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Vonada A, Wakefield L, Martinez M, Harding CO, Grompe M, Tiyaboonchai A. Complete correction of murine phenylketonuria by selection-enhanced hepatocyte transplantation. Hepatology 2024; 79:1088-1097. [PMID: 37824086 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocyte transplantation for genetic liver diseases has several potential advantages over gene therapy. However, the low efficiency of cell engraftment has limited its clinical implementation. This problem could be overcome by selectively expanding transplanted donor cells until they replace enough of the liver mass to achieve therapeutic benefit. We previously described a gene therapy method to selectively expand hepatocytes deficient in cytochrome p450 reductase (Cypor) using acetaminophen (APAP). Because Cypor is required for the transformation of APAP to a hepatotoxic metabolite, Cypor-deficient cells are protected from toxicity and are able to expand following APAP-induced liver injury. Here, we apply this selection system to correct a mouse model of phenylketonuria by cell transplantation. APPROACH AND RESULTS Hepatocytes from a wild-type donor animal were edited in vitro to create Cypor deficiency and then transplanted into phenylketonuric animals. Following selection with APAP, blood phenylalanine concentrations were fully normalized and remained stable following APAP withdrawal. Cypor-deficient hepatocytes expanded from < 1% to ~14% in corrected animals, and they showed no abnormalities in blood chemistries, liver histology, or drug metabolism. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that APAP-mediated selection of transplanted hepatocytes is a potential therapeutic for phenylketonuria with long-term efficacy and a favorable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vonada
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Leslie Wakefield
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Michael Martinez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Cary O Harding
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Amita Tiyaboonchai
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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2
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Zhang Z, Zhang S, Wong HT, Li D, Feng B. Targeted Gene Insertion: The Cutting Edge of CRISPR Drug Development with Hemophilia as a Highlight. BioDrugs 2024; 38:369-385. [PMID: 38489061 PMCID: PMC11055778 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-024-00654-5] [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] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The remarkable advance in gene editing technology presents unparalleled opportunities for transforming medicine and finding cures for hereditary diseases. Human trials of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9)-based therapeutics have demonstrated promising results in disrupting or deleting target sequences to treat specific diseases. However, the potential of targeted gene insertion approaches, which offer distinct advantages over disruption/deletion methods, remains largely unexplored in human trials due to intricate technical obstacles and safety concerns. This paper reviews the recent advances in preclinical studies demonstrating in vivo targeted gene insertion for therapeutic benefits, targeting somatic solid tissues through systemic delivery. With a specific emphasis on hemophilia as a prominent disease model, we highlight advancements in insertion strategies, including considerations of DNA repair pathways, targeting site selection, and donor design. Furthermore, we discuss the complex challenges and recent breakthroughs that offer valuable insights for progressing towards clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjie Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK-GIBH CAS Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 105A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Siqi Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK-GIBH CAS Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 105A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hoi Ting Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK-GIBH CAS Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 105A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dali Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK-GIBH CAS Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 105A, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
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3
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Tiyaboonchai A, Wakefield L, Vonada A, May CL, Dorrell C, Enicks D, Sairavi A, Kaestner KH, Grompe M. In vivo tracing of the Cytokeratin 14 lineages using self-cleaving guide RNAs and CRISPR/Cas9. Dev Biol 2023; 504:120-127. [PMID: 37813160 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.09.011] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The current gold-standard for genetic lineage tracing in transgenic mice is based on cell-type specific expression of Cre recombinase. As an alternative, we developed a cell-type specific CRISPR/spCas9 system for lineage tracing. This method relies on RNA polymerase II promoter driven self-cleaving guide RNAs (scgRNA) to achieve tissue-specificity. To demonstrate proof-of-principle for this approach a transgenic mouse was generated harbouring a knock-in of a scgRNA into the Cytokeratin 14 (Krt14) locus. Krt14 expression marks the stem cells of squamous epithelium in the skin and oral mucosa. The scgRNA targets a Stop cassette preceding a fluorescent reporter in the Ai9-tdtomato mouse. Ai9-tdtomato reporter mice harbouring this allele along with a spCas9 transgene demonstrated precise marking of the Krt14 lineage. We conclude that RNA polymerase II promoter driven scgRNAs enable the use of CRISPR/spCas9 for genetic lineage tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Tiyaboonchai
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Leslie Wakefield
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Anne Vonada
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Catherine L May
- Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Craig Dorrell
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - David Enicks
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Anusha Sairavi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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Liu X, Cao Z, Wang W, Zou C, Wang Y, Pan L, Jia B, Zhang K, Zhang W, Li W, Hao Q, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Xue X, Lin W, Li M, Gu J. Engineered Extracellular Vesicle-Delivered CRISPR/Cas9 for Radiotherapy Sensitization of Glioblastoma. ACS NANO 2023; 17:16432-16447. [PMID: 37646615 PMCID: PMC10510715 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a mainstay of glioblastoma (GBM) treatment; however, the development of therapeutic resistance has hampered the efficacy of radiotherapy, suggesting that additional treatment strategies are needed. Here, an in vivo loss-of-function genome-wide CRISPR screen was carried out in orthotopic tumors in mice subjected to radiation treatment to identify synthetic lethal genes associated with radiotherapy. Using functional screening and transcriptome analyses, glutathione synthetase (GSS) was found to be a potential regulator of radioresistance through ferroptosis. High GSS levels were closely related to poor prognosis and relapse in patients with glioma. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that GSS was associated with the suppression of radiotherapy-induced ferroptosis in glioma cells. The depletion of GSS resulted in the disruption of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, thereby causing the inactivation of GPX4 and iron accumulation, thus enhancing the induction of ferroptosis upon radiotherapy treatment. Moreover, to overcome the obstacles to broad therapeutic translation of CRISPR editing, we report a previously unidentified genome editing delivery system, in which Cas9 protein/sgRNA complex was loaded into Angiopep-2 (Ang) and the trans-activator of the transcription (TAT) peptide dual-modified extracellular vesicle (EV), which not only targeted the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and GBM but also permeated the BBB and penetrated the tumor. Our encapsulating EVs showed encouraging signs of GBM tissue targeting, which resulted in high GSS gene editing efficiency in GBM (up to 67.2%) with negligible off-target gene editing. These results demonstrate that a combination of unbiased genetic screens, and CRISPR-Cas9-based gene therapy is feasible for identifying potential synthetic lethal genes and, by extension, therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
- Department
of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Zhengcong Cao
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Weizhong Wang
- Department
of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Cheng Zou
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Yingwen Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Luxiang Pan
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Department
of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Kuo Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Wangqian Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Weina Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Qiang Hao
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Yingqi Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Xiaochang Xue
- The
Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
The Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department
of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Meng Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
| | - Jintao Gu
- State
Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biotechnology Center, School of
Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710000, China
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5
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Vonada A, Wakefield L, Martinez M, Harding CO, Grompe M, Tiyaboonchai A. Complete correction of murine phenylketonuria by selection-enhanced hepatocyte transplantation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.27.554228. [PMID: 37693457 PMCID: PMC10491101 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.27.554228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation for genetic liver diseases has several potential advantages over gene therapy. However, low efficiency of cell engraftment has limited its clinical implementation. This problem could be overcome by selectively expanding transplanted donor cells until they replace enough of the liver mass to achieve therapeutic benefit. We previously described a gene therapy method to selectively expand hepatocytes deficient in cytochrome p450 reductase (Cypor) using acetaminophen (APAP). Because Cypor is required for the transformation of APAP to a hepatotoxic metabolite, Cypor deficient cells are protected from toxicity and are able to expand following APAP-induced liver injury. Here, we apply this selection system to correct a mouse model of phenylketonuria (PKU) by cell transplantation. Hepatocytes from a wildtype donor animal were edited in vitro to create Cypor deficiency and then transplanted into PKU animals. Following selection with APAP, blood phenylalanine concentrations were fully normalized and remained stable following APAP withdrawal. Cypor-deficient hepatocytes expanded from <1% to ~14% in corrected animals, and they showed no abnormalities in blood chemistries, liver histology, or drug metabolism. We conclude that APAP-mediated selection of transplanted hepatocytes is a potential therapeutic for PKU with long-term efficacy and a favorable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vonada
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Leslie Wakefield
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Michael Martinez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Cary O. Harding
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Amita Tiyaboonchai
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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6
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De Giorgi M, Park SH, Castoreno A, Cao M, Hurley A, Saxena L, Chuecos MA, Walkey CJ, Doerfler AM, Furgurson MN, Ljungberg MC, Patel KR, Hyde S, Chickering T, Lefebvre S, Wassarman K, Miller P, Qin J, Schlegel MK, Zlatev I, Li RG, Kim J, Martin JF, Bissig KD, Jadhav V, Bao G, Lagor WR. In vivo expansion of gene-targeted hepatocytes through transient inhibition of an essential gene. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.26.550728. [PMID: 37546995 PMCID: PMC10402145 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.26.550728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Homology Directed Repair (HDR)-based genome editing is an approach that could permanently correct a broad range of genetic diseases. However, its utility is limited by inefficient and imprecise DNA repair mechanisms in terminally differentiated tissues. Here, we tested "Repair Drive", a novel method for improving targeted gene insertion in the liver by selectively expanding correctly repaired hepatocytes in vivo. Our system consists of transient conditioning of the liver by knocking down an essential gene, and delivery of an untargetable version of the essential gene in cis with a therapeutic transgene. We show that Repair Drive dramatically increases the percentage of correctly targeted hepatocytes, up to 25%. This resulted in a five-fold increased expression of a therapeutic transgene. Repair Drive was well-tolerated and did not induce toxicity or tumorigenesis in long term follow up. This approach will broaden the range of liver diseases that can be treated with somatic genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Giorgi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - So Hyun Park
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Adam Castoreno
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mingming Cao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ayrea Hurley
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lavanya Saxena
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marcel A. Chuecos
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christopher J. Walkey
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alexandria M. Doerfler
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mia N. Furgurson
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - M. Cecilia Ljungberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kalyani R. Patel
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sarah Hyde
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tyler Chickering
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Kelly Wassarman
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Patrick Miller
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - June Qin
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mark K. Schlegel
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ivan Zlatev
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Rich Gang Li
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jong Kim
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James F. Martin
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Karl-Dimiter Bissig
- Department of Pediatrics, Alice and Y. T. Chen Center for Genetics and Genomics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Vasant Jadhav
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc, 675 W Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - William R. Lagor
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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