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Breveglieri G, Gallo TE, Travan A, Pellegatti P, Guerra G, Gambari R, Borgatti M. Surface plasmon resonance analysis to detect the β +IVSI-110 thalassemia mutation in circulating cell-free fetal DNA. Clin Chim Acta 2016; 462:133-134. [PMID: 27642085 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Breveglieri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tiziana Eleonora Gallo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Travan
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pellegatti
- Operative Unit of Laboratory Analysis, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Guerra
- Operative Unit of Laboratory Analysis, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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Generation and Characterization of a Transgenic Mouse Carrying a Functional Human β -Globin Gene with the IVSI-6 Thalassemia Mutation. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:687635. [PMID: 26097845 PMCID: PMC4434229 DOI: 10.1155/2015/687635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models that carry mutations causing thalassemia represent a suitable tool to test in vivo new mutation-specific therapeutic approaches. Transgenic mice carrying the β-globin IVSI-6 mutation (the most frequent in Middle-Eastern regions and recurrent in Italy and Greece) are, at present, not available. We report the production and characterization of a transgenic mouse line (TG-β-IVSI-6) carrying the IVSI-6 thalassemia point mutation within the human β-globin gene. In the TG-β-IVSI-6 mouse (a) the transgenic integration region is located in mouse chromosome 7; (b) the expression of the transgene is tissue specific; (c) as expected, normally spliced human β-globin mRNA is produced, giving rise to β-globin production and formation of a human-mouse tetrameric chimeric hemoglobin muα-globin2/huβ-globin2 and, more importantly, (d) the aberrant β-globin-IVSI-6 RNAs are present in blood cells. The TG-β-IVSI-6 mouse reproduces the molecular features of IVSI-6 β-thalassemia and might be used as an in vivo model to characterize the effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting the cryptic sites responsible for the generation of aberrantly spliced β-globin RNA sequences, caused by the IVSI-6 mutation. These experiments are expected to be crucial for the development of a personalized therapy for β-thalassemia.
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Bianchi N, Finotti A, Ferracin M, Lampronti I, Zuccato C, Breveglieri G, Brognara E, Fabbri E, Borgatti M, Negrini M, Gambari R. Increase of microRNA-210, decrease of raptor gene expression and alteration of mammalian target of rapamycin regulated proteins following mithramycin treatment of human erythroid cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121567. [PMID: 25849663 PMCID: PMC4388523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression and regulation of microRNAs is an emerging issue in erythroid differentiation and globin gene expression in hemoglobin disorders. In the first part of this study microarray analysis was performed both in mithramycin-induced K562 cells and erythroid precursors from healthy subjects or β-thalassemia patients producing low or high levels of fetal hemoglobin. We demonstrated that: (a) microRNA-210 expression is higher in erythroid precursors from β-thalassemia patients with high production of fetal hemoglobin; (b) microRNA-210 increases as a consequence of mithramycin treatment of K562 cells and human erythroid progenitors both from healthy and β-thalassemia subjects; (c) this increase is associated with erythroid induction and elevated expression of γ-globin genes; (d) an anti-microRNA against microRNA-210 interferes with the mithramycin-induced changes of gene expression. In the second part of the study we have obtained convergent evidences suggesting raptor mRNA as a putative target of microRNA-210. Indeed, microRNA-210 binding sites of its 3’-UTR region were involved in expression and are targets of microRNA-210-mediated modulation in a luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, (i) raptor mRNA and protein are down-regulated upon mithramycin-induction both in K562 cells and erythroid progenitors from healthy and β-thalassemia subjects. In addition, (ii) administration of anti-microRNA-210 to K562 cells decreased endogenous microRNA-210 and increased raptor mRNA and protein expression. Finally, (iii) treatment of K562 cells with premicroRNA-210 led to a decrease of raptor mRNA and protein. In conclusion, microRNA-210 and raptor are involved in mithramycin-mediated erythroid differentiation of K562 cells and participate to the fine-tuning and control of γ-globin gene expression in erythroid precursor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory for the Development of Pharmacological and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassaemia, Biotechnology Center, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulia Breveglieri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Eleonora Brognara
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrica Fabbri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Massimo Negrini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory for the Development of Pharmacological and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassaemia, Biotechnology Center, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Breda L, Rivella S, Zuccato C, Gambari R. Combining gene therapy and fetal hemoglobin induction for treatment of β-thalassemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2013; 6:255-64. [PMID: 23782080 DOI: 10.1586/ehm.13.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
β-thalassemias are caused by nearly 300 mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to a low or absent production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). Two major therapeutic approaches have recently been proposed: gene therapy and induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) with the objective of achieving clinically relevant levels of Hbs. The objective of this article is to describe the development of therapeutic strategies based on a combination of gene therapy and induction of HbFs. An increase of β-globin gene expression in β-thalassemia cells can be achieved by gene therapy, although de novo production of clinically relevant levels of adult Hb may be difficult to obtain. On the other hand, an increased production of HbF is beneficial in β-thalassemia. The combination of gene therapy and HbF induction appears to be a pertinent strategy to achieve clinically relevant results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Breda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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Gambari R. Alternative options for DNA-based experimental therapy of β-thalassemia. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2012; 12:443-62. [PMID: 22413823 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.665047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beta-thalassemias are caused by more than 200 mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to low or absent production of adult hemoglobin. Achievements have been made with innovative therapeutic strategies for β-thalassemias, based on research conducted at the levels of gene structure, transcription, mRNA processing and protein synthesis. AREAS COVERED The objective of this review is to describe the development of therapeutic strategies employing viral and non-viral DNA-based approaches for treatment of β-thalassemia. EXPERT OPINION Modification of β-globin gene expression in β-thalassemia cells has been achieved by gene therapy, correction of the mutated β-globin gene and RNA repair. In addition, cellular therapy has been proposed for β-thalassemia, including reprogramming of somatic cells to generate induced pluripotent stem cells to be genetically corrected. Based on the concept that increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is beneficial in β-thalassemia, DNA-based approaches to increase HbF production have been optimized, including treatment of target cells with lentiviral vectors carrying γ-globin genes. Finally, DNA-based targeting of α-globin gene expression has been applied to reduce the excess of α-globin production by β-thalassemia cells, one of the major causes of the clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- University of Ferrara, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioPharmaNet and Laboratory for the Development of Gene and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassaemia, Ferrara, Italy.
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A combined approach for β-thalassemia based on gene therapy-mediated adult hemoglobin (HbA) production and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction. Ann Hematol 2012; 91:1201-13. [PMID: 22460946 PMCID: PMC3389244 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-012-1430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy might fall short in achieving a complete reversion of the β-thalassemic phenotype due to current limitations in vector design and myeloablative regimen. Following gene transfer, all or a large proportion of erythroid cells might express suboptimal levels of β-globin, impairing the therapeutic potential of the treatment. Our aim was to evaluate whether, in absence of complete reversion of the β-globin phenotype upon gene transfer, it is possible to use fetal hemoglobin induction to eliminate the residual α-globin aggregates and achieve normal levels of hemoglobin. Transgenic K562 cell lines and erythroid precursor cells from β039-thalassemia patients were employed. Gene therapy was performed with the lentiviral vector T9W. Induction of fetal hemoglobin was obtained using mithramycin. Levels of mRNA and hemoglobins were determined by qRT-PCR and HPLC. First, we analyzed the effect of mithramycin on K562 transgenic cell lines harboring different copies of a lentiviral vector carrying the human β-globin gene, showing that γ-globin mRNA expression and HbF production can be induced in the presence of high levels of β-globin gene expression and HbA accumulation. We then treated erythroid progenitor cells from β-thalassemic patients with T9W, which expresses the human β-globin gene and mithramycin separately or in combination. When transduction with our lentiviral vector is insufficient to completely eliminate the unpaired α-globin chains, combination of β-globin gene transfer therapy together with fetal hemoglobin induction might be very efficacious to remove the excess of α-globin proteins in thalassemic erythroid progenitor cells.
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Foetal haemoglobin inducers and thalassaemia: novel achievements. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2010; 8:5-7. [PMID: 20104272 DOI: 10.2450/2009.0137-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Bianchi N, Zuccato C, Lampronti I, Borgatti M, Gambari R. Expression of miR-210 during erythroid differentiation and induction of gamma-globin gene expression. BMB Rep 2009; 42:493-9. [PMID: 19712585 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2009.42.8.493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are a family of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs in a sequence specific manner, inducing translational repression or mRNA degradation. In this paper we have first analyzed by microarray the miR-profile in erythroid precursor cells from one normal and two thalassemic patients expressing different levels of fetal hemoglobin (one of them displaying HPFH phenotype). The microarray data were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis, and allowed us to identify miR-210 as an highly expressed miR in the erythroid precursor cells from the HPFH patient. When RT-PCR was performed on mithramycin-induced K562 cells and erythroid precursor cells, miR-210 was found to be induced in time-dependent and dose-dependent fashion, together with increased expression of the fetal gamma-globin genes. Altogether, the data suggest that miR-210 might be involved in increased expression of gamma-globin genes in differentiating erythroid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Bianchi
- BioPharmaNet, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 74-44100 Ferrara, Italy
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