1
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MalagodaPathiranage K, Banerjee R, Martin C. A new approach to RNA synthesis: immobilization of stably and functionally co-tethered promoter DNA and T7 RNA polymerase. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:10607-10618. [PMID: 39011885 PMCID: PMC11417385 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Current approaches to RNA synthesis/manufacturing require substantial (and incomplete) purification post-synthesis. We have previously demonstrated the synthesis of RNA from a complex in which T7 RNA polymerase is tethered to promoter DNA. In the current work, we extend this approach to demonstrate an extremely stable system of functional co-tethered complex to a solid support. Using the system attached to magnetic beads, we carry out more than 20 rounds of synthesis using the initial polymerase-DNA construct. We further demonstrate the wide utility of this system in the synthesis of short RNA, a CRISPR guide RNA, and a protein-coding mRNA. In all cases, the generation of self-templated double stranded RNA (dsRNA) impurities are greatly reduced, by both the tethering itself and by the salt-tolerance that local co-tethering provides. Transfection of the mRNA into HEK293T cells shows a correlation between added salt in the transcription reaction (which inhibits RNA rebinding that generates RNA-templated extensions) and significantly increased expression and reduced innate immune stimulation by the mRNA reaction product. These results point in the direction of streamlined processes for synthesis/manufacturing of high-quality RNA of any length, and at greatly reduced costs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruptanu Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Craig T Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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2
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Chang JF, Wellhausen N, Engel NW, Landmann JH, Hopkins CR, Salas-McKee J, Bear AS, Selli ME, Agarwal S, Jadlowsky JK, Linette GP, Gill S, June CH, Fraietta JA, Singh N. Identification of Core Techniques That Enhance Genome Editing of Human T Cells Expressing Synthetic Antigen Receptors. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:1136-1146. [PMID: 38869428 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-24-0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing technologies have seen remarkable progress in recent years, enabling precise regulation of exogenous and endogenous genes. These advances have been extensively applied to the engineering of human T lymphocytes, leading to the development of practice changing therapies for patients with cancer and the promise of synthetic immune cell therapies for a variety of nonmalignant diseases. Many distinct conceptual and technical approaches have been used to edit T-cell genomes, however targeted assessments of which techniques are most effective for manufacturing, gene editing, and transgene expression are rarely reported. Through extensive comparative evaluation, we identified methods that most effectively enhance engineering of research-scale and preclinical T-cell products at critical stages of manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Fang Chang
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Center for Gene and Cellular Immunotherapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Nils Wellhausen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nils W Engel
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jack H Landmann
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Center for Gene and Cellular Immunotherapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Caitlin R Hopkins
- Deparment of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - January Salas-McKee
- Deparment of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Adham S Bear
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mehmet E Selli
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Center for Gene and Cellular Immunotherapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sangya Agarwal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Julie K Jadlowsky
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gerald P Linette
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Saar Gill
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carl H June
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Deparment of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nathan Singh
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Center for Gene and Cellular Immunotherapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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3
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Gambino G, Nuzzo F, Moine A, Chitarra W, Pagliarani C, Petrelli A, Boccacci P, Delliri A, Velasco R, Nerva L, Perrone I. Genome editing of a recalcitrant wine grape genotype by lipofectamine-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins to protoplasts. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 119:404-412. [PMID: 38646817 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The main bottleneck in the application of biotechnological breeding methods to woody species is due to the in vitro regeneration recalcitrance shown by several genotypes. On the other side, woody species, especially grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), use most of the pesticides and other expensive inputs in agriculture, making the development of efficient approaches of genetic improvement absolutely urgent. Genome editing is an extremely promising technique particularly for wine grape genotypes, as it allows to modify the desired gene in a single step, preserving all the quality traits selected and appreciated in elite varieties. A genome editing and regeneration protocol for the production of transgene-free grapevine plants, exploiting the lipofectamine-mediated direct delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) to target the phytoene desaturase gene, is reported. We focused on Nebbiolo (V. vinifera), an extremely in vitro recalcitrant wine genotype used to produce outstanding wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco. The use of the PEG-mediated editing method available in literature and employed for highly embryogenic grapevine genotypes did not allow the proper embryo development in the recalcitrant Nebbiolo. Lipofectamines, on the contrary, did not have a negative impact on protoplast viability and plant regeneration, leading to the obtainment of fully developed edited plants after about 5 months from the transfection. Our work represents one of the first examples of lipofectamine use for delivering editing reagents in plant protoplasts. The important result achieved for the wine grape genotype breeding could be extended to other important wine grape varieties and recalcitrant woody species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Gambino
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Floriana Nuzzo
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Amedeo Moine
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Walter Chitarra
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Chiara Pagliarani
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Annalisa Petrelli
- Open Laboratory - Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin (DSV-UNITO), Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Paolo Boccacci
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Delliri
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Riccardo Velasco
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Luca Nerva
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
- Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-VE), Via XXVIII Aprile 26, 31015, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Irene Perrone
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
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4
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Piao X, Tang Y, Li X, Zhang W, Yang W, Xu X, Wang W, Jiang J, Xu J, Hu K, Xu M, Liu M, Sun M, Jin L. Supercoiled DNA percentage: A key in-process control of linear DNA template for mRNA drug substance manufacturing. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102223. [PMID: 38948330 PMCID: PMC11214521 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and therapeutics necessitates the production of high-quality in vitro-transcribed mRNA drug substance with specific critical quality attributes (CQAs), which are closely tied to the uniformity of linear DNA template. The supercoiled plasmid DNA is the precursor to the linear DNA template, and the supercoiled DNA percentage is commonly regarded as a key in-process control (IPC) during the manufacturing of linear DNA template. In this study, we investigate the influence of supercoiled DNA percentage on key mRNA CQAs, including purity, capping efficiency, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and distribution of poly(A) tail. Our findings reveal a significant impact of supercoiled DNA percentage on mRNA purity and in vitro transcription yield. Notably, we observe that the impact on mRNA purity can be mitigated through oligo-dT chromatography, alleviating the tight range of DNA supercoiled percentage to some extent. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into IPC strategies for DNA template chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) and process development for mRNA drug substance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijun Piao
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- Wuhan CATUG Biotechnology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yujie Tang
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Xiuzhi Li
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Weicheng Zhang
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Wuhan CATUG Biotechnology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xining Xu
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jiajia Jiang
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Jun Xu
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Kunkun Hu
- Wuhan CATUG Biotechnology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Meiling Xu
- Wuhan CATUG Biotechnology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Mengjie Liu
- Wuhan CATUG Biotechnology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Mengfei Sun
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Lin Jin
- CATUG Biotechnology, Suzhou 215000, China
- Wuhan CATUG Biotechnology, Wuhan 430074, China
- CATUG Inc, Cambridge, MA 02141, United States
- CATUG Life Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
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5
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Piñón Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Sharma A, Gratz IK, Koller U. Challenges and progress related to gene editing in rare skin diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115294. [PMID: 38527624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115294] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Genodermatoses represent a large group of inherited skin disorders encompassing clinically-heterogeneous conditions that manifest in the skin and other organs. Depending on disease variant, associated clinical manifestations and secondary complications can severely impact patients' quality of life and currently available treatments are transient and not curative. Multiple emerging approaches using CRISPR-based technologies offer promising prospects for therapy. Here, we explore current advances and challenges related to gene editing in rare skin diseases, including different strategies tailored to mutation type and structural organization of the affected gene, considerations for in vivo and ex vivo applications, the critical issue of delivery into the skin, and immune aspects of therapy. Against the backdrop of a landmark FDA approval for the first re-dosable gene replacement therapy for a rare genetic skin disorder, gene editing approaches are inching closer to the clinics and the possibility of a local permanent cure for patients affected by these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefina Piñón Hofbauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christina Guttmann-Gruber
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Verena Wally
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anshu Sharma
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Iris K Gratz
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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6
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Vu GT, Awad V, Norberto MF, Bowman TV, Trompouki E. Nucleic acid-induced inflammation on hematopoietic stem cells. Exp Hematol 2024; 131:104148. [PMID: 38151171 PMCID: PMC11061806 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2023.104148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis, the process of generating blood cells, starts during development with the primitive, pro-definitive, and definitive hematopoietic waves. The first two waves will generate erythrocytes and myeloid cells, although the definitive wave will give rise to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that are multipotent and can produce most of the blood cells in an adult. Although HSCs are highly proliferative during development, during adulthood they remain quiescent in the bone marrow. Inflammatory signaling in the form of interferons, interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, and others is well-established to influence both developmental and adult hematopoiesis. Here we discuss the role of specific inflammatory pathways that are induced by sensing nucleic acids. We discuss the role of RNA-sensing members of the Toll-like, Rig-I-like, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like, and AIM2-like protein kinase receptors and the DNA-sensing receptors, DEAD-Box helicase 41 (DDX41) and cGAS. The main downstream pathways of these receptors are discussed, as well as their influence on developmental and adult hematopoiesis, including hematopoietic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giang To Vu
- IRCAN Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, INSERM Unité 1081, CNRS UMR 7284, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Valerie Awad
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Gottesman Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Bronx, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY
| | - Maria Feliz Norberto
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Gottesman Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Bronx, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY
| | - Teresa V Bowman
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology and Gottesman Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Bronx, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY; Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
| | - Eirini Trompouki
- IRCAN Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, INSERM Unité 1081, CNRS UMR 7284, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
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7
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Li X, Chen Z, Ye W, Yu J, Zhang X, Li Y, Niu Y, Ran S, Wang S, Luo Z, Zhao J, Hao Y, Zong J, Xia C, Xia J, Wu J. High-throughput CRISPR technology: a novel horizon for solid organ transplantation. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1295523. [PMID: 38239344 PMCID: PMC10794540 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1295523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Organ transplantation is the gold standard therapy for end-stage organ failure. However, the shortage of available grafts and long-term graft dysfunction remain the primary barriers to organ transplantation. Exploring approaches to solve these issues is urgent, and CRISPR/Cas9-based transcriptome editing provides one potential solution. Furthermore, combining CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing with an ex vivo organ perfusion system would enable pre-implantation transcriptome editing of grafts. How to determine effective intervention targets becomes a new problem. Fortunately, the advent of high-throughput CRISPR screening has dramatically accelerated the effective targets. This review summarizes the current advancements, utilization, and workflow of CRISPR screening in various immune and non-immune cells. It also discusses the ongoing applications of CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing in transplantation and the prospective applications of CRISPR screening in solid organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhang Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weicong Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jizhang Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuqing Niu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuan Ran
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zilong Luo
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiulu Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanglin Hao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Zong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengkun Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahong Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
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8
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Patange S, Maragh S. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble: What Is in Your Genome Editing Brew? Biochemistry 2023; 62:3500-3511. [PMID: 36306429 PMCID: PMC10734218 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing is a rapidly evolving biotechnology with the potential to transform many sectors of industry such as agriculture, biomanufacturing, and medicine. This technology is enabled by an ever-growing portfolio of biomolecular reagents that span the central dogma, from DNA to RNA to protein. In this paper, we draw from our unique perspective as the National Metrology Institute of the United States to bring attention to the importance of understanding and reporting genome editing formulations accurately and promoting concepts to verify successful delivery into cells. Achieving the correct understanding may be hindered by the way units, quantities, and stoichiometries are reported in the field. We highlight the variability in how editing formulations are reported in the literature and examine how a reference molecule could be used to verify the delivery of a reagent into cells. We provide recommendations on how more accurate reporting of editing formulations and more careful verification of the steps in an editing experiment can help set baseline expectations of reagent performance, toward the aim of enabling genome editing studies to be more reproducible. We conclude with a future outlook on technologies that can further our control and enable our understanding of genome editing outcomes at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Patange
- Biosystems and Biomaterials
Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Samantha Maragh
- Biosystems and Biomaterials
Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
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9
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Cao Y, Liu H, Lu SS, Jones KA, Govind AP, Jeyifous O, Simmons CQ, Tabatabaei N, Green WN, Holder JL, Tahmasebi S, George AL, Dickinson BC. RNA-based translation activators for targeted gene upregulation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6827. [PMID: 37884512 PMCID: PMC10603104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Technologies capable of programmable translation activation offer strategies to develop therapeutics for diseases caused by insufficient gene expression. Here, we present "translation-activating RNAs" (taRNAs), a bifunctional RNA-based molecular technology that binds to a specific mRNA of interest and directly upregulates its translation. taRNAs are constructed from a variety of viral or mammalian RNA internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) and upregulate translation for a suite of target mRNAs. We minimize the taRNA scaffold to 94 nucleotides, identify two translation initiation factor proteins responsible for taRNA activity, and validate the technology by amplifying SYNGAP1 expression, a haploinsufficiency disease target, in patient-derived cells. Finally, taRNAs are suitable for delivery as RNA molecules by lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to cell lines, primary neurons, and mouse liver in vivo. taRNAs provide a general and compact nucleic acid-based technology to upregulate protein production from endogenous mRNAs, and may open up possibilities for therapeutic RNA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Huachun Liu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shannon S Lu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Krysten A Jones
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Anitha P Govind
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Okunola Jeyifous
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christine Q Simmons
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Negar Tabatabaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - William N Green
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jimmy L Holder
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Soroush Tahmasebi
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alfred L George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bryan C Dickinson
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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10
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Calandrelli R, Wen X, Charles Richard JL, Luo Z, Nguyen TC, Chen CJ, Qi Z, Xue S, Chen W, Yan Z, Wu W, Zaleta-Rivera K, Hu R, Yu M, Wang Y, Li W, Ma J, Ren B, Zhong S. Genome-wide analysis of the interplay between chromatin-associated RNA and 3D genome organization in human cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6519. [PMID: 37845234 PMCID: PMC10579264 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42274-7] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The interphase genome is dynamically organized in the nucleus and decorated with chromatin-associated RNA (caRNA). It remains unclear whether the genome architecture modulates the spatial distribution of caRNA and vice versa. Here, we generate a resource of genome-wide RNA-DNA and DNA-DNA contact maps in human cells. These maps reveal the chromosomal domains demarcated by locally transcribed RNA, hereafter termed RNA-defined chromosomal domains. Further, the spreading of caRNA is constrained by the boundaries of topologically associating domains (TADs), demonstrating the role of the 3D genome structure in modulating the spatial distribution of RNA. Conversely, stopping transcription or acute depletion of RNA induces thousands of chromatin loops genome-wide. Activation or suppression of the transcription of specific genes suppresses or creates chromatin loops straddling these genes. Deletion of a specific caRNA-producing genomic sequence promotes chromatin loops that straddle the interchromosomal target sequences of this caRNA. These data suggest a feedback loop where the 3D genome modulates the spatial distribution of RNA, which in turn affects the dynamic 3D genome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Calandrelli
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xingzhao Wen
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Zhifei Luo
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tri C Nguyen
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chien-Ju Chen
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhijie Qi
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shuanghong Xue
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Weizhong Chen
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhangming Yan
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Weixin Wu
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kathia Zaleta-Rivera
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Epigenomics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Miao Yu
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jian Ma
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bing Ren
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Epigenomics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sheng Zhong
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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11
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Murugesan R, Karuppusamy KV, Marepally S, Thangavel S. Current approaches and potential challenges in the delivery of gene editing cargos into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1148693. [PMID: 37780116 PMCID: PMC10540692 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1148693] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in gene delivery and editing have expanded the applications of autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for the treatment of monogenic and acquired diseases. The gene editing toolbox is growing, and the ability to achieve gene editing with mRNA or protein delivered intracellularly by vehicles, such as electroporation and nanoparticles, has highlighted the potential of gene editing in HSPCs. Ongoing phase I/II clinical trials with gene-edited HSPCs for β-hemoglobinopathies provide hope for treating monogenic diseases. The development of safe and efficient gene editing reagents and their delivery into hard-to-transfect HSPCs have been critical drivers in the rapid translation of HSPC gene editing into clinical studies. This review article summarizes the available payloads and delivery vehicles for gene editing HSPCs and their potential impact on therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Murugesan
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), A Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Karthik V. Karuppusamy
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), A Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Srujan Marepally
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), A Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Saravanabhavan Thangavel
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR), A Unit of InStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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12
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Malagoda Pathiranage K, Martin CT. A simple approach to improving RNA synthesis: Salt inhibition of RNA rebinding coupled with strengthening promoter binding by a targeted gap in the DNA. Methods Enzymol 2023; 691:209-222. [PMID: 37914447 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.06.001] [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: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
T7 RNA polymerase is widely used to synthesize RNA of any length, and long-standing protocols exist to efficiently generate large amounts of RNA. Such synthesis, however, is often plagued by so-called "nontemplated additions" at the 3' end, which are in fact templated by the RNA itself and give rise to double-stranded RNA impurities in RNA therapeutics. These additions are generated by RNA polymerase rebinding to the product RNA (independent of DNA) and this rebinding is in competition with promoter binding. This chapter reports on a general approach that simultaneously weakens RNA rebinding by increasing salt, while at the same time increases promoter binding through manipulating the promoter DNA structure, shifting the balance away from self-primed extension. We present two approaches for use in different regimes. For (short) RNAs using synthetic oligonucleotides as DNA, promoter binding is strengthened by using a partially single stranded promoter construct already in wide use in the field. For the synthesis of RNA (of any length), one can replicate the behavior of the first approach by introducing a targeted gap in the promoter, using a PCR primer containing an engineered deoxyuracil that is then excised by a commercially available enzyme system, to leave a promoter-strengthening gap. Both approaches are simple to implement, with only slight variations on standard synthesis approaches, making them valuable tools for a wide range of applications, from basic science to mRNA, CRISPR, lncRNA, and other therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig T Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States.
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13
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Bendixen L, Jensen TI, Bak RO. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional modulation: The therapeutic promises of CRISPRa and CRISPRi. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1920-1937. [PMID: 36964659 PMCID: PMC10362391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system is commonly known for its ability to cleave DNA in a programmable manner, which has democratized gene editing and facilitated recent breakthroughs in gene therapy. However, newer iterations of the technology using nuclease-disabled Cas enzymes have spurred a variety of different types of genetic engineering platforms such as transcriptional modulation using the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) systems. This review introduces the creation of these programmable transcriptional modulators, various methods of delivery utilized for these systems, and recent technological developments. CRISPRa and CRISPRi have also been implemented in genetic screens for interrogating gene function and discovering genes involved in various biological pathways. We describe recent compelling examples of how these tools have become powerful means to unravel genetic networks and uncovering important information about devastating diseases. Finally, we provide an overview of preclinical studies in which transcriptional modulation has been used therapeutically, and we discuss potential future directions of these novel modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bendixen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Trine I Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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14
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Ferrari S, Valeri E, Conti A, Scala S, Aprile A, Di Micco R, Kajaste-Rudnitski A, Montini E, Ferrari G, Aiuti A, Naldini L. Genetic engineering meets hematopoietic stem cell biology for next-generation gene therapy. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:549-570. [PMID: 37146580 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The growing clinical success of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) gene therapy (GT) relies on the development of viral vectors as portable "Trojan horses" for safe and efficient gene transfer. The recent advent of novel technologies enabling site-specific gene editing is broadening the scope and means of GT, paving the way to more precise genetic engineering and expanding the spectrum of diseases amenable to HSPC-GT. Here, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art and prospective developments of the HSPC-GT field, highlighting how advances in biological characterization and manipulation of HSPCs will enable the design of the next generation of these transforming therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Ferrari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Erika Valeri
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Anastasia Conti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Serena Scala
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Annamaria Aprile
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Raffaella Di Micco
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Eugenio Montini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ferrari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Alessandro Aiuti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan 20132, Italy.
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15
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Despic V, Jaffrey SR. mRNA ageing shapes the Cap2 methylome in mammalian mRNA. Nature 2023; 614:358-366. [PMID: 36725932 PMCID: PMC9891201 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05668-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The mRNA cap structure is a major site of dynamic mRNA methylation. mRNA caps exist in either the Cap1 or Cap2 form, depending on the presence of 2'-O-methylation on the first transcribed nucleotide or both the first and second transcribed nucleotides, respectively1,2. However, the identity of Cap2-containing mRNAs and the function of Cap2 are unclear. Here we describe CLAM-Cap-seq, a method for transcriptome-wide mapping and quantification of Cap2. We find that unlike other epitranscriptomic modifications, Cap2 can occur on all mRNAs. Cap2 is formed through a slow continuous conversion of mRNAs from Cap1 to Cap2 as mRNAs age in the cytosol. As a result, Cap2 is enriched on long-lived mRNAs. Large increases in the abundance of Cap1 leads to activation of RIG-I, especially in conditions in which expression of RIG-I is increased. The methylation of Cap1 to Cap2 markedly reduces the ability of RNAs to bind to and activate RIG-I. The slow methylation rate of Cap2 allows Cap2 to accumulate on host mRNAs, yet ensures that low levels of Cap2 occur on newly expressed viral RNAs. Overall, these results reveal an immunostimulatory role for Cap1, and that Cap2 functions to reduce activation of the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Despic
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samie R Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
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16
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Freund EC, Haag SM, Haley B, Murthy A. Optimized Nonviral Gene Disruption in Primary Murine and Human Myeloid Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2618:201-217. [PMID: 36905519 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2938-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered myeloid cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells have broad applications in basic and translational research. Their central roles in innate and adaptive immunity make them attractive as putative therapeutic cell products. However, efficient gene editing of primary myeloid cells presents unique challenges owing to their sensitivity to foreign nucleic acids and poor editing efficiencies using current methodologies (Hornung et al., Science 314:994-997, 2006; Coch et al., PLoS One 8:e71057, 2013; Bartok and Hartmann, Immunity 53:54-77, 2020; Hartmann, Adv Immunol 133:121-169, 2017; Bobadilla et al., Gene Ther 20:514-520, 2013; Schlee and Hartmann, Nat Rev Immunol 16:566-580, 2016; Leyva et al., BMC Biotechnol 11:13, 2011). This chapter describes nonviral CRISPR-mediated gene knockout in primary human and murine monocytes as well as monocyte-derived or bone marrow-derived macrophages and dendritic cells. Electroporation-mediated delivery of recombinant Cas9 complexed with synthetic guide RNAs can be applied for population-level disruption of single or multiple gene targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Freund
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Simone M Haag
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Haley
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aditya Murthy
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA, USA.
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17
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Shiroshita K, Kobayashi H, Watanuki S, Karigane D, Sorimachi Y, Fujita S, Tamaki S, Haraguchi M, Itokawa N, Aoyoama K, Koide S, Masamoto Y, Kobayashi K, Nakamura-Ishizu A, Kurokawa M, Iwama A, Okamoto S, Kataoka K, Takubo K. A culture platform to study quiescent hematopoietic stem cells following genome editing. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100354. [PMID: 36590688 PMCID: PMC9795334 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Other than genetically engineered mice, few reliable platforms are available for the study of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) quiescence. Here we present a platform to analyze HSC cell cycle quiescence by combining culture conditions that maintain quiescence with a CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system optimized for HSCs. We demonstrate that preculture of HSCs enhances editing efficiency by facilitating nuclear transport of ribonucleoprotein complexes. For post-editing culture, mouse and human HSCs edited based on non-homologous end joining and cultured under low-cytokine, low-oxygen, and high-albumin conditions retain their phenotypes and quiescence better than those cultured under the proliferative conditions. Using this approach, HSCs regain quiescence even after editing by homology-directed repair. Our results show that low-cytokine culture conditions for gene-edited HSCs are a useful approach for investigating HSC quiescence ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Shiroshita
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Shintaro Watanuki
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Daiki Karigane
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yuriko Sorimachi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Shinya Fujita
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shinpei Tamaki
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Miho Haraguchi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Naoki Itokawa
- Division of Stem Cell and Molecular Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Aoyoama
- Division of Stem Cell and Molecular Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Shuhei Koide
- Division of Stem Cell and Molecular Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yosuke Masamoto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Section of Viral Vector Development, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Ayako Nakamura-Ishizu
- Department of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan
| | - Mineo Kurokawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iwama
- Division of Stem Cell and Molecular Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Okamoto
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kataoka
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Division of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Keiyo Takubo
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
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18
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Aditham A, Shi H, Guo J, Zeng H, Zhou Y, Wade SD, Huang J, Liu J, Wang X. Chemically Modified mocRNAs for Highly Efficient Protein Expression in Mammalian Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:3352-3366. [PMID: 34995053 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
mRNA has recently been established as a new class of therapeutics, due to its programmability and ability to produce proteins of interest rapidly in vivo. Despite its demonstrated utility, mRNA as a protein expression platform remains limited by its translational capacity and RNA stability. Here, we introduce messenger-oligonucleotide conjugated RNAs (mocRNAs) to enable site-specific, robust, and modularized encoding of chemical modifications for highly efficient and stable protein expression. In mocRNA constructs, chemically synthesized oligonucleotides are ligated to the 3' terminus of mRNA substrates to protect poly(A) tails from degradation, without compromising their potency in stimulating translation. As a proof-of-concept, mocRNAs modified by deadenylase-resistant oligonucleotides result in augmented protein production by factors of 2-4 in human HeLa cells and by 10-fold in primary rat cortical neuronal cultures. By directly linking enzymatic and organic synthesis of mRNA, we envision that the mocRNA design will open new avenues to expand the chemical space and translational capacity of RNA-based vectors in basic research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Aditham
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Hailing Shi
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jianting Guo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hu Zeng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Yiming Zhou
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Sarah Dunn Wade
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jiahao Huang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Jia Liu
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02134, United States
| | - Xiao Wang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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19
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Charlesworth CT, Hsu I, Wilkinson AC, Nakauchi H. Immunological barriers to haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy. Nat Rev Immunol 2022; 22:719-733. [PMID: 35301483 PMCID: PMC8929255 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00698-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies using haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) epitomize the transformative potential of regenerative medicine. Recent clinical successes for gene therapies involving autologous HSC transplantation (HSCT) demonstrate the potential of genetic engineering in this stem cell type for curing disease. With recent advances in CRISPR gene-editing technologies, methodologies for the ex vivo expansion of HSCs and non-genotoxic conditioning protocols, the range of clinical indications for HSC-based gene therapies is expected to significantly expand. However, substantial immunological challenges need to be overcome. These include pre-existing immunity to gene-therapy reagents, immune responses to neoantigens introduced into HSCs by genetic engineering, and unique challenges associated with next-generation and off-the-shelf HSC products. By synthesizing these factors in this Review, we hope to encourage more research to address the immunological issues associated with current and next-generation HSC-based gene therapies to help realize the full potential of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten T Charlesworth
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ian Hsu
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adam C Wilkinson
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Pelea O, Fulga TA, Sauka-Spengler T. RNA-Responsive gRNAs for Controlling CRISPR Activity: Current Advances, Future Directions, and Potential Applications. CRISPR J 2022; 5:642-659. [PMID: 36206027 PMCID: PMC9618385 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a major genome manipulation tool. As Cas9 can cause off-target effects, several methods for controlling the expression of CRISPR systems were developed. Recent studies have shown that CRISPR activity could be controlled by sensing expression levels of endogenous transcripts. This is particularly interesting, as endogenous RNAs could harbor important information about the cell type, disease state, and environmental challenges cells are facing. Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) engineering played a major role in the development of RNA-responsive CRISPR systems. Following further optimizations, RNA-responsive sgRNAs could enable the development of novel therapeutic and research applications. This review introduces engineering strategies that could be employed to modify Streptococcus pyogenes sgRNAs with a focus on recent advances made toward the development of RNA-responsive sgRNAs. Future directions and potential applications of these technologies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Pelea
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; and Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Tudor A. Fulga
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; and Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; and Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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21
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Verhagen HJMP, Kuijk C, Rutgers L, Kokke AM, van der Meulen SA, van Mierlo G, Voermans C, van den Akker E. Optimized Guide RNA Selection Improves Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 Gene Editing of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells. CRISPR J 2022; 5:702-716. [PMID: 36169633 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are frequently applied for therapeutic gene editing as well as fundamental research because the method is fast, viral free, and shows fewest off target effects. We evaluated various parameters to genetically engineer human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) using Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (spCas9) RNPs, and achieve gene editing efficiencies up to 80%. We find that guide RNA (gRNA) design is critical to achieve high gene editing efficiencies. However, finding effective gRNAs for HSPCs can be challenging, while the contribution of numerous in silico models is unclear. By screening more than 120 gRNAs, our data demonstrate that in silico gRNA prediction models are ineffective. In this study, we established a time- and cost-efficient in vitro transcribed gRNA screening model in K562 cells that predicts effective gRNAs for HSPCs. RNP based screening thus outperforms in silico modeling and we report that gene editing is equally efficient in distinct CD34+ HSPC subpopulations. Furthermore, no effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, or in vitro hematopoietic lineage commitment were observed. Finally, no upregulation of p21 expression was found, suggesting unperturbed HSPC homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han J M P Verhagen
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn Kuijk
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laurens Rutgers
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne M Kokke
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Santhe A van der Meulen
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard van Mierlo
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn Voermans
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emile van den Akker
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Molecular Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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22
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CRISPR-Based Therapeutic Gene Editing for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Advances, Challenges and Perspectives. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192964. [PMID: 36230926 PMCID: PMC9564082 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disease arising from loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene and characterized by progressive muscle degeneration, respiratory insufficiency, cardiac failure, and premature death by the age of thirty. Albeit DMD is one of the most common types of fatal genetic diseases, there is no curative treatment for this devastating disorder. In recent years, gene editing via the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system has paved a new path toward correcting pathological mutations at the genetic source, thus enabling the permanent restoration of dystrophin expression and function throughout the musculature. To date, the therapeutic benefits of CRISPR genome-editing systems have been successfully demonstrated in human cells, rodents, canines, and piglets with diverse DMD mutations. Nevertheless, there remain some nonignorable challenges to be solved before the clinical application of CRISPR-based gene therapy. Herein, we provide an overview of therapeutic CRISPR genome-editing systems, summarize recent advancements in their applications in DMD contexts, and discuss several potential obstacles lying ahead of clinical translation.
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23
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Möller L, Aird EJ, Schröder MS, Kobel L, Kissling L, van de Venn L, Corn JE. Recursive Editing improves homology-directed repair through retargeting of undesired outcomes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4550. [PMID: 35931681 PMCID: PMC9356142 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31944-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas induced homology-directed repair (HDR) enables the installation of a broad range of precise genomic modifications from an exogenous donor template. However, applications of HDR in human cells are often hampered by poor efficiency, stemming from a preference for error-prone end joining pathways that yield short insertions and deletions. Here, we describe Recursive Editing, an HDR improvement strategy that selectively retargets undesired indel outcomes to create additional opportunities to produce the desired HDR allele. We introduce a software tool, named REtarget, that enables the rational design of Recursive Editing experiments. Using REtarget-designed guide RNAs in single editing reactions, Recursive Editing can simultaneously boost HDR efficiencies and reduce undesired indels. We also harness REtarget to generate databases for particularly effective Recursive Editing sites across the genome, to endogenously tag proteins, and to target pathogenic mutations. Recursive Editing constitutes an easy-to-use approach without potentially deleterious cell manipulations and little added experimental burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Möller
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eric J Aird
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Markus S Schröder
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Kobel
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Kissling
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lilly van de Venn
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacob E Corn
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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24
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Yang TJ, Li TN, Huang RS, Pan MYC, Lin SY, Lin S, Wu KP, Wang LHC, Hsu STD. Tumor suppressor BAP1 nuclear import is governed by transportin-1. J Cell Biol 2022; 221:213174. [PMID: 35446349 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202201094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Subcellular localization of the deubiquitinating enzyme BAP1 is deterministic for its tumor suppressor activity. While the monoubiquitination of BAP1 by an atypical E2/E3-conjugated enzyme UBE2O and BAP1 auto-deubiquitination are known to regulate its nuclear localization, the molecular mechanism by which BAP1 is imported into the nucleus has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrated that transportin-1 (TNPO1, also known as Karyopherin β2 or Kapβ2) targets an atypical C-terminal proline-tyrosine nuclear localization signal (PY-NLS) motif of BAP1 and serves as the primary nuclear transporter of BAP1 to achieve its nuclear import. TNPO1 binding dissociates dimeric BAP1 and sequesters the monoubiquitination sites flanking the PY-NLS of BAP1 to counteract the function of UBE2O that retains BAP1 in the cytosol. Our findings shed light on how TNPO1 regulates the nuclear import, self-association, and monoubiquitination of BAP1 pertinent to oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Jing Yang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tian-Neng Li
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Rih-Sheng Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Max Yu-Chen Pan
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yu Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Academia Sinica Common Mass Spectrometry Facilities for Proteomics and Protein Modification Analysis, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Steven Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Phon Wu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lily Hui-Ching Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Te Danny Hsu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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25
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Lin SW, Nguyen VQ, Lin S. Preparation of Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins for Genome Editing. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4420. [PMID: 35813026 PMCID: PMC9183966 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing by the delivery of pre-assembled Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNP) is an increasingly popular approach for cell types that are difficult to manipulate genetically by the conventional plasmid and viral methods. Cas9 RNP editing is robust, precise, capable of multiplexing, and free of genetic materials. Its transient presence in cells limits residual editing activity. This protocol describes the preparation of recombinant Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) protein by heterologous expression and purification from Escherichia coli, and the synthesis of CRISPR guide RNA by in vitro transcription and PAGE purification. SpCas9 is the first CRISPR Cas9 discovered ( Jinek et al., 2012 ) and is also one of the most characterized Cas enzymes for genome editing applications. Using this formulation of Cas9 RNP, we have demonstrated highly efficient genome editing in primary human T and natural killer (NK) cells by electroporation, and in fungi and plants by polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation. Our protocol of Cas9 RNP preparation is consistent and straightforward to adopt for genome editing in other cell types and organisms. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Wei Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Viet Quoc Nguyen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Steven Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
,
*For correspondence:
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26
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Nucleolus localization of SpyCas9 affects its stability and interferes with host protein translation in mammalian cells. Genes Dis 2022; 9:731-740. [PMID: 35782966 PMCID: PMC9243344 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system, originally derived from the prokaryotic adaptive immune system, has been developed as efficient genome editing tools. It enables precise gene manipulation on chromosomal DNA through the specific binding of programmable sgRNA to target DNA, and the Cas9 protein, which has endonuclease activity, will cut a double strand break at specific locus. However, Cas9 is a foreign protein in mammalian cells, and the potential risks associated with its introduction into mammalian cells are not fully understood. In this study, we performed pull-down and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpyCas9) interacting proteins in HEK293T cells and showed that the majority of Cas9-associated proteins identified by MS were localized in the nucleolus. Interestingly, we further discovered that the Cas9 protein contains a sequence encoding a nucleolus detention signal (NoDS). Compared with wild-type (WT) Cas9, NoDS-mutated variants of Cas9 (mCas9) are less stable, although their gene editing activity is minimally affected. Overexpression of WT Cas9, but not mCas9, causes general effects on transcription and protein translation in the host cell. Overall, identification of NoDS in Cas9 will improve the understanding of Cas9's biological function in vivo, and the removal of NoDS in Cas9 may enhance its safety for future clinical use.
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27
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Bonillo M, Pfromm J, Fischer MD. Challenges to Gene Editing Approaches in the Retina. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:275-283. [PMID: 35316854 DOI: 10.1055/a-1757-9810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal gene therapy has recently been at the cutting edge of clinical development in the diverse field of genetic therapies. The retina is an attractive target for genetic therapies such as gene editing due to the distinctive anatomical and immunological features of the eye, known as immune privilege, so that inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) have been studied in several clinical studies. Thus, rapid strides are being made toward developing targeted treatments for IRDs. Gene editing in the retina faces a group of heterogenous challenges, including editing efficiencies, off-target effects, the anatomy of the target organ, immune responses, inactivation, and identifying optimal application methods. As clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease (Cas) based technologies are at the forefront of current gene editing advances, their specific editing efficiency challenges and potential off-target effects were assessed. The immune privilege of the eye reduces the likelihood of systemic immune responses following retinal gene therapy, but possible immune responses must not be discounted. Immune responses to gene editing in the retina may be humoral or cell mediated, with immunologically active cells, including microglia, implicated in facilitating possible immune responses to gene editing. Immunogenicity of gene therapeutics may also lead to the inactivation of edited cells, reducing potential therapeutic benefits. This review outlines the broad spectrum of potential challenges currently facing retinal gene editing, with the goal of facilitating further advances in the safety and efficacy of gene editing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bonillo
- Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinic of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia Pfromm
- Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinic of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - M Dominik Fischer
- Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Clinic of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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28
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Méndez-Mancilla A, Wessels HH, Legut M, Kadina A, Mabuchi M, Walker J, Robb GB, Holden K, Sanjana NE. Chemically modified guide RNAs enhance CRISPR-Cas13 knockdown in human cells. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:321-327.e4. [PMID: 34343484 PMCID: PMC8792099 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13 proteins have recently emerged as a powerful platform to modulate gene expression outcomes. However, protein and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) delivery in human cells can be challenging with rapid crRNA degradation yielding transient knockdown. Here we compare several chemical RNA modifications at different positions to identify synthetic crRNAs that improve RNA targeting efficiency and half-life in human cells. We show that co-delivery of modified crRNAs and recombinant Cas13 enzyme in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes can alter gene expression in primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This system represents a robust and efficient method to modulate transcripts without genetic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Méndez-Mancilla
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hans-Hermann Wessels
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mateusz Legut
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Neville E Sanjana
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
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29
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Hennig SL, Owen JR, Lin JC, McNabb BR, Van Eenennaam AL, Murray JD. A deletion at the polled P C locus alone is not sufficient to cause a polled phenotype in cattle. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2067. [PMID: 35136148 PMCID: PMC8825853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06118-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehorning is a common practice in the dairy industry, but raises animal welfare concerns. A naturally occurring genetic mutation (PC allele) comprised of a 212 bp duplicated DNA sequence replacing a 10-bp sequence at the polled locus is associated with the hornless phenotype (polled) in cattle. To test the hypothesis that the 10 bp deletion alone is sufficient to result in polled, a CRISPR-Cas9 dual guide RNA approach was optimized to delete a 133 bp region including the 10 bp sequence. Timing of ribonucleoprotein complex injections at various hours post insemination (hpi) (6, 8, and 18 hpi) as well as in vitro transcribed (IVT) vs synthetic gRNAs were compared. Embryos injected 6 hpi had a significantly higher deletion rate (53%) compared to those injected 8 (12%) and 18 hpi (7%), and synthetic gRNAs had a significantly higher deletion rate (84%) compared to IVT gRNAs (53%). Embryo transfers were performed, and bovine fetuses were harvested between 3 and 5 months of gestation. All fetuses had mutations at the target site, with two of the seven having biallelic deletions, and yet they displayed horn bud development indicating that the 10 bp deletion alone is not sufficient to result in the polled phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadie L Hennig
- Department of Animal Science, University of CA - Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Joseph R Owen
- Department of Animal Science, University of CA - Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jason C Lin
- Department of Animal Science, University of CA - Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Bret R McNabb
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of CA - Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - James D Murray
- Department of Animal Science, University of CA - Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of CA - Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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30
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Erkut E, Yokota T. CRISPR Therapeutics for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1832. [PMID: 35163754 PMCID: PMC8836469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 3500-5000 males. DMD manifests as childhood-onset muscle degeneration, followed by loss of ambulation, cardiomyopathy, and death in early adulthood due to a lack of functional dystrophin protein. Out-of-frame mutations in the dystrophin gene are the most common underlying cause of DMD. Gene editing via the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is a promising therapeutic for DMD, as it can permanently correct DMD mutations and thus restore the reading frame, allowing for the production of functional dystrophin. The specific mechanism of gene editing can vary based on a variety of factors such as the number of cuts generated by CRISPR, the presence of an exogenous DNA template, or the current cell cycle stage. CRISPR-mediated gene editing for DMD has been tested both in vitro and in vivo, with many of these studies discussed herein. Additionally, novel modifications to the CRISPR system such as base or prime editors allow for more precise gene editing. Despite recent advances, limitations remain including delivery efficiency, off-target mutagenesis, and long-term maintenance of dystrophin. Further studies focusing on safety and accuracy of the CRISPR system are necessary prior to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Erkut
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 8613-114 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 8613-114 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, 8613-114 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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31
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Lin Y, Wagner E, Lächelt U. Non-viral delivery of the CRISPR/Cas system: DNA versus RNA versus RNP. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:1166-1192. [DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01658j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery, the CRISPR/Cas technology has rapidly become an essential tool in modern biomedical research. The opportunities to specifically modify and correct genomic DNA has also raised big hope...
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32
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Riepe C, Zelin E, Frankino PA, Meacham ZA, Fernandez S, Ingolia NT, Corn JE. Double stranded DNA breaks and genome editing trigger loss of ribosomal protein RPS27A. FEBS J 2021; 289:3101-3114. [PMID: 34914197 PMCID: PMC9295824 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage activates a robust transcriptional stress response, but much less is known about how DNA damage impacts translation. The advent of genome editing with Cas9 has intensified interest in understanding cellular responses to DNA damage. Here, we find that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), including those induced by Cas9, trigger the loss of ribosomal protein RPS27A from ribosomes via p53-independent proteasomal degradation. Comparisons of Cas9 and dCas9 ribosome profiling and mRNA-seq experiments reveal a global translational response to DSBs that precedes changes in transcript abundance. Our results demonstrate that even a single double-strand break can lead to altered translational output and ribosome remodeling, suggesting caution in interpreting cellular phenotypes measured immediately after genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Riepe
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Elena Zelin
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Phillip A Frankino
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Zuriah A Meacham
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Samantha Fernandez
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Nicholas T Ingolia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jacob E Corn
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.,Department of Biology, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland
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33
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Lee BC, Lozano RJ, Dunbar CE. Understanding and overcoming adverse consequences of genome editing on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3205-3218. [PMID: 34509667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) gene therapies have recently moved beyond gene-addition approaches to encompass targeted genome modification or correction, based on the development of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and CRISPR-Cas technologies. Advances in ex vivo HSPC manipulation techniques have greatly improved HSPC susceptibility to genetic modification. Targeted gene-editing techniques enable precise modifications at desired genomic sites. Numerous preclinical studies have already demonstrated the therapeutic potential of gene therapies based on targeted editing. However, several significant hurdles related to adverse consequences of gene editing on HSPC function and genomic integrity remain before broad clinical potential can be realized. This review summarizes the status of HSPC gene editing, focusing on efficiency, genomic integrity, and long-term engraftment ability related to available genetic editing platforms and HSPC delivery methods. The response of long-term engrafting HSPCs to nuclease-mediated DNA breaks, with activation of p53, is a significant challenge, as are activation of innate and adaptive immune responses to editing components. Lastly, we propose alternative strategies that can overcome current hurdles to HSPC editing at various stages from cell collection to transplantation to facilitate successful clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Chul Lee
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard J Lozano
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cynthia E Dunbar
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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34
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Abstract
In vitro-transcribed RNAs are emerging as new biologics for therapeutic innovation, as exemplified by their application recently in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. RNAs prepared by in vitro transcription (IVT) allow transient expression of proteins of interest, conferring safety over DNA- or virus-mediated gene delivery systems. However, in vitro-transcribed RNAs should be used with caution because of their immunogenicity, which is in part triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) byproducts during IVT. Cellular innate immune response to dsRNA byproducts can lead to undesirable consequences, including suppression of protein synthesis and cell death, which in turn can detrimentally impact the efficacy of mRNA therapy. Thus, it is critical to understand the nature of IVT byproducts and the mechanisms by which they trigger innate immune responses.Our lab has been investigating the mechanisms by which the innate immune system discriminates between "self" and "nonself" RNA, with the focus on the cytoplasmic dsRNA receptors retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated 5 (MDA5). We have biochemically and structurally characterized critical events involving RNA discrimination and signal transduction by RIG-I or MDA5. We have used in vitro-transcribed RNAs as tools to investigate RNA specificity of RIG-I and MDA5, which required optimization of the IVT reaction and purification processes to eliminate the effect of IVT byproducts. In this Account, we summarize our current understanding of RIG-I and MDA5 and IVT reactions and propose future directions for improving IVT as a method to generate both research tools and therapeutics. Other critical proteins in cellular innate immune response to dsRNAs are also discussed. We arrange the contents in the following order: (i) innate immunity sensors for nonself RNA, including the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) in the cytosol and the toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the endosome, as well as cytoplasmic dsRNA-responding proteins, including protein kinase R (PKR) and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OASes), illustrating the feature of protein-RNA binding and its consequences; (ii) the immunogenicity of IVT byproducts, specifically the generation of dsRNA molecules during IVT; and (iii) methods to reduce IVT RNA immunogenicity, including optimizations of RNA polymerases, reagents, and experimental conditions during IVT and subsequent purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Mu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Tianjin University and Health-Biotech United Group Joint Laboratory of Innovative Drug Development and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Sun Hur
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Wagner DL, Peter L, Schmueck-Henneresse M. Cas9-directed immune tolerance in humans-a model to evaluate regulatory T cells in gene therapy? Gene Ther 2021; 28:549-559. [PMID: 33574580 PMCID: PMC8455332 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00232-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The dichotomic nature of the adaptive immune response governs the outcome of clinical gene therapy. On the one hand, neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T cells can have a dramatic impact on the efficacy and safety of human gene therapies. On the other hand, regulatory T cells (Treg) can promote tolerance toward transgenes thereby enabling long-term benefits of in vivo gene therapy after a single administration. Pre-existing antibodies and T cell immunity has been a major obstacle for in vivo gene therapies with viral vectors. As CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing advances toward the clinics, the technology's inherent immunogenicity must be addressed in order to guide clinical treatment decisions. This review summarizes the recent evidence on Cas9-specific immunity in humans-including early results from clinical trials-and discusses the risks for in vivo gene therapies. Finally, we focus on solutions and highlight the potential role of Cas9-specific Treg cells to promote immune tolerance. As a "beneficial alliance" beyond Cas9-immunity, antigen-specific Treg cells may serve as a living and targeted immunosuppressant to increase safety and efficacy of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Laurin Wagner
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH)-Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Peter
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH)-Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schmueck-Henneresse
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH)-Center for Regenerative Therapies (B-CRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Ghaffari S, Khalili N, Rezaei N. CRISPR/Cas9 revitalizes adoptive T-cell therapy for cancer immunotherapy. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:269. [PMID: 34446084 PMCID: PMC8390258 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has gained attention as the supreme therapeutic modality for the treatment of various malignancies. Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) is one of the most distinctive modalities of this therapeutic approach, which seeks to harness the potential of combating cancer cells by using autologous or allogenic tumor-specific T-cells. However, a plethora of circumstances must be optimized to produce functional, durable, and efficient T-cells. Recently, the potential of ACT has been further realized by the introduction of novel gene-editing platforms such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system; this technique has been utilized to create T-cells furnished with recombinant T-cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that have precise tumor antigen recognition, minimal side effects and treatment-related toxicities, robust proliferation and cytotoxicity, and nominal exhaustion. Here, we aim to review and categorize the recent breakthroughs of genetically modified TCR/CAR T-cells through CRISPR/Cas9 technology and address the pearls and pitfalls of each method. In addition, we investigate the latest ongoing clinical trials that are applying CRISPR-associated TCR/CAR T-cells for the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Ghaffari
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Hematology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nastaran Khalili
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran. .,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden.
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37
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The Protein Kinase Receptor Modulates the Innate Immune Response against Tacaribe Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071313. [PMID: 34372519 PMCID: PMC8310291 DOI: 10.3390/v13071313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The New World (NW) mammarenavirus group includes several zoonotic highly pathogenic viruses, such as Junin (JUNV) or Machupo (MACV). Contrary to the Old World mammarenavirus group, these viruses are not able to completely suppress the innate immune response and trigger a robust interferon (IFN)-I response via retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I). Nevertheless, pathogenic NW mammarenaviruses trigger a weaker IFN response than their nonpathogenic relatives do. RIG-I activation leads to upregulation of a plethora of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), which exert a characteristic antiviral effect either as lone effectors, or resulting from the combination with other ISGs or cellular factors. The dsRNA sensor protein kinase receptor (PKR) is an ISG that plays a pivotal role in the control of the mammarenavirus infection. In addition to its well-known protein synthesis inhibition, PKR further modulates the overall IFN-I response against different viruses, including mammarenaviruses. For this study, we employed Tacaribe virus (TCRV), the closest relative of the human pathogenic JUNV. Our findings indicate that PKR does not only increase IFN-I expression against TCRV infection, but also affects the kinetic expression and the extent of induction of Mx1 and ISG15 at both levels, mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, TCRV fails to suppress the effect of activated PKR, resulting in the inhibition of a viral titer. Here, we provide original evidence of the specific immunomodulatory role of PKR over selected ISGs, altering the dynamic of the innate immune response course against TCRV. The mechanisms for innate immune evasion are key for the emergence and adaptation of human pathogenic arenaviruses, and highly pathogenic mammarenaviruses, such as JUNV or MACV, trigger a weaker IFN response than nonpathogenic mammarenaviruses. Within the innate immune response context, PKR plays an important role in sensing and restricting the infection of TCRV virus. Although the mechanism of PKR for protein synthesis inhibition is well described, its immunomodulatory role is less understood. Our present findings further characterize the innate immune response in the absence of PKR, unveiling the role of PKR in defining the ISG profile after viral infection. Moreover, TCRV fails to suppress activated PKR, resulting in viral progeny production inhibition.
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Sledzinski P, Dabrowska M, Nowaczyk M, Olejniczak M. Paving the way towards precise and safe CRISPR genome editing. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107737. [PMID: 33785374 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As the possibilities of CRISPR-Cas9 technology have been revealed, we have entered a new era of research aimed at increasing its specificity and safety. This stage of technology development is necessary not only for its wider application in the clinic but also in basic research to better control the process of genome editing. Research during the past eight years has identified some factors influencing editing outcomes and led to the development of highly specific endonucleases, modified guide RNAs and computational tools supporting experiments. More recently, large-scale experiments revealed a previously overlooked feature: Cas9 can generate reproducible mutation patterns. As a result, it has become apparent that Cas9-induced double-strand break (DSB) repair is nonrandom and can be predicted to some extent. Here, we review the present state of knowledge regarding the specificity and safety of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to define gRNA, protein and target-related problems and solutions. These issues include sequence-specific off-target effects, immune responses, genetic variation and chromatin accessibility. We present new insights into the role of DNA repair in genome editing and define factors influencing editing outcomes. In addition, we propose practical guidelines for increasing the specificity of editing and discuss novel perspectives in improvement of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Sledzinski
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dabrowska
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Mateusz Nowaczyk
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Marta Olejniczak
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland.
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Di Giorgio E, Paluvai H, Dalla E, Ranzino L, Renzini A, Moresi V, Minisini M, Picco R, Brancolini C. HDAC4 degradation during senescence unleashes an epigenetic program driven by AP-1/p300 at selected enhancers and super-enhancers. Genome Biol 2021; 22:129. [PMID: 33966634 PMCID: PMC8108360 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02340-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cellular senescence is a permanent state of replicative arrest defined by a specific pattern of gene expression. The epigenome in senescent cells is sculptured in order to sustain the new transcriptional requirements, particularly at enhancers and super-enhancers. How these distal regulatory elements are dynamically modulated is not completely defined. RESULTS Enhancer regions are defined by the presence of H3K27 acetylation marks, which can be modulated by class IIa HDACs, as part of multi-protein complexes. Here, we explore the regulation of class IIa HDACs in different models of senescence. We find that HDAC4 is polyubiquitylated and degraded during all types of senescence and it selectively binds and monitors H3K27ac levels at specific enhancers and super-enhancers that supervise the senescent transcriptome. Frequently, these HDAC4-modulated elements are also monitored by AP-1/p300. The deletion of HDAC4 in transformed cells which have bypassed oncogene-induced senescence is coupled to the re-appearance of senescence and the execution of the AP-1/p300 epigenetic program. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our manuscript highlights a role of HDAC4 as an epigenetic reader and controller of enhancers and super-enhancers that supervise the senescence program. More generally, we unveil an epigenetic checkpoint that has important consequences in aging and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Emiliano Dalla
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Liliana Ranzino
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renzini
- DAHFMO Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, via Antonio Scarpa 16, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Moresi
- DAHFMO Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, via Antonio Scarpa 16, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Minisini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Raffaella Picco
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy.
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40
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Gray DH, Villegas I, Long J, Santos J, Keir A, Abele A, Kuo CY, Kohn DB. Optimizing Integration and Expression of Transgenic Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase for CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing of X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia. CRISPR J 2021; 4:191-206. [PMID: 33876953 PMCID: PMC8336228 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a monogenic primary immune deficiency characterized by very low levels of immunoglobulins and greatly increased risks for recurrent and severe infections. Patients with XLA have a loss-of-function mutation in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene and fail to produce mature B lymphocytes. Gene editing in the hematopoietic stem cells of XLA patients to correct or replace the defective gene should restore B cell development and the humoral immune response. We used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 platform to precisely target integration of a corrective, codon-optimized BTK complementary DNA (cDNA) cassette into its endogenous locus. This process is driven by homologous recombination and should place the transgenic BTK under transcriptional control of its endogenous regulatory elements. Each integrated copy of this cDNA in BTK-deficient K562 cells produced only 11% as much BTK protein as the wild-type gene. The donor cDNA was modified to include the terminal intron of the BTK gene. Successful integration of the intron-containing BTK donor led to a nearly twofold increase in BTK expression per cell over the base donor. However, this donor variant was too large to package into an adeno-associated viral vector for delivery into primary cells. Donors containing truncated variants of the terminal intron also produced elevated expression, although to a lesser degree than the full intron. Addition of the Woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element led to a large boost in BTK transgene expression. Combining these modifications led to a BTK donor template that generated nearly physiological levels of BTK expression in cell lines. These reagents were then optimized to maximize integration rates into human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which have reached potentially therapeutic levels in vitro. The novel donor modifications support effective gene therapy for XLA and will likely assist in the development of other gene editing-based therapies for genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H. Gray
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA; University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Isaac Villegas
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Departments of University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joseph Long
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Departments of University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jasmine Santos
- Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexandra Keir
- Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alison Abele
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Caroline Y. Kuo
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Departments of University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Donald B. Kohn
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Departments of University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- The Eli & Edith Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Connolly JB, Mumford JD, Fuchs S, Turner G, Beech C, North AR, Burt A. Systematic identification of plausible pathways to potential harm via problem formulation for investigational releases of a population suppression gene drive to control the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae in West Africa. Malar J 2021; 20:170. [PMID: 33781254 PMCID: PMC8006393 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population suppression gene drive has been proposed as a strategy for malaria vector control. A CRISPR-Cas9-based transgene homing at the doublesex locus (dsxFCRISPRh) has recently been shown to increase rapidly in frequency in, and suppress, caged laboratory populations of the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae. Here, problem formulation, an initial step in environmental risk assessment (ERA), was performed for simulated field releases of the dsxFCRISPRh transgene in West Africa. METHODS Building on consultative workshops in Africa that previously identified relevant environmental and health protection goals for ERA of gene drive in malaria vector control, 8 potentially harmful effects from these simulated releases were identified. These were stratified into 46 plausible pathways describing the causal chain of events that would be required for potential harms to occur. Risk hypotheses to interrogate critical steps in each pathway, and an analysis plan involving experiments, modelling and literature review to test each of those risk hypotheses, were developed. RESULTS Most potential harms involved increased human (n = 13) or animal (n = 13) disease transmission, emphasizing the importance to subsequent stages of ERA of data on vectorial capacity comparing transgenics to non-transgenics. Although some of the pathways (n = 14) were based on known anatomical alterations in dsxFCRISPRh homozygotes, many could also be applicable to field releases of a range of other transgenic strains of mosquito (n = 18). In addition to population suppression of target organisms being an accepted outcome for existing vector control programmes, these investigations also revealed that the efficacy of population suppression caused by the dsxFCRISPRh transgene should itself directly affect most pathways (n = 35). CONCLUSIONS Modelling will play an essential role in subsequent stages of ERA by clarifying the dynamics of this relationship between population suppression and reduction in exposure to specific potential harms. This analysis represents a comprehensive identification of plausible pathways to potential harm using problem formulation for a specific gene drive transgene and organism, and a transparent communication tool that could inform future regulatory studies, guide subsequent stages of ERA, and stimulate further, broader engagement on the use of population suppression gene drive to control malaria vectors in West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Connolly
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - John D Mumford
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Silke Fuchs
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Geoff Turner
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ace R North
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Austin Burt
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Lim KRQ, Yokota T. Genetic Approaches for the Treatment of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:642858. [PMID: 33776777 PMCID: PMC7996372 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.642858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive, asymmetric muscle weakness at the face, shoulders, and upper limbs, which spreads to the lower body with age. It is the third most common inherited muscular disorder worldwide. Around 20% of patients are wheelchair-bound, and some present with extramuscular manifestations. FSHD is caused by aberrant expression of the double homeobox protein 4 (DUX4) gene in muscle. DUX4 codes for a transcription factor which, in skeletal muscle, dysregulates numerous signaling activities that culminate in cytotoxicity. Potential treatments for FSHD therefore aim to reduce the expression of DUX4 or the activity of its toxic protein product. In this article, we review how genetic approaches such as those based on oligonucleotide and genome editing technologies have been developed to achieve these goals. We also outline the challenges these therapies are facing on the road to translation, and discuss possible solutions and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q. Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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43
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Huang RS, Lai MC, Shih HA, Lin S. A robust platform for expansion and genome editing of primary human natural killer cells. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20201529. [PMID: 33433623 PMCID: PMC7808298 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing is a powerful technique for delineating complex signaling circuitry and enhancing the functionality of immune cells for immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells are potent immune effectors against cell malignancy, but they are challenging to modify genetically by conventional methods due to the toxicity of DNA when introduced into cells coupled with limited transfection and transduction efficiency. Here, we describe an integrated platform that streamlines feeder-free ex vivo expansion of cryopreserved primary human NK cells and nonviral genome editing by the nucleofection of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNPs). The optimized Cas9 nucleofection protocol allows efficient and multiplex gene knockout in NK cells while preserving high cell viability and negligible off-target effects. Cointroduction of a DNA template also enables in-frame gene knock-in of an HA affinity tag and a gfp reporter across multiple loci. This work demonstrates the advantages and flexibility of working with cryopreserved NK cells as potential off-the-shelf engineered therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rih-Sheng Huang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chi Lai
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Shih
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Steven Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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44
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Maule G, Ensinck M, Bulcaen M, Carlon MS. Rewriting CFTR to cure cystic fibrosis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 182:185-224. [PMID: 34175042 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive monogenic disease caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. Although F508del is the most frequent mutation, there are in total 360 confirmed disease-causing CFTR mutations, impairing CFTR production, function and stability. Currently, the only causal treatments available are CFTR correctors and potentiators that directly target the mutant protein. While these pharmacological advances and better symptomatic care have improved life expectancy of people with CF, none of these treatments provides a cure. The discovery and development of programmable nucleases, in particular CRISPR nucleases and derived systems, rekindled the field of CF gene therapy, offering the possibility of a permanent correction of the CFTR gene. In this review we will discuss different strategies to restore CFTR function via gene editing correction of CFTR mutations or enhanced CFTR expression, and address how best to deliver these treatments to target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Maule
- Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy; Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Trento, Italy
| | - Marjolein Ensinck
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Mattijs Bulcaen
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Marianne S Carlon
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.
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45
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Allen D, Rosenberg M, Hendel A. Using Synthetically Engineered Guide RNAs to Enhance CRISPR Genome Editing Systems in Mammalian Cells. Front Genome Ed 2021; 2:617910. [PMID: 34713240 PMCID: PMC8525374 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.617910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is quickly revolutionizing the way we approach gene therapy. CRISPR-Cas9 is a complexed, two-component system using a short guide RNA (gRNA) sequence to direct the Cas9 endonuclease to the target site. Modifying the gRNA independent of the Cas9 protein confers ease and flexibility to improve the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a genome-editing tool. gRNAs have been engineered to improve the CRISPR system's overall stability, specificity, safety, and versatility. gRNAs have been modified to increase their stability to guard against nuclease degradation, thereby enhancing their efficiency. Additionally, guide specificity has been improved by limiting off-target editing. Synthetic gRNA has been shown to ameliorate inflammatory signaling caused by the CRISPR system, thereby limiting immunogenicity and toxicity in edited mammalian cells. Furthermore, through conjugation with exogenous donor DNA, engineered gRNAs have been shown to improve homology-directed repair (HDR) efficiency by ensuring donor proximity to the edited site. Lastly, synthetic gRNAs attached to fluorescent labels have been developed to enable highly specific nuclear staining and imaging, enabling mechanistic studies of chromosomal dynamics and genomic mapping. Continued work on chemical modification and optimization of synthetic gRNAs will undoubtedly lead to clinical and therapeutic benefits and, ultimately, routinely performed CRISPR-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ayal Hendel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Chen Q, Zhang Y, Yin H. Recent advances in chemical modifications of guide RNA, mRNA and donor template for CRISPR-mediated genome editing. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:246-258. [PMID: 33122087 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The discovery and applications of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) systems have revolutionized our ability to track and manipulate specific nucleic acid sequences in many cell types of various organisms. The robustness and simplicity of these platforms have rapidly extended their applications from basic research to the development of therapeutics. However, many hurdles remain on the path to translation of the CRISPR systems to therapeutic applications: efficient delivery, detectable off-target effects, potential immunogenicity, and others. Chemical modifications provide a variety of protection options for guide RNA, Cas9 mRNA and donor templates. For example, chemically modified gRNA demonstrated enhanced on-target editing efficiency, minimized immune response and decreased off-target genome editing. In this review, we summarize the use of chemically modified nucleotides for CRISPR-mediated genome editing and emphasize open questions that remain to be addressed in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiubing Chen
- Department of Urology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pathology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Urology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pathology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Abstract
CRISPR-associated nuclease (Cas) has been widely applied to modify the genomes of various cell types. As RNA-guided endonucleases, Cas enzymes can target different genomic sequences simply by changing the guide sequence of the CRISPR RNA (crRNA) or single guide RNA (sgRNA). Recent studies have demonstrated that DNA-RNA chimeric crRNA or sgRNA can efficiently guide the Cas9 protein for genome editing with reduced off-target effects. This chapter aims to describe a procedure for using chimeric RNA to modify the genomes of mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Lu
- Department of Pathology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Pathology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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48
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Booy EP, Gussakovsky D, Choi T, McKenna SA. The noncoding RNA BC200 associates with polysomes to positively regulate mRNA translation in tumor cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 296:100036. [PMID: 33410401 PMCID: PMC7949042 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BC200 is a noncoding RNA elevated in a broad spectrum of tumor cells that is critical for cell viability, invasion, and migration. Overexpression studies have implicated BC200 and the rodent analog BC1 as negative regulators of translation in both cell-based and in vitro translation assays. Although these studies are consistent, they have not been confirmed in knockdown studies and direct evidence for this function is lacking. Herein, we have demonstrated that BC200 knockdown is correlated with a decrease in global translation rates. As this conflicts with the hypothesis that BC200 is a translational suppressor, we overexpressed BC200 by transfection of in vitro transcribed RNA and transient expression from transfected plasmids. In this context BC200 suppressed translation; however, an innate immune response confounded the data. To overcome this, breast cancer cells stably overexpressing BC200 and various control RNAs were developed by selection for genomic incorporation of a plasmid coexpressing BC200 and the neomycin resistance gene. Stable overexpression of BC200 was associated with elevated translation levels in pooled stable cell lines and isolated single-cell clones. Cross-linking sucrose density gradient centrifugation demonstrated an association of BC200 and its reported binding partners SRP9/14, CSDE1, DHX36, and PABPC1 with both ribosomal subunits and polysomal RNA, an association not previously observed owing to the labile nature of the interactions. In summary, these data present a novel understanding of BC200 function as well as optimized methodology that has far reaching implications in the study of noncoding RNAs, particularly within the context of translational regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan P Booy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Daniel Gussakovsky
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Taegi Choi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sean A McKenna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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Courtier‐Orgogozo V, Danchin A, Gouyon P, Boëte C. Evaluating the probability of CRISPR-based gene drive contaminating another species. Evol Appl 2020; 13:1888-1905. [PMID: 32908593 PMCID: PMC7463340 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The probability D that a given clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene drive element contaminates another, nontarget species can be estimated by the following Drive Risk Assessment Quantitative Estimate (DRAQUE) Equation: D = h y b + t r a n s f × e x p r e s s × c u t × f l a n k × i m m u n e × n o n e x t i n c t with hyb = probability of hybridization between the target species and a nontarget species; transf = probability of horizontal transfer of a piece of DNA containing the gene drive cassette from the target species to a nontarget species (with no hybridization); express = probability that the Cas9 and guide RNA genes are expressed; cut = probability that the CRISPR-guide RNA recognizes and cuts at a DNA site in the new host; flank = probability that the gene drive cassette inserts at the cut site; immune = probability that the immune system does not reject Cas9-expressing cells; nonextinct = probability of invasion of the drive within the population. We discuss and estimate each of the seven parameters of the equation, with particular emphasis on possible transfers within insects, and between rodents and humans. We conclude from current data that the probability of a gene drive cassette to contaminate another species is not insignificant. We propose strategies to reduce this risk and call for more work on estimating all the parameters of the formula.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antoine Danchin
- Institut Cochin INSERM U1016 – CNRS UMR8104 – Université Paris DescartesParisFrance
| | - Pierre‐Henri Gouyon
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, BiodiversitéMuséum National d'Histoire NaturelleCNRSSorbonne UniversitéEPHEUAParisFrance
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50
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Sinha D, Steyer B, Shahi PK, Mueller KP, Valiauga R, Edwards KL, Bacig C, Steltzer SS, Srinivasan S, Abdeen A, Cory E, Periyasamy V, Siahpirani AF, Stone EM, Tucker BA, Roy S, Pattnaik BR, Saha K, Gamm DM. Human iPSC Modeling Reveals Mutation-Specific Responses to Gene Therapy in a Genotypically Diverse Dominant Maculopathy. Am J Hum Genet 2020; 107:278-292. [PMID: 32707085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominantly inherited disorders are not typically considered to be therapeutic candidates for gene augmentation. Here, we utilized induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (iPSC-RPE) to test the potential of gene augmentation to treat Best disease, a dominant macular dystrophy caused by over 200 missense mutations in BEST1. Gene augmentation in iPSC-RPE fully restored BEST1 calcium-activated chloride channel activity and improved rhodopsin degradation in an iPSC-RPE model of recessive bestrophinopathy as well as in two models of dominant Best disease caused by different mutations in regions encoding ion-binding domains. A third dominant Best disease iPSC-RPE model did not respond to gene augmentation, but showed normalization of BEST1 channel activity following CRISPR-Cas9 editing of the mutant allele. We then subjected all three dominant Best disease iPSC-RPE models to gene editing, which produced premature stop codons specifically within the mutant BEST1 alleles. Single-cell profiling demonstrated no adverse perturbation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transcriptional programs in any model, although off-target analysis detected a silent genomic alteration in one model. These results suggest that gene augmentation is a viable first-line approach for some individuals with dominant Best disease and that non-responders are candidates for alternate approaches such as gene editing. However, testing gene editing strategies for on-target efficiency and off-target events using personalized iPSC-RPE model systems is warranted. In summary, personalized iPSC-RPE models can be used to select among a growing list of gene therapy options to maximize safety and efficacy while minimizing time and cost. Similar scenarios likely exist for other genotypically diverse channelopathies, expanding the therapeutic landscape for affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Sinha
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Benjamin Steyer
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Pawan K Shahi
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Katherine P Mueller
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Rasa Valiauga
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | | | - Cole Bacig
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Stephanie S Steltzer
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Sandhya Srinivasan
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Amr Abdeen
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Evan Cory
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Viswesh Periyasamy
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | | | - Edwin M Stone
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Budd A Tucker
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Sushmita Roy
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Bikash R Pattnaik
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Krishanu Saha
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - David M Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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