1
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McCutcheon SR, Rohm D, Iglesias N, Gersbach CA. Epigenome editing technologies for discovery and medicine. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02320-1. [PMID: 39075148 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02320-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Epigenome editing has rapidly evolved in recent years, with diverse applications that include elucidating gene regulation mechanisms, annotating coding and noncoding genome functions and programming cell state and lineage specification. Importantly, given the ubiquitous role of epigenetics in complex phenotypes, epigenome editing has unique potential to impact a broad spectrum of diseases. By leveraging powerful DNA-targeting technologies, such as CRISPR, epigenome editing exploits the heritable and reversible mechanisms of epigenetics to alter gene expression without introducing DNA breaks, inducing DNA damage or relying on DNA repair pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R McCutcheon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dahlia Rohm
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nahid Iglesias
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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2
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Seem K, Kaur S, Kumar S, Mohapatra T. Epigenome editing for targeted DNA (de)methylation: a new perspective in modulating gene expression. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 59:69-98. [PMID: 38440883 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2024.2320659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, it has been believed that inheritance is driven as phenotypic variations resulting from changes in DNA sequence. However, this paradigm has been challenged and redefined in the contemporary era of epigenetics. The changes in DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNA biogenesis, and chromatin remodeling play crucial roles in genomic functions and regulation of gene expression. More importantly, some of these changes are inherited to the next generations as a part of epigenetic memory and play significant roles in gene expression. The sum total of all changes in DNA bases, histone proteins, and ncRNA biogenesis constitutes the epigenome. Continuous progress in deciphering epigenetic regulations and the existence of heritable epigenetic/epiallelic variations associated with trait of interest enables to deploy epigenome editing tools to modulate gene expression. DNA methylation marks can be utilized in epigenome editing for the manipulation of gene expression. Initially, genome/epigenome editing technologies relied on zinc-finger protein or transcriptional activator-like effector protein. However, the discovery of clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats CRISPR)/deadCRISPR-associated protein 9 (dCas9) enabled epigenome editing to be more specific/efficient for targeted DNA (de)methylation. One of the major concerns has been the off-target effects, wherein epigenome editing may unintentionally modify gene/regulatory element which may cause unintended change/harmful effects. Moreover, epigenome editing of germline cell raises several ethical/safety issues. This review focuses on the recent developments in epigenome editing tools/techniques, technological limitations, and future perspectives of this emerging technology in therapeutics for human diseases as well as plant improvement to achieve sustainable developmental goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karishma Seem
- Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Simardeep Kaur
- Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Trilochan Mohapatra
- Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority, New Delhi, India
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3
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Li Y, He C, Liu R, Xiao Z, Sun B. Stem cells therapy for diabetes: from past to future. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:1125-1138. [PMID: 37256240 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.04.012] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by uncontrolled hyperglycemia due to the body's impaired ability to produce or respond to insulin. Oral or injectable exogenous insulin and its analogs cannot mimic endogenous insulin secreted by healthy individuals, and pancreatic and islet transplants face a severe shortage of sources and transplant complications, all of which limit the widespread use of traditional strategies in diabetes treatment. We are now in the era of stem cells and their potential in ameliorating human disease. At the same time, the rapid development of gene editing and cell-encapsulation technologies has added to the wings of stem cell therapy. However, there are still many unanswered questions before stem cell therapy can be applied clinically to patients with diabetes. In this review, we discuss the progress of strategies to obtain insulin-producing cells from different types of stem cells, the application of gene editing in stem cell therapy for diabetes, as well as summarize the current advanced cell encapsulation technologies in diabetes therapy and look forward to the future development of stem cell therapy in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cong He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Natural Science, University of Suwon, Kyunggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhongdang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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4
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Ping W, Sheng Y, Hu G, Zhong H, Li Y, Liu Y, Luo W, Yan C, Wen Y, Wang X, Li Q, Guo R, Zhang J, Liu A, Pan G, Yao H. RBBP4 is an epigenetic barrier for the induced transition of pluripotent stem cells into totipotent 2C-like cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:5414-5431. [PMID: 37021556 PMCID: PMC10287929 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad219] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular totipotency is critical for whole-organism generation, yet how totipotency is established remains poorly illustrated. Abundant transposable elements (TEs) are activated in totipotent cells, which is critical for embryonic totipotency. Here, we show that the histone chaperone RBBP4, but not its homolog RBBP7, is indispensable for maintaining the identity of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Auxin-induced degradation of RBBP4, but not RBBP7, reprograms mESCs to the totipotent 2C-like cells. Also, loss of RBBP4 enhances transition from mESCs to trophoblast cells. Mechanistically, RBBP4 binds to the endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and functions as an upstream regulator by recruiting G9a to deposit H3K9me2 on ERVL elements, and recruiting KAP1 to deposit H3K9me3 on ERV1/ERVK elements, respectively. Moreover, RBBP4 facilitates the maintenance of nucleosome occupancy at the ERVK and ERVL sites within heterochromatin regions through the chromatin remodeler CHD4. RBBP4 depletion leads to the loss of the heterochromatin marks and activation of TEs and 2C genes. Together, our findings illustrate that RBBP4 is required for heterochromatin assembly and is a critical barrier for inducing cell fate transition from pluripotency to totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangfang Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingliang Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Gongcheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongxin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - YanJiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenghong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinxiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ake Liu
- Department of Life Sciences, Changzhi University, Changzhi, China
| | - Guangjin Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjie Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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5
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Bloomer H, Khirallah J, Li Y, Xu Q. CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein-mediated genome and epigenome editing in mammalian cells. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114087. [PMID: 34942274 PMCID: PMC8844242 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has revolutionized the ability to edit the mammalian genome, providing a platform for the correction of pathogenic mutations and further investigation into gene function. CRISPR reagents can be delivered into the cell as DNA, RNA, or pre-formed ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). RNPs offer numerous advantages over other delivery approaches due to their ability to rapidly target genomic sites and quickly degrade thereafter. Here, we review the production steps and delivery methods for Cas9 RNPs. Additionally, we discuss how RNPs enhance genome and epigenome editing efficiencies, reduce off-target editing activity, and minimize cellular toxicity in clinically relevant mammalian cell types. We include details on a broad range of editing approaches, including novel base and prime editing techniques. Finally, we summarize key challenges for the use of RNPs, and propose future perspectives on the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Bloomer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US,School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, US
| | - Jennifer Khirallah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US
| | - Yamin Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US,Corresponding Authors: (Y. Li) and (Q. Xu)
| | - Qiaobing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US,Corresponding Authors: (Y. Li) and (Q. Xu)
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6
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Kim HJ, Park JM, Lee S, Cho HB, Park JI, Kim JH, Park JS, Park KH. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based knockdown of RUNX2 to induce chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells. Biomater Sci 2021; 10:514-523. [PMID: 34904600 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01716k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system recognizes and deletes specific nucleotide sequences in cells for gene editing. This study aimed to edit and knockdown the RUNX2 gene, a key transcription factor that is directly involved in all stages of stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts. The RUNX2 gene was depleted using the CRISPR-Cas9 system to inhibit osteoblast differentiation of stem cells. shRNA vectors targeting RUNX2 were used as a control. The surface of nanoparticles (NPs) was coated with the cationic polymer linear polyethyleneimine. Thereafter, negatively charged CRISPR-Cas9 and shRNA vectors were complexed with positively charged NPs via ionic interactions. Several analytical methods were used to determine the size, surface charge, and morphology of NPs and to characterize the complexed genes. NPs complexed with CRISPR-Cas9 and shRNA vectors were delivered into human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) via endocytosis. The mRNA and protein expression patterns of various genes in hMSCs were measured over time following internalization of NPs complexed with CRISPR-Cas9 and shRNA vectors in two- and three-dimensional culture systems. Knockdown of the RUNX2 gene decreased osteogenic differentiation and increased chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs. As a result of investigating the efficiency of NPs complexed with CRISPR-Cas9 (CASP-NPs), Runx2 effectively knocked down in mesenchymal stem cells to enhance differentiation into chondrocytes, therefore CASP-NPs proved to be an effective gene carrier in hMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong Min Park
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sujin Lee
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hui Bang Cho
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji-In Park
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Molecular Genetics, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, 605, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Sun Park
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
| | - Keun-Hong Park
- Laboratory of Nano-regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, CHA Biocomplex, Sampyeong-Dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Wang CH, Lundh M, Fu A, Kriszt R, Huang TL, Lynes MD, Leiria LO, Shamsi F, Darcy J, Greenwood BP, Narain NR, Tolstikov V, Smith KL, Emanuelli B, Chang YT, Hagen S, Danial NN, Kiebish MA, Tseng YH. CRISPR-engineered human brown-like adipocytes prevent diet-induced obesity and ameliorate metabolic syndrome in mice. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/558/eaaz8664. [PMID: 32848096 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz8664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brown and brown-like beige/brite adipocytes dissipate energy and have been proposed as therapeutic targets to combat metabolic disorders. However, the therapeutic effects of cell-based therapy in humans remain unclear. Here, we created human brown-like (HUMBLE) cells by engineering human white preadipocytes using CRISPR-Cas9-SAM-gRNA to activate endogenous uncoupling protein 1 expression. Obese mice that received HUMBLE cell transplants showed a sustained improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, as well as increased energy expenditure. Mechanistically, increased arginine/nitric oxide (NO) metabolism in HUMBLE adipocytes promoted the production of NO that was carried by S-nitrosothiols and nitrite in red blood cells to activate endogenous brown fat and improved glucose homeostasis in recipient animals. Together, these data demonstrate the utility of using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to engineer human white adipocytes to display brown fat-like phenotypes and may open up cell-based therapeutic opportunities to combat obesity and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Hao Wang
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Morten Lundh
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark.,Gubra Aps, Hørsholm, DK-2970, Denmark
| | - Accalia Fu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rókus Kriszt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583.,Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Tian Lian Huang
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Matthew D Lynes
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Luiz O Leiria
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil.,Center of Research of Inflammatory Diseases, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Farnaz Shamsi
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Justin Darcy
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kyle L Smith
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Brice Emanuelli
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Young-Tae Chang
- Center for Self-assembly and Complexity, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Pohang 34126, Republic of Korea.,Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Susan Hagen
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nika N Danial
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Yu-Hua Tseng
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA. .,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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8
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Goell JH, Hilton IB. CRISPR/Cas-Based Epigenome Editing: Advances, Applications, and Clinical Utility. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:678-691. [PMID: 33972106 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The epigenome dynamically regulates gene expression and guides cellular differentiation throughout the lifespan of eukaryotic organisms. Recent advances in clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas-based epigenome editing technologies have enabled researchers to site-specifically program epigenetic modifications to endogenous DNA and histones and to manipulate the architecture of native chromatin. As a result, epigenome editing has helped to uncover the causal relationships between epigenetic marks and gene expression. As epigenome editing tools have continued to develop, researchers have applied them in new ways to explore the function of the epigenome in human health and disease. In this review, we discuss the recent technical improvements in CRISPR/Cas-based epigenome editing that have advanced clinical research and examine how these technologies could be improved for greater future utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob H Goell
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Isaac B Hilton
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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9
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Functional Comparison between VP64-dCas9-VP64 and dCas9-VP192 CRISPR Activators in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22010397. [PMID: 33401508 PMCID: PMC7795359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversal in the transcriptional status of desired genes has been exploited for multiple research, therapeutic, and biotechnological purposes. CRISPR/dCas9-based activators can activate transcriptionally silenced genes after being guided by gene-specific gRNA(s). Here, we performed a functional comparison between two such activators, VP64-dCas9-VP64 and dCas9-VP192, in human embryonic kidney cells by the concomitant targeting of POU5F1 and SOX2. We found 22- and 6-fold upregulations in the mRNA level of POU5F1 by dCas9-VP192 and VP64-dCas9-VP64, respectively. Likewise, SOX2 was up-regulated 4- and 2-fold using dCas9-VP192 and VP64dCas9VP64, respectively. For the POU5F1 protein level, we observed 3.7- and 2.2-fold increases with dCas9-VP192 and VP64-dCas9-VP64, respectively. Similarly, the SOX2 expression was 2.4- and 2-fold higher with dCas9-VP192 and VP64-dCas9-VP64, respectively. We also confirmed that activation only happened upon co-transfecting an activator plasmid with multiplex gRNA plasmid with a high specificity to the reference genes. Our data revealed that dCas9-VP192 is more efficient than VP64-dCas9-VP64 for activating reference genes.
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10
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Li L, Meng H, Zhang J, Liu Y, Zou Q, Gao Y, Yang H, Lai L. A tunable, rapid, and precise drug control of protein expression by combining transcriptional and post-translational regulation systems. J Genet Genomics 2020; 47:705-712. [PMID: 33549479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2020.07.009] [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: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rapid, precise, and tunable regulation of protein abundance would be significantly useful in a variety of biotechnologies and biomedical applications. Here, we describe a system that allows tunable and rapid drug control of gene expression for either gene activation or inactivation in mammalian cells. We construct the system by coupling Tet-on 3G and small molecule-assisted shutoff systems, which can respectively induce transcriptional activation and protein degradation in the presence of corresponding small molecules. This dual-input drug inducer regulation system facilitates a bidirectional control of gene expression. The gene of interest can be precisely controlled by dual small molecules in a broad dynamic range of expression from overexpression to complete silence, allowing gene function study in a comprehensive expression profile. Our results reveal that the bidirectional control system enables sensitive dosage- and time-dependent regulation for either turn-on or shutoff of gene expression. We also apply this system for inducible genome editing and gene activation mediated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. The system provides an integrated platform for studying multiple biological processes by manipulating gene expression in a more flexible way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Hongyi Meng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Yang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Qingjian Zou
- School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China.
| | - Yi Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Liangxue Lai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, 529020, China.
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11
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Wu Z, Guan KL. Hippo Signaling in Embryogenesis and Development. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 46:51-63. [PMID: 32928629 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hippo pathway components are structurally and functionally conserved and are notable for their role in controlling organ size. More diverse functions of the Hippo pathway have been recognized, including development, tissue homeostasis, wound healing and regeneration, immunity, and tumorigenesis. During embryogenesis, different signaling pathways are repeatedly and cooperatively activated, leading to differential gene expression in specific developmental contexts. In this article, we present an overview on the regulation and function of the Hippo pathway in mammalian early development. We introduce the Hippo pathway components and major upstream signals that act through this pathway to influence embryogenesis. We also discuss the roles of Hippo pathway in tissue specification and organ development during organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengming Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kun-Liang Guan
- Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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12
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Breunig CT, Köferle A, Neuner AM, Wiesbeck MF, Baumann V, Stricker SH. CRISPR Tools for Physiology and Cell State Changes: Potential of Transcriptional Engineering and Epigenome Editing. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:177-211. [PMID: 32525760 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00034.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the large amount of genome-wide data that have been collected during the last decades, a good understanding of how and why cells change during development, homeostasis, and disease might be expected. Unfortunately, the opposite is true; triggers that cause cellular state changes remain elusive, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Although genes with the potential to influence cell states are known, the historic dependency on methods that manipulate gene expression outside the endogenous chromatin context has prevented us from understanding how cells organize, interpret, and protect cellular programs. Fortunately, recent methodological innovations are now providing options to answer these outstanding questions, by allowing to target and manipulate individual genomic and epigenomic loci. In particular, three experimental approaches are now feasible due to DNA targeting tools, namely, activation and/or repression of master transcription factors in their endogenous chromatin context; targeting transcription factors to endogenous, alternative, or inaccessible sites; and finally, functional manipulation of the chromatin context. In this article, we discuss the molecular basis of DNA targeting tools and review the potential of these new technologies before we summarize how these have already been used for the manipulation of cellular states and hypothesize about future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Breunig
- MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian- Universität, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; and Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, German Research Center for Environmental Health, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Anna Köferle
- MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian- Universität, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; and Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, German Research Center for Environmental Health, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrea M Neuner
- MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian- Universität, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; and Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, German Research Center for Environmental Health, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Maximilian F Wiesbeck
- MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian- Universität, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; and Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, German Research Center for Environmental Health, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Valentin Baumann
- MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian- Universität, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; and Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, German Research Center for Environmental Health, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Stefan H Stricker
- MCN Junior Research Group, Munich Center for Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilian- Universität, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; and Epigenetic Engineering, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum, German Research Center for Environmental Health, BioMedical Center, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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13
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Gharbavi M, Sharafi A, Ghanbarzadeh S. Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A New Generation of Therapeutic Agents as Vehicles in Gene Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 20:269-284. [PMID: 32515309 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200607190339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new tool for therapeutic gene delivery in clinics have attracted much attention. Their advantages cover longer lifespan, better isolation, and higher transfection efficiency and proliferation rate. MSCs are the preferred approach for cell-based therapies because of their in vitro self-renewal capacity, migrating especially to tumor tissues, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, they have considerable efficiency in genetic engineering for future clinical applications in cancer gene therapy and other diseases. For improving therapeutic efficiency, targeted therapy of cancers can be achieved through the sustained release of therapeutic agents and functional gene expression induction to the intended tissues. The development of a new vector in gene therapy can improve the durability of a transgene expression. Also, the safety of the vector, if administered systemically, may resolve several problems, such as durability of expression and the host immune response. Currently, MSCs are prominent candidates as cell vehicles for both preclinical and clinical trials due to the secretion of therapeutic agents in several cancers. In the present study, we discuss the status of gene therapy in both viral and non-viral vectors along with their limitations. Throughout this study, the use of several nano-carriers for gene therapy is also investigated. Finally, we critically discuss the promising advantages of MSCs in targeted gene delivery, tumor inhibition and their utilization as the gene carriers in clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Gharbavi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,
Iran,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,
Iran,Zanjan Applied Pharmacology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Sharafi
- Zanjan Applied Pharmacology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Saeed Ghanbarzadeh
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,
Iran,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center and Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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14
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Kaiser F, Kubaczka C, Graf M, Langer N, Langkabel J, Arévalo L, Schorle H. Choice of factors and medium impinge on success of ESC to TSC conversion. Placenta 2019; 90:128-137. [PMID: 32056544 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The first lineage separation in mammalian development occurs when totipotent cells of the zygote give rise to the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm. The lineages are strictly separated by an epigenetic barrier. In vitro derivatives of these lineages embryonic stem cells (ESC) and trophoblast stem cells (TSC) are used to study the requirements needed to overcome the barrier in ESC to TSC conversion approaches. METHODS Different combinations of TSC transcription factors were induced in ESC for three days. Cells were kept in TS medium with fetal bovine serum (FBS) or the chemically defined TX medium. Obtained cells were analysed for OCT4 levels, TSC surface marker levels, expression of TSC markers and methylation status of Elf5, Oct4 and Nanog promoters. Further, long-term culture stability and in vitro and in vivo differentiation was tested. RESULTS Overexpression of Gata3, Eomes, Tfap2c, Ets2 and Cdx2 in ESC resulted in induction of TSC fate. Overexpression of Cdx2 or four factors (Gata3, Eomes, Tfap2c and Ets2) resulted in complete conversion only when cells were cultured in TX medium. The obtained induced TSC (iTSC) display characteristics of bona fide TSC in terms of marker expression and promoter methylation patterns. The generated converted cells were shown to display self-renewal and to be capable to differentiate into TSC derivatives in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION Gata3, Eomes, Tfap2c, Ets2 and Cdx2 overexpression in ESC resulted in stable iTSC fate independent of culture conditions. For four factors or Cdx2 alone, TX medium is required for complete TSC conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Kaiser
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Caroline Kubaczka
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Monika Graf
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nina Langer
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan Langkabel
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany.
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15
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Shomali N, Gharibi T, Vahedi G, Mohammed RN, Mohammadi H, Salimifard S, Marofi F. Mesenchymal stem cells as carrier of the therapeutic agent in the gene therapy of blood disorders. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:4120-4134. [PMID: 31691976 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Nonhematopoietic stem cells as a delivery platform of therapeutic useful genes have attracted widespread attention in recent years, owing to gained a long lifespan, easy separation, high proliferation, and high transfection capacity. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are the choice of the cells for gene and cell therapy due to high self-renewal capacity, high migration rate to the site of the tumor, and with immune suppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it has a high potential of safety genetic modification of MSCs for antitumor gene expression and has paved the way for the clinical application of these cells to target the therapy of cancers and other diseases. The aim of gene therapy is targeted treatment of cancers and diseases through recovery, change, or enhancement cell performance to the sustained secretion of useful therapeutic proteins and induction expression of the functional gene in intended tissue. Recent developments in the vectors designing leading to the increase and durability of expression and improvement of the safety of the vectors that overcome a lot of problems, such as durability of expression and the host immune response. Nowadays, gene therapy approach is used by MSCs as a delivery vehicle in the preclinical and the clinical trials for the secretion of erythropoietin, recombinant antibodies, coagulation factors, cytokines, as well as angiogenic inhibitors in many blood disorders like anemia, hemophilia, and malignancies. In this study, we critically discuss the status of gene therapy by MSCs as a delivery vehicle for the treatment of blood disorders. Finally, the results of clinical trial studies are assessed, highlighting promising advantages of this emerging technology in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Tohid Gharibi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rebar N Mohammed
- Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Hiwa Cancer Hospital, Suleimanyah, Iraq.,Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Sevda Salimifard
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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16
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Lau CH. Applications of CRISPR-Cas in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, and Translational Research. CRISPR J 2018; 1:379-404. [PMID: 31021245 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2018.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR technology is rapidly evolving, and the scope of CRISPR applications is constantly expanding. CRISPR was originally employed for genome editing. Its application was then extended to epigenome editing, karyotype engineering, chromatin imaging, transcriptome, and metabolic pathway engineering. Now, CRISPR technology is being harnessed for genetic circuits engineering, cell signaling sensing, cellular events recording, lineage information reconstruction, gene drive, DNA genotyping, miRNA quantification, in vivo cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, genomic diversification, and proteomic analysis in situ. It has also been implemented in the translational research of human diseases such as cancer immunotherapy, antiviral therapy, bacteriophage therapy, cancer diagnosis, pathogen screening, microbiota remodeling, stem-cell reprogramming, immunogenomic engineering, vaccine development, and antibody production. This review aims to summarize the key concepts of these CRISPR applications in order to capture the current state of play in this fast-moving field. The key mechanisms, strategies, and design principles for each technological advance are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cia-Hin Lau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong, SAR, China
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17
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Directing neuronal cell fate in vitro : Achievements and challenges. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 168:42-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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18
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Weltner J, Balboa D, Katayama S, Bespalov M, Krjutškov K, Jouhilahti EM, Trokovic R, Kere J, Otonkoski T. Human pluripotent reprogramming with CRISPR activators. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2643. [PMID: 29980666 PMCID: PMC6035213 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05067-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9-based gene activation (CRISPRa) is an attractive tool for cellular reprogramming applications due to its high multiplexing capacity and direct targeting of endogenous loci. Here we present the reprogramming of primary human skin fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using CRISPRa, targeting endogenous OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, MYC, and LIN28A promoters. The low basal reprogramming efficiency can be improved by an order of magnitude by additionally targeting a conserved Alu-motif enriched near genes involved in embryo genome activation (EEA-motif). This effect is mediated in part by more efficient activation of NANOG and REX1. These data demonstrate that human somatic cells can be reprogrammed into iPSCs using only CRISPRa. Furthermore, the results unravel the involvement of EEA-motif-associated mechanisms in cellular reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jere Weltner
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
| | - Diego Balboa
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Shintaro Katayama
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden
| | - Maxim Bespalov
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Kaarel Krjutškov
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, 50410, Estonia
| | - Eeva-Mari Jouhilahti
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Ras Trokovic
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Juha Kere
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, 00290, Finland.
| | - Timo Otonkoski
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
- Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00290, Finland.
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19
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Xiong K, Zhou Y, Blichfeld KA, Hyttel P, Bolund L, Freude KK, Luo Y. RNA-Guided Activation of Pluripotency Genes in Human Fibroblasts. Cell Reprogram 2018; 19:189-198. [PMID: 28557624 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2017.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific activation of endogenous genes can be achieved by programmable artificial transcription factors (ATFs). In this study, we compared two artificial, programmable, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based, ubiquitous transcription factors: deficient CRISPR-associated protein 9 (dCas9)-VP64 (CRISPRa) alone, or a combination of dCas9-VP64 and MS2-P65-HSF1 [synergistic activation mediator (SAM) system] mediated activation of five pluripotency genes: KLF4 (K), LIN28 (L), MYC (M), OCT4 (O), and SOX2 (S) in human cells (HEK293T, HeLa, HepG2, and primary fibroblasts). Activation potential was monitored using a luciferase reporter system and we found that both CRISPRa and SAM can efficiently activate the proximal promoter of all five genes. We also observed that the guide RNA (gRNA) target sites and number of gRNAs have a major effect on gRNA-guided activation efficiency. Furthermore, increased activation efficiency (>3-folds) could be achieved by the SAM system compared to CRISPRa. In addition, we discovered that only the SAM system could efficiently activate LIN28, OCT4, and SOX2 expression (up to 100-folds compared to coexpression with a scrambled gRNA) in primary human fibroblasts. This SAM-mediated activation of LOS can be stably maintained for over 20 days in fibroblasts cultured in either fibroblasts or stem cell medium. However, when attempting to use the SAM-LOS activation as an approach for induced pluripotent stem cells-reprogramming, no embryonic stem-like colonies could be obtained from these SAM fibroblasts. In conclusion, our study showed that CRISPR/Cas9-based ATFs are potent to activate and maintain transcription of endogenous human pluripotent genes. However, future improvements of the system are still required to improve activation efficiency and cellular reprogramming using ATFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xiong
- 1 Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yan Zhou
- 2 Danish Regenerative Engineering Alliance for Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian Aabo Blichfeld
- 2 Danish Regenerative Engineering Alliance for Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Hyttel
- 1 Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Lars Bolund
- 2 Danish Regenerative Engineering Alliance for Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristine Karla Freude
- 1 Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yonglun Luo
- 2 Danish Regenerative Engineering Alliance for Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus, Denmark
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20
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Abstract
The programming of new functions into mammalian cells has tremendous application in research and medicine. Continued improvements in the capacity to sequence and synthesize DNA have rapidly increased our understanding of mechanisms of gene function and regulation on a genome-wide scale and have expanded the set of genetic components available for programming cell biology. The invention of new research tools, including targetable DNA-binding systems such as CRISPR/Cas9 and sensor-actuator devices that can recognize and respond to diverse chemical, mechanical, and optical inputs, has enabled precise control of complex cellular behaviors at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. These tools have been critical for the expansion of synthetic biology techniques from prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic hosts to mammalian systems. Recent progress in the development of genome and epigenome editing tools and in the engineering of designer cells with programmable genetic circuits is expanding approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease and to establish personalized theranostic strategies for next-generation medicines. This review summarizes the development of these enabling technologies and their application to transforming mammalian synthetic biology into a distinct field in research and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Black
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708; , .,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708
| | - Pablo Perez-Pinera
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801; .,Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708; , .,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710
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21
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Doğan A. Embryonic Stem Cells in Development and Regenerative Medicine. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1079:1-15. [PMID: 29464659 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2018_175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
After progressive improvement in embryonic stem (ES) cell field, several studies have been conducted to explore the usage of ES cells in regenerative medicine. Unlimited self renewal and pluripoteny properties, combined with encouraging preclinical trials, remark that ES cell technology might be promising for clinical practice. ES cells, which can form three germ layers in vitro, are potential candidates to study development at the cellular and molecular level. Understanding the cell fate decision and differentiation processes during development might enable generating functional progenitor cells for tissue restoration. Progression in gene modifications and tissue engineering technology has facilitated the derivation of desired cells for therapy. Success in differentiation protocols and identification the regulatory pathways simplify the research for clinical applications. Although there are established protocols for cell differentiation in vitro and promising preclinical studies in vivo, many challenges need to be adressed before clinical translation. In this review, ES cells are discussed as a model of development in vitro and as a potential candidate for regenerative medicine. This review also dissusses current challenges for ES cell based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşegül Doğan
- National Cancer Institute, CDBL, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA.
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22
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Furuhata Y, Nihongaki Y, Sato M, Yoshimoto K. Control of Adipogenic Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Endogenous Gene Activation Using CRISPR-Cas9. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:2191-2197. [PMID: 29077398 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of interest in regenerative medicine owing to their multilineage differentiation and self-renewal properties. Understanding the in vivo differentiation process is necessary for clinical applications including cell therapy and transplantation. This remains challenging owing to the lack of induction methods that imitate the natural programming process. Endogenous gene regulation of tissue-specific transcription factors is therefore desirable. In the present study, we demonstrated endogenous activation of adipogenic genes through the dCas9-based transcription system and achieved efficient induction of different types of adipocyte-like cells from MSCs. Interestingly, the MSCs converted via single-gene activation exhibited morphological and molecular properties of white adipocytes, while beige adipocyte-like cells were induced via multiplex gene activation of three specific transcription factors. These results reveal that the fate of MSCs can be effectively manipulated by direct activation of specific endogenous gene expression using a dCas9-based activator with reduced exogenous additives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Furuhata
- Department
of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of
Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai 4-6-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yuta Nihongaki
- Department
of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Moritoshi Sato
- Department
of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Keitaro Yoshimoto
- Department
of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
- JST,
PRESTO, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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23
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One-Step piggyBac Transposon-Based CRISPR/Cas9 Activation of Multiple Genes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 8:64-76. [PMID: 28918057 PMCID: PMC5485764 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neural cell fate is determined by a tightly controlled transcription regulatory network during development. The ability to manipulate the expression of multiple transcription factors simultaneously is required to delineate the complex picture of neural cell development. Because of the limited carrying capacity of the commonly used viral vectors, such as lentiviral or retroviral vectors, it is often challenging to perform perturbation experiments on multiple transcription factors. Here we have developed a piggyBac (PB) transposon-based CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) all-in-one system, which allows for simultaneous and stable endogenous transactivation of multiple transcription factors and long non-coding RNAs. As a proof of principle, we showed that the PB-CRISPRa system could accelerate the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into neurons and astrocytes by triggering endogenous expression of different sets of transcription factors. The PB-CRISPRa system has the potential to become a convenient and robust tool in neuroscience, which can meet the needs of a variety of in vitro and in vivo gain-of-function applications.
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24
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Gerace D, Martiniello-Wilks R, Nassif NT, Lal S, Steptoe R, Simpson AM. CRISPR-targeted genome editing of mesenchymal stem cell-derived therapies for type 1 diabetes: a path to clinical success? Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:62. [PMID: 28279194 PMCID: PMC5345178 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0511-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their ease of isolation, differentiation capabilities, and immunomodulatory properties, the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been assessed in numerous pre-clinical and clinical settings. Currently, whole pancreas or islet transplantation is the only cure for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and, due to the autoimmune nature of the disease, MSCs have been utilised either natively or transdifferentiated into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) as an alternative treatment. However, the initial success in pre-clinical animal models has not translated into successful clinical outcomes. Thus, this review will summarise the current state of MSC-derived therapies for the treatment of T1D in both the pre-clinical and clinical setting, in particular their use as an immunomodulatory therapy and targets for the generation of IPCs via gene modification. In this review, we highlight the limitations of current clinical trials of MSCs for the treatment of T1D, and suggest the novel clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) gene-editing technology and improved clinical trial design as strategies to translate pre-clinical success to the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Gerace
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Rosetta Martiniello-Wilks
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.,Translational Cancer Research Group, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Najah Therese Nassif
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Sara Lal
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Raymond Steptoe
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ann Margaret Simpson
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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25
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Wiens MD, Shen Y, Li X, Salem MA, Smisdom N, Zhang W, Brown A, Campbell RE. A Tandem Green-Red Heterodimeric Fluorescent Protein with High FRET Efficiency. Chembiochem 2016; 17:2361-2367. [PMID: 27781394 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The tetrameric red fluorescent protein from Discosoma sp. coral (DsRed) has previously been engineered to produce dimeric and monomeric fluorescent variants with excitation and emission profiles that span the visible spectrum. The brightest of the effectively monomeric DsRed variants is tdTomato-a tandem fusion of a dimeric DsRed variant. Here we describe the engineering of brighter red (RRvT), green (GGvT), and green-red heterodimeric (GRvT) tdTomato variants. GRvT exhibited 99 % intramolecular FRET efficiency, resulting in long Stokes shift red fluorescence. These new variants could prove useful for multicolor live-cell imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Wiens
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - M Alaraby Salem
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Nick Smisdom
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
- Present address: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universiteit Hasselt, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Alex Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Robert E Campbell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
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26
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Black JB, Adler AF, Wang HG, D'Ippolito AM, Hutchinson HA, Reddy TE, Pitt GS, Leong KW, Gersbach CA. Targeted Epigenetic Remodeling of Endogenous Loci by CRISPR/Cas9-Based Transcriptional Activators Directly Converts Fibroblasts to Neuronal Cells. Cell Stem Cell 2016; 19:406-14. [PMID: 27524438 PMCID: PMC5010447 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of exogenous fate-specifying transcription factors can directly reprogram differentiated somatic cells to target cell types. Here, we show that similar reprogramming can also be achieved through the direct activation of endogenous genes using engineered CRISPR/Cas9-based transcriptional activators. We use this approach to induce activation of the endogenous Brn2, Ascl1, and Myt1l genes (BAM factors) to convert mouse embryonic fibroblasts to induced neuronal cells. This direct activation of endogenous genes rapidly remodeled the epigenetic state of the target loci and induced sustained endogenous gene expression during reprogramming. Thus, transcriptional activation and epigenetic remodeling of endogenous master transcription factors are sufficient for conversion between cell types. The rapid and sustained activation of endogenous genes in their native chromatin context by this approach may facilitate reprogramming with transient methods that avoid genomic integration and provides a new strategy for overcoming epigenetic barriers to cell fate specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Black
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Andrew F Adler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Hong-Gang Wang
- Ion Channel Research Unit, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Anthony M D'Ippolito
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hunter A Hutchinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Geoffrey S Pitt
- Ion Channel Research Unit, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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