree Kaewsakulthong
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Duantida Songdej
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kittiphong Paiboonsukwong
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - James D Engel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suthat Fucharoen
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Orapan Sripichai
- Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Natee Jearawiriyapaisarn
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review focuses on recent insights into the development of small molecule therapeutics to treat the β-globinopathies. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies of fetal γ-globin gene regulation reveal multiple insights into how γ-globin gene reactivation may lead to novel treatment for β-globinopathies. SUMMARY We summarize current information regarding the binding of transcription factors that appear to be impeded or augmented by different hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) mutations. As transcription factors have historically proven to be difficult to target for therapeutic purposes, we next address the contributions of protein complexes associated with these HPFH mutation-affected transcription factors with the aim of defining proteins that might provide additional targets for chemical molecules to inactivate the corepressors. Among the enzymes associated with the transcription factor complexes, a group of corepressors with currently available inhibitors were initially thought to be good candidates for potential therapeutic purposes. We discuss possibilities for pharmacological inhibition of these corepressor enzymes that might significantly reactivate fetal γ-globin gene expression. Finally, we summarize the current clinical trial data regarding the inhibition of select corepressor proteins for the treatment of sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yu
- Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Greggory Myers
- Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - James Douglas Engel
- Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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Gao J, Liu J, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Guo Q, Li Y, Tong J, Wang H, Zhou J, Zhu F, Shi L, Zhao H. Heat shock transcription factor 1 regulates the fetal γ-globin expression in a stress-dependent and independent manner during erythroid differentiation. Exp Cell Res 2019; 387:111780. [PMID: 31874177 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) is a highly versatile transcription factor that, in addition to protecting cells against proteotoxic stress, is also critical during diverse developmental processes. Although the functions of HSF1 have received considerable attention, its potential role in β-globin gene regulation during erythropoiesis has not been fully elucidated. Here, after comparing the transcriptomes of erythrocytes differentiated from cord blood or adult peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor CD34+ cells in vitro, we constructed the molecular regulatory network associated with β-globin genes and identified novel and putative globin gene regulators by combining the weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and context likelihood of relatedness (CLR) algorithms. Further investigation revealed that one of the identified regulators, HSF1, acts as a key activator of the γ-globin gene in human primary erythroid cells in both erythroid developmental stages. While during stress, HSF1 is required for heat-induced globin gene activation, and HSF1 downregulation markedly decreases globin gene induction in K562 cells. Mechanistically, HSF1 occupies DNase I hypersensitive site 3 of the locus control region upstream of β-globin genes via its canonical binding motif. Hence, HSF1 executes stress-dependent and -independent roles in fetal γ-globin regulation during erythroid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jinhua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Yingnan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yapu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jingyuan Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiaxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Fan Zhu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Lihong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China; Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hui Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China.
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Yu X, Azzo A, Bilinovich SM, Li X, Dozmorov M, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, Williams DC, Ginder GD. Disruption of the MBD2-NuRD complex but not MBD3-NuRD induces high level HbF expression in human adult erythroid cells. Haematologica 2019; 104:2361-2371. [PMID: 31004025 PMCID: PMC6959176 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.210963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As high fetal hemoglobin levels ameliorate the underlying pathophysiological defects in sickle cell anemia and beta (β)-thalassemia, understanding the mechanisms that enforce silencing of fetal hemoglobin postnatally offers the promise of effective molecular therapy. Depletion of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase complex member MBD2 causes a 10-20-fold increase in γ-globin gene expression in adult β-globin locus yeast artificial chromosome transgenic mice. To determine the effect of MBD2 depletion in human erythroid cells, genome editing technology was utilized to knockout MBD2 in Human Umbilical cord Derived Erythroid Progenitor-2 cells resulting in γ/γ+β mRNA levels of approximately 50% and approximately 40% fetal hemoglobin by high performance liquid chromatography. In contrast, MBD3 knockout had no appreciable effect on γ-globin expression. Knockdown of MBD2 in primary adult erythroid cells consistently increased γ/γ+β mRNA ratios by approximately 10-fold resulting in approximately 30-40% γ/γ+β mRNA levels and a corresponding increase in γ-globin protein. MBD2 exerts its repressive effects through recruitment of the chromatin remodeler CHD4 via a coiled-coil domain, and the histone deacetylase core complex via an intrinsically disordered region. Enforced expression of wild-type MBD2 in MBD2 knockout cells caused a 5-fold decrease in γ-globin mRNA while neither the coiled-coil mutant nor the intrinsically disordered region mutant MBD2 proteins had an inhibitory effect. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that the coiled-coil and intrinsically disorder region mutations disrupt complex formation by dissociating the CHD4 and the histone deacetylase core complex components, respectively. These results establish the MBD2 Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase complex as a major silencer of fetal hemoglobin in human erythroid cells and point to the coiled-coil and intrinsically disordered region of MBD2 as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Yu
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Alexander Azzo
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, PhD Program in Cancer and Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- MD-PhD Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Stephanie M Bilinovich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xia Li
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mikhail Dozmorov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - David C Williams
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gordon D Ginder
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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50
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Phenotypic-screening generates active novel fetal globin-inducers that downregulate Bcl11a in a monkey model. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 171:113717. [PMID: 31751536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Heritable disorders associated with hemoglobin production are the most common monogenic disorders. These are mainly represented by disorders such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has been known to ameliorate the clinical severity of these β hemoglobinopathies. A high throughput phenotypic screening was used in this study to isolate novel compounds that may enhance the expression of γ-globin, the component of HbF, in human erythroid cell lines and primary erythroid progenitors derived from human CD34+ cells. The effect of lead compounds on epigenetic enzymes and key transcriptional factors was evaluated to identify their mode of action. One hit compound was further evaluated in vivo using monkey models. Among the ~18,000 compounds screened, 18 compounds were selected and tested to determine their ability to induce HbF in human erythroid cell lines and primary erythroid cells. One of these compounds, a 3-phenyl-isoxazole derivative, could potentially induce HbF in monkey bone marrow cells when administered orally. The compound downregulated negative transcriptional regulators of HbF, Bcl11a and LRF without inhibiting the known epigenetic enzymes. These studies demonstrated the advantages associated with phenotype-screening and identified novel fetal globin inducers that may be useful for treating hemoglobinopathies.
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