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Pavlovic K, Tristán-Manzano M, Maldonado-Pérez N, Cortijo-Gutierrez M, Sánchez-Hernández S, Justicia-Lirio P, Carmona MD, Herrera C, Martin F, Benabdellah K. Using Gene Editing Approaches to Fine-Tune the Immune System. Front Immunol 2020; 11:570672. [PMID: 33117361 PMCID: PMC7553077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.570672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing technologies not only provide unprecedented opportunities to study basic cellular system functionality but also improve the outcomes of several clinical applications. In this review, we analyze various gene editing techniques used to fine-tune immune systems from a basic research and clinical perspective. We discuss recent advances in the development of programmable nucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas-associated nucleases. We also discuss the use of programmable nucleases and their derivative reagents such as base editing tools to engineer immune cells via gene disruption, insertion, and rewriting of T cells and other immune components, such natural killers (NKs) and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). In addition, with regard to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), we describe how different gene editing tools enable healthy donor cells to be used in CAR T therapy instead of autologous cells without risking graft-versus-host disease or rejection, leading to reduced adoptive cell therapy costs and instant treatment availability for patients. We pay particular attention to the delivery of therapeutic transgenes, such as CARs, to endogenous loci which prevents collateral damage and increases therapeutic effectiveness. Finally, we review creative innovations, including immune system repurposing, that facilitate safe and efficient genome surgery within the framework of clinical cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Pavlovic
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research in Cordoba (IMIBIC), Cellular Therapy Unit, Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - María Tristán-Manzano
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Noelia Maldonado-Pérez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Cortijo-Gutierrez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Sabina Sánchez-Hernández
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro Justicia-Lirio
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
- LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - M. Dolores Carmona
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research in Cordoba (IMIBIC), Cellular Therapy Unit, Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Concha Herrera
- Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research in Cordoba (IMIBIC), Cellular Therapy Unit, Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Francisco Martin
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada (Andalusian Regional Government), Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada, Spain
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Kuhar R, Gwiazda KS, Humbert O, Mandt T, Pangallo J, Brault M, Khan I, Maizels N, Rawlings DJ, Scharenberg AM, Certo MT. Novel fluorescent genome editing reporters for monitoring DNA repair pathway utilization at endonuclease-induced breaks. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:e4. [PMID: 24121685 PMCID: PMC3874187 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The creation of a DNA break at a specific locus by a designer endonuclease can be harnessed to edit a genome. However, DNA breaks may engage one of several competing repair pathways that lead to distinct types of genomic alterations. Therefore, understanding the contribution of different repair pathways following the introduction of a targeted DNA break is essential to further advance the safety and efficiency of nuclease-induced genome modification. To gain insight into the role of different DNA repair pathways in resolving nuclease-induced DNA breaks into genome editing outcomes, we previously developed a fluorescent-based reporter system, designated the Traffic Light Reporter, which provides a readout of gene targeting and gene disruption downstream of a targeted DNA double-strand break. Here we describe two related but novel reporters that extend this technology: one that allows monitoring of the transcriptional activity at the reporter locus, and thus can be applied to interrogate break resolution at active and repressed loci; and a second that reads out single-strand annealing in addition to gene targeting and gene disruption. Application of these reporters to assess repair pathway usage in several common gene editing contexts confirms the importance that chromatin status and initiation of end resection have on the resolution of nuclease-induced breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Kuhar
- Center of Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, 98101 Washington, USA, Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195 Washington, USA, Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195 Washington, USA and Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195 Washington, USA
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Engineering nucleases for gene targeting: safety and regulatory considerations. N Biotechnol 2013; 31:18-27. [PMID: 23851284 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nuclease-based gene targeting (NBGT) represents a significant breakthrough in targeted genome editing since it is applicable from single-celled protozoa to human, including several species of economic importance. Along with the fast progress in NBGT and the increasing availability of customized nucleases, more data are available about off-target effects associated with the use of this approach. We discuss how NBGT may offer a new perspective for genetic modification, we address some aspects crucial for a safety improvement of the corresponding techniques and we also briefly relate the use of NBGT applications and products to the regulatory oversight.
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Abstract
Many devastating human diseases are caused by mutations in a single gene that prevent a somatic cell from carrying out its essential functions, or by genetic changes acquired as a result of infectious disease or in the course of cell transformation. Targeted gene therapies have emerged as potential strategies for treatment of such diseases. These therapies depend upon rare-cutting endonucleases to cleave at specific sites in or near disease genes. Targeted gene correction provides a template for homology-directed repair, enabling the cell's own repair pathways to erase the mutation and replace it with the correct sequence. Targeted gene disruption ablates the disease gene, disabling its function. Gene targeting can also promote other kinds of genome engineering, including mutation, insertion, or gene deletion. Targeted gene therapies present significant advantages compared to approaches to gene therapy that depend upon delivery of stably expressing transgenes. Recent progress has been fueled by advances in nuclease discovery and design, and by new strategies that maximize efficiency of targeting and minimize off-target damage. Future progress will build on deeper mechanistic understanding of critical factors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Humbert
- Departments of Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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