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Guzmán-Sastoque P, Sotelo S, Esmeral NP, Albarracín SL, Sutachan JJ, Reyes LH, Muñoz-Camargo C, Cruz JC, Bloch NI. Assessment of CRISPRa-mediated gdnf overexpression in an In vitro Parkinson's disease model. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1420183. [PMID: 39175618 PMCID: PMC11338903 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1420183] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) presents a significant challenge in medical science, as current treatments are limited to symptom management and often carry significant side effects. Our study introduces an innovative approach to evaluate the effects of gdnf overexpression mediated by CRISPRa in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. The expression of gdnf can have neuroprotective effects, being related to the modulation of neuroinflammation and pathways associated with cell survival, differentiation, and growth. Methods We have developed a targeted delivery system using a magnetite nanostructured vehicle for the efficient transport of genetic material. This system has resulted in a substantial increase, up to 200-fold) in gdnf expression in an In vitro model of Parkinson's disease using a mixed primary culture of astrocytes, neurons, and microglia. Results and Discussion The delivery system exhibits significant endosomal escape of more than 56%, crucial for the effective delivery and activation of the genetic material within cells. The increased gdnf expression correlates with a notable reduction in MAO-B complex activity, reaching basal values of 14.8 μU/μg of protein, and a reduction in reactive oxygen species. Additionally, there is up to a 34.6% increase in cell viability in an In vitro Parkinson's disease model treated with the neurotoxin MPTP. Our study shows that increasing gdnf expression can remediate some of the cellular symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease in an in vitro model of the disease using a novel nanostructured delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastián Sotelo
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia P. Esmeral
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sonia Luz Albarracín
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jhon-Jairo Sutachan
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Juan C. Cruz
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natasha I. Bloch
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Liu Y, Tan D, Ma K, Luo H, Mao J, Luo J, Shen Q, Xu L, Yang S, Ge L, Guo Y, Zhang H, Xiong H. Lama1 upregulation prolongs the lifespan of the dy H/dy H mouse model of LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00118-8. [PMID: 38777118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.05.005] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD), characterized by laminin-α2 deficiency, is debilitating and ultimately fatal. To date, no effective therapy has been clinically available. Laminin-α1, which shares significant similarities with laminin-α2, has been proven as a viable compensatory modifier. To evaluate its clinical applicability, we establish a Lama2 exon-3 deletion mouse model (dyH/dyH). The dyH/dyH mice exhibit early lethality and typical LAMA2-CMD phenotypes, allowing the evaluation of various endpoints. In dyH/dyH mice treated with synergistic activation mediator-based CRISPRa-mediated Lama1 upregulation, a nearly doubled median survival is observed, as well as improvements in weight and grip. Significant therapeutical effects are revealed by MRI, serum biochemical indices, and muscle pathology studies. Treating LAMA2-CMD with LAMA1 upregulation is feasible and that early intervention can alleviate symptoms and extend lifespan. Additionally, we reveal limitations of LAMA1 upregulation, including high-dose mortality and non-sustained expression, which require further optimization in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dandan Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Kaiyue Ma
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Huaxia Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Jingping Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jihang Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qiang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Luzheng Xu
- Medical and Health Analysis Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shiqi Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lin Ge
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Yuxuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Hui Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 102600, China; Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China.
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Yadav N, Purow BW. Understanding current experimental models of glioblastoma-brain microenvironment interactions. J Neurooncol 2024; 166:213-229. [PMID: 38180686 PMCID: PMC11056965 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04536-8] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common and devastating primary brain tumor, with median survival of 16-18 months after diagnosis in the setting of substantial resistance to standard-of-care and inevitable tumor recurrence. Recent work has implicated the brain microenvironment as being critical for GBM proliferation, invasion, and resistance to treatment. GBM does not operate in isolation, with neurons, astrocytes, and multiple immune populations being implicated in GBM tumor progression and invasiveness. The goal of this review article is to provide an overview of the available in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental models for assessing GBM-brain interactions, as well as discuss each model's relative strengths and limitations. Current in vitro models discussed will include 2D and 3D co-culture platforms with various cells of the brain microenvironment, as well as spheroids, whole organoids, and models of fluid dynamics, such as interstitial flow. An overview of in vitro and ex vivo organotypic GBM brain slices is also provided. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the various in vivo rodent models of GBM, including xenografts, syngeneic grafts, and genetically-engineered models of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niket Yadav
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Benjamin W Purow
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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