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Laurent M, Geoffroy M, Pavani G, Guiraud S. CRISPR-Based Gene Therapies: From Preclinical to Clinical Treatments. Cells 2024; 13:800. [PMID: 38786024 PMCID: PMC11119143 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100800] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein have emerged as a revolutionary gene editing tool to treat inherited disorders affecting different organ systems, such as blood and muscles. Both hematological and neuromuscular genetic disorders benefit from genome editing approaches but face different challenges in their clinical translation. The ability of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to modify hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo has greatly accelerated the development of genetic therapies for blood disorders. In the last decade, many clinical trials were initiated and are now delivering encouraging results. The recent FDA approval of Casgevy, the first CRISPR/Cas9-based drug for severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, represents a significant milestone in the field and highlights the great potential of this technology. Similar preclinical efforts are currently expanding CRISPR therapies to other hematologic disorders such as primary immunodeficiencies. In the neuromuscular field, the versatility of CRISPR/Cas9 has been instrumental for the generation of new cellular and animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), offering innovative platforms to speed up preclinical development of therapeutic solutions. Several corrective interventions have been proposed to genetically restore dystrophin production using the CRISPR toolbox and have demonstrated promising results in different DMD animal models. Although these advances represent a significant step forward to the clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas9 therapies to DMD, there are still many hurdles to overcome, such as in vivo delivery methods associated with high viral vector doses, together with safety and immunological concerns. Collectively, the results obtained in the hematological and neuromuscular fields emphasize the transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 for patients affected by these debilitating conditions. As each field suffers from different and specific challenges, the clinical translation of CRISPR therapies may progress differentially depending on the genetic disorder. Ongoing investigations and clinical trials will address risks and limitations of these therapies, including long-term efficacy, potential genotoxicity, and adverse immune reactions. This review provides insights into the diverse applications of CRISPR-based technologies in both preclinical and clinical settings for monogenic blood disorders and muscular dystrophy and compare advances in both fields while highlighting current trends, difficulties, and challenges to overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Laurent
- INTEGRARE, UMR_S951, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Evry, France
| | | | - Giulia Pavani
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Simon Guiraud
- SQY Therapeutics, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
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Geoffroy M, Pili L, Buffa V, Caroff M, Bigot A, Gicquel E, Rouby G, Richard I, Fragnoud R. CRISPR-Cas9 KO Cell Line Generation and Development of a Cell-Based Potency Assay for rAAV-FKRP Gene Therapy. Cells 2023; 12:2444. [PMID: 37887288 PMCID: PMC10604961 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy R9 (LGMDR9) is a dystroglycanopathy caused by Fukutin-related protein (FKRP) defects leading to the deficiency of α-DG glycosylation, essential to membrane integrity. Recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) gene therapy offers great therapeutic promise for such neuromuscular disorders. Pre-clinical studies have paved the way for a phase 1/2 clinical trial aiming to evaluate the safety and efficacy of FKRP gene therapy in LGMDR9 patients. To demonstrate product activity, quality, and consistency throughout product and clinical development, regulatory authorities request several quality controls, including a potency assay aiming to demonstrate and quantify the intended biological effect of the gene therapy product. In the present study, we generated FKRP knock-out (KO) cells fully depleted of α-DG glycosylation using CRISPR-Cas9 to assess the functional activity of a rAAV-FKRP gene therapy. We then developed a high-throughput On-Cell-Western methodology to evaluate the restoration of α-DG glycosylation in KO-FKRP cells and determine the biological activity of the FKRP transgene. The determination of the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) provides a method to compare the rAAV-FKRP batch using a reference standard. The generation of KO-FKRP muscle cells associated with the high-throughput On-Cell-Western technique may serve as a cell-based potency assay to assess rAAV-FKRP gene therapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Geoffroy
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Louna Pili
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Valentina Buffa
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Maëlle Caroff
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Anne Bigot
- Institut de Myologie, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, UM76 Univ. Paris 6/U974 UMR7215, CNRS Pitié-Salpétrière-INSERM, UMRS 974, 75000 Paris, France
| | - Evelyne Gicquel
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Grégory Rouby
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Isabelle Richard
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
- Atamyo Therapeutics, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Romain Fragnoud
- Généthon, 91000 Evry-Courcouronnes, France
- Université Paris-Saclay/Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit, UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
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Zhou H, Arechavala-Gomeza V, Garanto A. Experimental Model Systems Used in the Preclinical Development of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. Nucleic Acid Ther 2023; 33:238-247. [PMID: 37145922 PMCID: PMC10457615 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0001] [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: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical evaluation of nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) in relevant experimental model systems is essential for NAT drug development. As part of COST Action "DARTER" (Delivery of Antisense RNA ThERapeutics), a network of researchers in the field of RNA therapeutics, we have conducted a survey on the experimental model systems routinely used by our members in preclinical NAT development. The questionnaire focused on both cellular and animal models. Our survey results suggest that skin fibroblast cultures derived from patients is the most commonly used cellular model, while induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models are also highly reported, highlighting the increasing potential of this technology. Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide is the most frequently investigated RNA molecule, followed by small interfering RNA. Animal models are less prevalent but also widely used among groups in the network, with transgenic mouse models ranking the top. Concerning the research fields represented in our survey, the mostly studied disease area is neuromuscular disorders, followed by neurometabolic diseases and cancers. Brain, skeletal muscle, heart, and liver are the top four tissues of interest reported. We expect that this snapshot of the current preclinical models will facilitate decision making and the share of resources between academics and industry worldwide to facilitate the development of NATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhou
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Center, London, United Kingdom
| | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Nucleic Acid Therapeutics for Rare Disorders (NAT-RD), Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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CRISPR-Cas9 editing of a TNPO3 mutation in a muscle cell model of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type D2. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 31:324-338. [PMID: 36789274 PMCID: PMC9898580 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
A single-nucleotide deletion in the stop codon of the nuclear import receptor transportin-3 (TNPO3), also involved in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, causes the ultrarare autosomal dominant disease limb-girdle muscular dystrophy D2 (LGMDD2) by extending the wild-type protein. Here, we generated a patient-derived in vitro model of LGMDD2 as an immortalized myoblast cell line carrying the TNP O 3 mutation. The cell model reproduced critical molecular alterations seen in patients, such as TNP O 3 overexpression, defects in terminal muscle markers, and autophagy overactivation. Correction of the TNP O 3 mutation via CRISPR-Cas9 editing caused a significant reversion of the pathological phenotypes in edited cells, including a complete absence of the mutant TNPO3 protein, as detected with a polyclonal antibody specific against the abnormal 15-aa peptide. Transcriptomic analyses found that 15% of the transcriptome was differentially expressed in model myotubes. CRISPR-Cas9-corrected cells showed that 44% of the alterations were rescued toward normal levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) analyses showed that around 50% of miRNAs with impaired expression because of the disease were recovered on the mutation edition. In summary, this work provides proof of concept of the potential of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing of TNP O 3 as a therapeutic approach and describes critical reagents in LGMDD2 research.
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McGrail M, Sakuma T, Bleris L. Genome editing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20497. [PMID: 36443399 PMCID: PMC9705536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24850-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maura McGrail
- grid.34421.300000 0004 1936 7312Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA USA
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- grid.257022.00000 0000 8711 3200Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Leonidas Bleris
- grid.267323.10000 0001 2151 7939Bioengineering Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX USA
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Poyatos‐García J, Martí P, Liquori A, Muelas N, Pitarch I, Martinez‐Dolz L, Rodríguez B, Gonzalez‐Quereda L, Damiá M, Aller E, Selva‐Gimenez M, Vilchez R, Diaz‐Manera J, Alonso‐Pérez J, Barcena JE, Jauregui A, Gámez J, Aladrén JA, Fernández A, Montolio M, Azorin I, Hervas D, Casasús A, Nieto M, Gallano P, Sevilla T, Vilchez JJ. Dystrophinopathy Phenotypes and Modifying Factors in DMD Exon 45-55 Deletion. Ann Neurol 2022; 92:793-806. [PMID: 35897138 PMCID: PMC9825930 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) exon 45-55 deletion (del45-55) has been postulated as a model that could treat up to 60% of DMD patients, but the associated clinical variability and complications require clarification. We aimed to understand the phenotypes and potential modifying factors of this dystrophinopathy subset. METHODS This cross-sectional, multicenter cohort study applied clinical and functional evaluation. Next generation sequencing was employed to identify intronic breakpoints and their impact on the Dp140 promotor, intronic long noncoding RNA, and regulatory splicing sequences. DMD modifiers (SPP1, LTBP4, ACTN3) and concomitant mutations were also assessed. Haplotypes were built using DMD single nucleotide polymorphisms. Dystrophin expression was evaluated via immunostaining, Western blotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and droplet digital PCR in 9 muscle biopsies. RESULTS The series comprised 57 subjects (23 index) expressing Becker phenotype (28%), isolated cardiopathy (19%), and asymptomatic features (53%). Cognitive impairment occurred in 90% of children. Patients were classified according to 10 distinct index-case breakpoints; 4 of them were recurrent due to founder events. A specific breakpoint (D5) was associated with severity, but no significant effect was appreciated due to the changes in intronic sequences. All biopsies showed dystrophin expression of >67% and traces of alternative del45-57 transcript that were not deemed pathogenically relevant. Only the LTBP4 haplotype appeared associated the presence of cardiopathy among the explored extragenic factors. INTERPRETATION We confirmed that del45-55 segregates a high proportion of benign phenotypes, severe cases, and isolated cardiac and cognitive presentations. Although some influence of the intronic breakpoint position and the LTBP4 modifier may exist, the pathomechanisms responsible for the phenotypic variability remain largely unresolved. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:793-806.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Poyatos‐García
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - Pilar Martí
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - Alessandro Liquori
- Hematology Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC); CB16/12/00284MadridSpain
| | - Nuria Muelas
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain,Neuromuscular Referral Center, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Universitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain
| | - Inmaculada Pitarch
- Neuromuscular Referral Center, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Universitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain,Neuropediatric DepartmentUniversitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain
| | - Luis Martinez‐Dolz
- Cardiology DepartmentUniversity and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, IIS La FeValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV)ValenciaSpain
| | - Benjamin Rodríguez
- Genetics DepartmentIIB Sant Pau, Hospital of Sant PauBarcelonaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)U705, U745, CB06/07/0011BarcelonaSpain
| | - Lidia Gonzalez‐Quereda
- Genetics DepartmentIIB Sant Pau, Hospital of Sant PauBarcelonaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)U705, U745, CB06/07/0011BarcelonaSpain
| | - Maria Damiá
- Neuromuscular Referral Center, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Universitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain,Neuropediatric DepartmentUniversitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain
| | - Elena Aller
- Genetics UnitUniversitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain
| | - Marta Selva‐Gimenez
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - Roger Vilchez
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - Jordi Diaz‐Manera
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Hospital of Sant PauBarcelonaSpain,Autonomous University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)U762, CB06/05/0030BarcelonaSpain
| | - Jorge Alonso‐Pérez
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Hospital of Sant PauBarcelonaSpain,Autonomous University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)U762, CB06/05/0030BarcelonaSpain
| | - José Eulalio Barcena
- Neuromuscular Section, Neurology ServiceCruces University HospitalBarakaldoSpain
| | - Amaia Jauregui
- Neuromuscular Section, Neurology ServiceCruces University HospitalBarakaldoSpain
| | - Josep Gámez
- Autonomous University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain,Neurology Department, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)GMA ClinicBarcelonaSpain
| | | | | | - Marisol Montolio
- Duchenne Parent Project SpainMadridSpain,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Faculty of BiologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Inmaculada Azorin
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - David Hervas
- Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research, and QualityPolytechnic University of ValenciaValenciaSpain
| | - Ana Casasús
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - Marisa Nieto
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain
| | - Pia Gallano
- Genetics DepartmentIIB Sant Pau, Hospital of Sant PauBarcelonaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)U705, U745, CB06/07/0011BarcelonaSpain
| | - Teresa Sevilla
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain,Neuromuscular Referral Center, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Universitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain,Department of MedicineUniversity of ValenciaValenciaSpain
| | - Juan Jesus Vilchez
- Neuromuscular and Ataxias Research GroupHealth Research Institute Hospital La Fe (IIS La Fe)ValenciaSpain,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER); U763, CB06/05/0091ValenciaSpain,Neuromuscular Referral Center, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO‐NMD)Universitary and Polytechnic La Fe HospitalValenciaSpain,Department of MedicineUniversity of ValenciaValenciaSpain
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Donandt T, Hintze S, Krause S, Wolf E, Schoser B, Walter MC, Meinke P. Isolation and Characterization of Primary DMD Pig Muscle Cells as an In Vitro Model for Preclinical Research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12101668. [PMID: 36295103 PMCID: PMC9604785 DOI: 10.3390/life12101668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent genetic myopathy in childhood and leads to progressive muscle atrophy, weakness, and premature death. So far, there is no curative treatment available. Therapeutic development from bench to bedside takes time, and promising therapies need to be tested in suitable preclinical animal models prior to clinical trials in DMD patients. Existing mouse and dog models are limited with regard to the comparability of the clinical phenotype and the underlying mutation. Therefore, our group established a tailored large animal model of DMD, the DMD pig, mirroring the human size, anatomy, and physiology. For testing novel approaches, we developed a corresponding in vitro model, facilitating preclinical testing for toxicity, dosing, and efficacy, which we describe here. We first extracted primary muscle cells from wild-type and DMD pigs of different age groups and characterized those cells, then improved their differentiation process for identification of dystrophin and utrophin in myotubes. Our porcine in vitro model represents an important step for the development of novel therapeutic approaches, which should be validated further to minimize the need for living animals for bioassays, and thereby support the '3R' (replace, reduce, refine) principle, as fewer animals have to be raised and treated for preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Donandt
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Hintze
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Krause
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Maggie C. Walter
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Meinke
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-89-2180-78279
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Lambrescu I, Popa A, Manole E, Ceafalan LC, Gaina G. Application of Droplet Digital PCR Technology in Muscular Dystrophies Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094802. [PMID: 35563191 PMCID: PMC9099497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although they are considered rare disorders, muscular dystrophies have a strong impact on people’s health. Increased disease severity with age, frequently accompanied by the loss of ability to walk in some people, and the lack of treatment, have directed the researchers towards the development of more effective therapeutic strategies aimed to improve the quality of life and life expectancy, slow down the progression, and delay the onset or convert a severe phenotype into a milder one. Improved understanding of the complex pathology of these diseases together with the tremendous advances in molecular biology technologies has led to personalized therapeutic procedures. Different approaches that are currently under extensive investigation require more efficient, sensitive, and less invasive methods. Due to its remarkable analytical sensitivity, droplet digital PCR has become a promising tool for accurate measurement of biomarkers that monitor disease progression and quantification of various therapeutic efficiency and can be considered a tool for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis and newborn screening. Here, we summarize the recent applications of droplet digital PCR in muscular dystrophy research and discuss the factors that should be considered to get the best performance with this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Lambrescu
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (I.L.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (L.C.C.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Popa
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (I.L.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (L.C.C.)
- Department of Animal Production and Public Health, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 050097 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Emilia Manole
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (I.L.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (L.C.C.)
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Laura Cristina Ceafalan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (I.L.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (L.C.C.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gisela Gaina
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (I.L.); (A.P.); (E.M.); (L.C.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-21-319-2732
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Matsuzaka Y, Hirai Y, Hashido K, Okada T. Therapeutic Application of Extracellular Vesicles-Capsulated Adeno-Associated Virus Vector via nSMase2/Smpd3, Satellite, and Immune Cells in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031551. [PMID: 35163475 PMCID: PMC8836108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene on chromosome Xp21. Disruption of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex (DGC) on the cell membrane causes cytosolic Ca2+ influx, resulting in protease activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and progressive myofiber degeneration, leading to muscle wasting and fragility. In addition to the function of dystrophin in the structural integrity of myofibers, a novel function of asymmetric cell division in muscular stem cells (satellite cells) has been reported. Therefore, it has been suggested that myofiber instability may not be the only cause of dystrophic degeneration, but rather that the phenotype might be caused by multiple factors, including stem cell and myofiber functions. Furthermore, it has been focused functional regulation of satellite cells by intracellular communication of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in DMD pathology. Recently, a novel molecular mechanism of DMD pathogenesis—circulating RNA molecules—has been revealed through the study of target pathways modulated by the Neutral sphingomyelinase2/Neutral sphingomyelinase3 (nSMase2/Smpd3) protein. In addition, adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been clinically applied for DMD therapy owing to the safety and long-term expression of transduction genes. Furthermore, the EV-capsulated AAV vector (EV-AAV) has been shown to be a useful tool for the intervention of DMD, because of the high efficacy of the transgene and avoidance of neutralizing antibodies. Thus, we review application of AAV and EV-AAV vectors for DMD as novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunari Matsuzaka
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
- Administrative Section of Radiation Protection, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan;
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (T.O.); Tel.: +81-3-5449-5372 (Y.M. & T.O.)
| | - Yukihiko Hirai
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
| | - Kazuo Hashido
- Administrative Section of Radiation Protection, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan;
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan;
- Correspondence: (Y.M.); (T.O.); Tel.: +81-3-5449-5372 (Y.M. & T.O.)
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