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Demirci S, Khan MBN, Hinojosa G, Le A, Leonard A, Essawi K, Gudmundsdottir B, Liu X, Zeng J, Inam Z, Chu R, Uchida N, Araki D, London E, Butt H, Maitland SA, Bauer DE, Wolfe SA, Larochelle A, Tisdale JF. Ex vivo culture resting time impacts transplantation outcomes of genome-edited human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in xenograft mouse models. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:641-648. [PMID: 38506770 PMCID: PMC11127784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Ex vivo resting culture is a standard procedure following genome editing in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). However, prolonged culture may critically affect cell viability and stem cell function. We investigated whether varying durations of culture resting times impact the engraftment efficiency of human CD34+ HSPCs edited at the BCL11A enhancer, a key regulator in the expression of fetal hemoglobin. We employed electroporation to introduce CRISPR-Cas9 components for BCL11A enhancer editing and compared outcomes with nonelectroporated (NEP) and electroporated-only (EP) control groups. Post-electroporation, we monitored cell viability, death rates, and the frequency of enriched hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fractions (CD34+CD90+CD45RA- cells) over a 48-hour period. Our findings reveal that while the NEP group showed an increase in cell numbers 24 hours post-electroporation, both EP and BCL11A-edited groups experienced significant cell loss. Although CD34+ cell frequency remained high in all groups for up to 48 hours post-electroporation, the frequency of the HSC-enriched fraction was significantly lower in the EP and edited groups compared to the NEP group. In NBSGW xenograft mouse models, both conditioned with busulfan and nonconditioned, we found that immediate transplantation post-electroporation led to enhanced engraftment without compromising editing efficiency. Human glycophorin A+ (GPA+) red blood cells (RBCs) sorted from bone marrow of all BCL11A edited mice exhibited similar levels of γ-globin expression, regardless of infusion time. Our findings underscore the critical importance of optimizing the culture duration between genome editing and transplantation. Minimizing this interval may significantly enhance engraftment success and minimize cell loss without compromising editing efficiency. These insights offer a pathway to improve the success rates of genome editing in HSPCs, particularly for conditions like sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selami Demirci
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA..
| | | | - Gabriela Hinojosa
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anh Le
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexis Leonard
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA.; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Khaled Essawi
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Gizan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bjorg Gudmundsdottir
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiong Liu
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zaina Inam
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca Chu
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Naoya Uchida
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Daisuke Araki
- CMTB, NHLBI/Regenerative Therapies for Inherited Blood Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Evan London
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Henna Butt
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Stacy A Maitland
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scot A Wolfe
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andre Larochelle
- CMTB, NHLBI/Regenerative Therapies for Inherited Blood Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John F Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch (CMTB), National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA..
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Gupta K, Czerminski JT, Lawrence JB. Trisomy silencing by XIST: translational prospects and challenges. Hum Genet 2024:10.1007/s00439-024-02651-8. [PMID: 38459355 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-024-02651-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
XIST RNA is heavily studied for its role in fundamental epigenetics and X-chromosome inactivation; however, the translational potential of this singular RNA has been much less explored. This article combines elements of a review on XIST biology with our perspective on the translational prospects and challenges of XIST transgenics. We first briefly review aspects of XIST RNA basic biology that are key to its translational relevance, and then discuss recent efforts to develop translational utility of XIST for chromosome dosage disorders, particularly Down syndrome (DS). Remarkably, it was shown in vitro that expression of an XIST transgene inserted into one chromosome 21 can comprehensively silence that chromosome and "dosage compensate" Trisomy 21, the cause of DS. Here we summarize recent findings and discuss potential paths whereby ability to induce "trisomy silencing" can advance translational research for new therapeutic strategies. Despite its common nature, the underlying biology for various aspects of DS, including cell types and pathways impacted (and when), is poorly understood. Recent studies show that an inducible iPSC system to dosage-correct chromosome 21 can provide a powerful approach to unravel the cells and pathways directly impacted, and the developmental timing, information key to design pharmacotherapeutics. In addition, we discuss prospects of a more far-reaching and challenging possibility that XIST itself could be developed into a therapeutic agent, for targeted cellular "chromosome therapy". A few rare case studies of imbalanced X;autosome translocations indicate that natural XIST can rescue an otherwise lethal trisomy. The potential efficacy of XIST transgenes later in development faces substantial biological and technical challenges, although recent findings are encouraging, and technology is rapidly evolving. Hence, it is compelling to consider the transformative possibility that XIST-mediated chromosome therapy may ultimately be developed, for specific pathologies seen in DS, or other duplication disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khusali Gupta
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Jan T Czerminski
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Jeanne B Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
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Berggreen AH, Petersen JL, Lin L, Benabdellah K, Luo Y. CRISPR delivery with extracellular vesicles: Promises and challenges. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 2:e111. [PMID: 38938376 PMCID: PMC11080907 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The CRISPR gene editing tool holds great potential for curing genetic disorders. However, the safe, efficient, and specific delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 components into cells and tissues remains a challenge. While many currently available delivery methods achieve high levels of gene editing effects in vivo, they often result in genotoxicity and immunogenicity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are cell-derived lipid nanoparticles, are capable of transferring protein and nucleic acid cargoes between cells, making them a promising endogenous alternative to synthetic delivery methods. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the currently available strategies for EV-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9. These strategies include cell-based, passive loading obtained by overexpression of CRISPR/Cas9, active loading involving protein or RNA dimerization, and loading into already purified EVs. All these approaches suggest that EV-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery is useful for achieving both in vitro and in vivo gene editing. Despite that, substantial variations in cellular uptake and gene editing efficiencies indicate that further improvement and standardization are required for the therapeutic use of EVs as a CRISPR/Cas9 delivery vehicle. These improvements include, but is not limited to, the high-yield purification of EVs, increased loading and release efficiencies, as well as improved tissue- or cell-specific targeting specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lin Lin
- Department of BiomedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Steno Diabetes Center AarhusAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Pfizer‐Universidad de Granada‐Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO)GranadaSpain
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Department of BiomedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Steno Diabetes Center AarhusAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Qingdao Europe Advanced Institute for Life SciencesBGI‐ResearchQingdaoChina
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, HIM‐BGI Omics Center, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM)Chinese Academy of SciencesZhejiangHangzhouChina
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