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Ryu J, Statz JP, Chan W, Oyama K, Custer M, Wienisch M, Chen R, Hanna CB, Hennebold JD. Generation of Rhesus Macaque Embryos with Expanded CAG Trinucleotide Repeats in the Huntingtin Gene. Cells 2024; 13:829. [PMID: 38786052 PMCID: PMC11119628 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100829] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) arises from expanded CAG repeats in exon 1 of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The resultant misfolded HTT protein accumulates within neuronal cells, negatively impacting their function and survival. Ultimately, HTT accumulation results in cell death, causing the development of HD. A nonhuman primate (NHP) HD model would provide important insight into disease development and the generation of novel therapies due to their genetic and physiological similarity to humans. For this purpose, we tested CRISPR/Cas9 and a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) containing expanded CAG repeats in introducing an expanded CAG repeat into the HTT gene in rhesus macaque embryos. Analyses were conducted on arrested embryos and trophectoderm (TE) cells biopsied from blastocysts to assess the insertion of the ssDNA into the HTT gene. Genotyping results demonstrated that 15% of the embryos carried an expanded CAG repeat. The integration of an expanded CAG repeat region was successfully identified in five blastocysts, which were cryopreserved for NHP HD animal production. Some off-target events were observed in biopsies from the cryopreserved blastocysts. NHP embryos were successfully produced, which will help to establish an NHP HD model and, ultimately, may serve as a vital tool for better understanding HD's pathology and developing novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghyun Ryu
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
| | - John P. Statz
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
| | - William Chan
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
| | - Kiana Oyama
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
| | - Maggie Custer
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
| | - Martin Wienisch
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
| | | | - Carol B. Hanna
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Jon D. Hennebold
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; (J.R.); (J.P.S.); (W.C.); (K.O.); (M.C.); (C.B.H.)
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Mariano CG, de Oliveira VC, Ambrósio CE. Gene editing in small and large animals for translational medicine: a review. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20230089. [PMID: 38628493 PMCID: PMC11019828 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simpler and more versatile method compared to other engineered nucleases such as Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) and Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and since its discovery, the efficiency of CRISPR-based genome editing has increased to the point that multiple and different types of edits can be made simultaneously. These advances in gene editing have revolutionized biotechnology by enabling precise genome editing with greater simplicity and efficacy than ever before. This tool has been successfully applied to a wide range of animal species, including cattle, pigs, dogs, and other small animals. Engineered nucleases cut the genome at specific target positions, triggering the cell's mechanisms to repair the damage and introduce a mutation to a specific genomic site. This review discusses novel genome-based CRISPR/Cas9 editing tools, methods developed to improve efficiency and specificity, the use of gene-editing on animal models and translational medicine, and the main challenges and limitations of CRISPR-based gene-editing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clésio Gomes Mariano
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Ambrósio
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
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Navarro-Serna S, Piñeiro-Silva C, Fernández-Martín I, Dehesa-Etxebeste M, López de Munain A, Gadea J. Oocyte electroporation prior to in vitro fertilization is an efficient method to generate single, double, and multiple knockout porcine embryos of interest in biomedicine and animal production. Theriogenology 2024; 218:111-118. [PMID: 38320372 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.040] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Genetically modified pigs play a critical role in mimicking human diseases, xenotransplantation, and the development of pigs resistant to viral diseases. The use of programmable endonucleases, including the CRISPR/Cas9 system, has revolutionized the generation of genetically modified pigs. This study evaluates the efficiency of electroporation of oocytes prior to fertilization in generating edited gene embryos for different models. For single gene editing, phospholipase C zeta (PLC ζ) and fused in sarcoma (FUS) genes were used, and the concentration of sgRNA and Cas9 complexes was optimized. The results showed that increasing the concentration resulted in higher mutation rates without affecting the blastocyst rate. Electroporation produced double knockouts for the TPC1/TPC2 genes with high efficiency (79 %). In addition, resistance to viral diseases such as PRRS and swine influenza was achieved by electroporation, allowing the generation of double knockout embryo pigs (63 %). The study also demonstrated the potential for multiple gene editing in a single step using electroporation, which is relevant for xenotransplantation. The technique resulted in the simultaneous mutation of 5 genes (GGTA1, B4GALNT2, pseudo B4GALNT2, CMAH and GHR). Overall, electroporation proved to be an efficient and versatile method to generate genetically modified embryonic pigs, offering significant advances in biomedical and agricultural research, xenotransplantation, and disease resistance. Electroporation led to the processing of numerous oocytes in a single session using less expensive equipment. We confirmed the generation of gene-edited porcine embryos for single, double, or quintuple genes simultaneously without altering embryo development to the blastocyst stage. The results provide valuable insights into the optimization of gene editing protocols for different models, opening new avenues for research and applications in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Navarro-Serna
- Department Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum" and Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Celia Piñeiro-Silva
- Department Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum" and Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Irene Fernández-Martín
- Department Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum" and Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Adolfo López de Munain
- IIS Biodonostia, Neuroscience, San Sebastián, Spain; Department of Neurology. Hospital Universitario Donostia-OSAKIDETZA, San Sebastián, Spain; Department of Neurosciences. University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), San Sebastián, Spain; CIBERNED (CIBER), Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Gadea
- Department Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum" and Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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Piñeiro-Silva C, Gadea J. Optimizing oocyte electroporation for genetic modification of porcine embryos: Evaluation of the parthenogenetic activation. Theriogenology 2024; 218:126-136. [PMID: 38325149 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.041] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
In reproductive biology, understanding the effects of novel techniques on early embryo development is of paramount importance. To date, the effects of electrical activation on oocytes prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oocyte electroporation prior to IVF on embryo development and to differentiate between true embryos and parthenotes by using a TPCN2 knock-out (KO) male to evaluate the presence of the KO allele in the resulting blastocysts. The study consisted of three experiments. The first one examined oocyte electroporation with and without subsequent IVF and found that electroporated oocytes had higher activation rates, increased occurrence of a single pronucleus, and no effect on sperm penetration. Cleavage rates improved in electroporated oocytes, but blastocyst rates remained constant. Genotype analysis revealed a significant increase in the proportion of parthenotes in the electroporated groups compared to the IVF control (30.2 % vs. 6.8 %). The second experiment compared two electroporation media, Opti-MEM and Nuclease-Free Duplex Buffer (DB). DB induced higher oocyte degeneration rates, and lower cleavage and blastocyst rates than Opti-MEM, while parthenogenetic formation remained consistent (60.0 and 48.5 %). In the third experiment, the timing of electroporation relative to IVF was evaluated (1 h before IVF, immediately before IVF and 7 h after IVF). Electroporation immediately before IVF resulted in higher activation rates and different pronuclear proportions compared to the other timing groups. The penetration rate was higher in the immediate electroporation group, and cleavage rate improved in all electroporated groups compared to the control. Blastocyst rates remained constant. Genotyping revealed no significant differences in parthenote proportions among the timing groups, but these were higher than the control (56.25 %, 63.89 %, 51.61 %, 2.44 %, respectively), and showed higher mutation rates when electroporation was performed 7 h after IVF. Overall, this comprehensive study sheds light on the potential of electroporation for creating genetically modified embryos and the importance of media selection and timing in the process, the best media being the Opti-MEM and the more efficient timing regarding mutation rate, 7 h post-IVF, even when the parthenote formation did not differ among electroporated groups. Further studies are needed to reduce the parthenogenetic activation while maintaining high mutation rates to optimize the use of this procedure for the generation of gene-edited pig embryos by oocyte/zygote electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Piñeiro-Silva
- Department of Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum" and Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Gadea
- Department of Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum" and Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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5
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Hamze JG, Peris-Frau P, Galiano-Cogolludo B, Tomás-Almenar C, Santiago-Moreno J, Bermejo-Álvarez P. Efficient and repeatable in vitro fertilization in rabbits. Theriogenology 2024; 217:64-71. [PMID: 38252980 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.009] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Rabbits constitute an interesting model to understand gamete interaction and test novel Artificial Reproductive Techniques, but in vitro fertilization (IVF) is particularly problematic in this species. We have conducted a series of experiments to develop a consistent IVF technique. Initially, we checked viability, acrosome integrity, capacitation and motility in ejaculated sperm purified by a density gradient and incubated at different times in three different media: Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP), human tubal fluid (HTF), and Brackett and Oliphant (BO). Total and progressive motility at 10-24 h and linearity from 3 h onwards was significantly higher in BO medium compared to TALP and HTF. Subsequently, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected 10 h after induction of ovulation were incubated with sperm in TALP, HTF or BO for 18 h with or without performing sperm pre-incubation for 6 h. Pronuclear formation rate at 18 h was significantly higher in BO compared to other media (∼84 % vs. 17-22 %) and was not improved by pre-incubation. As COCs recovery rate was low at 10 h after induction of ovulation, COCs were collected at 12 h and co-incubated with sperm in BO. Pronuclear formation rate was similar than those obtained in COCs collected at 10 h (∼85 %), and when embryos were allowed to develop in vitro, the protocol yielded high cleavage and blastocyst rates (91 and 59 %, respectively). In conclusion, ejaculated rabbit sperm purified in a density gradient fertilize efficiently COCs collected at 12 h in BO medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Hamze
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Spain; Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Universidad de Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain
| | - P Peris-Frau
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Spain
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Briski O, La Motta GE, Ratner LD, Allegroni FA, Pillado S, Álvarez G, Gutierrez B, Tarragona L, Zaccagnini A, Acerbo M, Ciampi C, Fernández-Martin R, Salamone DF. Comparison of ICSI, IVF, and in vivo derived embryos to produce CRISPR-Cas9 gene-edited pigs for xenotransplantation. Theriogenology 2024; 220:43-55. [PMID: 38471390 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.028] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing in pigs for xenotransplantation has seen significant advances in recent years. This study compared three methodologies to generate gene-edited embryos, including co-injection of sperm together with the CRISPR-Cas9 system into oocytes, named ICSI-MGE (mediated gene editing); microinjection of CRISPR-Cas9 components into oocytes followed by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and microinjection of in vivo fertilized zygotes with the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Our goal was to knock-out (KO) porcine genes involved in the biosynthesis of xenoantigens responsible for the hyperacute rejection of interspecific xenografts, namely GGTA1, CMAH, and β4GalNT2. Additionally, we attempted to KO the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene with the aim of limiting the growth of porcine organs to a size that is physiologically suitable for human transplantation. Embryo development, pregnancy, and gene editing rates were evaluated. We found an efficient mutation of the GGTA1 gene following ICSI-MGE, comparable to the results obtained through the microinjection of oocytes followed by IVF. ICSI-MGE also showed higher rates of biallelic mutations compared to the other techniques. Five healthy piglets were born from in vivo-derived embryos, all of them exhibiting biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, with three displaying mutations in the GHR gene. No mutations were observed in the CMAH and β4GalNT2 genes. In conclusion, in vitro methodologies showed high rates of gene-edited embryos. Specifically, ICSI-MGE proved to be an efficient technique for obtaining homozygous biallelic mutated embryos. Lastly, only live births were obtained from in vivo-derived embryos showing efficient multiple gene editing for GGTA1 and GHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olinda Briski
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Gastón Emilio La Motta
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina
| | - Laura Daniela Ratner
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Federico Andrés Allegroni
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Santiago Pillado
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe Álvarez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Betiana Gutierrez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Lisa Tarragona
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Andrea Zaccagnini
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Acerbo
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Carla Ciampi
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Rafael Fernández-Martin
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina.
| | - Daniel Felipe Salamone
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina.
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Production of Genetically Modified Porcine Embryos via Lipofection of Zona-Pellucida-Intact Oocytes Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030342. [PMID: 36766231 PMCID: PMC9913380 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The generation of genetically modified pigs has an important impact thanks its applications in basic research, biomedicine, and meat production. Cloning was the first technique used for this production, although easier and cheaper methods were developed, such as the microinjection, electroporation, or lipofection of oocytes and zygotes. In this study, we analyzed the production of genetically modified embryos via lipofection of zona-pellucida-intact oocytes using LipofectamineTM CRISPRMAXTM Cas9 in comparison with the electroporation method. Two factors were evaluated: (i) the increment in the concentration of the lipofectamine-ribonucleoprotein complexes (LRNPC) (5% vs. 10%) and (ii) the concentration of ribonucleoprotein within the complexes (1xRNP vs. 2xRNP). We found that the increment in the concentration of the LRNPC had a detrimental effect on embryo development and a subsequent effect on the number of mutant embryos. The 5% group had a similar mutant blastocyst rate to the electroporation method (5.52% and 6.38%, respectively, p > 0.05). The increment in the concentration of the ribonucleoprotein inside the complexes had no effect on the blastocyst rate and mutation rate, with the mutant blastocyst rate being similar in both the 1xRNP and 2xRNP lipofection groups and the electroporation group (1.75%, 3.60%, and 3.57%, respectively, p > 0.05). Here, we showed that it is possible to produce knock-out embryos via lipofection of zona-pellucida-intact porcine oocytes with similar efficiencies as with electroporation, although more optimization is needed, mainly in terms of the use of more efficient vesicles for encapsulation with different compositions.
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Wei J, Brophy B, Cole SA, Moormann J, Boch J, Laible G. Cytoplasmic Injection of Zygotes to Genome Edit Naturally Occurring Sequence Variants Into Bovine Embryos. Front Genet 2022; 13:925913. [PMID: 35899192 PMCID: PMC9310181 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.925913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing provides opportunities to improve current cattle breeding strategies through targeted introduction of natural sequence variants, accelerating genetic gain. This can be achieved by harnessing homology-directed repair mechanisms following editor-induced cleavage of the genome in the presence of a repair template. Introducing the genome editors into zygotes and editing in embryos has the advantage of uncompromised development into live animals and alignment with contemporary embryo-based improvement practices. In our study, we investigated the potential to introduce sequence variants, known from the pre-melanosomal protein 17 (PMEL) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) genes, and produce non-mosaic, edited embryos, completely converted into the precision genotype. Injection of gRNA/Cas9 editors into bovine zygotes to introduce a 3 bp deletion variant into the PMEL gene produced up to 11% fully converted embryos. The conversion rate was increased to up to 48% with the use of TALEN but only when delivered by plasmid. Testing three gRNA/Cas9 editors in the context of several known PRLR sequence variants, different repair template designs and delivery as DNA, RNA or ribonucleoprotein achieved full conversion rates up to 8%. Furthermore, we developed a biopsy-based screening strategy for non-mosaic embryos which has the potential for exclusively producing non-mosaic animals with intended precision edits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Wei
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brigid Brophy
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Sally-Ann Cole
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Jannis Moormann
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens Boch
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gӧtz Laible
- Animal Biotechnology, Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Gӧtz Laible,
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Martucci LL, Cancela JM. Neurophysiological functions and pharmacological tools of acidic and non-acidic Ca2+ stores. Cell Calcium 2022; 104:102582. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Navarro-Serna S, Piñeiro-Silva C, Luongo C, Parrington J, Romar R, Gadea J. Effect of Aphidicolin, a Reversible Inhibitor of Eukaryotic Nuclear DNA Replication, on the Production of Genetically Modified Porcine Embryos by CRISPR/Cas9. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042135. [PMID: 35216252 PMCID: PMC8880323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosaicism is the most important limitation for one-step gene editing in embryos by CRISPR/Cas9 because cuts and repairs sometimes take place after the first DNA replication of the zygote. To try to minimize the risk of mosaicism, in this study a reversible DNA replication inhibitor was used after the release of CRISPR/Cas9 in the cell. There is no previous information on the use of aphidicolin in porcine embryos, so the reversible inhibition of DNA replication and the effect on embryo development of different concentrations of this drug was first evaluated. The effect of incubation with aphidicolin was tested with CRISPR/Cas9 at different concentrations and different delivery methodologies. As a result, the reversible inhibition of DNA replication was observed, and it was concentration dependent. An optimal concentration of 0.5 μM was established and used for subsequent experiments. Following the use of this drug with CRISPR/Cas9, a halving of mosaicism was observed together with a detrimental effect on embryo development. In conclusion, the use of reversible inhibition of DNA replication offers a way to reduce mosaicism. Nevertheless, due to the reduction in embryo development, it would be necessary to reach a balance for its use to be feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Navarro-Serna
- Department of Physiology, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (S.N.-S.); (C.P.-S.); (C.L.); (R.R.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Celia Piñeiro-Silva
- Department of Physiology, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (S.N.-S.); (C.P.-S.); (C.L.); (R.R.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Chiara Luongo
- Department of Physiology, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (S.N.-S.); (C.P.-S.); (C.L.); (R.R.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - John Parrington
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK;
| | - Raquel Romar
- Department of Physiology, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (S.N.-S.); (C.P.-S.); (C.L.); (R.R.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Gadea
- Department of Physiology, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (S.N.-S.); (C.P.-S.); (C.L.); (R.R.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Replacement of Albumin by Preovulatory Oviductal Fluid in Swim-Up Sperm Preparation Method Modifies Boar Sperm Parameters and Improves In Vitro Penetration of Oocytes. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051202. [PMID: 33922134 PMCID: PMC8143553 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Part of the success of assisted reproductive techniques lies in gamete manipulation before the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. Current chemically defined handling media lack crucial components for embryo development that exist under in vivo conditions. Recent studies of pigs have shown that the addition of reproductive fluids during in vitro fertilization and embryo culture improves embryo quality and their epigenetic profile in vitro. Porcine oviductal fluid (pOF) has been used to supplement the handling media used for sperm selection by centrifugation. However, its effect during sperm selection by the swim-up procedure is still unknown, as is the likely beneficial effect of replacing bovine serum albumin (BSA) by pOF as a protein source in sperm preparation media. In this study, four protein combinations in the swim-up medium were tested: 1 mg/mL BSA (the regular supplementation), 1% preovulatory pOF (1% pOF), 1 mg/mL BSA plus 1% pOF; and 5 mg/mL BSA. After sperm selection, various sperm parameters were assessed, and oocytes were inseminated in vitro. Results showed that the replacement of BSA by pOF improves some sperm motion parameters and increases in vitro oocyte penetration ability, whereas the combination of BSA + pOF did not show relevant effects. High concentrations of BSA had a detrimental effect, resulting in a decrease of sperm penetration. Abstract More suitable and efficient methods to protect gametes from external harmful effects during in vitro handling can be achieved by adding preovulatory porcine oviductal fluid (pOF) to in vitro culture media. The objective of this study was to assess the swim-up procedure’s suitability as a sperm selection method using a medium supplemented with 1mg/mL BSA, 1% preovulatory pOF (v/v), 1% v/v pOF plus 1mg/mL BSA, and 5mg/mL BSA. After selection, various sperm parameters were studied, such as sperm recovery rate, sperm morphology, motility (by CASA), vitality, acrosome status and intracellular calcium (by flow cytometry) and ability to penetrate oocytes in vitro. Around 2% of sperm were recovered after swim-up, and the replacement of BSA by pOF showed a beneficial reduction of motility parameters calcium concentration, resulting in an increased penetration rate. The combination of albumin and oviductal fluid in the medium did not improve the sperm parameters results, whereas a high concentration of BSA increased sperm morphological abnormalities, motility, and acrosome damage, with a reduction of calcium concentration and penetration rate. In conclusion, the replacement of albumin by preovulatory oviductal fluid in the swim-up sperm preparation method modifies boar sperm parameters and improves the in vitro penetration of oocytes.
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