1
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Nishigaya Y, Takase S, Sumiya T, Sato T, Niwa H, Sato S, Nakata A, Matsuoka S, Maemoto Y, Hashimoto N, Namie R, Honma T, Umehara T, Shirouzu M, Koyama H, Yoshida M, Ito A, Shirai F. Structure-based development of novel substrate-type G9a inhibitors as epigenetic modulators for sickle cell disease treatment. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 110:129856. [PMID: 38914346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129856] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The discovery and development of structurally distinct lysine methyltransferase G9a inhibitors have been the subject of intense research in epigenetics. Structure-based optimization was conducted, starting with the previously reported seed compound 7a and lead to the identification of a highly potent G9a inhibitor, compound 7i (IC50 = 0.024 μM). X-ray crystallography for the ligand-protein interaction and kinetics study, along with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, revealed that compound 7i interacts with G9a in a unique binding mode. In addition, compound 7i caused attenuation of cellular H3K9me2 levels and induction of γ-globin mRNA expression in HUDEP-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Nishigaya
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 1848 Nogi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi 329-0114, Japan.
| | - Shohei Takase
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Tatsunobu Sumiya
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 1848 Nogi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi 329-0114, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Sato
- Drug Discovery Computational Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hideaki Niwa
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shin Sato
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakata
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Seiji Matsuoka
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yuki Maemoto
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Noriaki Hashimoto
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 1848 Nogi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi 329-0114, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Namie
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 1848 Nogi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi 329-0114, Japan
| | - Teruki Honma
- Drug Discovery Computational Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takashi Umehara
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroo Koyama
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Minoru Yoshida
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Office of University Professor, the University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ito
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Shirai
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
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Bresnick EH, Papayannopoulou T, Migliaccio AR. Mechanistic and Biological Perspectives on Erythropoiesis. Exp Hematol 2024:104286. [PMID: 39034024 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Emery H Bresnick
- Wisconsin Blood Cancer Research Institute, Carbone Cancer Center, Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Anna Rita Migliaccio
- Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA; Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, Lecce, Italy
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3
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Yen A, Zappala Z, Fine RS, Majarian TD, Sripakdeevong P, Altshuler D. Specificity of CRISPR-Cas9 Editing in Exagamglogene Autotemcel. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:1723-1725. [PMID: 38657268 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2313119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
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Chang N, Li J, Lin S, Zhang J, Zeng W, Ma G, Wang Y. Emerging roles of SIRT1 activator, SRT2104, in disease treatment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5521. [PMID: 38448466 PMCID: PMC10917792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55923-8] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is a NAD+-dependent class III deacetylase that plays important roles in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, positioning it as a prime candidate for therapeutic intervention. Among its modulators, SRT2104 emerges as the most specific small molecule activator of SIRT1, currently advancing into the clinical translation phase. The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the emerging roles of SRT2104, and to explore its potential as a therapeutic agent in various diseases. In the present review, we systematically summarized the findings from an extensive array of literature sources including the progress of its application in disease treatment and its potential molecular mechanisms by reviewing the literature published in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. We focuses on the strides made in employing SRT2104 for disease treatment, elucidating its potential molecular underpinnings based on preclinical and clinical research data. The findings reveal that SRT2104, as a potent SIRT1 activator, holds considerable therapeutic potential, particularly in modulating metabolic and longevity-related pathways. This review establishes SRT2104 as a leading SIRT1 activator with significant therapeutic promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Chang
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Junyang Li
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Sufen Lin
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Weiqiang Zeng
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China.
| | - Guoda Ma
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China.
| | - Yajun Wang
- Shunde Women and Children's Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Foshan, China.
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Shukla H, Singh A, Kushwaha R, Verma SP, Verma N, Singh US. Serum visfatin level in β-thalassemia and its correlation with disease severity. J Med Life 2024; 17:314-317. [PMID: 39044939 PMCID: PMC11262595 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Thalassemia is a group of genetic hematological conditions characterized by the defective synthesis of one or more hemoglobin chains. This genetic anomaly alters globin chain balance, causing hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The proinflammatory adipocytokine visfatin is predominantly produced in visceral adipose tissue. Its evaluation in individuals with thalassemia may provide valuable insights into the assessment of disease severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of visfatin in the development of β-thalassemia and its association with the severity of the illness. The study included 40 patients with β-thalassemia and ten healthy individuals matched by age and sex. Serum visfatin level was measured using ELISA. We found that individuals with β-thalassemia major had significantly higher levels of serum visfatin than those with β-thalassemia minor and the control group (P < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that serum visfatin levels were different in the three groups. Our results suggest that the serum level of visfatin is significantly correlated with the severity of β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himadri Shukla
- Department of Pathology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Anurag Singh
- Department of Pathology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Rashmi Kushwaha
- Department of Pathology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | | | - Nishant Verma
- Department of Pediatrics, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Uma Shankar Singh
- Department of Pathology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
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6
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Stroganov S, Harris T, Fellus-Alyagor L, Ben Moyal L, Plitman Mayo R, Golani O, Hirsch D, Ben-Dor S, Brandis A, Mehlman T, Kovo M, Biron-Shental T, Dekel N, Neeman M. The differential regulation of placenta trophoblast bisphosphoglycerate mutase in fetal growth restriction: preclinical study in mice and observational histological study of human placenta. eLife 2024; 13:e82631. [PMID: 38314803 PMCID: PMC10883672 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82631] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pregnancy complication in which a newborn fails to achieve its growth potential, increasing the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Chronic maternal gestational hypoxia, as well as placental insufficiency are associated with increased FGR incidence; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying FGR remain unknown. Methods Pregnant mice were subjected to acute or chronic hypoxia (12.5% O2) resulting in reduced fetal weight. Placenta oxygen transport was assessed by blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The placentae were analyzed via immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Human placentae were selected from FGR and matched controls and analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Maternal and cord sera were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Results We show that murine acute and chronic gestational hypoxia recapitulates FGR phenotype and affects placental structure and morphology. Gestational hypoxia decreased labyrinth area, increased the incidence of red blood cells (RBCs) in the labyrinth while expanding the placental spiral arteries (SpA) diameter. Hypoxic placentae exhibited higher hemoglobin-oxygen affinity compared to the control. Placental abundance of Bisphosphoglycerate mutase (BPGM) was upregulated in the syncytiotrophoblast and spiral artery trophoblast cells (SpA TGCs) in the murine gestational hypoxia groups compared to the control. Hif1α levels were higher in the acute hypoxia group compared to the control. In contrast, human FGR placentae exhibited reduced BPGM levels in the syncytiotrophoblast layer compared to placentae from healthy uncomplicated pregnancies. Levels of 2,3 BPG, the product of BPGM, were lower in cord serum of human FGR placentae compared to control. Polar expression of BPGM was found in both human and mouse placentae syncytiotrophoblast, with higher expression facing the maternal circulation. Moreover, in the murine SpA TGCs expression of BPGM was concentrated exclusively in the apical cell side, in direct proximity to the maternal circulation. Conclusions This study suggests a possible involvement of placental BPGM in maternal-fetal oxygen transfer, and in the pathophysiology of FGR. Funding This work was supported by the Weizmann Krenter Foundation and the Weizmann - Ichilov (Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center) Collaborative Grant in Biomedical Research, by the Minerva Foundation, by the ISF KillCorona grant 3777/19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Stroganov
- Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Talia Harris
- Chemical Research Support Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Lital Ben Moyal
- Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Romina Plitman Mayo
- Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofra Golani
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dana Hirsch
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander Brandis
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tevie Mehlman
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Kovo
- OBGYN, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tal Biron-Shental
- OBGYN, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- Tel Aviv University, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nava Dekel
- Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Neeman
- Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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7
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Han W, Qiu HY, Sun S, Fu ZC, Wang GQ, Qian X, Wang L, Zhai X, Wei J, Wang Y, Guo YL, Cao GH, Ji RJ, Zhang YZ, Ma H, Wang H, Zhao M, Wu J, Bi L, Chen QB, Li Z, Yu L, Mou X, Yin H, Yang L, Chen J, Yang B, Zhang Y. Base editing of the HBG promoter induces potent fetal hemoglobin expression with no detectable off-target mutations in human HSCs. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1624-1639.e8. [PMID: 37989316 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.10.007] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Reactivating silenced γ-globin expression through the disruption of repressive regulatory domains offers a therapeutic strategy for treating β-hemoglobinopathies. Here, we used transformer base editor (tBE), a recently developed cytosine base editor with no detectable off-target mutations, to disrupt transcription-factor-binding motifs in hematopoietic stem cells. By performing functional screening of six motifs with tBE, we found that directly disrupting the BCL11A-binding motif in HBG1/2 promoters triggered the highest γ-globin expression. Via a side-by-side comparison with other clinical and preclinical strategies using Cas9 nuclease or conventional BEs (ABE8e and hA3A-BE3), we found that tBE-mediated disruption of the BCL11A-binding motif at the HBG1/2 promoters triggered the highest fetal hemoglobin in healthy and β-thalassemia patient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells while exhibiting no detectable DNA or RNA off-target mutations. Durable therapeutic editing by tBE persisted in repopulating hematopoietic stem cells, demonstrating that tBE-mediated editing in HBG1/2 promoters is a safe and effective strategy for treating β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Han
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hou-Yuan Qiu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shangwu Sun
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhi-Can Fu
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guo-Quan Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiaowen Qian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Lijie Wang
- CorrectSequence Therapeutics, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiaowen Zhai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Jia Wei
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yichuan Wang
- CorrectSequence Therapeutics, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yi-Lin Guo
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guo-Hua Cao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Rui-Jin Ji
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hongxia Ma
- CorrectSequence Therapeutics, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Mingli Zhao
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lili Bi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qiu-Bing Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zifeng Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Ling Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Xiaodun Mou
- CorrectSequence Therapeutics, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pathology and Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; TaiKang Centre for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Jia Chen
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Biomacromolecules and Precision Medicine, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Bei Yang
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Biomacromolecules and Precision Medicine, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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8
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Armendariz DA, Sundarrajan A, Hon GC. Breaking enhancers to gain insights into developmental defects. eLife 2023; 12:e88187. [PMID: 37497775 PMCID: PMC10374278 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite ground-breaking genetic studies that have identified thousands of risk variants for developmental diseases, how these variants lead to molecular and cellular phenotypes remains a gap in knowledge. Many of these variants are non-coding and occur at enhancers, which orchestrate key regulatory programs during development. The prevailing paradigm is that non-coding variants alter the activity of enhancers, impacting gene expression programs, and ultimately contributing to disease risk. A key obstacle to progress is the systematic functional characterization of non-coding variants at scale, especially since enhancer activity is highly specific to cell type and developmental stage. Here, we review the foundational studies of enhancers in developmental disease and current genomic approaches to functionally characterize developmental enhancers and their variants at scale. In the coming decade, we anticipate systematic enhancer perturbation studies to link non-coding variants to molecular mechanisms, changes in cell state, and disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Armendariz
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Anjana Sundarrajan
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Gary C Hon
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
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9
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Ma L, Yang S, Peng Q, Zhang J, Zhang J. CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing technology for sickle cell disease. Gene 2023; 874:147480. [PMID: 37182559 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147480] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenic hematologic disorder and is essentially congenital hemolytic anemia caused by an inherited point mutation in the β-globin on chromosome 11. Although the genetic basis of SCD was revealed as early as 1957, treatment options for SCD have been very limited to date. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was thought to hold promise as a cure for SCD, but the available donors were still only 15% useful. Gene therapy has advanced rapidly into the 21st century with the promise of a cure for SCD, and gene editing strategies based on the cluster-based regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequence (CRISPR)/Cas9 system have revolutionized the field of gene therapy by precisely targeting genes. In this paper, we review the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches of SCD, briefly summarize the delivery strategies of CRISPR/Cas9, and finally discuss in depth the current status, application barriers, and solution directions of CRISPR/Cas9 in SCD. Through the review in this paper, we hope to provide some references for gene therapy in SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Ma
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Shanglun Yang
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Qianya Peng
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Jingping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 620000, China.
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10
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Gnanapragasam MN, Planutis A, Glassberg JA, Bieker JJ. Identification of a genomic DNA sequence that quantitatively modulates KLF1 transcription factor expression in differentiating human hematopoietic cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7589. [PMID: 37165057 PMCID: PMC10172341 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34805-5] [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: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The onset of erythropoiesis is under strict developmental control, with direct and indirect inputs influencing its derivation from the hematopoietic stem cell. A major regulator of this transition is KLF1/EKLF, a zinc finger transcription factor that plays a global role in all aspects of erythropoiesis. Here, we have identified a short, conserved enhancer element in KLF1 intron 1 that is important for establishing optimal levels of KLF1 in mouse and human cells. Chromatin accessibility of this site exhibits cell-type specificity and is under developmental control during the differentiation of human CD34+ cells towards the erythroid lineage. This site binds GATA1, SMAD1, TAL1, and ETV6. In vivo editing of this region in cell lines and primary cells reduces KLF1 expression quantitatively. However, we find that, similar to observations seen in pedigrees of families with KLF1 mutations, downstream effects are variable, suggesting that the global architecture of the site is buffered towards keeping the KLF1 genetic region in an active state. We propose that modification of intron 1 in both alleles is not equivalent to complete loss of function of one allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Gnanapragasam
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - A Planutis
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - J A Glassberg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - J J Bieker
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1020, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Abstract
Thalassemia syndromes are common monogenic disorders and represent a significant health issue worldwide. In this review, the authors elaborate on fundamental genetic knowledge about thalassemias, including the structure and location of globin genes, the production of hemoglobin during development, the molecular lesions causing α-, β-, and other thalassemia syndromes, the genotype-phenotype correlation, and the genetic modifiers of these conditions. In addition, they briefly discuss the molecular techniques applied for diagnosis and innovative cell and gene therapy strategies to cure these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Tesio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy. https://twitter.com/nicolotesio
| | - Daniel E Bauer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Broad Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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12
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Ureña-Bailén G, Block M, Grandi T, Aivazidou F, Quednau J, Krenz D, Daniel-Moreno A, Lamsfus-Calle A, Epting T, Handgretinger R, Wild S, Mezger M. Automated Good Manufacturing Practice-Compatible CRISPR-Cas9 Editing of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells for Clinical Treatment of β-Hemoglobinopathies. CRISPR J 2023; 6:5-16. [PMID: 36662546 PMCID: PMC9986018 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular therapies hold enormous potential for the cure of severe hematological and oncological disorders. The forefront of innovative gene therapy approaches including therapeutic gene editing and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation needs to be processed by good manufacturing practice to ensure safe application in patients. In the present study, an effective transfection protocol for automated clinical-scale production of genetically modified hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) using the CliniMACS Prodigy® system including the CliniMACS Electroporator (Miltenyi Biotec) was established. As a proof-of-concept, the enhancer of the BCL11A gene, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) target in ongoing clinical trials for β-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease treatment, was disrupted by the CRISPR-Cas9 system simulating a large-scale clinical scenario, yielding 100 million HSPCs with high editing efficiency. In vitro erythroid differentiation and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses corroborated fetal hemoglobin resurgence in edited samples, supporting the feasibility of running the complete process of HSPC gene editing in an automated closed system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Ureña-Bailén
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milena Block
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Tommaso Grandi
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | - Jona Quednau
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Dariusz Krenz
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Alberto Daniel-Moreno
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrés Lamsfus-Calle
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Epting
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.,Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Stefan Wild
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Markus Mezger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
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13
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Takase S, Hiroyama T, Shirai F, Maemoto Y, Nakata A, Arata M, Matsuoka S, Sonoda T, Niwa H, Sato S, Umehara T, Shirouzu M, Nishigaya Y, Sumiya T, Hashimoto N, Namie R, Usui M, Ohishi T, Ohba SI, Kawada M, Hayashi Y, Harada H, Yamaguchi T, Shinkai Y, Nakamura Y, Yoshida M, Ito A. A specific G9a inhibitor unveils BGLT3 lncRNA as a universal mediator of chemically induced fetal globin gene expression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:23. [PMID: 36635268 PMCID: PMC9837035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35404-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a heritable disorder caused by β-globin gene mutations. Induction of fetal γ-globin is an established therapeutic strategy. Recently, epigenetic modulators, including G9a inhibitors, have been proposed as therapeutic agents. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby these small molecules reactivate γ-globin remain unclear. Here we report the development of a highly selective and non-genotoxic G9a inhibitor, RK-701. RK-701 treatment induces fetal globin expression both in human erythroid cells and in mice. Using RK-701, we find that BGLT3 long non-coding RNA plays an essential role in γ-globin induction. RK-701 selectively upregulates BGLT3 by inhibiting the recruitment of two major γ-globin repressors in complex with G9a onto the BGLT3 gene locus through CHD4, a component of the NuRD complex. Remarkably, BGLT3 is indispensable for γ-globin induction by not only RK-701 but also hydroxyurea and other inducers. The universal role of BGLT3 in γ-globin induction suggests its importance in SCD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Takase
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Takashi Hiroyama
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Shirai
- Drug Discovery Chemistry Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yuki Maemoto
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Akiko Nakata
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Mayumi Arata
- Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Seiji Matsuoka
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sonoda
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Niwa
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shin Sato
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takashi Umehara
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yosuke Nishigaya
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Tatsunobu Sumiya
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Noriaki Hashimoto
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Namie
- Watarase Research Center, Discovery Research Headquarters, Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 329-0114, Japan
| | - Masaya Usui
- Support Unit for Bio-Material Analysis, Research Resources Division, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Ohishi
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Numazu, Shizuoka, 410-0301, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Ohba
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Numazu, Shizuoka, 410-0301, Japan
| | - Manabu Kawada
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Numazu, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Numazu, Shizuoka, 410-0301, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hayashi
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hironori Harada
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
| | - Tokio Yamaguchi
- RIKEN Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yoichi Shinkai
- Cellular Memory Laboratory, Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0074, Japan
| | - Minoru Yoshida
- Drug Discovery Seed Compounds Exploratory Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan. .,Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan. .,Department of Biotechnology, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
| | - Akihiro Ito
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan. .,Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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14
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In Vivo Hematopoietic Stem Cell Genome Editing: Perspectives and Limitations. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122222. [PMID: 36553489 PMCID: PMC9778055 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122222] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tremendous evolution of genome-editing tools in the last two decades has provided innovative and effective approaches for gene therapy of congenital and acquired diseases. Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator- like effector nucleases (TALENs) and CRISPR-Cas9 have been already applied by ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy in genetic diseases (i.e., Hemoglobinopathies, Fanconi anemia and hereditary Immunodeficiencies) as well as infectious diseases (i.e., HIV), and the recent development of CRISPR-Cas9-based systems using base and prime editors as well as epigenome editors has provided safer tools for gene therapy. The ex vivo approach for gene addition or editing of HSCs, however, is complex, invasive, technically challenging, costly and not free of toxicity. In vivo gene addition or editing promise to transform gene therapy from a highly sophisticated strategy to a "user-friendly' approach to eventually become a broadly available, highly accessible and potentially affordable treatment modality. In the present review article, based on the lessons gained by more than 3 decades of ex vivo HSC gene therapy, we discuss the concept, the tools, the progress made and the challenges to clinical translation of in vivo HSC gene editing.
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15
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Phenotypic screening of the ReFRAME drug repurposing library to discover new drugs for treating sickle cell disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210779119. [PMID: 36161945 PMCID: PMC9546543 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210779119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation and genetic therapies offer potential cures for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but these options require advanced medical facilities and are expensive. Consequently, these treatments will not be available for many years to the majority of patients suffering from this disease. What is urgently needed now is an inexpensive oral drug in addition to hydroxyurea, the only drug approved by the FDA that inhibits sickle-hemoglobin polymerization. Here, we report the results of the first phase of our phenotypic screen of the 12,657 compounds of the Scripps ReFRAME drug repurposing library using a recently developed high-throughput assay to measure sickling times following deoxygenation to 0% oxygen of red cells from sickle trait individuals. The ReFRAME library is a very important collection because the compounds are either FDA-approved drugs or have been tested in clinical trials. From dose-response measurements, 106 of the 12,657 compounds exhibit statistically significant antisickling at concentrations ranging from 31 nM to 10 μM. Compounds that inhibit sickling of trait cells are also effective with SCD cells. As many as 21 of the 106 antisickling compounds emerge as potential drugs. This estimate is based on a comparison of inhibitory concentrations with free concentrations of oral drugs in human serum. Moreover, the expected therapeutic potential for each level of inhibition can be predicted from measurements of sickling times for cells from individuals with sickle syndromes of varying severity. Our results should motivate others to develop one or more of these 106 compounds into drugs for treating SCD.
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16
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Walker AL, Crosby D, Miller V, Weidert F, Ofori-Acquah S. Hydroxyurea Decouples Persistent F-Cell Elevation and Induction of γ-Globin. Exp Hematol 2022; 112-113:15-23.e1. [PMID: 35843392 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Mechanisms that control the fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch are attractive therapeutic targets in sickle cell disease. In this study, we investigated developmental γ-globin silencing in the Townes humanized knock-in mouse model, which harbors a construct containing the human γ-, βA-, and βS-globin genes, and examined the utility of this model in evaluation of pharmacologic induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). We studied mouse pups on the day of delivery (P0) to 28 days after birth (P28). Regardless of the hemoglobin genotype (SS, AS, or AA), the proportion of F cells in peripheral blood was 100% at P0, declined sharply to 20% at P2, and was virtually undetectable at P14. Developmental γ-globin silencing in Townes mice was complete at P4 in association with significantly increased BCL11A expression in the primary erythropoietic organs of the mouse. Hydroxyurea given at P2 significantly sustained elevated percentages of F cells in mice at P14. However, the percentage of F cells declined at P14 for treatment begun at P4. A lack of augmentation of γ-globin mRNA in erythroid tissues suggests that the apparent increase in HbF in red cells caused by hydroxyurea was not due to sustained or re-activation of γ-globin transcription, but was instead a function of erythropoiesis suppression. Thus, we provide new details of the hemoglobin switch in the Townes murine model that recapitulates postnatal γ- to β-globin switch in humans and identify the myelosuppressive toxicity of hydroxyurea as a superseding factor in interpreting pharmacologic induction of HbF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha L Walker
- Pittsburgh Heart Blood and Lung Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
| | - Danielle Crosby
- Pittsburgh Heart Blood and Lung Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Valerie Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Frances Weidert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Solomon Ofori-Acquah
- Pittsburgh Heart Blood and Lung Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana
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17
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Khan F, Ali H, Musharraf SG. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-mediated γ-globin induction is correlated with the suppression of trans-acting factors in CD34 + progenitor cells: A role in the reactivation of fetal hemoglobin. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 927:175036. [PMID: 35618038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175036] [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: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sickle-cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia are public health issues that affect people all over the world. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction is a molecular intervention, including hydroxyurea, which has made an effort to improve current treatment. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is formerly reported with improving levels of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Hence, in this preclinical investigation, human peripheral whole blood-derived CD34+ progenitor cells were cultured to prove the efficacy of TDF on erythroid proliferation, differentiation, γ-globin gene expression regulation, and ultimately HbF production. We observed that TDF increased the proliferation of immature erythroid cells, delayed the terminal erythroid maturation without cytotoxicity as correlated with other HbF inducers. Here, the presented data show that TDF can induce HbF expression by up-regulating the γ-globin gene transcription up to 7.1 ± 0.46-fold and subsequently increased the F-cells (10.79 ± 1.9-fold) population in terminally differentiated erythroid cells. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that TDF-mediated γ-globin gene induction and HbF production was associated with down-fold regulation of BCL11A and SOX6, and their corresponding trans-acting regulators, FOP, KLF1, and GATA1. Collectively, our findings suggest TDF as an effective inducer of HbF in CD34+ cells and pave the way to put forward the assessment of TDF as a new potential therapy in treating β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Khan
- Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Hamad Ali
- Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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18
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Yang F, Ruan H, Li S, Hou W, Qiu Y, Deng L, Su S, Chen P, Pang L, Lai K. Analysis of circRNAs and circRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA networks in β-thalassemia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8071. [PMID: 35577924 PMCID: PMC9110710 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of circRNAs in β-thalassemia and their actions on fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is unclear. Here, the circRNAs in β-thalassemia carriers with high HbF levels were comprehensively analyzed and compared with those of healthy individuals. Differential expression of 2183 circRNAs was observed and their correlations with hematological parameters were investigated. Down-regulated hsa-circRNA-100466 had a strong negative correlation with HbF and HbA2. Bioinformatics was employed to construct a hsa-circRNA-100466‑associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network to identify hub genes and associated miRNAs. The hsa-circRNA-100466▁miR-19b-3p▁SOX6 pathway was identified using both present and previously published data. The ceRNA network was verified by qRT-PCR analysis of β-thalassemia samples, RNA immunoprecipitation of K562 cell lysates, and dual-luciferase reporter analysis. qRT-PCR confirmed that hsa-circRNA-100466 and SOX6 were significantly down-regulated, while miR-19b-3p was up-regulated. Hsa-circRNA-100466, miR-19b-3p, and SOX6 were co-immunoprecipitated by anti-argonaute antibodies, indicating involvement with HbF induction. A further dual-luciferase reporter assay verified that miR-19b-3p interacted directly with hsa-circRNA-100466 and SOX6. Furthermore, spearman correlation coefficients revealed their significant correlations with HbF. In conclusion, a novel hsa-circRNA-100466▁miR-19b-3p▁SOX6 pathway was identified, providing insight into HbF induction and suggesting targets β-thalassemia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Heyun Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Minzu Hospital of Guangxi, Zhuang Autonomous Region, Affiliated Minzu Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shuquan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wei Hou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuling Qiu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lingjie Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Sha Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ping Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China. .,Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China. .,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| | - Lihong Pang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| | - Ketong Lai
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China. .,Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China. .,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Thalassemia Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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19
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Starlard-Davenport A, Gu Q, Pace BS. Targeting Genetic Modifiers of HBG Gene Expression in Sickle Cell Disease: The miRNA Option. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:497-509. [PMID: 35553407 PMCID: PMC9098152 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy disorders that affects millions of people worldwide. Reactivation of HBG (HBG1, HBG2) gene expression and induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is an important therapeutic strategy for ameliorating the clinical symptoms and severity of SCD. Hydroxyurea is the only US FDA-approved drug with proven efficacy to induce HbF in SCD patients, yet serious complications have been associated with its use. Over the last three decades, numerous additional pharmacological agents that reactivate HBG transcription in vitro have been investigated, but few have proceeded to FDA approval, with the exception of arginine butyrate and decitabine; however, neither drug met the requirements for routine clinical use due to difficulties with oral delivery and inability to achieve therapeutic levels. Thus, novel approaches that produce sufficient efficacy, specificity, and sustainable HbF induction with low adverse effects are desirable. More recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have gained attention for their diagnostic and therapeutic potential to treat various diseases ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease via targeting oncogenes and their gene products. Thus, it is plausible that miRNAs that target HBG regulatory genes may be useful for inducing HbF as a treatment for SCD. Our laboratory and others have documented the association of miRNAs with HBG activation or suppression via silencing transcriptional repressors and activators, respectively, of HBG expression. Herein, we review progress made in understanding molecular mechanisms of miRNA-mediated HBG regulation and discuss the extent to which molecular targets of HBG might be suitable prospects for development of SCD clinical therapy. Lastly, we discuss challenges with the application of miRNA delivery in vivo and provide potential strategies for overcoming barriers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Starlard-Davenport
- College of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
| | - Qingqing Gu
- College of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China
| | - Betty S Pace
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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20
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Chauhan W, Shoaib S, Fatma R, Zaka‐ur‐Rab Z, Afzal M. β‐thalassemia, and the advent of new Interventions beyond Transfusion and Iron chelation. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 88:3610-3626. [DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Chauhan
- Human Genetics and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Shoaib Shoaib
- Department of Biochemistry, JNMC Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Rafat Fatma
- Human Genetics and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Zeeba Zaka‐ur‐Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, JNMC Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
| | - Mohammad Afzal
- Human Genetics and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh India
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21
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From Water to Land: The Structural Construction and Molecular Switches in Lungs during Metamorphosis of Microhyla fissipes. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040528. [PMID: 35453728 PMCID: PMC9030589 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The functionalization of lungs is a necessity for most anurans to breathe on land. Previous studies have focused on the morphological and physiological functions of amphibian lungs, while the microstructural changes and molecular mechanisms that underpin the functional maturation of lungs remain under-researched. We used integrated histology and transcriptomics to study the critical cytological and molecular events associated with lung maturation in Microhyla fissipes. The results illuminated the molecular processes and their coordination in lung development, providing an insight into the transition of amphibians from aquatic to terrestrial life stages. Abstract Most anurans must undergo metamorphosis to adapt to terrestrial life. This process enhances the air-breathing ability of the lungs to cope with the change in oxygen medium from water to air. Revealing the structural construction and molecular switches of lung organogenesis is essential to understanding the realization of the air-breathing function. In this study, histology and transcriptomics were conducted in combination to explore these issues in Microhyla fissipes’ lungs during metamorphosis. During the pro-metamorphic phase, histological structural improvement of the alveolar wall is accompanied by robust substrate metabolism and protein turnover. The lungs, at the metamorphic climax phase, are characterized by an increased number of cilia in the alveolar epithelial cells and collagenous fibers in the connective tissues, corresponding to the transcriptional upregulation of cilia and extracellular matrix-related genes. Post-metamorphic lungs strengthen their contracting function, as suggested by the thickened muscle layer and the upregulated expression of genes involved in muscle contraction. The blood–gas barrier is fully developed in adult lungs, the transcriptional features of which are tissue growth and regulation of differentiation and immunity. Importantly, significant transcriptional switches of pulmonary surfactant protein and hemoglobin facilitate air breathing. Our results illuminated four key steps of lung development for amphibians to transition from water to land.
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22
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Demirci S, Leonard A, Essawi K, Tisdale JF. CRISPR-Cas9 to induce fetal hemoglobin for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:276-285. [PMID: 34729375 PMCID: PMC8526756 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing is potentially a curative technique available to all individuals with β-hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease (SCD). Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) inhibits sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization, and it is well described that naturally occurring hereditary persistence of HbF (HPFH) alleviates disease symptoms; therefore, reawakening of developmentally silenced HbF in adult red blood cells (RBCs) has long been of interest as a therapeutic strategy. Recent advances in genome editing platforms, particularly with the use of CRISPR-Cas9, have paved the way for efficient HbF induction through the creation of artificial HPFH mutations, editing of transcriptional HbF silencers, and modulating epigenetic intermediates that govern HbF expression. Clinical trials investigating BCL11A enhancer editing in patients with β-hemoglobinopathies have demonstrated promising results, although follow-up is short and the number of patients treated to date is low. While practical, economic, and clinical challenges of genome editing are well recognized by the scientific community, potential solutions to overcome these hurdles are in development. Here, we review the recent progress and obstacles yet to be overcome for the most effective and feasible HbF reactivation practice using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing as a curative strategy for patients with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selami Demirci
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Alexis Leonard
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Khaled Essawi
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - John F. Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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23
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Mettananda S. Genetic and Epigenetic Therapies for β-Thalassaemia by Altering the Expression of α-Globin Gene. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:752278. [PMID: 34713267 PMCID: PMC8525347 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.752278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassaemia is caused by over 300 mutations in and around the β-globin gene that lead to impaired synthesis of β-globin. The expression of α-globin continues normally, resulting in an excess of α-globin chains within red blood cells and their precursors. These unpaired α-globin chains form unstable α-hemichromes that trigger cascades of events to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and haemolysis in patients with β-thalassaemia. The clinical genetic data reported over several decades have demonstrated how the coinheritance of α-thalassaemia ameliorates the disease phenotype of β-thalassaemia. Thus, it is evident that down-regulation of the α-globin gene expression in patients with β-thalassaemia could ameliorate or even cure β-thalassaemia. Over the last few years, significant progress has been made in utilising this pathway to devise a cure for β-thalassaemia. Most research has been done to alter the epigenetic landscape of the α-globin locus or the well-characterised distant enhancers of α-globin. In vitro, pre-clinical studies on primary human erythroid cells have unveiled inhibition of histone lysine demethylation and histone deacetylation as potential targets to achieve selective downregulation of α-globin through epigenetic drug targeting. CRISPR based genome editing has been successfully used in vitro to mutate α-globin genes or enhancers of α-goblin to achieve clinically significant knockdowns of α-globin to the levels beneficial for patients with β-thalassaemia. This review summarises the current knowledge on the regulation of human α-globin genes and the clinical genetic data supporting the pathway of targeting α-globin as a treatment for β-thalassaemia. It also presents the progress of epigenetic drug and genome editing approaches currently in development to treat β-thalassaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachith Mettananda
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
- University Paediatrics Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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24
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Himadewi P, Wang XQD, Feng F, Gore H, Liu Y, Yu L, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, Pfeifer GP, Liu J, Zhang X. 3'HS1 CTCF binding site in human β-globin locus regulates fetal hemoglobin expression. eLife 2021; 10:e70557. [PMID: 34585664 PMCID: PMC8500713 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the adult β-globin gene can lead to a variety of hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. An increase in fetal hemoglobin expression throughout adulthood, a condition named hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), has been found to ameliorate hemoglobinopathies. Deletional HPFH occurs through the excision of a significant portion of the 3' end of the β-globin locus, including a CTCF binding site termed 3'HS1. Here, we show that the deletion of this CTCF site alone induces fetal hemoglobin expression in both adult CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and HUDEP-2 erythroid progenitor cells. This induction is driven by the ectopic access of a previously postulated distal enhancer located in the OR52A1 gene downstream of the locus, which can also be insulated by the inversion of the 3'HS1 CTCF site. This suggests that genetic editing of this binding site can have therapeutic implications to treat hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Himadewi
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand RapidsUnited States
| | - Xue Qing David Wang
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand RapidsUnited States
| | - Fan Feng
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Haley Gore
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand RapidsUnited States
| | - Yushuai Liu
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand RapidsUnited States
| | - Lei Yu
- Cell and Development Biology, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Department of Research and Development, Central Blood Institute, Japanese Red Cross SocietyTokyoJapan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research CenterTsukubaJapan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of TsukubaTsukubaJapan
| | - Gerd P Pfeifer
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand RapidsUnited States
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand RapidsUnited States
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Li X, Chen M, Liu B, Lu P, Lv X, Zhao X, Cui S, Xu P, Nakamura Y, Kurita R, Chen B, Huang DCS, Liu DP, Liu M, Zhao Q. Transcriptional silencing of fetal hemoglobin expression by NonO. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9711-9723. [PMID: 34379783 PMCID: PMC8464040 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fetal globin (γ-globin) genes are developmentally silenced after birth, and reactivation of γ-globin expression in adulthood ameliorates symptoms of hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia. However, the mechanisms by which γ-globin expression is precisely regulated are still incompletely understood. Here, we found that NonO (non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein) interacted directly with SOX6, and repressed the expression of γ-globin gene in human erythroid cells. We showed that NonO bound to the octamer binding motif, ATGCAAAT, of the γ-globin proximal promoter, resulting in inhibition of γ-globin transcription. Depletion of NonO resulted in significant activation of γ-globin expression in K562, HUDEP-2, and primary human erythroid progenitor cells. To confirm the role of NonO in vivo, we further generated a conditional knockout of NonO by using IFN-inducible Mx1-Cre transgenic mice. We found that induced NonO deletion reactivated murine embryonic globin and human γ-globin gene expression in adult β-YAC mice, suggesting a conserved role for NonO during mammalian evolution. Thus, our data indicate that NonO acts as a novel transcriptional repressor of γ-globin gene expression through direct promoter binding, and is essential for γ-globin gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengxia Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Biru Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peifen Lu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaiying Cui
- Section of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peipei Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Department of Research and Development, Central Blood Institute, Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bing Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - David C S Huang
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - De-Pei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Quan Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology and Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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26
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Wang H, Chen M, Xu S, Pan Y, Zhang Y, Huang H, Xu L. Abnormal regulation of microRNAs and related genes in pediatric β-thalassemia. J Clin Lab Anal 2021; 35:e23945. [PMID: 34398996 PMCID: PMC8418487 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the reactivation of γ‐globin expression in β‐thalassemia. However, the miRNA transcriptional profiles of pediatric β‐thalassemia remain unclear. Accordingly, in this study, we assessed miRNA expression in pediatric patients with β‐thalassemia. Methods Differentially expressed miRNAs in pediatric patients with β‐thalassemia were determined using microRNA sequencing. Results Hsa‐miR‐483‐3p, hsa‐let‐7f‐1‐3p, hsa‐let‐7a‐3p, hsa‐miR‐543, hsa‐miR‐433‐3p, hsa‐miR‐4435, hsa‐miR‐329‐3p, hsa‐miR‐92b‐5p, hsa‐miR‐6747‐3p and hsa‐miR‐495‐3p were significantly upregulated, whereas hsa‐miR‐4508, hsa‐miR‐20a‐5p, hsa‐let‐7b‐5p, hsa‐miR‐93‐5p, hsa‐let‐7i‐5p, hsa‐miR‐6501‐5p, hsa‐miR‐221‐3p, hsa‐let‐7g‐5p, hsa‐miR‐106a‐5p, and hsa‐miR‐17‐5p were significantly downregulated in pediatric patients with β‐thalassemia. After integrating our data with a previously published dataset, we found that hsa‐let‐7b‐5p and hsa‐let‐7i‐5p expression levels were also lower in adolescent or adult patients with β‐thalassemia. The predicted target genes of hsa‐let‐7b‐5p and hsa‐let‐7i‐5p were associated with the transforming growth factor β receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/AKT, FoxO, Hippo, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways. We also identified 12 target genes of hsa‐let‐7a‐3p and hsa‐let‐7f‐1‐3p and 21 target genes of hsa‐let‐7a‐3p and hsa‐let‐7f‐1‐3p, which were differentially expressed in patients with β‐thalassemia. Finally, we found that hsa‐miR‐190‐5p and hsa‐miR‐1278‐5p may regulate hemoglobin switching by modulation of the B‐cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A gene. Conclusion The results of the study show that several microRNAs are dysregulated in pediatric β‐thalassemia. Further, the results also indicate toward a critical role of let7 miRNAs in the pathogenesis of pediatric β‐thalassemia, which needs to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Wang
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meihuan Chen
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shiyi Xu
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yali Pan
- Medical Technology and Engineering College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hailong Huang
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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27
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Starlard-Davenport A, Fitzgerald A, Pace BS. Exploring epigenetic and microRNA approaches for γ-globin gene regulation. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:2347-2357. [PMID: 34292080 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211028195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions aimed at inducing fetal hemoglobin and reducing the concentration of sickle hemoglobin is an effective approach to ameliorating acute and chronic complications of sickle cell disease, exemplified by the long-term use of hydroxyurea. However, there remains an unmet need for the development of additional safe and effective drugs for single agent or combination therapy for individuals with β-hemoglobinopathies. Regulation of the γ-globin to β-globin switch is achieved by chromatin remodeling at the HBB locus on chromosome 11 and interactions of major DNA binding proteins, such as KLF1 and BCL11A in the proximal promoters of the globin genes. Experimental evidence also supports a role of epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone acetylation/methylation, and microRNA expression in γ-globin gene silencing during development. In this review, we will critically evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in γ-globin gene regulation and discuss data generated in tissue culture, pre-clinical animal models, and clinical trials to support drug development to date. The question remains whether modulation of epigenetic pathways will produce sufficient efficacy and specificity for fetal hemoglobin induction and to what extent targeting these pathways form the basis of prospects for clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Starlard-Davenport
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Ashley Fitzgerald
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Betty S Pace
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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28
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Pace BS, Perrine S, Li B, Makala L, Xu H, Takezaki M, Wolf RF, Wang A, Xu X, Huang J, Alimardanov A, Tawa GJ, Sangerman J, Faller A, Zheng W, Toney L, Haugabook SJ. Benserazide racemate and enantiomers induce fetal globin gene expression in vivo: Studies to guide clinical development for beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2021; 89:102561. [PMID: 33744514 PMCID: PMC8409227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2021.102561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Increased expression of developmentally silenced fetal globin (HBG) reduces the clinical severity of β-hemoglobinopathies. Benserazide has a relatively benign safety profile having been approved for 50 years in Europe and Canada for Parkinson's disease treatment. Benserazide was shown to activate HBG gene transcription in a high throughput screen, and subsequent studies confirmed fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction in erythroid progenitors from hemoglobinopathy patients, transgenic mice containing the entire human β-globin gene (β-YAC) and anemic baboons. The goal of this study is to evaluate efficacies and plasma exposure profiles of benserazide racemate and its enantiomers to select the chemical form for clinical development. Intermittent treatment with all forms of benserazide in β-YAC mice significantly increased proportions of red blood cells expressing HbF and HbF protein per cell with similar pharmacokinetic profiles and with no cytopenia. These data contribute to the regulatory justification for development of the benserazide racemate. Additionally, dose ranges and frequencies required for HbF induction using racemic benserazide were explored. Orally administered escalating doses of benserazide in an anemic baboon induced γ-globin mRNA up to 13-fold and establish an intermittent dose regimen for clinical studies as a therapeutic candidate for potential treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty S Pace
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Susan Perrine
- Phoenicia BioSciences, Weston, MA 02493, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hemoglobinopathy Thalassemia Research Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Biaoru Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Levi Makala
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Mayuko Takezaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Roman F Wolf
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Amy Wang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Junfeng Huang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Asaf Alimardanov
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gregory J Tawa
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jose Sangerman
- Phoenicia BioSciences, Weston, MA 02493, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hemoglobinopathy Thalassemia Research Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Aidan Faller
- Phoenicia BioSciences, Weston, MA 02493, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hemoglobinopathy Thalassemia Research Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - London Toney
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sharie J Haugabook
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program, Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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29
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Koniali L, Lederer CW, Kleanthous M. Therapy Development by Genome Editing of Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1492. [PMID: 34198536 PMCID: PMC8231983 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accessibility of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for the manipulation and repopulation of the blood and immune systems has placed them at the forefront of cell and gene therapy development. Recent advances in genome-editing tools, in particular for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) and CRISPR/Cas-derived editing systems, have transformed the gene therapy landscape. Their versatility and the ability to edit genomic sequences and facilitate gene disruption, correction or insertion, have broadened the spectrum of potential gene therapy targets and accelerated the development of potential curative therapies for many rare diseases treatable by transplantation or modification of HSCs. Ongoing developments seek to address efficiency and precision of HSC modification, tolerability of treatment and the distribution and affordability of corresponding therapies. Here, we give an overview of recent progress in the field of HSC genome editing as treatment for inherited disorders and summarize the most significant findings from corresponding preclinical and clinical studies. With emphasis on HSC-based therapies, we also discuss technical hurdles that need to be overcome en route to clinical translation of genome editing and indicate advances that may facilitate routine application beyond the most common disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Koniali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Carsten W. Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
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Yasara N, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S. A comprehensive review of hydroxyurea for β-haemoglobinopathies: the role revisited during COVID-19 pandemic. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:114. [PMID: 33648529 PMCID: PMC7919989 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hydroxyurea is one of the earliest drugs that showed promise in the management of haemoglobinopathies that include β-thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. Despite this, many aspects of hydroxyurea are either unknown or understudied; specifically, its usefulness in β-thalassaemia major and haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia is unclear. However, during COVID-19 pandemic, it has become a valuable adjunct to transfusion therapy in patients with β-haemoglobinopathies. In this review, we aim to explore the available in vitro and in vivo mechanistic data and the clinical utility of hydroxyurea in β-haemoglobinopathies with a special emphasis on its usefulness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Main body Hydroxyurea is an S-phase-specific drug that reversibly inhibits ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase enzyme which catalyses an essential step in the DNA biosynthesis. In human erythroid cells, it induces the expression of γ-globin, a fetal globin gene that is suppressed after birth. Through several molecular pathways described in this review, hydroxyurea exerts many favourable effects on the haemoglobin content, red blood cell indices, ineffective erythropoiesis, and blood rheology in patients with β-haemoglobinopathies. Currently, it is recommended for sickle cell disease and non-transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia. A number of clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate its usefulness in transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was widely used as an adjunct to transfusion therapy due to limitations in the availability of blood and logistical disturbances. Thus, it has become clear that hydroxyurea could play a remarkable role in reducing transfusion requirements of patients with haemoglobinopathies, especially when donor blood is a limited resource. Conclusion Hydroxyurea is a well-tolerated oral drug which has been in use for many decades. Through its actions of reversible inhibition of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase enzyme and fetal haemoglobin induction, it exerts many favourable effects on patients with β-haemoglobinopathies. It is currently approved for the treatment of sickle cell disease and non-transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia. Also, there are various observations to suggest that hydroxyurea is an important adjunct in the treatment of transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia which should be confirmed by randomised clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmani Yasara
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, Ragama, 11010, Sri Lanka
| | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.,Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Sachith Mettananda
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, Ragama, 11010, Sri Lanka. .,Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
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Karapurkar JK, Antao AM, Kim KS, Ramakrishna S. CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing for defective gene correction in humans and other mammals. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 181:185-229. [PMID: 34127194 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9), derived from bacterial and archean immune systems, has received much attention from the scientific community as a powerful, targeted gene editing tool. The CRISPR/Cas9 system enables a simple, relatively effortless and highly specific gene targeting strategy through temporary or permanent genome regulation or editing. This endonuclease has enabled gene correction by taking advantage of the endogenous homology directed repair (HDR) pathway to successfully target and correct disease-causing gene mutations. Numerous studies using CRISPR support the promise of efficient and simple genome manipulation, and the technique has been validated in in vivo and in vitro experiments, indicating its potential for efficient gene correction at any genomic loci. In this chapter, we detailed various strategies related to gene editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We also outlined strategies to improve the efficiency of gene correction via the HDR pathway and to improve viral and non-viral mediated gene delivery methods, with an emphasis on their therapeutic potential for correcting genetic disorder in humans and other mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ainsley Mike Antao
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kye-Seong Kim
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry L Malech
- From the Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Lai ZS, Yeh TK, Chou YC, Hsu T, Lu CT, Kung FC, Hsieh MY, Lin CH, Chen CT, James Shen CK, Jiaang WT. Potent and orally active purine-based fetal hemoglobin inducers for treating β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 209:112938. [PMID: 33109398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression by therapeutic agents has been suggested as an alternative treatment to modulate anemia and the related symptoms of severe β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). Hydroxyurea (HU) is the first US FDA-approved HbF inducer for treating SCD. However, approximately 25% of the patients with SCD do not respond to HU. A previous study identified TN1 (1) as a small-molecule HbF inducer. However, this study found that the poor potency and oral bioavailability of compound 1 limits the development of this inducer for clinical use. To develop drug-like compounds, further structure-activity relationship studies on the purine-based structure of 1 were conducted. Herein, we report our discovery of a more potent inducer, compound 13a, that can efficiently induce γ-globin gene expression at non-cytotoxic concentrations. The molecular mechanism of 13a, for the regulation HbF expression, was also investigated. In addition, we demonstrated that oral administration of 13a can ameliorate anemia and the related symptoms in SCD mice. The results of this study suggest that 13a can be further developed as a novel agent for treating hemoglobinopathies, such as β-thalassemia and SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Sheng Lai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.7.Chung San South Road, Taipei, 10002, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Town, Miaoli Country, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Chi Chou
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsu Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Town, Miaoli Country, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Tai Lu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Town, Miaoli Country, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fang-Chun Kung
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Town, Miaoli Country, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Yen Hsieh
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Hung Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Town, Miaoli Country, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Che-Kun James Shen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Weir-Torn Jiaang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Rd., Zhunan Town, Miaoli Country, 35053, Taiwan, ROC.
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Cruz LJ, van Dijk T, Vepris O, Li TMWY, Schomann T, Baldazzi F, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, Grosveld F, Philipsen S, Eich C. PLGA-Nanoparticles for Intracellular Delivery of the CRISPR-Complex to Elevate Fetal Globin Expression in Erythroid Cells. Biomaterials 2020; 268:120580. [PMID: 33321292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ex vivo gene editing of CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) offers great opportunities to develop new treatments for a number of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Efficient gene-editing in HSPCs has been achieved using electroporation and/or viral transduction to deliver the CRISPR-complex, but cellular toxicity is a drawback of currently used methods. Nanoparticle (NP)-based gene-editing strategies can further enhance the gene-editing potential of HSPCs and provide a delivery system for in vivo application. Here, we developed CRISPR/Cas9-PLGA-NPs efficiently encapsulating Cas9 protein, single gRNA and a fluorescent probe. The initial 'burst' of Cas9 and gRNA release was followed by a sustained release pattern. CRISPR/Cas9-PLGA-NPs were taken up and processed by human HSPCs, without inducing cellular cytotoxicity. Upon escape from the lysosomal compartment, CRISPR/Cas9-PLGA-NPs-mediated gene editing of the γ-globin gene locus resulted in elevated expression of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in primary erythroid cells. The development of CRISPR/Cas9-PLGA-NPs provides an attractive tool for the delivery of the CRISPR components to target HSPCs, and could provide the basis for in vivo treatment of hemoglobinopathies and other genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis J Cruz
- Translational Nanobiomaterials and Imaging, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Thamar van Dijk
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Olena Vepris
- Translational Nanobiomaterials and Imaging, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Tracy M W Y Li
- Translational Nanobiomaterials and Imaging, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Timo Schomann
- Translational Nanobiomaterials and Imaging, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands; Percuros B.V, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Fabio Baldazzi
- Translational Nanobiomaterials and Imaging, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Central Blood Institute, Research and Development Department, Blood Service Headquarters, Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Cell Engineering Division, National Research and Development Corporation, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Frank Grosveld
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sjaak Philipsen
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christina Eich
- Translational Nanobiomaterials and Imaging, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
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Steinberg MH. Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Hemoglobinopathies: High HbF Genotypes and Phenotypes. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113782. [PMID: 33238542 PMCID: PMC7700170 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) usually consists of 4 to 10% of total hemoglobin in adults of African descent with sickle cell anemia. Rarely, their HbF levels reach more than 30%. High HbF levels are sometimes a result of β-globin gene deletions or point mutations in the promoters of the HbF genes. Collectively, the phenotype caused by these mutations is called hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin, or HPFH. The pancellularity of HbF associated with these mutations inhibits sickle hemoglobin polymerization in most sickle erythrocytes so that these patients usually have inconsequential hemolysis and few, if any, vasoocclusive complications. Unusually high HbF can also be associated with variants of the major repressors of the HbF genes, BCL11A and MYB. Perhaps most often, we lack an explanation for very high HbF levels in sickle cell anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin H Steinberg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Genome Science Institute, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, 72 E. Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
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36
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Das SS, Das S, Byram PK, Rahaman M, Dolai TK, Chatterjee A, Chakravorty N. MicroRNA expression patterns in HbE/β-thalassemia patients: The passwords to unlock fetal hemoglobin expression in β-hemoglobinopathies. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2020; 87:102523. [PMID: 33242839 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2020.102523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hemoglobin E (HbE)/β-thalassemia is a form of β-hemoglobinopathy that is well-known for its clinical heterogeneity. Individuals suffering from this condition are often found to exhibit increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels - a factor that may contribute to their reduced blood transfusion requirements. This study hypothesized that the high HbF levels in HbE/β-thalassemia individuals may be guided by microRNAs and explored their involvement in the disease pathophysiology. The miRNA expression profile of hematopoietic progenitor cells in HbE/β-thalassemia patients was investigated and compared with that of healthy controls. Using miRNA PCR array experiments, eight miRNAs (hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-148b-3p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-192-5p, hsa-miR-335-5p, hsa-miR-7-5p, hsa-miR-98-5p) were identified to be significantly up-regulated whereas four miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-320a, hsa-let-7b-5p, hsa-miR-92a-3p) were significantly down-regulated. Target analysis found them to be associated with several biological processes and molecular functions including MAPK and HIF-1 signaling pathways - the pathways known to be associated with HbF upregulation. Results of dysregulated miRNAs further indicated that miR-17/92 cluster might be of critical importance in HbF regulation. The findings of our study thus identify key miRNAs that can be extrinsically manipulated to elevate HbF levels in β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankha Subhra Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Subhayan Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Prasanna Kumar Byram
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Motiur Rahaman
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Tuphan Kanti Dolai
- Haematology Department, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal 700014, India
| | - Anish Chatterjee
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, Rampurhat, Birbhum, West Bengal 731224, India
| | - Nishant Chakravorty
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India.
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Iftikhar F, Khan MBN, Musharraf SG. Monoterpenes as therapeutic candidates to induce fetal hemoglobin synthesis and up-regulation of gamma-globin gene: An in vitro and in vivo investigation. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 891:173700. [PMID: 33137331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacologically induced production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a pragmatic therapeutic strategy for the reduction of globin chain imbalance and improving the clinical severities of patients with β-hemoglobinopathies. To identify highly desirable new therapeutic HbF-inducing agents, we screened functionally diverse ten monoterpenes, as molecular entities for their potent induction and erythroid differentiation ability in human erythroleukemia cell line (K562) and transgenic mice. Benzidine hemoglobin staining demonstrated six compounds to have significantly induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. This induction paralleled well with the optimal accumulated quantity of total hemoglobin in treated cultures. The cytotoxic studies revealed that three (carvacrol, 3-carene, and 1,4-cineole) of the six compounds with their maximal erythroid expansion ability did not affect cell proliferation and were found non-toxic. Four compounds were found to have high potency, with 4-8-fold induction of HbF at both transcriptional and protein levels in vitro. Subsequently, an in vivo study with the three active non-cytotoxic compounds showed significant overexpression of the γ-globin gene and HbF production. Carvacrol emerged as a lead HbF regulator suggested by the increase in expression of γ-globin mRNA content (5.762 ± 0.54-fold in K562 cells and 5.59 ± 0.20-fold increase in transgenic mice), accompanied by an increase in fetal hemoglobin (F-cells) levels (83.47% in K562 cells and 79.6% in mice model). This study implicates monoterpenes as new HbF inducing candidates but warrants mechanistic elucidation to develop them into potential therapeutic drugs in β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fizza Iftikhar
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Behroz Naeem Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ghulam Musharraf
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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Yasara N, Wickramarathne N, Mettananda C, Manamperi A, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S. Efficacy and safety of oral hydroxyurea in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia: a protocol for randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e041958. [PMID: 33109679 PMCID: PMC7592299 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite being one of the first diseases to be genetically characterised, β-thalassaemia remains a disorder without a cure in a majority of patients. Most patients with β-thalassaemia receive only supportive treatment and therefore have a poor quality of life and shorter life spans. Hydroxyurea, which has shown to induce fetal haemoglobin synthesis in human erythroid cells, is currently recommended for the treatment of sickle cell disease. However, its clinical usefulness in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia is unclear. Here, we present a protocol for a randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral hydroxyurea in transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This single-centre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial is conducted at the Thalassaemia Centre of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Adult and adolescent patients with haematologically and genetically confirmed transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia are enrolled and randomised into the intervention or control group. The intervention group receives oral hydroxyurea 10-20 mg/kg daily for 6 months, while the control group receives a placebo which is identical in size, shape and colour to hydroxyurea without its active ingredient. Transfused blood volume, pretransfusion haemoglobin level, fetal haemoglobin percentage and adverse effects of treatment are monitored during treatment and 6 months post-treatment. Cessation or reduction of blood transfusions during the treatment period will be the primary outcome measure. The statistical analysis will be based on intention to treat. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (P/116/05/2018) and the trial is approved by the National Medicinal Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka. Results of the trial will be disseminated in scientific publications in reputed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER SLCTR/2018/024; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmani Yasara
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | - Aresha Manamperi
- Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Anuja Premawardhena
- Department of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
- Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Sachith Mettananda
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
- Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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Papayannopoulou T. Control of fetal globin expression in man: new opportunities to challenge past discoveries. Exp Hematol 2020; 92:43-50. [PMID: 32976950 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2020.09.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Decades-old findings supporting origin of F cells in adult life from adult-type progenitors and the in vitro and in vivo enhancement of fetal globin under stress conditions have been juxtaposed against recent mechanistic underpinnings. An updated molecular interrogation did not debunk prior conclusions on the origin of F cells. Although fetal globin reactivation by widely diverse approaches in vitro and in response to anemic stresses in vivo is a work in progress, accumulating evidence converges toward an integrated stress response pathway. The newly uncovered developmental regulators of globin gene switching not only have provided answers to the long-awaited quest of transregulation of switching, they are also reaching a clinical threshold. Although the effect of fetal globin silencers has been robustly validated in adult cells, the response of cells at earlier developmental stages has been unclear and inadequately studied.
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A Unique Epigenomic Landscape Defines Human Erythropoiesis. Cell Rep 2020; 28:2996-3009.e7. [PMID: 31509757 PMCID: PMC6863094 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian erythropoiesis yields a highly specialized cell type, the mature erythrocyte, evolved to meet the organismal needs of increased oxygen-carrying capacity. To better understand the regulation of erythropoiesis, we performed genome-wide studies of chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, and transcriptomics using a recently developed strategy to obtain highly purified populations of primary human erythroid cells. The integration of gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin state dynamics reveals that stage-specific gene regulation during erythropoiesis is a stepwise and hierarchical process involving many cis-regulatory elements. Erythroid-specific, nonpromoter sites of chromatin accessibility are linked to erythroid cell phenotypic variation and inherited disease. Comparative analyses of stage-specific chromatin accessibility indicate that there is limited early chromatin priming of erythroid genes during hematopoiesis. The epigenome of terminally differentiating erythroid cells defines a distinct subset of highly specialized cells that are vastly dissimilar from other hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell types. These epigenomic and transcriptome data are powerful tools to study human erythropoiesis. Schulz et al. use genome-wide studies of chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, and transcriptomes in primary human erythroid cells to reveal important characteristics of erythropoiesis. Chromatin accessibility of terminal erythroid differentiation is markedly dissimilar from other hematopoietic cell types. Epigenomic changes are linked to erythroid cell traits and disease genes.
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El-Ghamrawy M, Yassa ME, Tousson AMS, El-Hady MA, Mikhaeil E, Mohamed NB, Khorshied MM. Association between BCL11A, HSB1L-MYB, and XmnI γG-158 (C/T) gene polymorphism and hemoglobin F level in Egyptian sickle cell disease patients. Ann Hematol 2020; 99:2279-2288. [PMID: 32772141 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-04187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disease characterized by multisystem morbidity and highly variable clinical course. Inter-individual variability in hemoglobin F (HbF) levels is one of the main modifiers that account for the clinical heterogeneity in SCD. HbF levels are affected by, among other factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the BCL11A gene and the HBS1L-MYB intergenic region and Xmn1 gene. Our aim was to investigate HbF-enhancer haplotypes at these loci to obtain a first overview of the genetic situation of SCD patients in Egypt and its impact on the severity of the disease. The study included 100 SCD patients and 100 matched controls. Genotyping of BCL11A (rs1886868 C/T), HBS1L-MYB (rs9389268 A/G) and Xmn1 γG158 (rs7842144 C/T) SNPs showed no statistically significant difference between SCD patients and controls except for the hetero-mutant genotypes of BCL11A which was significantly higher in SCD patients compared with controls. Baseline HbF levels were significantly higher in those with co-inheritance of polymorphic genotypes of BCL11A + HSB1L-MYB and BCL11A + Xmn1. Steady-state HbF levels, used as an indicator of disease severity, were significantly higher in SCD-Sβ patients having the polymorphic genotypes of HSB1L-MYB. Fold change of HbF in both patient groups did not differ between those harboring the wild and the polymorphic genotypes of the studied SNPs. In conclusion, BCL11A, HSB1L, and Xmn1 genetic polymorphisms had no positive impact on baseline HbF levels solely but had if coexisted. Discovery of the molecular mechanisms controlling HbF production could provide a more effective strategy for HbF induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El-Ghamrawy
- Pediatric Department, Pediatric Hematology & BMT Unit, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasr Al-Ainy St, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Marianne E Yassa
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, KasrAl-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Angie M S Tousson
- Pediatric Department, KasrAl-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasr Al-Ainy St, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Marwa Abd El-Hady
- Pediatric Department, KasrAl-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Kasr Al-Ainy St, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Erini Mikhaeil
- Pediatric and Neonatology, Ministry of Health, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nada B Mohamed
- Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt
| | - Mervat Mamdooh Khorshied
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, KasrAl-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Zhu X, Xi C, Ward A, Takezaki M, Shi H, Peterson KR, Pace BS. NRF2 mediates γ-globin gene regulation through epigenetic modifications in a β-YAC transgenic mouse model. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:1308-1318. [PMID: 32715783 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220945305] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Sickle cell disease is an inherited hemoglobin disorder that affects over 100,000 people in the United States causing high morbidity and early mortality. Although new treatments were recently approved by the FDA, only one drug Hydroxyurea induces fetal hemoglobin expression to inhibit sickle hemoglobin polymerization in red blood cells. Our laboratory previously demonstrated the ability of the NRF2 activator, dimethyl fumarate to induce fetal hemoglobin in the sickle cell mouse model. In this study, we investigated molecular mechanisms of γ-globin gene activation by NRF2. We observed the ability of NRF2 to modulate chromatin structure in the human β-like globin gene locus of β-YAC transgenic mice during development. Furthermore, an NRF2/TET3 interaction regulates γ-globin gene DNA methylation. These findings provide potential new molecular targets for small molecule drug developed for treating sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingguo Zhu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Caixia Xi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Alexander Ward
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Mayuko Takezaki
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Huidong Shi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Kenneth R Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Betty S Pace
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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Katayama K, Tsunemi T, Miyazaki K, Uoto K, Yoshioka R, Terashima H, Terakawa M, Yamashiro K, Haruyama M, Maeda H, Makino T. Design, synthesis, and optimization of a series of 2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane derivatives as orally bioavailable fetal hemoglobin inducers. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127425. [PMID: 32717372 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127425] [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: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological reactivation of the γ-globin gene for the production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a promising approach for the management of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). We conducted a phenotypic screen in human erythroid progenitor cells to identify molecules that could induce HbF, which resulted in identification of the hit compound 1. Exploration of structure-activity relationships and optimization of ADME properties led to 2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane derivative 18, which is more rigid and has a unique structure. In vivo using cynomolgus monkeys, compound 18 induced a significant dose-dependent increase in globin switching, with developable properties. Moreover, compound 18 showed no genotoxic effects and was much safer than hydroxyurea. These findings could facilitate the development of effective new therapies for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies, including SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsushi Katayama
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Tomoyuki Tsunemi
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kazuo Miyazaki
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kouichi Uoto
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Yoshioka
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hideki Terashima
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Maki Terakawa
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yamashiro
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Munetada Haruyama
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Maeda
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Makino
- Asubio Pharma Co. Ltd, 6-4-3 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
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Kalle Kwaifa I, Lai MI, Md Noor S. Non-deletional alpha thalassaemia: a review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:166. [PMID: 32600445 PMCID: PMC7322920 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01429-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Defective synthesis of the α-globin chain due to mutations in the alpha-globin genes and/or its regulatory elements leads to alpha thalassaemia syndrome. Complete deletion of the 4 alpha-globin genes results in the most severe phenotype known as haemoglobin Bart's, which leads to intrauterine death. The presence of one functional alpha gene is associated with haemoglobin H disease, characterised by non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia phenotype, while silent and carrier traits are mostly asymptomatic. MAIN BODY Clinical manifestations of non-deletional in alpha thalassaemia are varied and have more severe phenotype compared to deletional forms of alpha thalassaemia. Literature for the molecular mechanisms of common non-deletional alpha thalassaemia including therapeutic measures that are necessarily needed for the understanding of these disorders is still in demand. This manuscript would contribute to the better knowledge of how defective production of the α-globin chains due to mutations on the alpha-globin genes and/or the regulatory elements leads to alpha thalassaemia syndrome. CONCLUSION Since many molecular markers are associated with the globin gene expression and switching over during the developmental stages, there is a need for increased awareness, new-born and prenatal screening program, especially for countries with high migration impact, and for improving the monitoring of patients with α-thalassaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Kalle Kwaifa
- Haematology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU), Sokoto, North-Western, Nigeria
| | - Mei I Lai
- Haematology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sabariah Md Noor
- Haematology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Lamsfus-Calle A, Daniel-Moreno A, Antony JS, Epting T, Heumos L, Baskaran P, Admard J, Casadei N, Latifi N, Siegmund DM, Kormann MSD, Handgretinger R, Mezger M. Comparative targeting analysis of KLF1, BCL11A, and HBG1/2 in CD34 + HSPCs by CRISPR/Cas9 for the induction of fetal hemoglobin. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10133. [PMID: 32576837 PMCID: PMC7311455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66309-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
β-hemoglobinopathies are caused by abnormal or absent production of hemoglobin in the blood due to mutations in the β-globin gene (HBB). Imbalanced expression of adult hemoglobin (HbA) induces strong anemia in patients suffering from the disease. However, individuals with natural-occurring mutations in the HBB cluster or related genes, compensate this disparity through γ-globin expression and subsequent fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production. Several preclinical and clinical studies have been performed in order to induce HbF by knocking-down genes involved in HbF repression (KLF1 and BCL11A) or disrupting the binding sites of several transcription factors in the γ-globin gene (HBG1/2). In this study, we thoroughly compared the different CRISPR/Cas9 gene-disruption strategies by gene editing analysis and assessed their safety profile by RNA-seq and GUIDE-seq. All approaches reached therapeutic levels of HbF after gene editing and showed similar gene expression to the control sample, while no significant off-targets were detected by GUIDE-seq. Likewise, all three gene editing platforms were established in the GMP-grade CliniMACS Prodigy, achieving similar outcome to preclinical devices. Based on this gene editing comparative analysis, we concluded that BCL11A is the most clinically relevant approach while HBG1/2 could represent a promising alternative for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Lamsfus-Calle
- University Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alberto Daniel-Moreno
- University Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Justin S Antony
- University Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Epting
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Heumos
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Praveen Baskaran
- Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jakob Admard
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ngadhnjim Latifi
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Darina M Siegmund
- University Hospital Freiburg. Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem-Cell Transplantation, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael S D Kormann
- University Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatrics I, Pediatric Infectiology and Immunology, Translational Genomics and Gene Therapy in Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- University Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Mezger
- University Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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46
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Brendel C, Negre O, Rothe M, Guda S, Parsons G, Harris C, McGuinness M, Abriss D, Tsytsykova A, Klatt D, Bentler M, Pellin D, Christiansen L, Schambach A, Manis J, Trebeden-Negre H, Bonner M, Esrick E, Veres G, Armant M, Williams DA. Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Lentiviral Vector Driving Lineage-Specific BCL11A Knockdown for Sickle Cell Gene Therapy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 17:589-600. [PMID: 32300607 PMCID: PMC7150438 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In this work we provide preclinical data to support initiation of a first-in-human trial for sickle cell disease (SCD) using an approach that relies on reversal of the developmental fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch. Erythroid-specific knockdown of BCL11A via a lentiviral-encoded microRNA-adapted short hairpin RNA (shRNAmiR) leads to reactivation of the gamma-globin gene while simultaneously reducing expression of the pathogenic adult sickle β-globin. We generated a refined lentiviral vector (LVV) BCH-BB694 that was developed to overcome poor vector titers observed in the manufacturing scale-up of the original research-grade LVV. Healthy or sickle cell donor CD34+ cells transduced with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-grade BCH-BB694 LVV achieved high vector copy numbers (VCNs) >5 and gene marking of >80%, resulting in a 3- to 5-fold induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) compared with mock-transduced cells without affecting growth, differentiation, and engraftment of gene-modified cells in vitro or in vivo. In vitro immortalization assays, which are designed to measure vector-mediated genotoxicity, showed no increased immortalization compared with mock-transduced cells. Together these data demonstrate that BCH-BB694 LVV is non-toxic and efficacious in preclinical studies, and can be generated at a clinically relevant scale in a GMP setting at high titer to support clinical testing for the treatment of SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Brendel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael Rothe
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Swaroopa Guda
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Chad Harris
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meaghan McGuinness
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniela Abriss
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alla Tsytsykova
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Denise Klatt
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Bentler
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Danilo Pellin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - John Manis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Helene Trebeden-Negre
- Connell & O’Reilly Families Cell Manipulation Core Facility, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Erica Esrick
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Myriam Armant
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A. Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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47
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Daniel-Moreno A, Lamsfus-Calle A, Wilber A, Chambers CB, Johnston I, Antony JS, Epting T, Handgretinger R, Mezger M. Comparative analysis of lentiviral gene transfer approaches designed to promote fetal hemoglobin production for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2020; 84:102456. [PMID: 32498026 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2020.102456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
β-Hemoglobinopathies are among the most common single-gene disorders and are caused by different mutations in the β-globin gene. Recent curative therapeutic approaches for these disorders utilize lentiviral vectors (LVs) to introduce a functional copy of the β-globin gene into the patient's hematopoietic stem cells. Alternatively, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can reduce or even prevent the symptoms of disease when expressed in adults. Thus, induction of HbF by means of LVs and other molecular approaches has become an alternative treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies. Here, we performed a head-to-head comparative analysis of HbF-inducing LVs encoding for: 1) IGF2BP1, 2) miRNA-embedded shRNA (shmiR) sequences specific for the γ-globin repressor protein BCL11A, and 3) γ-globin gene. Furthermore, two novel baboon envelope proteins (BaEV)-LVs were compared to the commonly used vesicular-stomatitis-virus glycoprotein (VSV-G)-LVs. Therapeutic levels of HbF were achieved for all VSV-G-LV approaches, from a therapeutic level of 20% using γ-globin LVs to 50% for both IGF2BP1 and BCL11A-shmiR LVs. Contrarily, BaEV-LVs conferred lower HbF expression with a peak level of 13%, however, this could still ameliorate symptoms of disease. From this thorough comparative analysis of independent HbF-inducing LV strategies, we conclude that HbF-inducing VSV-G-LVs represent a promising alternative to β-globin gene addition for patients with β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Daniel-Moreno
- University Children's Clinic Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrés Lamsfus-Calle
- University Children's Clinic Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrew Wilber
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, SIU School of Medicine, and Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Christopher B Chambers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, SIU School of Medicine, and Simmons Cancer Institute, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Ian Johnston
- Research & Development, Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Justin S Antony
- University Children's Clinic Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Epting
- Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- University Children's Clinic Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Mezger
- University Children's Clinic Department of Pediatrics I, Hematology and Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
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Gholampour MA, Asadi M, Naderi M, Azarkeivan A, Soleimani M, Atashi A. miR-30a regulates γ-globin expression in erythoid precursors of intermedia thalassemia through targeting BCL11A. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:3909-3918. [PMID: 32406020 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Patients with β-thalassemia suffer from a lack or absence of the beta-globin chain of normal hemoglobin (Hb). Therefore, an increase in fetal Hb (HbF) levels could improve the clinical status of these patients. Downregulation of BCL11A, a key regulatory transcription factor, could ameliorate the clinical status of thalassemic patients by increasing HbF levels. miR-30a expression and its relationship with the BCL11A gene in erythroid precursors was explored in patients with β-thalassemia. The relevance of miR-30a to clinical parameters was also investigated. We evaluated the expressions of miR-30a, BCL11A, and γ-globin genes by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) on isolated erythroid precursors from peripheral blood samples of β-thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients and in bone marrow samples from healthy individuals as controls. The correlation between miR-30a expression and clinical indices that included HbF levels, ferritin, and the frequency of blood transfusions were assessed. We observed increased expression of miR-30a in conjunction with decreased BCL11A expression and elevated γ-globin and HbF levels. Patients with elevated miR-30a expression had a higher percentage of HbF and a lower level of ferritin. In addition, we observed that overexpression of miR-30a in erythroid precursor cells led to reduced BCL11A expression and was associated with elevated γ-globin expression. Our findings showed the importance of miR-30a in BCL11A and HbF regulation, and in the clinical status of patients with β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali Gholampour
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Asadi
- Hematology Department, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehran Naderi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azita Azarkeivan
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Iranian Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Thalassemia Clinic, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Atashi
- Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
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ElKhouly AM, Youness RA, Gad MZ. MicroRNA-486-5p and microRNA-486-3p: Multifaceted pleiotropic mediators in oncological and non-oncological conditions. Noncoding RNA Res 2020; 5:11-21. [PMID: 31993547 PMCID: PMC6971376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite historically known as "junk" DNA, nowadays non-coding RNA transcripts (ncRNAs) are considered as fundamental players in various physiological and pathological conditions. Nonetheless, any alteration in their expression level has been reported to be directly associated with the incidence and aggressiveness of several diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the well-studied members of the ncRNAs family. Several reports have highlighted their crucial roles in the post-transcriptional manipulation of several signaling pathways in different pathological conditions. In this review, our main focus is the multifaceted microRNA-486 (miR-486). miR-486-5p and miR-486-3p have been reported to have central roles in several types oncological and non-oncological conditions such as lung, liver, breast cancers and autism, intervertebral disc degeneration and metabolic syndrome, respectively. Moreover, we spotted the light onto the pleiotropic role of miR-486-5p in acting as competing endogenous RNA with other members of ncRNAs family such as long non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha M ElKhouly
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - R A Youness
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Z Gad
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
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50
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Phenotypic-screening generates active novel fetal globin-inducers that downregulate Bcl11a in a monkey model. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 171:113717. [PMID: 31751536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Heritable disorders associated with hemoglobin production are the most common monogenic disorders. These are mainly represented by disorders such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has been known to ameliorate the clinical severity of these β hemoglobinopathies. A high throughput phenotypic screening was used in this study to isolate novel compounds that may enhance the expression of γ-globin, the component of HbF, in human erythroid cell lines and primary erythroid progenitors derived from human CD34+ cells. The effect of lead compounds on epigenetic enzymes and key transcriptional factors was evaluated to identify their mode of action. One hit compound was further evaluated in vivo using monkey models. Among the ~18,000 compounds screened, 18 compounds were selected and tested to determine their ability to induce HbF in human erythroid cell lines and primary erythroid cells. One of these compounds, a 3-phenyl-isoxazole derivative, could potentially induce HbF in monkey bone marrow cells when administered orally. The compound downregulated negative transcriptional regulators of HbF, Bcl11a and LRF without inhibiting the known epigenetic enzymes. These studies demonstrated the advantages associated with phenotype-screening and identified novel fetal globin inducers that may be useful for treating hemoglobinopathies.
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