Optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology to Knock Out Genes of Interest in Aneuploid Cell Lines

The Power of Gene Technologies: 1001 Ways to Create a Cell Model

Modern society faces many biomedical challenges that require urgent solutions. Two of the most important include the elucidation of mechanisms of socially significant diseases and the development of prospective drug treatments for these diseases. Experimental cell models are a convenient tool for addressing many of these problems. The power of cell models is further enhanced when combined with gene technologies, which allows the examination of even more subtle changes within the structure of the genome and permits testing of proteins in a native environment. The list and possibilities of these recently emerging technologies are truly colossal, which requires a rethink of a number of approaches for obtaining experimental cell models. In this review, we analyze the possibilities and limitations of promising gene technologies for obtaining cell models, and also give recommendations on the development and creation of relevant models. In our opinion, this review will be useful for novice cell biologists, as it provides some reference points in the rapidly growing universe of gene and cell technologies.

Urokinase Receptor uPAR Downregulation in Neuroblastoma Leads to Dormancy, Chemoresistance and Metastasis

Simple Summary

uPAR is a membrane receptor that contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling and controls cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration. We demonstrate that the initially high uPAR expression predicts poor survival in neuroblastoma. However, relapsed neuroblastomas have a significantly decreased uPAR expression. uPAR downregulation in neuroblastoma cells leads to dormancy and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. In mice, low uPAR-expressing neuroblastoma cells formed smaller primary tumors but more frequent metastasis.

Abstract

uPAR is a membrane receptor that binds extracellular protease urokinase, contributes to matrix remodeling and plays a crucial role in cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration. uPAR overexpression in tumor cells promotes mitogenesis, opening a prospective avenue for targeted therapy. However, uPAR targeting in cancer has potential risks. We have recently shown that uPAR downregulation in neuroblastoma promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), potentially associated with metastasis and chemoresistance. We used data mining to evaluate the role of uPAR expression in primary and relapsed human neuroblastomas. To model the decreased uPAR expression, we targeted uPAR using CRISPR/Cas9 and shRNA in neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells and evaluated their chemosensitivity in vitro as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. We demonstrate that the initially high PLAUR expression predicts poor survival in human neuroblastoma. However, relapsed neuroblastomas have a significantly decreased PLAUR expression. uPAR targeting in neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells leads to p38 activation and an increased p21 expression (suggesting a dormant phenotype). The dormancy in neuroblastoma cells can be triggered by the disruption of uPAR-integrin interaction. uPAR-deficient cells are less sensitive to cisplatin and doxorubicin treatment and exhibit lower p53 activation. Finally, low uPAR-expressing Neuro2a cells formed smaller primary tumors, but more frequent metastasis in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study revealing the pathological role of dormant uPAR-deficient cancer cells having a chemoresistant and motile phenotype.

Creating cell lines for mimicking diseases

Cell lines can be good models for the disease they are derived from but can also be used to study general physiological and pathological processes. They can also be used to generate cell models of diseases when primary cultures are not available. Recent genome editing tools have been very promising tools toward creating cell models to mimic diseases in vitro. In this chapter, we highlight techniques used to obtain genome-edited cell lines, including cell line selection, transfection and gene editing tools available, together with methods of phenotype characterization and, lastly, a few examples of how in vitro disease models were created using CRISPR-Cas9.

[Fibrinolytics: from the thrombolysis to the processes of blood vessels growth and remodeling, neurogenesis, carcinogenesis and fibrosis]

One of the most outstanding scientific achievements in the thrombolysis is the development and administration of fibrinolysin - the first Soviet drug that lyses blood clots. Intracoronary administration of fibrinolysin reduced the mortality of patients with myocardial infarction by almost 20%. For his work in this field Yevgeny Chazov was awarded the Lenin Prize in 1982. Over the next decades, under his leadership, the Cardiology Center established scientific and clinical laboratories that created new generations of drugs based on fibrinolytics for treating patients with myocardial infarction, restoration of blood flow in ischemic tissue, and also studying the mechanisms of remodeling of blood vessels involving the fibrinolysis system. It have been found new mechanisms of regulation of the navigation of blood vessels and nerves growth, tumor growth and its metastasis with the participation of the fibrinolysis system proteins. The review reports the role of the fibrinolysis system in the thrombolysis, blood vessels growth and remodeling, neurogenesis, carcinogenesis and fibrosis. The article is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of academician E.I. Chazov.