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Frati G, Brusson M, Sartre G, Mlayah B, Felix T, Chalumeau A, Antoniou P, Hardouin G, Concordet JP, Romano O, Turchiano G, Miccio A. Safety and efficacy studies of CRISPR-Cas9 treatment of sickle cell disease highlights disease-specific responses. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00470-2. [PMID: 39044427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.07.015] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) reactivation expression through CRISPR-Cas9 is a promising strategy for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). Here, we describe a genome editing strategy leading to reactivation of HbF expression by targeting the binding sites (BSs) for the lymphoma-related factor (LRF) repressor in the γ-globin promoters. CRISPR-Cas9 treatment in healthy donor (HD) and patient-derived HSPCs resulted in a high frequency of LRF BS disruption and potent HbF synthesis in their erythroid progeny. LRF BS disruption did not impair HSPC engraftment and differentiation but was more efficient in SCD than in HD cells. However, SCD HSPCs showed a reduced engraftment and a myeloid bias compared with HD cells. We detected off-target activity and chromosomal rearrangements, particularly in SCD samples (likely because of the higher overall editing efficiency) but did not impact the target gene expression and HSPC engraftment and differentiation. Transcriptomic analyses showed that the editing procedure results in the up-regulation of genes involved in DNA damage and inflammatory responses, which was more evident in SCD HSPCs. This study provides evidence of efficacy and safety for an editing strategy based on HbF reactivation and highlights the need of performing safety studies in clinically relevant conditions, i.e., in patient-derived HSPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Frati
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Megane Brusson
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Sartre
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Bochra Mlayah
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Tristan Felix
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Anne Chalumeau
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Panagiotis Antoniou
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Hardouin
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Paul Concordet
- INSERM U1154, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Oriana Romano
- University of Padova, Department of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Annarita Miccio
- Université Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France.
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Han Y, Gao C, Liu Y, Zhang H, Wang S, Zhao H, Bao W, Guo X, Vinchi F, Lobo C, Shi P, Mendelson A, Luchsinger L, Zhong H, Yazdanbakhsh K, An X. Hemolysis-driven IFNα production impairs erythropoiesis by negatively regulating EPO signaling in sickle cell disease. Blood 2024; 143:1018-1031. [PMID: 38127913 PMCID: PMC10950476 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Disordered erythropoiesis is a feature of many hematologic diseases, including sickle cell disease (SCD). However, very little is known about erythropoiesis in SCD. Here, we show that although bone marrow (BM) erythroid progenitors and erythroblasts in Hbbth3/+ thalassemia mice were increased more than twofold, they were expanded by only ∼40% in Townes sickle mice (SS). We further show that the colony-forming ability of SS erythroid progenitors was decreased and erythropoietin (EPO)/EPO receptor (EPOR) signaling was impaired in SS erythroid cells. Furthermore, SS mice exhibited reduced responses to EPO. Injection of mice with red cell lysates or hemin, mimicking hemolysis in SCD, led to suppression of erythropoiesis and reduced EPO/EPOR signaling, indicating hemolysis, a hallmark of SCD, and could contribute to the impaired erythropoiesis in SCD. In vitro hemin treatment did not affect Stat5 phosphorylation, suggesting that hemin-induced erythropoiesis suppression in vivo is via an indirect mechanism. Treatment with interferon α (IFNα), which is upregulated by hemolysis and elevated in SCD, led to suppression of mouse BM erythropoiesis in vivo and human erythropoiesis in vitro, along with inhibition of Stat5 phosphorylation. Notably, in sickle erythroid cells, IFN-1 signaling was activated and the expression of cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH), a negative regulator of EPO/EPOR signaling, was increased. CISH deletion in human erythroblasts partially rescued IFNα-mediated impairment of cell growth and EPOR signaling. Knocking out Ifnar1 in SS mice rescued the defective BM erythropoiesis and improved EPO/EPOR signaling. Our findings identify an unexpected role of hemolysis on the impaired erythropoiesis in SCD through inhibition of EPO/EPOR signaling via a heme-IFNα-CISH axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongshuai Han
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Chengjie Gao
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Yunfeng Liu
- Laboratory of Complement Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Huan Zhang
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Shihui Wang
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Huizhi Zhao
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Weili Bao
- Laboratory of Complement Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Xinhua Guo
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Francesca Vinchi
- Laboratory of Iron Research, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Cheryl Lobo
- Laboratory of Blood Borne Parasites, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Patricia Shi
- Sickle Cell Clinical Research Program, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Avital Mendelson
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Engineering Research, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Larry Luchsinger
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regenerative Research, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Hui Zhong
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Xiuli An
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
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3
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Mendelson A, Liu Y, Bao W, Shi PA. Effect of voxelotor on murine bone marrow and peripheral blood with hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization for gene therapy of sickle cell disease. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2024; 105:102824. [PMID: 38262104 PMCID: PMC11032021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2024.102824] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
In preparation for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and collection, current ex vivo gene therapy protocols for sickle cell disease require patients to undergo several months of chronic red cell transfusion. For health care equity, alternatives to red cell transfusion should be available. We examined whether treatment with GBT1118, the murine analog of voxelotor, could be a safe and feasible alternative to red cell transfusion. We found that 3 weeks of treatment with GBT1118 increased the percentage of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells and upon plerixafor mobilization, the percentage of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells. Our data suggest that voxelotor should be further explored for its potential safety and utility as preparation for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avital Mendelson
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yunfeng Liu
- Laboratory of Complement Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Weili Bao
- Laboratory of Complement Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Patricia A Shi
- Clinical Research in Sickle Cell Disease, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Lidonnici MR, Scaramuzza S, Ferrari G. Gene Therapy for Hemoglobinopathies. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:793-807. [PMID: 37675899 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.138] [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] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are autosomal recessive disorders of red blood cells due to mutations in the adult β-globin gene, with a worldwide diffusion. The severe forms of hemoglobinopathies are fatal if untreated, and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation can be offered to a limited proportion of patients. The unmet clinical need and the disease incidence have promoted the development of new genetic therapies based on the engineering of autologous hematopoietic stem cells. Here, the steps of ex vivo gene therapy development are reviewed along with results from clinical trials and recent new approaches employing cutting edge gene editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Lidonnici
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
| | - Samantha Scaramuzza
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
| | - Giuliana Ferrari
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari S, Valeri E, Conti A, Scala S, Aprile A, Di Micco R, Kajaste-Rudnitski A, Montini E, Ferrari G, Aiuti A, Naldini L. Genetic engineering meets hematopoietic stem cell biology for next-generation gene therapy. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:549-570. [PMID: 37146580 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The growing clinical success of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) gene therapy (GT) relies on the development of viral vectors as portable "Trojan horses" for safe and efficient gene transfer. The recent advent of novel technologies enabling site-specific gene editing is broadening the scope and means of GT, paving the way to more precise genetic engineering and expanding the spectrum of diseases amenable to HSPC-GT. Here, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art and prospective developments of the HSPC-GT field, highlighting how advances in biological characterization and manipulation of HSPCs will enable the design of the next generation of these transforming therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Ferrari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Erika Valeri
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Anastasia Conti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Serena Scala
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Annamaria Aprile
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Raffaella Di Micco
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Eugenio Montini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Alessandro Aiuti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy.
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Marchesani S, Bertaina V, Marini O, Cossutta M, Di Mauro M, Rotulo GA, Palma P, Sabatini L, Petrone MI, Frati G, Monteleone G, Palumbo G, Ceglie G. Inflammatory status in pediatric sickle cell disease: Unravelling the role of immune cell subsets. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 9:1075686. [PMID: 36703915 PMCID: PMC9871358 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1075686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The mutation of the beta-globin gene that causes sickle cell disease (SCD) results in pleiotropic effects, such as hemolysis and vaso-occlusive crisis that can induce inflammatory mechanisms with deleterious consequences on the organism. Moreover, SCD patients display an increased susceptibility to infections. Few studies are currently available that evaluate a wide immunological profile in a pediatric population. This study proposes an evaluation of the immune profile in subjects with SCD in a pediatric population through a detailed analysis by flow cytometry. Methods and Materials: Peripheral blood samples from 53 pediatric patients with SCD (mean age 9.8 years, interquartile range 9 years) were obtained and then analyzed by flow cytometry, in order to evaluate changes in the immune populations compared to 40 healthy donors (mean age 7.3 years, interquartile range 9.5 years). Results: Our data showed an increase in neutrophils (with a reduction in the CD62L + subpopulation) and monocytes (with a decrease in HLA-DRlow monocytes) with normal values of lymphocytes in SCD patients. In the lymphocyte subpopulations analysis we observed lower values of CD4+ T cells (with higher number of memory and central memory T lymphocytes) with increased frequency of CD8+ T cells (with a predominant naive pattern). Moreover, we observed higher values of CD39+ Tregs and lower HLA-DR+ and CD39- T cells with an increased Th17, Th1-17 and Th2 response. Conclusion: We observed immunological alterations typical of an inflammatory status (increase in activated neutrophils and monocytes) associated with a peculiar Treg pattern (probably linked to a body attempt to minimize inflammation intrinsic to SCD). Furthermore, we highlighted a T helper pathway associated with inflammation in line with other studies. Our data showed that immunological markers may have an important role in the understanding the pathophysiology of SCD and in optimizing targeted therapeutic strategies for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Marchesani
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Silvio Marchesani,
| | - Valentina Bertaina
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Olivia Marini
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Women’s and Children’s Health Department, Hematology-Oncology Clinic and Laboratory, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Matilde Cossutta
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Di Mauro
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Andrea Rotulo
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Ophthalmology Genetics Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy,Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Sabatini
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Isabella Petrone
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Frati
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Monteleone
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palumbo
- University Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Ceglie
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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7
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Drvenica IT, Stančić AZ, Maslovarić IS, Trivanović DI, Ilić VL. Extracellular Hemoglobin: Modulation of Cellular Functions and Pathophysiological Effects. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1708. [PMID: 36421721 PMCID: PMC9688122 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemoglobin is essential for maintaining cellular bioenergetic homeostasis through its ability to bind and transport oxygen to the tissues. Besides its ability to transport oxygen, hemoglobin within erythrocytes plays an important role in cellular signaling and modulation of the inflammatory response either directly by binding gas molecules (NO, CO, and CO2) or indirectly by acting as their source. Once hemoglobin reaches the extracellular environment, it acquires several secondary functions affecting surrounding cells and tissues. By modulating the cell functions, this macromolecule becomes involved in the etiology and pathophysiology of various diseases. The up-to-date results disclose the impact of extracellular hemoglobin on (i) redox status, (ii) inflammatory state of cells, (iii) proliferation and chemotaxis, (iv) mitochondrial dynamic, (v) chemoresistance and (vi) differentiation. This review pays special attention to applied biomedical research and the use of non-vertebrate and vertebrate extracellular hemoglobin as a promising candidate for hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, as well as cell culture medium additive. Although recent experimental settings have some limitations, they provide additional insight into the modulatory activity of extracellular hemoglobin in various cellular microenvironments, such as stem or tumor cells niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana T. Drvenica
- Group for Immunology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Z. Stančić
- Group for Immunology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Irina S. Maslovarić
- Group for Immunology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Drenka I. Trivanović
- Group for Hematology and Stem Cells, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vesna Lj. Ilić
- Group for Immunology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
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8
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Meteorin links the bone marrow hypoxic state to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell mobilization. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111361. [PMID: 36130501 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111361] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are supported and regulated by niche cells in the bone marrow with an important characterization of physiological hypoxia. However, how hypoxia regulates HSPCs is still unclear. Here, we find that meteorin (Metrn) from hypoxic macrophages restrains HSPC mobilization. Hypoxia-induced factor 1α and Yin Yang 1 induce the high expression of Metrn in macrophages, and macrophage-specific Metrn knockout increases HSPC mobilization through modulating HSPC proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, Metrn interacts with its receptor 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2b (Htr2b) to regulate the reactive oxygen species levels in HSPCs through targeting phospholipase C signaling. The reactive oxygen species levels are reduced in HSPCs of macrophage-specific Metrn knockout mice with activated phospholipase C signaling. Targeting the Metrn/Htr2b axis could therefore be a potential strategy to improve HSPC mobilization for stem cell-based therapy.
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Torres LS, Asada N, Weiss MJ, Trumpp A, Suda T, Scadden DT, Ito K. Recent advances in "sickle and niche" research - Tribute to Dr. Paul S Frenette. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1509-1535. [PMID: 35830837 PMCID: PMC9287685 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this retrospective, we review the two research topics that formed the basis of the outstanding career of Dr. Paul S. Frenette. In the first part, we focus on sickle cell disease (SCD). The defining feature of SCD is polymerization of the deoxygenated mutant hemoglobin, which leads to a vicious cycle of hemolysis and vaso-occlusion. We survey important discoveries in SCD pathophysiology that have led to recent advances in treatment of SCD. The second part focuses on the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche, the complex microenvironment within the bone marrow that controls HSC function and homeostasis. We detail the cells that constitute this niche, and the factors that these cells use to exert control over hematopoiesis. Here, we trace the scientific paths of Dr. Frenette, highlight key aspects of his research, and identify his most important scientific contributions in both fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidiane S Torres
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Noboru Asada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Mitchell J Weiss
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Toshio Suda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - David T Scadden
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keisuke Ito
- Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; Einstein Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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10
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Aprile A, Sighinolfi S, Raggi L, Ferrari G. Targeting the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche in β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050592. [PMID: 35631417 PMCID: PMC9146437 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, research on pathophysiology and therapeutic solutions for β-thalassemia (BThal) and sickle cell disease (SCD) has been mostly focused on the primary erythroid defect, thus neglecting the study of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The quality and engraftment of HSCs depend on the BM microenvironment, influencing the outcome of HSC transplantation (HSCT) both in allogeneic and in autologous gene therapy settings. In BThal and SCD, the consequences of severe anemia alter erythropoiesis and cause chronic stress in different organs, including the BM. Here, we discuss the recent findings that highlighted multiple alterations of the BM niche in BThal and SCD. We point out the importance of improving our understanding of HSC biology, the status of the BM niche, and their functional crosstalk in these disorders towards the novel concept of combined therapies by not only targeting the genetic defect, but also key players of the HSC–niche interaction in order to improve the clinical outcomes of transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Aprile
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (L.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.F.)
| | - Silvia Sighinolfi
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (L.R.)
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Raggi
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (L.R.)
- University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrari
- San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (L.R.)
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.F.)
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