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Berman RE, Dampier W, Nonnemacher MR, Wigdahl B. What's in a cure: designing a broad-spectrum HIV gene therapy. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2024; 19:150-156. [PMID: 38547339 PMCID: PMC11188629 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The leading gene editing strategy for a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cure involves the delivery of SaCas9 and two guide RNAs (gRNAs) in an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector. As a dual-component system, CRISPR is targeted to a genetic locus through the choice of a Cas effector and gRNA protospacer design pair. As CRISPR research has expanded in recent years, these components have been investigated for utilization in cure strategies, which will be discussed in this article. RECENT FINDINGS Type II SpCas9 and SaCas9 have been the leading Cas effectors across gene editing therapeutics to date. Additionally, extensive research has expanded the potential to multiplex gRNAs and target them effectively to the highly genetically diverse HIV-1 provirus. More recently, the Type V family of Cas12 effectors opens a new opportunity to use a smaller Cas protein for packaging into an AAV vector with multiplexed gRNAs. SUMMARY In understanding the individual components of a CRISPR/Cas therapeutic cure for HIV-1, it is important to know that the currently used strategies can be improved upon. Future areas will include alternative smaller Cas effectors, multiplexed gRNAs designs, and/or alternative delivery modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Berman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Center for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine
| | - Will Dampier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Center for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine
| | - Michael R. Nonnemacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Center for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brian Wigdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Center for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Morshedzadeh F, Ghanei M, Lotfi M, Ghasemi M, Ahmadi M, Najari-Hanjani P, Sharif S, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Peymani M, Abbaszadegan MR. An Update on the Application of CRISPR Technology in Clinical Practice. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:179-197. [PMID: 37269466 PMCID: PMC10239226 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00724-z] [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: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas system, an innovative gene-editing tool, is emerging as a promising technique for genome modifications. This straightforward technique was created based on the prokaryotic adaptive immune defense mechanism and employed in the studies on human diseases that proved enormous therapeutic potential. A genetically unique patient mutation in the process of gene therapy can be corrected by the CRISPR method to treat diseases that traditional methods were unable to cure. However, introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 into the clinic will be challenging because we still need to improve the technology's effectiveness, precision, and applications. In this review, we first describe the function and applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. We next delineate how this technology could be utilized for gene therapy of various human disorders, including cancer and infectious diseases and highlight the promising examples in the field. Finally, we document current challenges and the potential solutions to overcome these obstacles for the effective use of CRISPR-Cas9 in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firouzeh Morshedzadeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Ghanei
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Lotfi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Morteza Ghasemi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Mohsen Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Parisa Najari-Hanjani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Science, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Samaneh Sharif
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Peymani
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Liu Y, Binda CS, Berkhout B, Das AT. CRISPR-Cas attack of HIV-1 proviral DNA can cause unintended deletion of surrounding cellular DNA. J Virol 2023; 97:e0133423. [PMID: 37982648 PMCID: PMC10734527 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01334-23] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although HIV replication can be effectively inhibited by antiretroviral therapy, this does not result in a cure as the available drugs do not inactivate the integrated HIV-1 DNA in infected cells. Consequently, HIV-infected individuals need lifelong therapy to prevent viral rebound. Several preclinical studies indicate that CRISPR-Cas gene-editing systems can be used to achieve permanent inactivation of the viral DNA. It was previously shown that this inactivation was due to small inactivating mutations at the targeted sites in the HIV genome and to excision or inversion of the viral DNA fragment between two target sites. We, here, demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas treatment also causes large unintended deletions, which can include surrounding chromosomal sequences. As the loss of chromosomal sequences may cause oncogenic transformation of the cell, such unintended large deletions form a potential safety risk in clinical application of this antiviral application and possibly all CRISPR-Cas gene-editing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline S. Binda
- Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Atze T. Das
- Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Molina MA, Vink M, Berkhout B, Herrera-Carrillo E. In-house ELISA protocols for capsid p24 detection of diverse HIV isolates. Virol J 2023; 20:269. [PMID: 37978551 PMCID: PMC10656996 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02242-5] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The capsid p24 (CA-p24) antigen is a component of the viral capsid of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that has been commonly used for clinical diagnosis and monitoring of HIV infections in Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Commercial CA-p24 ELISAs are widely used in research settings, but these kits are costly and have limited breadth for detecting diverse HIV isolates. METHODS Commercial CA-p24 antibodies were used as capture and detection antibodies. Specific CA-p24 ELISAs were established with these antibodies and tested for the detection of HIV-1 isolates with the aim of developing in-house protocols to recognize HIV-1 infections in vitro for research purposes. RESULTS Here we present four protocols for in-house ELISAs to detect HIV CA-p24 using commercial antibodies. The assays were able to detect the CA-p24 antigen of different HIV-1 isolates tested. Comparison between the protocols showed that these in-house ELISAs exhibit high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility for CA-p24 quantitation but their reactivity varied per HIV-1 isolate and subtype. CONCLUSIONS These optimized ELISA protocols represent valuable tools to investigate HIV-1 infections in research facilities at a lower price than commercial CA-p24 kits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano A Molina
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Amsterdam UMC, AMC Location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monique Vink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Amsterdam UMC, AMC Location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Amsterdam UMC, AMC Location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Herrera-Carrillo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Amsterdam UMC, AMC Location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Khanal S, Cao D, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Schank M, Dang X, Nguyen LNT, Wu XY, Jiang Y, Ning S, Zhao J, Wang L, Gazzar ME, Moorman JP, Yao ZQ. Synthetic gRNA/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Inhibits HIV Reactivation and Replication. Viruses 2022; 14:1902. [PMID: 36146709 PMCID: PMC9500661 DOI: 10.3390/v14091902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can halt viral replication but cannot eradicate HIV infection because proviral DNA integrated into the host genome remains genetically silent in reservoir cells and is replication-competent upon interruption or cessation of ART. CRISPR/Cas9-based technology is widely used to edit target genes via mutagenesis (i.e., nucleotide insertion/deletion and/or substitution) and thus can inactivate integrated proviral DNA. However, CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems often require viral vectors, which pose safety concerns for therapeutic applications in humans. In this study, we used synthetic guide RNA (gRNA)/Cas9-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) as a non-viral formulation to develop a novel HIV gene therapy. We designed a series of gRNAs targeting different HIV genes crucial for HIV replication and tested their antiviral efficacy and cellular cytotoxicity in lymphoid and monocytic latent HIV cell lines. Compared with the scramble gRNA control, HIV-gRNA/Cas9 RNP-treated cells exhibited efficient viral suppression with no apparent cytotoxicity, as evidenced by the significant inhibition of latent HIV DNA reactivation and RNA replication. Moreover, HIV-gRNA/Cas9 RNP inhibited p24 antigen expression, suppressed infectious viral particle production, and generated specific DNA cleavages in the targeted HIV genes that are confirmed by DNA sequencing. Because of its rapid DNA cleavage, low off-target effects, low risk of insertional mutagenesis, easy production, and readiness for use in clinical application, this study provides a proof-of-concept that synthetic gRNA/Cas9 RNP drugs can be utilized as a novel therapeutic approach for HIV eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Khanal
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Dechao Cao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Madison Schank
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Xindi Dang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Lam Ngoc Thao Nguyen
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Xiao Y. Wu
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Yong Jiang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Shunbin Ning
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Juan Zhao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Ling Wang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Mohamed El Gazzar
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Moorman
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- HCV/HBV/HIV Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Zhi Q. Yao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- HCV/HBV/HIV Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
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Kandula UR, Wake AD. Promising Stem Cell therapy in the Management of HIV and AIDS: A Narrative Review. Biologics 2022; 16:89-105. [PMID: 35836496 PMCID: PMC9275675 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s368152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell therapies are becoming a major topic in biomedical research all over the planet. It may be a viable treatment choice for people suffering from a wide range of illnesses and injuries. It has recently emerged as an extremely intriguing and well-established science and research topic. Expectations have risen due to advancements in therapeutic approaches. Multiple laboratory testing of regulated stem cell culture and derivation is carried out before the formation of stem cells for the use of therapeutic process. Whereas HIV infection is contagious and can last a lifetime. Researchers are still working to develop a comprehensive and effective treatment for HIV and its associated condition, as well as AIDS. HIV propagation is primarily restricted to the immune system, notably T lymphocytes, as well as macrophages. Large numbers of research studies have contributed to a plethora of data about the enigmatic AIDS life cycle. This vast amount of data provides potential targets for AIDS therapies. Currently, stem cell transplantation, along with other procedures, provided novel insights into HIV pathogenesis and offered a glimpse of hope for the development of a viable HIV cure technique. One of its existing focus areas in HIV and AIDS research is to develop a novel therapeutic strategic plan capable of providing life-long complete recovery of HIV and AIDS without regular drug treatment and, inevitably, curative therapy for HIV and AIDS. The current paper tries to address the possibilities for improved stem cell treatments with “bone marrow, Hematopoietic, human umbilical cord mesenchymal, Genetical modifications with CRISPR/Cas9 in combination of stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells applications” are discussed which are specifically applied in the HIV and AIDS therapeutic management advancement procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Rani Kandula
- Department of Clinical Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Usha Rani Kandula, Department of Clinical Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, P.O. Box-396, Asella, Ethiopia, Tel +251-939052408, Email
| | - Addisu Dabi Wake
- Department of Clinical Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia
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