1
|
Balmas E, Sozza F, Bottini S, Ratto ML, Savorè G, Becca S, Snijders KE, Bertero A. Manipulating and studying gene function in human pluripotent stem cell models. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2250-2287. [PMID: 37519013 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14709] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are uniquely suited to study human development and disease and promise to revolutionize regenerative medicine. These applications rely on robust methods to manipulate gene function in hPSC models. This comprehensive review aims to both empower scientists approaching the field and update experienced stem cell biologists. We begin by highlighting challenges with manipulating gene expression in hPSCs and their differentiated derivatives, and relevant solutions (transfection, transduction, transposition, and genomic safe harbor editing). We then outline how to perform robust constitutive or inducible loss-, gain-, and change-of-function experiments in hPSCs models, both using historical methods (RNA interference, transgenesis, and homologous recombination) and modern programmable nucleases (particularly CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives, i.e., CRISPR interference, activation, base editing, and prime editing). We further describe extension of these approaches for arrayed or pooled functional studies, including emerging single-cell genomic methods, and the related design and analytical bioinformatic tools. Finally, we suggest some directions for future advancements in all of these areas. Mastering the combination of these transformative technologies will empower unprecedented advances in human biology and medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Balmas
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Sozza
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Sveva Bottini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Ratto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Savorè
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Becca
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Kirsten Esmee Snijders
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vojnits K, Nakanishi M, Porras D, Kim Y, Feng Z, Golubeva D, Bhatia M. Developing CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Fluorescent Reporter Human Pluripotent Stem-Cell Lines for High-Content Screening. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082434. [PMID: 35458632 PMCID: PMC9025795 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knock in fluorescent proteins to endogenous genes of interest in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has the potential to facilitate hPSC-based disease modeling, drug screening, and optimization of transplantation therapy. To evaluate the capability of fluorescent reporter hPSC lines for high-content screening approaches, we targeted EGFP to the endogenous OCT4 locus. Resulting hPSC–OCT4–EGFP lines generated expressed EGFP coincident with pluripotency markers and could be adapted to multi-well formats for high-content screening (HCS) campaigns. However, after long-term culture, hPSCs transiently lost their EGFP expression. Alternatively, through EGFP knock-in to the AAVS1 locus, we established a stable and consistent EGFP-expressing hPSC–AAVS1–EGFP line that maintained EGFP expression during in vitro hematopoietic and neural differentiation. Thus, hPSC–AAVS1–EGFP-derived sensory neurons could be adapted to a high-content screening platform that can be applied to high-throughput small-molecule screening and drug discovery campaigns. Our observations are consistent with recent findings indicating that high-frequency on-target complexities appear following CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing at the OCT4 locus. In contrast, we demonstrate that the AAVS1 locus is a safe genomic location in hPSCs with high gene expression that does not impact hPSC quality and differentiation. Our findings suggest that the CRISPR/Cas9-integrated AAVS1 system should be applied for generating stable reporter hPSC lines for long-term HCS approaches, and they underscore the importance of careful evaluation and selection of the applied reporter cell lines for HCS purposes.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bertero A, Yiangou L, Brown S, Ortmann D, Pawlowski M, Vallier L. Conditional Manipulation of Gene Function in Human Cells with Optimized Inducible shRNA. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 44:5C.4.1-5C.4.48. [PMID: 29512130 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The difficulties involved in conditionally perturbing complex gene expression networks represent major challenges toward defining the mechanisms controlling human development, physiology, and disease. We developed an OPTimized inducible KnockDown (OPTiKD) platform that addresses the limitations of previous approaches by allowing streamlined, tightly-controlled, and potent loss-of-function experiments for both single and multiple genes. The method relies on single-step genetic engineering of the AAVS1 genomic safe harbor with an optimized tetracycline-responsive cassette driving one or more inducible short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). OPTiKD provides homogeneous, dose-responsive, and reversible gene knockdown. When implemented in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), the approach can be then applied to a broad range of hPSC-derived mature cell lineages that include neurons, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes. Generation of OPTiKD hPSCs in commonly used culture conditions is simple (plasmid based), rapid (two weeks), and highly efficient (>95%). Overall, this method facilitates the functional annotation of the human genome in health and disease. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bertero
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Loukia Yiangou
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Brown
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ortmann
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Pawlowski
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ludovic Vallier
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
O'Duibhir E, Carragher NO, Pollard SM. Accelerating glioblastoma drug discovery: Convergence of patient-derived models, genome editing and phenotypic screening. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 80:198-207. [PMID: 27825983 PMCID: PMC6128397 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) continue to face a bleak prognosis. It is critical that new effective therapeutic strategies are developed. GBM stem cells have molecular hallmarks of neural stem and progenitor cells and it is possible to propagate both non-transformed normal neural stem cells and GBM stem cells, in defined, feeder-free, adherent culture. These primary stem cell lines provide an experimental model that is ideally suited to cell-based drug discovery or genetic screens in order to identify tumour-specific vulnerabilities. For many solid tumours, including GBM, the genetic disruptions that drive tumour initiation and growth have now been catalogued. CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing technologies have recently emerged, transforming our ability to functionally annotate the human genome. Genome editing opens prospects for engineering precise genetic changes in normal and GBM-derived neural stem cells, which will provide more defined and reliable genetic models, with critical matched pairs of isogenic cell lines. Generation of more complex alleles such as knock in tags or fluorescent reporters is also now possible. These new cellular models can be deployed in cell-based phenotypic drug discovery (PDD). Here we discuss the convergence of these advanced technologies (iPS cells, neural stem cell culture, genome editing and high content phenotypic screening) and how they herald a new era in human cellular genetics that should have a major impact in accelerating glioblastoma drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eoghan O'Duibhir
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, CRUK Edinburgh Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, CRUK Edinburgh Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Steven M Pollard
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, CRUK Edinburgh Centre, University of Edinburgh, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bertero A, Pawlowski M, Ortmann D, Snijders K, Yiangou L, Cardoso de Brito M, Brown S, Bernard WG, Cooper JD, Giacomelli E, Gambardella L, Hannan NRF, Iyer D, Sampaziotis F, Serrano F, Zonneveld MCF, Sinha S, Kotter M, Vallier L. Optimized inducible shRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 platforms for in vitro studies of human development using hPSCs. Development 2016; 143:4405-4418. [PMID: 27899508 PMCID: PMC5201041 DOI: 10.1242/dev.138081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Inducible loss of gene function experiments are necessary to uncover mechanisms underlying development, physiology and disease. However, current methods are complex, lack robustness and do not work in multiple cell types. Here we address these limitations by developing single-step optimized inducible gene knockdown or knockout (sOPTiKD or sOPTiKO) platforms. These are based on genetic engineering of human genomic safe harbors combined with an improved tetracycline-inducible system and CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We exemplify the efficacy of these methods in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), and show that generation of sOPTiKD/KO hPSCs is simple, rapid and allows tightly controlled individual or multiplexed gene knockdown or knockout in hPSCs and in a wide variety of differentiated cells. Finally, we illustrate the general applicability of this approach by investigating the function of transcription factors (OCT4 and T), cell cycle regulators (cyclin D family members) and epigenetic modifiers (DPY30). Overall, sOPTiKD and sOPTiKO provide a unique opportunity for functional analyses in multiple cell types relevant for the study of human development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bertero
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Matthias Pawlowski
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Daniel Ortmann
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Kirsten Snijders
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Loukia Yiangou
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miguel Cardoso de Brito
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Stephanie Brown
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - William G Bernard
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James D Cooper
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elisa Giacomelli
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Laure Gambardella
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicholas R F Hannan
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Dharini Iyer
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fotios Sampaziotis
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Felipe Serrano
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mariëlle C F Zonneveld
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark Kotter
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Ludovic Vallier
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| |
Collapse
|