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Gao J, Gunasekar S, Xia ZJ, Shalin K, Jiang C, Chen H, Lee D, Lee S, Pisal ND, Luo JN, Griciuc A, Karp JM, Tanzi R, Joshi N. Gene therapy for CNS disorders: modalities, delivery and translational challenges. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:553-572. [PMID: 38898231 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00829-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as a powerful tool to modulate abnormal gene expression, a hallmark of most CNS disorders. The transformative potentials of recently approved gene therapies for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and active cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy are encouraging further development of this approach. However, most attempts to translate gene therapy to the clinic have failed to make it to market. There is an urgent need not only to tailor the genes that are targeted to the pathology of interest but to also address delivery challenges and thereby maximize the utility of genetic tools. In this Review, we provide an overview of gene therapy modalities for CNS diseases, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different delivery strategies and routes of administration. Important gaps in understanding that could accelerate the clinical translatability of CNS genetic interventions are addressed, and we present lessons learned from failed clinical trials that may guide the future development of gene therapies for the treatment and management of CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
- Center for Bioactive Delivery, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Swetharajan Gunasekar
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ziting Judy Xia
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kiruba Shalin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Jiang
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | - Dongtak Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sohyung Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nishkal D Pisal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - James N Luo
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana Griciuc
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey M Karp
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Rudolph Tanzi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nitin Joshi
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Peterman EL, Ploessl DS, Galloway KE. Accelerating Diverse Cell-Based Therapies Through Scalable Design. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2024; 15:267-292. [PMID: 38594944 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-100722-121610] [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] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Augmenting cells with novel, genetically encoded functions will support therapies that expand beyond natural capacity for immune surveillance and tissue regeneration. However, engineering cells at scale with transgenic cargoes remains a challenge in realizing the potential of cell-based therapies. In this review, we introduce a range of applications for engineering primary cells and stem cells for cell-based therapies. We highlight tools and advances that have launched mammalian cell engineering from bioproduction to precision editing of therapeutically relevant cells. Additionally, we examine how transgenesis methods and genetic cargo designs can be tailored for performance. Altogether, we offer a vision for accelerating the translation of innovative cell-based therapies by harnessing diverse cell types, integrating the expanding array of synthetic biology tools, and building cellular tools through advanced genome writing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Peterman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Deon S Ploessl
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Kate E Galloway
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
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3
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Metanat Y, Viktor P, Amajd A, Kaur I, Hamed AM, Abed Al-Abadi NK, Alwan NH, Chaitanya MVNL, Lakshmaiya N, Ghildiyal P, Khalaf OM, Ciongradi CI, Sârbu I. The paths toward non-viral CAR-T cell manufacturing: A comprehensive review of state-of-the-art methods. Life Sci 2024; 348:122683. [PMID: 38702027 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122683] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Although CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a game-changer in cancer immunotherapy several bottlenecks limit its widespread use as a front-line therapy. Current protocols for the production of CAR-T cells rely mainly on the use of lentiviral/retroviral vectors. Nevertheless, according to the safety concerns around the use of viral vectors, there are several regulatory hurdles to their clinical use. Large-scale production of viral vectors under "Current Good Manufacturing Practice" (cGMP) involves rigorous quality control assessments and regulatory requirements that impose exorbitant costs on suppliers and as a result, lead to a significant increase in the cost of treatment. Pursuing an efficient non-viral method for genetic modification of immune cells is a hot topic in cell-based gene therapy. This study aims to investigate the current state-of-the-art in non-viral methods of CAR-T cell manufacturing. In the first part of this study, after reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of the clinical use of viral vectors, different non-viral vectors and the path of their clinical translation are discussed. These vectors include transposons (sleeping beauty, piggyBac, Tol2, and Tc Buster), programmable nucleases (ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9), mRNA, plasmids, minicircles, and nanoplasmids. Afterward, various methods for efficient delivery of non-viral vectors into the cells are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yekta Metanat
- Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran
| | - Patrik Viktor
- Óbuda University, Karoly Keleti faculty, Tavaszmező u. 15-17, H-1084 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ayesha Amajd
- Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8 Street, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
| | - Irwanjot Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India; Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan-303012, India
| | | | | | | | - M V N L Chaitanya
- School of pharmaceutical sciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab - 144411, India
| | | | - Pallavi Ghildiyal
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | | | - Carmen Iulia Ciongradi
- 2nd Department of Surgery-Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania.
| | - Ioan Sârbu
- 2nd Department of Surgery-Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania.
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Moradi V, Khodabandehloo E, Alidadi M, Omidkhoda A, Ahmadbeigi N. Progress and pitfalls of gene editing technology in CAR-T cell therapy: a state-of-the-art review. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1388475. [PMID: 38912057 PMCID: PMC11190338 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1388475] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy has shown remarkable promise in treating B-cell malignancies, which has sparked optimism about its potential to treat other types of cancer as well. Nevertheless, the Expectations of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors and non-B cell hematologic malignancies have not been met. Furthermore, safety concerns regarding the use of viral vectors and the current personalized production process are other bottlenecks that limit its widespread use. In recent years the use of gene editing technology in CAR-T cell therapy has opened a new way to unleash the latent potentials of CAR-T cell therapy and lessen its associated challenges. Moreover, gene editing tools have paved the way to manufacturing CAR-T cells in a fully non-viral approach as well as providing a universal, off-the-shelf product. Despite all the advantages of gene editing strategies, the off-target activity of classical gene editing tools (ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9) remains a major concern. Accordingly, several efforts have been made in recent years to reduce their off-target activity and genotoxicity, leading to the introduction of advanced gene editing tools with an improved safety profile. In this review, we begin by examining advanced gene editing tools, providing an overview of how these technologies are currently being applied in clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapies. Following this, we explore various gene editing strategies aimed at enhancing the safety and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Moradi
- Hematology and Blood Transfusion Science Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Khodabandehloo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Alidadi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Omidkhoda
- Hematology and Blood Transfusion Science Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Ahmadbeigi
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Tanveer M, Abidin ZU, Alawadi HFN, Shahzad AN, Mahmood A, Khan BA, Qari S, Oraby HF. Recent advances in genome editing strategies for balancing growth and defence in sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum). FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2024; 51:FP24036. [PMID: 38696670 DOI: 10.1071/fp24036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum ) has gained more attention worldwide in recent decades because of its importance as a bioenergy resource and in producing table sugar. However, the production capabilities of conventional varieties are being challenged by the changing climates, which struggle to meet the escalating demands of the growing global population. Genome editing has emerged as a pivotal field that offers groundbreaking solutions in agriculture and beyond. It includes inserting, removing or replacing DNA in an organism's genome. Various approaches are employed to enhance crop yields and resilience in harsh climates. These techniques include zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/associated protein (CRISPR/Cas). Among these, CRISPR/Cas is one of the most promising and rapidly advancing fields. With the help of these techniques, several crops like rice (Oryza sativa ), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ), maize (Zea mays ), barley (Hordeum vulgare ) and sugarcane have been improved to be resistant to viral diseases. This review describes recent advances in genome editing with a particular focus on sugarcane and focuses on the advantages and limitations of these approaches while also considering the regulatory and ethical implications across different countries. It also offers insights into future prospects and the application of these approaches in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira Tanveer
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Zain Ul Abidin
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | | | - Ahmad Naeem Shahzad
- Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakarriya University, Multan 60650, Pakistan
| | - Athar Mahmood
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Bilal Ahmad Khan
- Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Sameer Qari
- Department of Biology, Al-Jumum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hesham Farouk Oraby
- Deanship of Scientific Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia; and Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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6
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Kavousinia P, Ahmadi MH, Sadeghian H, Hosseini Bafghi M. Therapeutic potential of CRISPR/CAS9 genome modification in T cell-based immunotherapy of cancer. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:436-443. [PMID: 38466263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.014] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Today, genome editing technologies like zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are being used in clinical trials and the treatment of diseases like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cancer. CRISPR stands out as one of the most advanced tools for genome editing due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It can selectively modify specific locations in the genome, offering new possibilities for treating human diseases. The CRISPR system uses ribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid (RNA-DNA) recognition to combat infections, regulate gene expression, and treat cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which uses T lymphocytes to eliminate cancer cells, can be improved by combining it with CRISPR technology. However, there are challenges in using CAR-T cells, including a lack of quantity and quality, exhaustion, neurotoxicity, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), B cell aplasia, tumor lysis syndrome, and anaphylaxis. Preclinical studies on CRISPR-edited CAR-T cells show promising results and targeting detrimental regulatory genes can enhance cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Kavousinia
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Sadeghian
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdi Hosseini Bafghi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Mariano CG, de Oliveira VC, Ambrósio CE. Gene editing in small and large animals for translational medicine: a review. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20230089. [PMID: 38628493 PMCID: PMC11019828 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0089] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simpler and more versatile method compared to other engineered nucleases such as Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) and Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and since its discovery, the efficiency of CRISPR-based genome editing has increased to the point that multiple and different types of edits can be made simultaneously. These advances in gene editing have revolutionized biotechnology by enabling precise genome editing with greater simplicity and efficacy than ever before. This tool has been successfully applied to a wide range of animal species, including cattle, pigs, dogs, and other small animals. Engineered nucleases cut the genome at specific target positions, triggering the cell's mechanisms to repair the damage and introduce a mutation to a specific genomic site. This review discusses novel genome-based CRISPR/Cas9 editing tools, methods developed to improve efficiency and specificity, the use of gene-editing on animal models and translational medicine, and the main challenges and limitations of CRISPR-based gene-editing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clésio Gomes Mariano
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Ambrósio
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo – USP, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
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Webster LJ, Villa-Gomez D, Brown R, Clarke W, Schenk PM. A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1379301. [PMID: 38646010 PMCID: PMC11032018 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1379301] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The increase in global population and industrial development has led to a significant release of organic and inorganic pollutants into water streams, threatening human health and ecosystems. Microalgae, encompassing eukaryotic protists and prokaryotic cyanobacteria, have emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for removing these pollutants and mitigating carbon emissions. Various microalgae species, such as C. vulgaris, P. tricornutum, N. oceanica, A. platensis, and C. reinhardtii, have demonstrated their ability to eliminate heavy metals, salinity, plastics, and pesticides. Synthetic biology holds the potential to enhance microalgae-based technologies by broadening the scope of treatment targets and improving pollutant removal rates. This review provides an overview of the recent advances in the synthetic biology of microalgae, focusing on genetic engineering tools to facilitate the removal of inorganic (heavy metals and salinity) and organic (pesticides and plastics) compounds. The development of these tools is crucial for enhancing pollutant removal mechanisms through gene expression manipulation, DNA introduction into cells, and the generation of mutants with altered phenotypes. Additionally, the review discusses the principles of synthetic biology tools, emphasizing the significance of genetic engineering in targeting specific metabolic pathways and creating phenotypic changes. It also explores the use of precise engineering tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9 and TALENs, to adapt genetic engineering to various microalgae species. The review concludes that there is much potential for synthetic biology based approaches for pollutant removal using microalgae, but there is a need for expansion of the tools involved, including the development of universal cloning toolkits for the efficient and rapid assembly of mutants and transgenic expression strains, and the need for adaptation of genetic engineering tools to a wider range of microalgae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J. Webster
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Denys Villa-Gomez
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Reuben Brown
- Algae Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - William Clarke
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peer M. Schenk
- Algae Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Algae Biotechnology, Sustainable Solutions Hub, Global Sustainable Solutions Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Chrzanowski S, Batra R. CRISPR-Based Gene Editing Techniques in Pediatric Neurological Disorders. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 153:166-174. [PMID: 38394831 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of gene editing technologies offers a unique opportunity to develop mutation-specific treatments for pediatric neurological disorders. Gene editing systems can potentially alter disease trajectory by correcting dysfunctional mutations or therapeutically altering gene expression. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based approaches are attractive gene therapy platforms to personalize treatments because of their specificity, ease of design, versatility, and cost. However, many such approaches remain in the early stages of development, with ongoing efforts to optimize editing efficiency, minimize unintended off-target effects, and mitigate pathologic immune responses. Given the rapid evolution of CRISPR-based therapies, it is prudent for the clinically based child neurologist to have a conceptual understanding of what such therapies may entail, including both benefits and risks and how such therapies may be clinically applied. In this review, we describe the fundamentals of CRISPR-based therapies, discuss the opportunities and challenges that have arisen, and highlight preclinical work in several pediatric neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Chrzanowski
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
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10
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De Saeger J, Coulembier Vandelannoote E, Lee H, Park J, Blomme J. Genome editing in macroalgae: advances and challenges. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1380682. [PMID: 38516199 PMCID: PMC10955705 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1380682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This minireview examines the current state and challenges of genome editing in macroalgae. Despite the ecological and economic significance of this group of organisms, genome editing has seen limited applications. While CRISPR functionality has been established in two brown (Ectocarpus species 7 and Saccharina japonica) and one green seaweed (Ulva prolifera), these studies are limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations. All studies also (co)-targeted ADENINE PHOSPHORIBOSYL TRANSFERASE to enrich for mutants, due to the relatively low editing efficiencies. To advance the field, there should be a focus on advancing auxiliary technologies, particularly stable transformation, so that novel editing reagents can be screened for their efficiency. More work is also needed on understanding DNA repair in these organisms, as this is tightly linked with the editing outcomes. Developing efficient genome editing tools for macroalgae will unlock the ability to characterize their genes, which is largely uncharted terrain. Moreover, given their economic importance, genome editing will also impact breeding campaigns to develop strains that have better yields, produce more commercially valuable compounds, and show improved resilience to the impacts of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas De Saeger
- Bio Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Lab, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Emma Coulembier Vandelannoote
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hojun Lee
- Bio Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Lab, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihae Park
- Bio Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Lab, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonas Blomme
- Department of Biology, Phycology Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Gemayel J, Chebly A, Kourie H, Hanna C, Mheidly K, Mhanna M, Karam F, Ghoussaini D, Najjar PE, Khalil C. Genome Engineering as a Therapeutic Approach in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2024; 5:2300201. [PMID: 38465225 PMCID: PMC10919288 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202300201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the foremost causes of mortality. The human genome remains stable over time. However, human activities and environmental factors have the power to influence the prevalence of certain types of mutations. This goes to the excessive progress of xenobiotics and industrial development that is expanding the territory for cancers to develop. The mechanisms involved in immune responses against cancer are widely studied. Genome editing has changed the genome-based immunotherapy process in the human body and has opened a new era for cancer treatment. In this review, recent cancer immunotherapies and the use of genome engineering technology are largely focused on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Gemayel
- Faculty of SciencesBalamand UniversityBeirutLebanon
- FMPS Holding BIOTECKNO s.a.l. Research and Quality SolutionsNaccashBeirut60 247Lebanon
| | - Alain Chebly
- Center Jacques Loiselet for Medical Genetics and Genomics (CGGM), Faculty of MedicineSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
- Higher Institute of Public HealthSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
| | - Hampig Kourie
- Center Jacques Loiselet for Medical Genetics and Genomics (CGGM), Faculty of MedicineSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
- Faculty of MedicineSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
| | - Colette Hanna
- Faculty of MedicineLebanese American University Medical CenterRizk HospitalBeirutLebanon
| | | | - Melissa Mhanna
- Faculty of MedicineParis Saclay University63 Rue Gabriel PériLe Kremlin‐Bicêtre94270France
| | - Farah Karam
- Faculty of MedicineBalamand UniversityBeirutLebanon
| | | | - Paula El Najjar
- FMPS Holding BIOTECKNO s.a.l. Research and Quality SolutionsNaccashBeirut60 247Lebanon
- Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, School of EngineeringHoly Spirit University of KaslikJounieh446Lebanon
| | - Charbel Khalil
- Reviva Regenerative Medicine CenterBsalimLebanon
- Bone Marrow Transplant UnitBurjeel Medical CityAbu DhabiUAE
- Lebanese American University School of MedicineBeirutLebanon
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12
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Aksoy YA, Cole AJ, Deng W, Hesselson D. Zebrafish CCNF and FUS Mediate Stress-Specific Motor Responses. Cells 2024; 13:372. [PMID: 38474336 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050372] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons. Mutations in the cyclin F (CCNF) and fused in sarcoma (FUS) genes have been associated with ALS pathology. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional role of CCNF and FUS in ALS by using genome editing techniques to generate zebrafish models with genetic disruptions in these genes. Sequence comparisons showed significant homology between human and zebrafish CCNF and FUS proteins. We used CRISPR/Cas9 and TALEN-mediated genome editing to generate targeted disruptions in the zebrafish ccnf and fus genes. Ccnf-deficient zebrafish exhibited abnormal motor neuron development and axonal outgrowth, whereas Fus-deficient zebrafish did not exhibit developmental abnormalities or axonopathies in primary motor neurons. However, Fus-deficient zebrafish displayed motor impairments in response to oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The Ccnf-deficient zebrafish were only sensitized to endoplasmic reticulum stress, indicating that ALS genes have overlapping as well as unique cellular functions. These zebrafish models provide valuable platforms for studying the functional consequences of CCNF and FUS mutations in ALS pathogenesis. Furthermore, these zebrafish models expand the drug screening toolkit used to evaluate possible ALS treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagiz Alp Aksoy
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Alexander J Cole
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Wei Deng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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13
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Johnson LA, Mart RJ, Allemann RK. A Photoresponsive Homing Endonuclease for Programmed DNA Cleavage. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:195-205. [PMID: 38061193 PMCID: PMC10804406 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00425] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Homing endonucleases are used in a wide range of biotechnological applications including gene editing, in gene drive systems, and for the modification of DNA structures, arrays, and prodrugs. However, controlling nuclease activity and sequence specificity remain key challenges when developing new tools. Here a photoresponsive homing endonuclease was engineered for optical control of DNA cleavage by partitioning DNA binding and nuclease domains of the monomeric homing endonuclease I-TevI into independent polypeptide chains. Use of the Aureochrome1a light-oxygen-voltage domain delivered control of dimerization with light. Illumination reduced the concentration needed to achieve 50% cleavage of the homing target site by 6-fold when compared to the dark state, resulting in an up to 9-fold difference in final yields between cleavage products. I-TevI nucleases with and without a native I-TevI zinc finger motif displayed different nuclease activity and sequence preference impacting the promiscuity of the nuclease domain. By harnessing an alternative DNA binding domain, target preference was reprogrammed only when the nuclease lacked the I-TevI zinc finger motif. This work establishes a first-generation photoresponsive platform for spatiotemporal activation of DNA cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A. Johnson
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff
University, Main Building, Park Place, CF10 3AT, Cardiff, U.K.
| | | | - Rudolf K. Allemann
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff
University, Main Building, Park Place, CF10 3AT, Cardiff, U.K.
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14
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Moy AB, Kamath A, Ternes S, Kamath J. The Challenges to Advancing Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Dependent Cell Replacement Therapy. MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2023; 11:4784. [PMID: 38188933 PMCID: PMC10768945 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v11i11.4784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) represent a potentially exciting regenerative-medicine cell therapy for several chronic conditions such as macular degeneration, soft tissue and orthopedic conditions, cardiopulmonary disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic disorders. The field of iPSC therapeutics currently exists at an early stage of development. There are several important stakeholders that include academia, industry, regulatory agencies, financial institutions and patients who are committed to advance the field. Yet, unlike more established therapeutic modalities like small and large molecules, iPSC therapies pose significant unique challenges with respect to safety, potency, genetic stability, immunogenicity, tumorgenicity, cell reproducibility, scalability and engraftment. The aim of this review article is to highlight the unique technical challenges that need to be addressed before iPSC technology can be fully realized as a cell replacement therapy. Additionally, this manuscript offers some potential solutions and identifies areas of focus that should be considered in order for the iPSC field to achieve its promise. The scope of this article covers the following areas: (1) the impact of different iPSC reprogramming methods on immunogenicity and tumorigenicity; (2) the effect of genetic instability on cell reproducibility and differentiation; (3) the role of growth factors and post-translational modification on differentiation and cell scalability; (4) the potential use of gene editing in improving iPSC differentiation; (5) the advantages and disadvantages between autologous and allogeneic cell therapy; (6) the regulatory considerations in developing a viable and reproducible cell product; and (7) the impact of local tissue inflammation on cell engraftment and cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan B. Moy
- Cellular Engineering Technologies, Inc. Coralville, IA, 52241
- John Paul II Medical Research Institute, Coralville, IA 52241
| | - Anant Kamath
- Cellular Engineering Technologies, Inc. Coralville, IA, 52241
| | - Sara Ternes
- Cellular Engineering Technologies, Inc. Coralville, IA, 52241
| | - Jay Kamath
- John Paul II Medical Research Institute, Coralville, IA 52241
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15
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Kumar D, Kirti PB. The genus Arachis: an excellent resource for studies on differential gene expression for stress tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1275854. [PMID: 38023864 PMCID: PMC10646159 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1275854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Peanut Arachis hypogaea is a segmental allotetraploid in the section Arachis of the genus Arachis along with the Section Rhizomataceae. Section Arachis has several diploid species along with Arachis hypogaea and A. monticola. The section Rhizomataceae comprises polyploid species. Several species in the genus are highly tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses and provide excellent sets of genotypes for studies on differential gene expression. Though there were several studies in this direction, more studies are needed to identify more and more gene combinations. Next generation RNA-seq based differential gene expression study is a powerful tool to identify the genes and regulatory pathways involved in stress tolerance. Transcriptomic and proteomic study of peanut plants under biotic stresses reveals a number of differentially expressed genes such as R genes (NBS-LRR, LRR-RLK, protein kinases, MAP kinases), pathogenesis related proteins (PR1, PR2, PR5, PR10) and defense related genes (defensin, F-box, glutathione S-transferase) that are the most consistently expressed genes throughout the studies reported so far. In most of the studies on biotic stress induction, the differentially expressed genes involved in the process with enriched pathways showed plant-pathogen interactions, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, defense and signal transduction. Differential gene expression studies in response to abiotic stresses, reported the most commonly expressed genes are transcription factors (MYB, WRKY, NAC, bZIP, bHLH, AP2/ERF), LEA proteins, chitinase, aquaporins, F-box, cytochrome p450 and ROS scavenging enzymes. These differentially expressed genes are in enriched pathways of transcription regulation, starch and sucrose metabolism, signal transduction and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. These identified differentially expressed genes provide a better understanding of the resistance/tolerance mechanism, and the genes for manipulating biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in peanut and other crop plants. There are a number of differentially expressed genes during biotic and abiotic stresses were successfully characterized in peanut or model plants (tobacco or Arabidopsis) by genetic manipulation to develop stress tolerance plants, which have been detailed out in this review and more concerted studies are needed to identify more and more gene/gene combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip Kumar
- Department of Microbial Genetics and Gene Expression, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pulugurtha Bharadwaja Kirti
- Agri Biotech Foundation, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State (PJTS) Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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16
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Bottino P, Pastrone L, Curtoni A, Bondi A, Sidoti F, Zanotto E, Cavallo R, Solidoro P, Costa C. Antiviral Approach to Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Overview of Conventional and Novel Strategies. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2372. [PMID: 37894030 PMCID: PMC10608897 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102372] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus capable of establishing a lifelong persistence in the host through a chronic state of infection and remains an essential global concern due to its distinct life cycle, mutations, and latency. It represents a life-threatening pathogen for immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplanted patients, HIV-positive individuals, and hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Multiple antiviral approaches are currently available and administered in order to prevent or manage viral infections in the early stages. However, limitations due to side effects and the onset of antidrug resistance are a hurdle to their efficacy, especially for long-term therapies. Novel antiviral molecules, together with innovative approaches (e.g., genetic editing and RNA interference) are currently in study, with promising results performed in vitro and in vivo. Since HCMV is a virus able to establish latent infection, with a consequential risk of reactivation, infection management could benefit from preventive treatment for critical patients, such as immunocompromised individuals and seronegative pregnant women. This review will provide an overview of conventional antiviral clinical approaches and their mechanisms of action. Additionally, an overview of proposed and developing new molecules is provided, including nucleic-acid-based therapies and immune-mediated approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bottino
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Lisa Pastrone
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Antonio Curtoni
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Alessandro Bondi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Francesca Sidoti
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Elisa Zanotto
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Rossana Cavallo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Paolo Solidoro
- Pneumology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Cristina Costa
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
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17
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Mak MCE, Gurung R, Foo RSY. Applications of Genome Editing Technologies in CAD Research and Therapy with a Focus on Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14057. [PMID: 37762360 PMCID: PMC10531628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814057] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD), remain the leading cause of death worldwide in recent years, with myocardial infarction (MI) being the most common form of CAD. Atherosclerosis has been highlighted as one of the drivers of CAD, and much research has been carried out to understand and treat this disease. However, there remains much to be better understood and developed in treating this disease. Genome editing technologies have been widely used to establish models of disease as well as to treat various genetic disorders at their root. In this review, we aim to highlight the various ways genome editing technologies can be applied to establish models of atherosclerosis, as well as their therapeutic roles in both atherosclerosis and the clinical implications of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rijan Gurung
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, MD6, #08-01, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (M.C.E.M.); (R.S.Y.F.)
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18
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Popovitz J, Sharma R, Hoshyar R, Soo Kim B, Murthy N, Lee K. Gene editing therapeutics based on mRNA delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115026. [PMID: 37516409 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The field of gene editing has received much attention in recent years due to its immense therapeutic potential. In particular, gene editing therapeutics, such as the CRISPR-Cas systems, base editors, and other emerging gene editors, offer the opportunity to address previously untreatable disorders. This review aims to summarize the therapeutic applications of gene editing based on mRNA delivery. We introduce gene editing therapeutics using mRNA and focus on engineering and improvement of gene editing technology. We subsequently examine ex vivo and in vivo gene editing techniques and conclude with an exploration of the next generation of CRISPR and base editing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
| | - Reyhane Hoshyar
- GenEdit, 681 Gateway Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Beob Soo Kim
- GenEdit, 681 Gateway Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Niren Murthy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
| | - Kunwoo Lee
- GenEdit, 681 Gateway Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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19
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Ali A, Zafar MM, Farooq Z, Ahmed SR, Ijaz A, Anwar Z, Abbas H, Tariq MS, Tariq H, Mustafa M, Bajwa MH, Shaukat F, Razzaq A, Maozhi R. Breakthrough in CRISPR/Cas system: Current and future directions and challenges. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2200642. [PMID: 37166088 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202200642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Targeted genome editing (GE) technology has brought a significant revolution in fictional genomic research and given hope to plant scientists to develop desirable varieties. This technology involves inducing site-specific DNA perturbations that can be repaired through DNA repair pathways. GE products currently include CRISPR-associated nuclease DNA breaks, prime editors generated DNA flaps, single nucleotide-modifications, transposases, and recombinases. The discovery of double-strand breaks, site-specific nucleases (SSNs), and repair mechanisms paved the way for targeted GE, and the first-generation GE tools, ZFNs and TALENs, were successfully utilized in plant GE. However, CRISPR-Cas has now become the preferred tool for GE due to its speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Plant functional genomics has benefited significantly from the widespread use of CRISPR technology for advancements and developments. This review highlights the progress made in CRISPR technology, including multiplex editing, base editing (BE), and prime editing (PE), as well as the challenges and potential delivery mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Ali
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Zunaira Farooq
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Soybean (General, Ministry of Agriculture), Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Syed Riaz Ahmed
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS), Nilore, Pakistan
| | - Aqsa Ijaz
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS), Nilore, Pakistan
| | - Zunaira Anwar
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS), Nilore, Pakistan
| | - Huma Abbas
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sayyam Tariq
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS), Nilore, Pakistan
| | - Hala Tariq
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Mahwish Mustafa
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Fiza Shaukat
- Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Razzaq
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ren Maozhi
- Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China
- Institute of, Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science, Chengdu, China
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20
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Milito A, Aschern M, McQuillan JL, Yang JS. Challenges and advances towards the rational design of microalgal synthetic promoters in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:3833-3850. [PMID: 37025006 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae hold enormous potential to provide a safe and sustainable source of high-value compounds, acting as carbon-fixing biofactories that could help to mitigate rapidly progressing climate change. Bioengineering microalgal strains will be key to optimizing and modifying their metabolic outputs, and to render them competitive with established industrial biotechnology hosts, such as bacteria or yeast. To achieve this, precise and tuneable control over transgene expression will be essential, which would require the development and rational design of synthetic promoters as a key strategy. Among green microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii represents the reference species for bioengineering and synthetic biology; however, the repertoire of functional synthetic promoters for this species, and for microalgae generally, is limited in comparison to other commercial chassis, emphasizing the need to expand the current microalgal gene expression toolbox. Here, we discuss state-of-the-art promoter analyses, and highlight areas of research required to advance synthetic promoter development in C. reinhardtii. In particular, we exemplify high-throughput studies performed in other model systems that could be applicable to microalgae, and propose novel approaches to interrogating algal promoters. We lastly outline the major limitations hindering microalgal promoter development, while providing novel suggestions and perspectives for how to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonsina Milito
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Moritz Aschern
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josie L McQuillan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - Jae-Seong Yang
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Paschoudi K, Yannaki E, Psatha N. Precision Editing as a Therapeutic Approach for β-Hemoglobinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119527. [PMID: 37298481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119527] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-hemoglobinopathies are the most common genetic disorders worldwide, caused by a wide spectrum of mutations in the β-globin locus, and associated with morbidity and early mortality in case of patient non-adherence to supportive treatment. Allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (allo-HSCT) used to be the only curative option, although the indispensable need for an HLA-matched donor markedly restricted its universal application. The evolution of gene therapy approaches made possible the ex vivo delivery of a therapeutic β- or γ- globin gene into patient-derived hematopoietic stem cells followed by the transplantation of corrected cells into myeloablated patients, having led to high rates of transfusion independence (thalassemia) or complete resolution of painful crises (sickle cell disease-SCD). Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), a syndrome characterized by increased γ-globin levels, when co-inherited with β-thalassemia or SCD, converts hemoglobinopathies to a benign condition with mild clinical phenotype. The rapid development of precise genome editing tools (ZFN, TALENs, CRISPR/Cas9) over the last decade has allowed the targeted introduction of mutations, resulting in disease-modifying outcomes. In this context, genome editing tools have successfully been used for the introduction of HPFH-like mutations both in HBG1/HBG2 promoters or/and in the erythroid enhancer of BCL11A to increase HbF expression as an alternative curative approach for β-hemoglobinopathies. The current investigation of new HbF modulators, such as ZBTB7A, KLF-1, SOX6, and ZNF410, further expands the range of possible genome editing targets. Importantly, genome editing approaches have recently reached clinical translation in trials investigating HbF reactivation in both SCD and thalassemic patients. Showing promising outcomes, these approaches are yet to be confirmed in long-term follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiriaki Paschoudi
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Clinic, George Papanikolaou Hospital, Exokhi, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Clinic, George Papanikolaou Hospital, Exokhi, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nikoletta Psatha
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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22
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Leonard S, Benfante R. Unanswered questions in the regulation and function of the duplicated α7 nicotinic receptor gene CHRFAM7A. Pharmacol Res 2023; 192:106783. [PMID: 37164281 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic receptor (α7 nAChR) is an important entry point for Ca2+ into the cell, which has broad and important effects on gene expression and function. The gene (CHRNA7), mapping to chromosome (15q14), has been genetically linked to a large number of diseases, many of which involve defects in cognition. While numerous mutations in CHRNA7 are associated with mental illness and inflammation, an important control point may be the function of a recently discovered partial duplication CHRNA7, CHRFAM7A, that negatively regulates the function of the α7 receptor, through the formation of heteropentamers; other functions cannot be excluded. The deregulation of this human specific gene (CHRFAM7A) has been linked to neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders and has important copy number variations. Much effort is being made to understand its function and regulation both in healthy and pathological conditions. However, many questions remain to be answered regarding its functional role, its regulation, and its role in the etiogenesis of neurological and inflammatory disorders. Missing knowledge on the pharmacology of the heteroreceptor has limited the discovery of new molecules capable of modulating its activity. Here we review the state of the art on the role of CHRFAM7A, highlighting unanswered questions to be addressed. A possible therapeutic approach based on genome editing protocols is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry Leonard
- Department of Psychiatry - University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Roberta Benfante
- CNR - Institute of Neuroscience, Vedano al Lambro (MB), Italy; Dept. Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; NeuroMI - Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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23
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Teper D, White FF, Wang N. The Dynamic Transcription Activator-Like Effector Family of Xanthomonas. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 113:651-666. [PMID: 36449529 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-10-22-0365-kd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are bacterial proteins that are injected into the eukaryotic nucleus to act as transcriptional factors and function as key virulence factors of the phytopathogen Xanthomonas. TALEs are translocated into plant host cells via the type III secretion system and induce the expression of host susceptibility (S) genes to facilitate disease. The unique modular DNA binding domains of TALEs comprise an array of nearly identical direct repeats that enable binding to DNA targets based on the recognition of a single nucleotide target per repeat. The very nature of TALE structure and function permits the proliferation of TALE genes and evolutionary adaptations in the host to counter TALE function, making the TALE-host interaction the most dynamic story in effector biology. The TALE genes appear to be a relatively young effector gene family, with a presence in all virulent members of some species and absent in others. Genome sequencing has revealed many TALE genes throughout the xanthomonads, and relatively few have been associated with a cognate S gene. Several species, including Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and X. citri pv. citri, have near absolute requirement for TALE gene function, while the genes appear to be just now entering the disease interactions with new fitness contributions to the pathogens of tomato and pepper among others. Deciphering the simple and effective DNA binding mechanism also has led to the development of DNA manipulation tools in fields of gene editing and transgenic research. In the three decades since their discovery, TALE research remains at the forefront of the study of bacterial evolution, plant-pathogen interactions, and synthetic biology. We also discuss critical questions that remain to be addressed regarding TALEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Teper
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Frank F White
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
| | - Nian Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, IFAS, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, U.S.A
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Hassan S, Ganai BA. Deciphering the recent trends in pesticide bioremediation using genome editing and multi-omics approaches: a review. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:151. [PMID: 37029313 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03603-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide pollution in recent times has emerged as a grave environmental problem contaminating both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems owing to their widespread use. Bioremediation using gene editing and system biology could be developed as an eco-friendly and proficient tool to remediate pesticide-contaminated sites due to its advantages and greater public acceptance over the physical and chemical methods. However, it is indispensable to understand the different aspects associated with microbial metabolism and their physiology for efficient pesticide remediation. Therefore, this review paper analyses the different gene editing tools and multi-omics methods in microbes to produce relevant evidence regarding genes, proteins and metabolites associated with pesticide remediation and the approaches to contend against pesticide-induced stress. We systematically discussed and analyzed the recent reports (2015-2022) on multi-omics methods for pesticide degradation to elucidate the mechanisms and the recent advances associated with the behaviour of microbes under diverse environmental conditions. This study envisages that CRISPR-Cas, ZFN and TALEN as gene editing tools utilizing Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli and Achromobacter sp. can be employed for remediation of chlorpyrifos, parathion-methyl, carbaryl, triphenyltin and triazophos by creating gRNA for expressing specific genes for the bioremediation. Similarly, systems biology accompanying multi-omics tactics revealed that microbial strains from Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas putida, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Rhodococcus sp. and Pencillium oxalicum are capable of degrading deltamethrin, p-nitrophenol, chlorimuron-ethyl and nicosulfuron. This review lends notable insights into the research gaps and provides potential solutions for pesticide remediation by using different microbe-assisted technologies. The inferences drawn from the current study will help researchers, ecologists, and decision-makers gain comprehensive knowledge of value and application of systems biology and gene editing in bioremediation assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahnawaz Hassan
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India.
| | - Bashir Ahmad Ganai
- Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India.
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25
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Tian M, Zhang R, Li J. Emergence of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated bioimaging: A new dawn of in-situ detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 232:115302. [PMID: 37086563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115302] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
In-situ detection provides deep insights into the function of genes and their relationship with diseases by directly visualizing their spatiotemporal behavior. As an emerging in-situ imaging tool, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-mediated bioimaging can localize targets in living and fixed cells. CRISPR-mediated bioimaging has inherent advantages over the gold standard of fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), including fast imaging, cost-effectiveness, and ease of preparation. Existing reviews have provided a detailed classification and overview of the principles of CRISPR-mediated bioimaging. However, the exploitation of potential clinical applicability of this bioimaging technique is still limited. Therefore, analyzing the potential value of CRISPR-mediated in-situ imaging is of great significance to the development of bioimaging. In this review, we initially discuss the available CRISPR-mediated imaging systems from the following aspects: summary of imaging substances, the design and optimization of bioimaging strategies, and factors influencing CRISPR-mediated in-situ detection. Subsequently, we highlight the potential of CRISPR-mediated bioimaging for application in biomedical research and clinical practice. Furthermore, we outline the current bottlenecks and future perspectives of CRISPR-based bioimaging. We believe that this review will facilitate the potential integration of bioimaging-related research with current clinical workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Tian
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/ National Center of Gerontology, People's Republic of China; Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, People's Republic of China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Zhang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/ National Center of Gerontology, People's Republic of China; Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, People's Republic of China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinming Li
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/ National Center of Gerontology, People's Republic of China; Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, People's Republic of China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Aman Mohammadi M, Maximiano MR, Hosseini SM, Franco OL. CRISPR-Cas engineering in food science and sustainable agriculture: recent advancements and applications. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2023; 46:483-497. [PMID: 36707422 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02842-5] [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: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The developments in the food supply chain to support the growing population of the world is one of today's most pressing issues, and to achieve this goal improvements should be performed in both crops and microbes. For this purpose, novel approaches such as genome editing (GE) methods have upgraded the biological sciences for genome manipulation and, among such methods, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) are the main exciting innovations since the Green Revolution. CRISPR/Cas systems can be a potent tool for the food industry, improvement of agricultural crops and even for protecting food-grade bacteria from foreign genetic invasive elements. This review introduces the history and mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas system as a genome editing tool and its applications in the vaccination of starter cultures, production of antimicrobials and bioactive compounds, and genome editing of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Aman Mohammadi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences, Food Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mariana Rocha Maximiano
- S-Inova Biotech, Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Graduate Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Seyede Marzieh Hosseini
- Student Research Committee, Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences, Food Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Graduate Program in Genomic Science and Biotechnology, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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27
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Pan Y, Xia H, He Y, Zeng S, Shen Z, Huang W. The progress of molecules and strategies for the treatment of HBV infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1128807. [PMID: 37009498 PMCID: PMC10053227 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1128807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infections have always been associated with high levels of mortality. In 2019, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases resulted in approximately 555,000 deaths globally. In view of its high lethality, the treatment of HBV infections has always presented a huge challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) came up with ambitious targets for the elimination of hepatitis B as a major public health threat by 2030. To accomplish this goal, one of the WHO’s strategies is to develop curative treatments for HBV infections. Current treatments in a clinical setting included 1 year of pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) and long-term nucleoside analogues (NAs). Although both treatments have demonstrated outstanding antiviral effects, it has been difficult to develop a cure for HBV. The reason for this is that covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), integrated HBV DNA, the high viral burden, and the impaired host immune responses all hinder the development of a cure for HBV. To overcome these problems, there are clinical trials on a number of antiviral molecules being carried out, all -showing promising results so far. In this review, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of action of various synthetic molecules, natural products, traditional Chinese herbal medicines, as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and their associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas)-based systems, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), all of which could destroy the stability of the HBV life cycle. In addition, we discuss the functions of immune modulators, which can enhance or activate the host immune system, as well some representative natural products with anti-HBV effects.
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Ghosh A, Nadella N, Monaghan-Nichols AP, Chu XP. Gene Therapy as an Emerging Treatment for Scn2a Mutation-Induced Autism Spectrum Disorders. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
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29
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Lu Z, Chen P, Xu Q, Li B, Jiang S, Jiang L, Zheng X. Constitutive and conditional gene knockout mice for the study of intervertebral disc degeneration: Current status, decision considerations, and future possibilities. JOR Spine 2023; 6:e1242. [PMID: 36994464 PMCID: PMC10041386 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
There have been an increasing number of patients with degenerative disc diseases due to the aging population. In light of this, studies on the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration have become a hot topic, and gene knockout mice have become a valuable tool in this field of research. With the development of science and technology, constitutive gene knockout mice can be constructed using homologous recombination, zinc finger nuclease, transcription activator-like effector nuclease technology and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, and conditional gene knockout mice can be constructed using the Cre/LoxP system. The gene-edited mice using these techniques have been widely used in the studies on disc degeneration. This paper reviews the development process and principles of these technologies, functions of the edited genes in disc degeneration, advantages, and disadvantages of different methods and possible targets of the specific Cre recombinase in intervertebral discs. Recommendations for the choice of suitable gene-edited model mice are presented. At the same time, possible technological improvements in the future are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze‐Yu Lu
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Peng‐Bo Chen
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Qing‐Yin Xu
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Bo Li
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Sheng‐Dan Jiang
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Lei‐Sheng Jiang
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Xin‐Feng Zheng
- Spine Center Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
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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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31
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Abdul Aziz M, Brini F, Rouached H, Masmoudi K. Genetically engineered crops for sustainably enhanced food production systems. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1027828. [PMID: 36426158 PMCID: PMC9680014 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1027828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Genetic modification of crops has substantially focused on improving traits for desirable outcomes. It has resulted in the development of crops with enhanced yields, quality, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. With the advent of introducing favorable traits into crops, biotechnology has created a path for the involvement of genetically modified (GM) crops into sustainable food production systems. Although these plants heralded a new era of crop production, their widespread adoption faces diverse challenges due to concerns about the environment, human health, and moral issues. Mitigating these concerns with scientific investigations is vital. Hence, the purpose of the present review is to discuss the deployment of GM crops and their effects on sustainable food production systems. It provides a comprehensive overview of the cultivation of GM crops and the issues preventing their widespread adoption, with appropriate strategies to overcome them. This review also presents recent tools for genome editing, with a special focus on the CRISPR/Cas9 platform. An outline of the role of crops developed through CRSIPR/Cas9 in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 is discussed in detail. Some perspectives on the approval of GM crops are also laid out for the new age of sustainability. The advancement in molecular tools through plant genome editing addresses many of the GM crop issues and facilitates their development without incorporating transgenic modifications. It will allow for a higher acceptance rate of GM crops in sustainable agriculture with rapid approval for commercialization. The current genetic modification of crops forecasts to increase productivity and prosperity in sustainable agricultural practices. The right use of GM crops has the potential to offer more benefit than harm, with its ability to alleviate food crises around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mughair Abdul Aziz
- Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al−Ain, Abu−Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faical Brini
- Biotechnology and Plant Improvement Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Hatem Rouached
- Michigan State University, Plant and Soil Science Building, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Khaled Masmoudi
- Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al−Ain, Abu−Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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32
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Biotechnological Advances to Improve Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231912053. [PMID: 36233352 PMCID: PMC9570234 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231912053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The major challenges that agriculture is facing in the twenty-first century are increasing droughts, water scarcity, flooding, poorer soils, and extreme temperatures due to climate change. However, most crops are not tolerant to extreme climatic environments. The aim in the near future, in a world with hunger and an increasing population, is to breed and/or engineer crops to tolerate abiotic stress with a higher yield. Some crop varieties display a certain degree of tolerance, which has been exploited by plant breeders to develop varieties that thrive under stress conditions. Moreover, a long list of genes involved in abiotic stress tolerance have been identified and characterized by molecular techniques and overexpressed individually in plant transformation experiments. Nevertheless, stress tolerance phenotypes are polygenetic traits, which current genomic tools are dissecting to exploit their use by accelerating genetic introgression using molecular markers or site-directed mutagenesis such as CRISPR-Cas9. In this review, we describe plant mechanisms to sense and tolerate adverse climate conditions and examine and discuss classic and new molecular tools to select and improve abiotic stress tolerance in major crops.
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33
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Novel epigenetic therapeutic strategies and targets in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166552. [PMID: 36126898 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The critical role of dysregulated epigenetic pathways in cancer genesis, development, and therapy has typically been established as a result of scientific and technical innovations in next generation sequencing. RNA interference, histone modification, DNA methylation and chromatin remodelling are epigenetic processes that control gene expression without causing mutations in the DNA. Although epigenetic abnormalities are thought to be a symptom of cell tumorigenesis and malignant events that impact tumor growth and drug resistance, physicians believe that related processes might be a key therapeutic target for cancer treatment and prevention due to the reversible nature of these processes. A plethora of novel strategies for addressing epigenetics in cancer therapy for immuno-oncological complications are currently available - ranging from basic treatment to epigenetic editing. - and they will be the subject of this comprehensive review. In this review, we cover most of the advancements made in the field of targeting epigenetics with special emphasis on microbiology, plasma science, biophysics, pharmacology, molecular biology, phytochemistry, and nanoscience.
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Forner J, Kleinschmidt D, Meyer EH, Fischer A, Morbitzer R, Lahaye T, Schöttler MA, Bock R. Targeted introduction of heritable point mutations into the plant mitochondrial genome. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:245-256. [PMID: 35301443 PMCID: PMC8940627 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01108-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The development of technologies for the genetic manipulation of mitochondrial genomes remains a major challenge. Here we report a method for the targeted introduction of mutations into plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that we refer to as transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) gene-drive mutagenesis (GDM), or TALEN-GDM. The method combines TALEN-induced site-specific cleavage of the mtDNA with selection for mutations that confer resistance to the TALEN cut. Applying TALEN-GDM to the tobacco mitochondrial nad9 gene, we isolated a large set of mutants carrying single amino acid substitutions in the Nad9 protein. The mutants could be purified to homochondriomy and stably inherited their edited mtDNA in the expected maternal fashion. TALEN-GDM induces both transitions and transversions, and can access most nucleotide positions within the TALEN binding site. Our work provides an efficient method for targeted mitochondrial genome editing that produces genetically stable, homochondriomic and fertile plants with specific point mutations in their mtDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Forner
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dennis Kleinschmidt
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Etienne H Meyer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Institut für Pflanzenphysiologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Axel Fischer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Robert Morbitzer
- ZMBP, Allgemeine Genetik, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Lahaye
- ZMBP, Allgemeine Genetik, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mark A Schöttler
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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Tay Fernandez CG, Nestor BJ, Danilevicz MF, Marsh JI, Petereit J, Bayer PE, Batley J, Edwards D. Expanding Gene-Editing Potential in Crop Improvement with Pangenomes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042276. [PMID: 35216392 PMCID: PMC8879065 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pangenomes aim to represent the complete repertoire of the genome diversity present within a species or cohort of species, capturing the genomic structural variance between individuals. This genomic information coupled with phenotypic data can be applied to identify genes and alleles involved with abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, and other desirable traits. The characterisation of novel structural variants from pangenomes can support genome editing approaches such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR associated protein Cas (CRISPR-Cas), providing functional information on gene sequences and new target sites in variant-specific genes with increased efficiency. This review discusses the application of pangenomes in genome editing and crop improvement, focusing on the potential of pangenomes to accurately identify target genes for CRISPR-Cas editing of plant genomes while avoiding adverse off-target effects. We consider the limitations of applying CRISPR-Cas editing with pangenome references and potential solutions to overcome these limitations.
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36
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Rasheed A, Gill RA, Hassan MU, Mahmood A, Qari S, Zaman QU, Ilyas M, Aamer M, Batool M, Li H, Wu Z. A Critical Review: Recent Advancements in the Use of CRISPR/Cas9 Technology to Enhance Crops and Alleviate Global Food Crises. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:1950-1976. [PMID: 34889892 PMCID: PMC8929161 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing (GE) has revolutionized the biological sciences by creating a novel approach for manipulating the genomes of living organisms. Many tools have been developed in recent years to enable the editing of complex genomes. Therefore, a reliable and rapid approach for increasing yield and tolerance to various environmental stresses is necessary to sustain agricultural crop production for global food security. This critical review elaborates the GE tools used for crop improvement. These tools include mega-nucleases (MNs), such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). Specifically, this review addresses the latest advancements in the role of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome manipulation for major crop improvement, including yield and quality development of biotic stress- and abiotic stress-tolerant crops. Implementation of this technique will lead to the production of non-transgene crops with preferred characteristics that can result in enhanced yield capacity under various environmental stresses. The CRISPR/Cas9 technique can be combined with current and potential breeding methods (e.g., speed breeding and omics-assisted breeding) to enhance agricultural productivity to ensure food security. We have also discussed the challenges and limitations of CRISPR/Cas9. This information will be useful to plant breeders and researchers in the thorough investigation of the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to boost crops by targeting the gene of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Rasheed
- Key Laboratory of Crops Physiology, Ecology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Education/College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (A.R.); (H.L.)
| | - Rafaqat Ali Gill
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China; (R.A.G.); (Q.U.Z.)
| | - Muhammad Umair Hassan
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Athar Mahmood
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan;
| | - Sameer Qari
- Biology Department, (Genetics and Molecular Biology Central Laboratory), Aljumum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Qamar U. Zaman
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China; (R.A.G.); (Q.U.Z.)
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- University College of Dera Murad Jamali, Nasirabad 80700, Balochistan, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Aamer
- Research Center on Ecological Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (M.U.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Maria Batool
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Huijie Li
- Key Laboratory of Crops Physiology, Ecology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Education/College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (A.R.); (H.L.)
- College of Humanity and Public Administration, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Ziming Wu
- Key Laboratory of Crops Physiology, Ecology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Education/College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China; (A.R.); (H.L.)
- Correspondence:
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