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Gambari R, Waziri AD, Goonasekera H, Peprah E. Pharmacogenomics of Drugs Used in β-Thalassemia and Sickle-Cell Disease: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4263. [PMID: 38673849 PMCID: PMC11050010 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084263] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this short review we have presented and discussed studies on pharmacogenomics (also termed pharmacogenetics) of the drugs employed in the treatment of β-thalassemia or Sickle-cell disease (SCD). This field of investigation is relevant, since it is expected to help clinicians select the appropriate drug and the correct dosage for each patient. We first discussed the search for DNA polymorphisms associated with a high expression of γ-globin genes and identified this using GWAS studies and CRISPR-based gene editing approaches. We then presented validated DNA polymorphisms associated with a high HbF production (including, but not limited to the HBG2 XmnI polymorphism and those related to the BCL11A, MYB, KLF-1, and LYAR genes). The expression of microRNAs involved in the regulation of γ-globin genes was also presented in the context of pharmacomiRNomics. Then, the pharmacogenomics of validated fetal hemoglobin inducers (hydroxyurea, butyrate and butyrate analogues, thalidomide, and sirolimus), of iron chelators, and of analgesics in the pain management of SCD patients were considered. Finally, we discuss current clinical trials, as well as international research networks focusing on clinical issues related to pharmacogenomics in hematological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, 40124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Aliyu Dahiru Waziri
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Kaduna 810001, Nigeria;
| | - Hemali Goonasekera
- Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo P.O. Box 271, Sri Lanka;
| | - Emmanuel Peprah
- Implementing Sustainable Evidence-Based Interventions through Engagement (ISEE) Lab, Department of Global and Environmental Health, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA;
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Finotti A, Gasparello J, Zuccato C, Cosenza LC, Fabbri E, Bianchi N, Gambari R. Effects of Mithramycin on BCL11A Gene Expression and on the Interaction of the BCL11A Transcriptional Complex to γ-Globin Gene Promoter Sequences. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1927. [PMID: 37895276 PMCID: PMC10606601 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101927] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The anticancer drug mithramycin (MTH), has been proposed for drug repurposing after the finding that it is a potent inducer of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) from β-thalassemia patients. In this respect, previously published studies indicate that MTH is very active in inducing increased expression of γ-globin genes in erythroid cells. This is clinically relevant, as it is firmly established that HbF induction is a valuable approach for the therapy of β-thalassemia and for ameliorating the clinical parameters of sickle-cell disease (SCD). Therefore, the identification of MTH biochemical/molecular targets is of great interest. This study is inspired by recent robust evidence indicating that the expression of γ-globin genes is controlled in adult erythroid cells by different transcriptional repressors, including Oct4, MYB, BCL11A, Sp1, KLF3 and others. Among these, BCL11A is very important. In the present paper we report evidence indicating that alterations of BCL11A gene expression and biological functions occur during MTH-mediated erythroid differentiation. Our study demonstrates that one of the mechanisms of action of MTH is a down-regulation of the transcription of the BCL11A gene, while a second mechanism of action is the inhibition of the molecular interactions between the BCL11A complex and specific sequences of the γ-globin gene promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (E.F.); (N.B.)
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (E.F.); (N.B.)
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (E.F.); (N.B.)
| | - Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (E.F.); (N.B.)
| | - Enrica Fabbri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (E.F.); (N.B.)
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (E.F.); (N.B.)
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Ferrara University, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Gambari R, Zuccato C, Cosenza LC, Zurlo M, Gasparello J, Finotti A, Gamberini MR, Prosdocimi M. The Long Scientific Journey of Sirolimus (Rapamycin): From the Soil of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Applied Research and Clinical Trials on β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1202. [PMID: 37759601 PMCID: PMC10525103 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
In this review article, we present the fascinating story of rapamycin (sirolimus), a drug able to induce γ-globin gene expression and increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in erythroid cells, including primary erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) isolated from β-thalassemia patients. For this reason, rapamycin is considered of great interest for the treatment of β-thalassemia. In fact, high levels of HbF are known to be highly beneficial for β-thalassemia patients. The story of rapamycin discovery began in 1964, with METEI, the Medical Expedition to Easter Island (Rapa Nui). During this expedition, samples of the soil from different parts of the island were collected and, from this material, an antibiotic-producing microorganism (Streptomyces hygroscopicus) was identified. Rapamycin was extracted from the mycelium with organic solvents, isolated, and demonstrated to be very active as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Later, rapamycin was demonstrated to inhibit the in vitro cell growth of tumor cell lines. More importantly, rapamycin was found to be an immunosuppressive agent applicable to prevent kidney rejection after transplantation. More recently, rapamycin was found to be a potent inducer of HbF both in vitro using ErPCs isolated from β-thalassemia patients, in vivo using experimental mice, and in patients treated with this compound. These studies were the basis for proposing clinical trials on β-thalassemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Maria Rita Gamberini
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
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The rs368698783 (G>A) Polymorphism Affecting LYAR Binding to the Aγ-Globin Gene Is Associated with High Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) in β-Thalassemia Erythroid Precursor Cells Treated with HbF Inducers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010776. [PMID: 36614221 PMCID: PMC9821710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010776] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The human homologue of mouse Ly-1 antibody reactive clone protein (LYAR) is a putative novel regulator of γ-globin gene transcription. The LYAR DNA-binding motif (5′-GGTTAT-3′) is located within the 5′-UTR of the Aγ-globin gene. The LYAR rs368698783 (G>A) polymorphism is present in β-thalassemia patients and decreases the LYAR binding efficiency to the Aγ-globin gene. The objective of this study was to stratify β-thalassemia patients with respect to the rs368698783 (G>A) polymorphism and to verify whether their erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) differentially respond in vitro to selected fetal hemoglobin (HbF) inducers. The rs368698783 (G>A) polymorphism was detected by DNA sequencing, hemoglobin production by HPLC, and accumulation of globin mRNAs by RT-qPCR. We found that the LYAR rs368698783 (G>A) polymorphism is associated with high basal and induced production of fetal hemoglobin in β-thalassemia patients. The most striking association was found using rapamycin as an HbF inducer. The results presented here could be considered important not only for basic biomedicine but also in applied translational research for precision medicine in personalized therapy of β-thalassemia. Accordingly, our data suggest that the rs368698783 polymorphism might be considered among the parameters useful to recruit patients with the highest probability of responding to in vivo hydroxyurea (HU) treatment.
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Suali L, Mohammad Salih FA, Ibrahim MY, Jeffree MSB, Thomas FM, Siew Moy F, Shook Fe Y, Suali E, Sudi S, Sunggip C. Genotype-Phenotype Study of β-Thalassemia Patients in Sabah. Hemoglobin 2022; 46:317-324. [PMID: 36815306 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2023.2169154] [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: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
β-thalassemia is a serious public health problem in Sabah due to its high prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of β-globin gene mutations, coinheritance with α-globin gene mutations, XmnI-Gγ, and rs368698783 polymorphisms on the β-thalassemia phenotypes in Sabahan patients. A total of 111 patients were included in this study. The sociodemographic profile of the patients was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, while clinical data were obtained from their medical records. Gap-PCR, ARMS-PCR, RFLP-PCR, and multiplex PCR were performed to detect β- and α-globin gene mutations, as well as XmnI-Gγ and rs368698783 polymorphisms. Our data show that the high prevalence of β-thalassemia in Sabah is not due to consanguineous marriages (5.4%). A total of six different β-globin gene mutations were detected, with Filipino β°-deletion being the most dominant (87.4%). There were 77.5% homozygous β-thalassemia patients, 16.2% compound heterozygous β-thalassemia patients, and 6.3% β-thalassemia/Hb E patients. Further evaluation on compound heterozygous β-thalassemia and β-thalassemia/Hb E patients found no concomitant α-globin gene mutations and the rs368698783 polymorphism. Furthermore, the XmnI-Gγ (-/+) genotype did not demonstrate a strong impact on the disease phenotype, as only two of five patients in the compound heterozygous β-thalassemia group and two of three patients in the β-thalassemia/Hb E group had a moderate phenotype. Our findings indicate that the severity of the β-thalassemia phenotypes is closely related to the type of β-globin gene mutations but not to the XmnI-Gγ and rs368698783 polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifah Suali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Falah Abass Mohammad Salih
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Yusof Ibrahim
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Saffree Bin Jeffree
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Fiona Macniesia Thomas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Fong Siew Moy
- Likas Women's and Children's Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Yap Shook Fe
- Likas Women's and Children's Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Emma Suali
- Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Suhaini Sudi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Caroline Sunggip
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
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Zuccato C, Cosenza LC, Zurlo M, Lampronti I, Borgatti M, Scapoli C, Gambari R, Finotti A. Treatment of Erythroid Precursor Cells from β-Thalassemia Patients with Cinchona Alkaloids: Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin Production. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13433. [PMID: 34948226 PMCID: PMC8706579 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
β-thalassemias are among the most common inherited hemoglobinopathies worldwide and are the result of autosomal mutations in the gene encoding β-globin, causing an absence or low-level production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). Induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is considered to be of key importance for the development of therapeutic protocols for β-thalassemia and novel HbF inducers need to be proposed for pre-clinical development. The main purpose on this study was to analyze Cinchona alkaloids (cinchonidine, quinidine and cinchonine) as natural HbF-inducing agents in human erythroid cells. The analytical methods employed were Reverse Transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) (for quantification of γ-globin mRNA) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) (for analysis of the hemoglobin pattern). After an initial analysis using the K562 cell line as an experimental model system, showing induction of hemoglobin and γ-globin mRNA, we verified whether the two more active compounds, cinchonidine and quinidine, were able to induce HbF in erythroid progenitor cells isolated from β-thalassemia patients. The data obtained demonstrate that cinchonidine and quinidine are potent inducers of γ-globin mRNA and HbF in erythroid progenitor cells isolated from nine β-thalassemia patients. In addition, both compounds were found to synergize with the HbF inducer sirolimus for maximal production of HbF. The data obtained strongly indicate that these compounds deserve consideration in the development of pre-clinical approaches for therapeutic protocols of β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Zuccato
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
| | - Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
- Research Laboratory “Elio Zago” on the Pharmacologic and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassemia (Thal-LAB), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
- Research Laboratory “Elio Zago” on the Pharmacologic and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassemia (Thal-LAB), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Scapoli
- Section of Biology and Evolution, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
- Research Laboratory “Elio Zago” on the Pharmacologic and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassemia (Thal-LAB), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology (C.I.B.), 34148 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (I.L.); (M.B.)
- Research Laboratory “Elio Zago” on the Pharmacologic and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassemia (Thal-LAB), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology (C.I.B.), 34148 Trieste, Italy
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Cosenza LC, Gasparello J, Romanini N, Zurlo M, Zuccato C, Gambari R, Finotti A. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing of β-globin gene on erythroid cells from homozygous β 039-thalassemia patients. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 21:507-523. [PMID: 33997100 PMCID: PMC8091488 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gene editing by the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease system technology can be considered among the most promising strategies to correct hereditary mutations in a variety of monogenic diseases. In this paper, we present for the first time the correction, by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, of the β039-thalassemia mutation, one of the most frequent in the Mediterranean area. The results obtained demonstrated the presence of normal β-globin genes after CRISPR-Cas9 correction of the β039-thalassemia mutation performed on erythroid precursor cells from homozygous β039-thalassemia patients. This was demonstrated by allele-specific PCR and sequencing. Accumulation of corrected β-globin mRNA and relevant "de novo" production of β-globin and adult hemoglobin (HbA) were found with high efficiency. The CRISPR-Cas9-forced HbA production levels were associated with a significant reduction of the excess of free α-globin chains. Genomic toxicity of the editing procedure (low indels and no off-targeting) was analyzed. The protocol might be the starting point for the development of an efficient editing of CD34+ cells derived from β039 patients and for the design of combined treatments using, together with the CRISPR-Cas9 editing of the β-globin gene, other therapeutic approaches, such as, for instance, induction of HbA and/or fetal hemoglobin (HbF) using chemical inducers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicola Romanini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology (CIB), Trieste, Italy
- Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology (CIB), Trieste, Italy
- Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
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High level of fetal-globin reactivation by designed transcriptional activator-like effector. Blood Adv 2021; 4:687-695. [PMID: 32084259 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetal-to-adult hemoglobin switch has been a focus of a long-standing effort to potentially treat sickle cell disease and β thalassemia by induction of fetal hemoglobin. In a continuation of this effort, we designed specific transcriptional activator-like effectors (TALEs) to target both the Gγ and Aγ-globin promoters. We fused the TALEs to a LIM domain binding protein (Ldb1) dimerization domain, followed by a T2A green fluorescent protein (GFP) cassette, which were assembled into a lentiviral vector. To prevent deletions caused by the repeats of TALEs during the lentivirus packing process, we changed the TALE encoding DNA by codon optimization. Intriguingly, 5 of 14 TALEs showed forced reactivation of fetal-globin expression in human umbilical cord blood-derived erythroid progenitor (HUDEP-2) cells, with a significant increase in the γ-globin mRNA level by more than 70-fold. We also observed a more than 50% reduction of β-globin mRNA. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed more than 30% fetal globin in TALE-induced cells compared with the control of 2%. Among several promoters studied, the β-globin gene promoter with the locus control region (LCR) enhancer showed the highest TALE expression during CD34 erythroid differentiation. At day 19 of differentiation, 2 TALEs increased fetal-globin expression more than 40-fold in the mRNA level and up to 70% of the total globin protein. These TALEs have potential for clinical translation.
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Da ZZ, Chen LH, Jiang HM, Wang GP. [Rare thalassemia caused by novel nucleotide variants in the globin gene: four case reports and literature review]. ZHONGHUA XUE YE XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA XUEYEXUE ZAZHI 2021; 42:313-317. [PMID: 33979976 PMCID: PMC8120116 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
目的 分析4例少见地中海贫血(地贫)患者的DNA序列、临床表型,提高对地贫的认识。 方法 对2014年5月至2019年12月4例少见地贫患者的临床及DNA序列特征进行回顾性分析并复习相关文献。 结果 地贫基因常规检测显示,例1~3均未检测到常见的3种α株蛋白1/2(HBA1/A2)基因缺失及其3种点突变和16种β株蛋白(HBB)基因点突变,例4检测到αα--SEA缺失。HBA1/A2和HBB基因全序列Sanger测序示:例1~4分别存在HBB:c.347C>A、HBB:c.1A>G、HBB:c.393T>G及HBA2:c.301-1G>A(IVS-II-142 G>A)突变。同时,例2的祖父、父亲和姑姑均为HBB:c.1A>G杂合突变。 结论 本研究发现了新的珠蛋白基因突变,HBB:c.347C>A、HBB:c.1A>G和HBB:c.393T>G以及HBA2:c.301-1 G>A(IVS-II-142 G>A)突变在中国地贫患者中为首次报道,HBB:c.393T>G突变为全球首次报道,丰富了地贫基因突变数据库。
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Z Da
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - L H Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - H M Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - G P Wang
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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EF Bart's Disease with Coinheritance of G γ-XmnI and A γ-Globin Polymorphisms: A Case of Nontransfusion-Dependant Thalassemia. Case Rep Hematol 2020; 2020:8869335. [PMID: 33178467 PMCID: PMC7647742 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8869335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
EF Bart's disease is a rare form of nontransfusion-dependant thalassemia (NTDT) due to the coinheritance of homozygous hemoglobin E (βE/βE) genotype with hemoglobin H disease. These individuals are routinely found to have thalassemia intermedia with moderate anemia, increased hemoglobin Bart's and hemoglobin F on electrophoresis. The contribution of hemoglobin F-inducing polymorphisms in this disease has not been described previously. Here, we describe the hematological profile in a young child with coinheritance of Gγ-XmnI and Aγ-globin gene polymorphisms in EF Bart's disease. Interestingly, in this rare form of NTDT, normal HbF and elevated HbA2 were noted.
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Surface plasmon resonance based analysis of the binding of LYAR protein to the rs368698783 (G>A) polymorphic Aγ-globin gene sequences mutated in β-thalassemia. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:7699-7707. [PMID: 31300855 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01987-9] [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: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have identified and characterized a novel putative transcriptional repressor site in a 5' untranslated region of the Aγ-globin gene that interacts with the Ly-1 antibody reactive clone (LYAR) protein. LYAR binds the 5'-GGTTAT-3' site of the Aγ-globin gene, and this molecular interaction causes repression of gene transcription. In β-thalassemia patients, a polymorphism has been demonstrated (the rs368698783 G>A polymorphism) within the 5'-GGTTAT-3' LYAR-binding site of the Aγ-globin gene. The major results gathered from surface plasmon resonance based biospecific interaction analysis (SPR-BIA) studies (using crude nuclear extracts, LYAR-enriched lysates, and recombinant LYAR) support the concept that the rs368698783 G>A polymorphism of the Aγ-globin gene attenuates the efficiency of LYAR binding to the LYAR-binding site. This conclusion was fully confirmed by a molecular docking analysis. This might lead to a very important difference in erythroid cells from β-thalassemia patients in respect to basal and induced levels of production of fetal hemoglobin. The novelty of the reported SPR-BIA method is that it allows the characterization and validation of the altered binding of a key nuclear factor (LYAR) to mutated LYAR-binding sites. These results, in addition to theoretical implications, should be considered of interest in applied pharmacology studies as a basis for the screening of drugs able to inhibit LYAR-DNA interactions. This might lead to the identification of molecules facilitating induced increase of γ-globin gene expression and fetal hemoglobin production in erythroid cells, which is associated with possible reduction of the clinical severity of the β-thalassemia phenotype. Graphical abstract.
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Jiang F, Li J, Zhou JY, Liao C, Li DZ. Regulatory Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs368698783 (G>A): a Genetic Modifier of Hb F Production Only under Erythropoietic Stress Characteristic for β-Globin Chain Deficiency? Hemoglobin 2019; 43:73-75. [PMID: 31104519 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2019.1588130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism (rSNP), the Aγ (+25 G>A) (rs368698783) (NG_000007.3: g47783G>A) located in the HBG1 proximal promoter, is a significant predictor of clinical severity by elevating Hb F levels in β-thalassemia (β-thal). In this study, the presence of the Aγ (+25 G>A) and Aγ (+25 A>A) genotypes was investigated in four subgroups from a total of 611 subjects, including 88 α-thalassemia (α-thal) carriers (group A), 162 β-thal carriers of point mutations (group B), 57 carriers of β-thal deletions (group C) and 152 non thalassemic individuals (group D). The result is that the genotypes G>A and A>A exhibit significantly high levels of Hb F compared with the genotype G>G in both groups B and C, while no significant difference was observed in both groups A and D. We assume that the effect of Aγ (+25 G>A) polymorphism on Hb F production is only under erythropoietic stress characteristic for β-globin chain deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Jiang
- a Prenatal Diagnostic Center , Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- a Prenatal Diagnostic Center , Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ying Zhou
- a Prenatal Diagnostic Center , Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Can Liao
- a Prenatal Diagnostic Center , Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Zhi Li
- a Prenatal Diagnostic Center , Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
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Finotti A, Fabbri E, Lampronti I, Gasparello J, Borgatti M, Gambari R. MicroRNAs and Long Non-coding RNAs in Genetic Diseases. Mol Diagn Ther 2019; 23:155-171. [PMID: 30610665 PMCID: PMC6469593 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery and classification of non-coding RNAs, their roles have gained great attention. In this respect, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs have been firmly demonstrated to be linked to regulation of gene expression and onset of human diseases, including rare genetic diseases; therefore they are suitable targets for therapeutic intervention. This issue, in the context of rare genetic diseases, is being considered by an increasing number of research groups and is of key interest to the health community. In the case of rare genetic diseases, the possibility of developing personalized therapy in precision medicine has attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians involved in developing "orphan medicinal products" and proposing these to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) in the United States. The major focuses of these activities are the evaluation and development of products (drugs, biologics, devices, or medical foods) considered to be promising for diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions, including rare genetic diseases. In an increasing number of rare genetic diseases, analysis of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs has been proven a promising strategy. These diseases include, but are not limited to, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Rett syndrome, and β-thalassemia. In conclusion, a large number of approaches based on targeting microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are expected in the field of molecular diagnosis and therapy, with a facilitated technological transfer in the case of rare genetic diseases, in virtue of the existing regulation concerning these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrica Fabbri
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lampronti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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Nie M, Wang Y, Guo C, Li X, Wang Y, Deng Y, Yao B, Gui T, Ma C, Liu M, Wang P, Wang R, Tan R, Fang M, Chen B, He Y, Huang DCS, Ju J, Zhao Q. CARM1-mediated methylation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 represses human γ-globin gene expression in erythroleukemia cells. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:17454-17463. [PMID: 30257864 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a member of the arginine methyltransferase protein family that critically mediates the symmetric dimethylation of Arg-3 at histone H4 (H4R3me2s) and is involved in many key cellular processes, including hematopoiesis. However, the post-translational modifications (PTMs) of PRMT5 that may affect its biological functions remain less well-understood. In this study, using MS analyses, we found that PRMT5 itself is methylated in human erythroleukemia Lys-562 cells. Biochemical assays revealed that coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) interacts directly with and methylates PRMT5 at Arg-505 both in vivo and in vitro. Substitutions at Arg-505 significantly reduced PRMT5's methyltransferase activity, decreased H4R3me2s enrichment at the γ-globin gene promoter, and increased the expression of the γ-globin gene in Lys-562 cells. Moreover, CARM1 knockdown consistently reduced PRMT5 activity and activated γ-globin gene expression. Importantly, we show that CARM1-mediated methylation of PRMT5 is essential for the intracellular homodimerization of PRMT5 to its active form. These results thus reveal a critical PTM of PRMT5 that represses human γ-globin gene expression. We conclude that CARM1-mediated asymmetric methylation of PRMT5 is critical for its dimerization and methyltransferase activity leading to the repression of γ-globin expression. Given PRMT5's crucial role in diverse cellular processes, these findings may inform strategies for manipulating its methyltransferase activity for managing hemoglobinopathy or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Nie
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yadong Wang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chan Guo
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Wang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yexuan Deng
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bing Yao
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tao Gui
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chi Ma
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ming Liu
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Panxue Wang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ruoyun Wang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Renxiang Tan
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.,State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for TCM Quality and Efficacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Ming Fang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Bing Chen
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yinghong He
- School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Yunnan 671003 China, and
| | - David C S Huang
- Department of Medical Biology, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010 Australia
| | - Junyi Ju
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China,
| | - Quan Zhao
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Hematology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, China-Australia Center for Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China,
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