1
|
Klermund J, Rhiel M, Kocher T, Chmielewski KO, Bischof J, Andrieux G, El Gaz M, Hainzl S, Boerries M, Cornu TI, Koller U, Cathomen T. On- and off-target effects of paired CRISPR-Cas nickase in primary human cells. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1298-1310. [PMID: 38459694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Undesired on- and off-target effects of CRISPR-Cas nucleases remain a challenge in genome editing. While the use of Cas9 nickases has been shown to minimize off-target mutagenesis, their use in therapeutic genome editing has been hampered by a lack of efficacy. To overcome this limitation, we and others have developed double-nickase-based strategies to generate staggered DNA double-strand breaks to mediate gene disruption or gene correction with high efficiency. However, the impact of paired single-strand nicks on genome integrity has remained largely unexplored. Here, we developed a novel CAST-seq pipeline, dual CAST, to characterize chromosomal aberrations induced by paired CRISPR-Cas9 nickases at three different loci in primary keratinocytes derived from patients with epidermolysis bullosa. While targeting COL7A1, COL17A1, or LAMA3 with Cas9 nucleases caused previously undescribed chromosomal rearrangements, no chromosomal translocations were detected following paired-nickase editing. While the double-nicking strategy induced large deletions/inversions within a 10 kb region surrounding the target sites at all three loci, similar to the nucleases, the chromosomal on-target aberrations were qualitatively different and included a high proportion of insertions. Taken together, our data indicate that double-nickase approaches combine efficient editing with greatly reduced off-target effects but still leave substantial chromosomal aberrations at on-target sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Klermund
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Rhiel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kocher
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Kay Ole Chmielewski
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; PhD Program, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melina El Gaz
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tatjana I Cornu
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bischof J, Hierl M, Koller U. Emerging Gene Therapeutics for Epidermolysis Bullosa under Development. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2243. [PMID: 38396920 PMCID: PMC10889532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The monogenetic disease epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is characterised by the formation of extended blisters and lesions on the patient's skin upon minimal mechanical stress. Causal for this severe condition are genetic mutations in genes, leading to the functional impairment, reduction, or absence of the encoded protein within the skin's basement membrane zone connecting the epidermis to the underlying dermis. The major burden of affected families justifies the development of long-lasting and curative therapies operating at the genomic level. The landscape of causal therapies for EB is steadily expanding due to recent breakthroughs in the gene therapy field, providing promising outcomes for patients suffering from this severe disease. Currently, two gene therapeutic approaches show promise for EB. The clinically more advanced gene replacement strategy was successfully applied in severe EB forms, leading to a ground-breaking in vivo gene therapy product named beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC) recently approved from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, the continuous innovations in both designer nucleases and gene editing technologies enable the efficient and potentially safe repair of mutations in EB in a potentially permanent manner, inspiring researchers in the field to define and reach new milestones in the therapy of EB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- 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; (J.B.); (M.H.)
| | - Markus Hierl
- 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; (J.B.); (M.H.)
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, 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; (J.B.); (M.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hainzl S, Trattner L, Liemberger B, Bischof J, Kocher T, Ablinger M, Nyström A, Obermayer A, Klausegger A, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Bauer JW, Hofbauer JP, Koller U. Splicing Modulation via Antisense Oligonucleotides in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:761. [PMID: 38255836 PMCID: PMC10815346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) represent an emerging therapeutic platform for targeting genetic diseases by influencing various aspects of (pre-)mRNA biology, such as splicing, stability, and translation. In this study, we investigated the potential of modulating the splicing pattern in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) patient cells carrying a frequent genomic variant (c.425A > G) that disrupts splicing in the COL7A1 gene by using short 2'-O-(2-Methoxyethyl) oligoribo-nucleotides (2'-MOE ASOs). COL7A1-encoded type VII collagen (C7) forms the anchoring fibrils within the skin that are essential for the attachment of the epidermis to the underlying dermis. As such, gene variants of COL7A1 leading to functionally impaired or absent C7 manifest in the form of extensive blistering and wounding. The severity of the disease pattern warrants the development of novel therapies for patients. The c.425A > G variant at the COL7A1 exon 3/intron 3 junction lowers the efficiency of splicing at this junction, resulting in non-functional C7 transcripts. However, we found that correct splicing still occurs, albeit at a very low level, highlighting an opportunity for intervention by modulating the splicing reaction. We therefore screened 2'-MOE ASOs that bind along the COL7A1 target region ranging from exon 3 to the intron 3/exon 4 junction for their ability to modulate splicing. We identified ASOs capable of increasing the relative levels of correctly spliced COL7A1 transcripts by RT-PCR, sqRT-PCR, and ddPCR. Furthermore, RDEB-derived skin equivalents treated with one of the most promising ASOs exhibited an increase in full-length C7 expression and its accurate deposition along the basement membrane zone (BMZ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hainzl
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Lisa Trattner
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Bernadette Liemberger
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Johannes Bischof
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Thomas Kocher
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Michael Ablinger
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Alexander Nyström
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Astrid Obermayer
- Core Facility of Electron Microscopy, Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS Salzburg), 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Alfred Klausegger
- 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Johann W. Bauer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - 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; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Illmer J, Zauner R, Piñón Hofbauer J, Wimmer M, Gruner S, Ablinger M, Bischof J, Dorfer S, Hainzl S, Tober V, Bergson S, Sarig O, Samuelov L, Guttmann-Gruber C, Shalom-Feuerstein R, Sprecher E, Koller U, Laimer M, Bauer JW, Wally V. MicroRNA-200b-mediated reversion of a spectrum of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition states in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa squamous cell carcinomas. Br J Dermatol 2023; 190:80-93. [PMID: 37681509 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the leading cause of death in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). However, the survival time from first diagnosis differs between patients; some tumours spread particularly fast, while others may remain localized for years. As treatment options are limited, there is an urgent need for further insights into the pathomechanisms of RDEB tumours, to foster therapy development and support clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVES To investigate differences in RDEB tumours of diverging aggressiveness at the molecular and phenotypic level, with a particular focus on epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition states and thus microRNA-200b (miR-200b) as a regulator. METHODS Primary RDEB-SCC keratinocyte lines were characterized with respect to their EMT state. For this purpose, cell morphology was classified and the expression of EMT markers analysed using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The motility of RDEB-SCC cells was determined and conditioned medium of RDEB-SCC cells was used to treat endothelial cells in an angiogenesis assay. In addition, we mined previously generated microRNA (miRNA) profiling data to identify a candidate with potential therapeutic relevance and performed transient miRNA transfection studies to investigate the candidate's ability to reverse EMT characteristics. RESULTS We observed high variability in EMT state in the RDEB-SCC cell lines, which correlated with in situ analysis of two available patient biopsies and respective clinical disease course. Furthermore, we identified miR-200b-3p to be downregulated in RDEB-SCCs, and the extent of deregulation significantly correlated with the EMT features of the various tumour lines. miR-200b-3p was reintroduced into RDEB-SCC cell lines with pronounced EMT features, which resulted in a significant increase in epithelial characteristics, including cell morphology, EMT marker expression, migration and angiogenic potential. CONCLUSIONS RDEB-SCCs exist in different EMT states and the level of miR-200b is indicative of how far an RDEB-SCC has gone down the EMT path. Moreover, the reintroduction of miR-200b significantly reduced mesenchymal features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Illmer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Roland Zauner
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - 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 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Monika Wimmer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stefanie Gruner
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Ablinger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sonja Dorfer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Vanessa Tober
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Shir Bergson
- Division of Dermatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Sarig
- Division of Dermatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Liat Samuelov
- Division of Dermatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - 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 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eli Sprecher
- Division of Dermatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Laimer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann W Bauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 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 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bischof J, Rosenova G, Woldrich V, Streubel MK, Richter K, Duranton A, Rinnerthaler M. The Role of EAAT4 in Epidermal Differentiation and Calcium Homeostasis during Aging. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:2515-2517.e4. [PMID: 37257638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Germina Rosenova
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Vitus Woldrich
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maria Karolin Streubel
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zwicklhuber J, Kocher T, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Bischof J, Strunk D, Raninger AM, Gratz I, Wally V, Guttmann-Gruber C, Hofbauer JP, Bauer JW, Koller U. A Novel Fluorescence-Based Screen of Gene Editing Molecules for Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065197. [PMID: 36982270 PMCID: PMC10049061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a severe blistering skin disease caused by mutations in genes encoding structural proteins essential for skin integrity. In this study, we developed a cell line suitable for gene expression studies of the JEB-associated COL17A1 encoding type XVII collagen (C17), a transmembrane protein involved in connecting basal keratinocytes to the underlying dermis of the skin. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system of Streptococcus pyogenes we fused the coding sequence of GFP to COL17A1 leading to the constitutive expression of GFP-C17 fusion proteins under the control of the endogenous promoter in human wild-type and JEB keratinocytes. We confirmed the accurate full-length expression and localization of GFP-C17 to the plasma membrane via fluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis. As expected, the expression of GFP-C17mut fusion proteins in JEB keratinocytes generated no specific GFP signal. However, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated repair of a JEB-associated frameshift mutation in GFP-COL17A1mut-expressing JEB cells led to the restoration of GFP-C17, apparent in the full-length expression of the fusion protein, its accurate localization within the plasma membrane of keratinocyte monolayers as well as within the basement membrane zone of 3D-skin equivalents. Thus, this fluorescence-based JEB cell line provides the potential to serve as a platform to screen for personalized gene editing molecules and applications in vitro and in appropriate animal models in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janine Zwicklhuber
- 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
| | - Thomas Kocher
- 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
| | - Bernadette Liemberger
- 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
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- 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
| | - Johannes Bischof
- 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
| | - Dirk Strunk
- Cell Therapy Institute, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anna M. Raninger
- Cell Therapy Institute, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Iris 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Johann W. Bauer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 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
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Illmer J, Wimmer M, Zauner R, Ablinger M, Bischof J, Tober V, Atzmüller S, Pröll J, Bauer J, Wally V. 476 Differential regulation of miR-200b in squamous cell carcinoma of patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. J Invest Dermatol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.09.490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
8
|
Petkovic I, Bischof J, Kocher T, March O, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Strunk D, Binder H, Bauer J, Koller U. 288 Traceless, homology-directed repair-mediated gene editing for junctional epidermolysis bullosa. J Invest Dermatol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.09.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
9
|
Liemberger B, Bischof J, Kocher T, Ablinger M, Murauer E, Nyström A, Wally V, Mayr E, Bauer J, Koller U. 287 Development of a non-invasive, non-viral RNA therapy approach for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. J Invest Dermatol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.09.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
10
|
Petković I, Bischof J, Kocher T, March OP, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Strunk D, Raninger AM, Binder HM, Reichelt J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Piñón Hofbauer J, Bauer JW, Koller U. COL17A1 editing via homology-directed repair in junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:976604. [PMID: 36091706 PMCID: PMC9454317 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.976604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundEpidermolysis bullosa (EB), a severe genetic disorder characterized by blister formation in skin, is caused by mutations in genes encoding dermal-epidermal junction proteins that function to hold the skin layers together. CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology-directed repair (HDR) represents a promising tool for editing causal mutations in COL17A1 in the treatment of junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB).MethodsIn this study, we treated primary type XVII collagen (C17)-deficient JEB keratinocytes with either Cas9 nuclease or nickase (Cas9n) ribonucleoproteins (RNP) and a single-stranded oligonucleotide (ssODN) HDR template in order to correct a causal pathogenic frameshift mutation within the COL17A1 gene.ResultsAs analyzed by next-generation sequencing of RNP-nucleofected keratinocytes, we observed an HDR efficiency of ∼38% when cells were treated with the high-fidelity Cas9 nuclease, a mutation-specific sgRNA, and an ssODN template. The combined induction of end-joining repair and HDR-mediated pathways resulted in a C17 restoration efficiency of up to 60% as assessed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, corrected JEB keratinocytes showed a significantly increased adhesive strength to laminin-332 and an accurate deposition of C17 along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) upon differentiation into skin equivalents.ConclusionHere we present a gene editing approach capable of reducing end joining-generated repair products while increasing the level of seamless HDR-mediated gene repair outcomes, thereby providing a promising CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach for JEB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Petković
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Kocher
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Oliver Patrick March
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Bernadette Liemberger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Dirk Strunk
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anna Maria Raninger
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heide-Marie Binder
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Reichelt
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 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 Salzburg, 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 Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - 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 Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann Wolfgang Bauer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 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 Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- *Correspondence: Ulrich Koller,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bischof J, March OP, Liemberger B, Haas SA, Hainzl S, Petković I, Leb-Reichl V, Illmer J, Korotchenko E, Klausegger A, Hoog A, Binder HM, Garcia M, Duarte B, Strunk D, Larcher F, Reichelt J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Hofbauer JP, Bauer JW, Cathomen T, Kocher T, Koller U. Paired nicking-mediated COL17A1 reframing for junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2680-2692. [PMID: 35490295 PMCID: PMC9372311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a debilitating hereditary skin disorder caused by mutations in genes encoding laminin-332, type XVII collagen (C17), and integrin-α6β4, which maintain stability between the dermis and epidermis. We designed patient-specific Cas9-nuclease- and -nickase-based targeting strategies for reframing a common homozygous deletion in exon 52 of COL17A1 associated with a lack of full-length C17 expression. Subsequent characterization of protein restoration, indel composition, and divergence of DNA and mRNA outcomes after treatment revealed auspicious efficiency, safety, and precision profiles for paired nicking-based COL17A1 editing. Almost 46% of treated primary JEB keratinocytes expressed reframed C17. Reframed COL17A1 transcripts predominantly featured 25- and 37-nt deletions, accounting for >42% of all edits and encoding C17 protein variants that localized accurately to the cell membrane. Furthermore, corrected cells showed accurate shedding of the extracellular 120-kDa C17 domain and improved adhesion capabilities to laminin-332 compared with untreated JEB cells. Three-dimensional (3D) skin equivalents demonstrated accurate and continuous deposition of C17 within the basal membrane zone between epidermis and dermis. Our findings constitute, for the first time, gene-editing-based correction of a COL17A1 mutation and demonstrate the superiority of proximal paired nicking strategies based on Cas9 D10A nickase over wild-type Cas9-based strategies for gene reframing in a clinical context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Oliver Patrick March
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Bernadette Liemberger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Simone Alexandra Haas
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Igor Petković
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Victoria Leb-Reichl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Illmer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Evgeniia Korotchenko
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alfred Klausegger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anna Hoog
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heide-Marie Binder
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Marta Garcia
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, CIEMAT-CIBERER, Department of Bioengineering, UC3M, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Duarte
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, CIEMAT-CIBERER, Department of Bioengineering, UC3M, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dirk Strunk
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fernando Larcher
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, CIEMAT-CIBERER, Department of Bioengineering, UC3M, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Reichelt
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 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 Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 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 Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - 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 Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann Wolfgang Bauer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kocher
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 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 Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The genodermatosis epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a monogenetic disease, characterized by severe blister formation on the skin and mucous membranes upon minimal mechanical trauma. Causes for the disease are mutations in genes encoding proteins that are essential for skin integrity. In EB, one of these proteins is either functionally impaired or completely absent. Therefore, the development and improvement of DNA and RNA-based therapeutic approaches for this severe blistering skin disease is mandatory to achieve a treatment option for the patients. AREAS COVERED Currently, there are several forms of DNA/RNA therapies potentially feasible for EB. Whereas some of them are still at the preclinical stage, others are clinically advanced and have already been applied to patients. In particular, this is the case for a cDNA replacement approach successfully applied for a small number of patients with junctional EB. EXPERT OPINION The heterogeneity of EB justifies the development of therapeutic options with distinct modes of action at a DNA or RNA level. Besides, splicing-modulating therapies, based on RNA trans-splicing or short antisense oligonucleotides, especially designer nucleases, have steadily improved in efficiency and safety and thus likely represent the most promising gene therapy tool in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kocher
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Igor Petkovic
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University 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 Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pettit N, Boadu D, Bischof J. 388 Emergency Department Management of Chemotherapy Related Febrile Neutropenia: An Opportunity to Improve Care. Ann Emerg Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.09.403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
14
|
Kocher T, Bischof J, Haas SA, March OP, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Illmer J, Hoog A, Muigg K, Binder HM, Klausegger A, Strunk D, Bauer JW, Cathomen T, Koller U. A non-viral and selection-free COL7A1 HDR approach with improved safety profile for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2021; 25:237-250. [PMID: 34458008 PMCID: PMC8368800 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gene editing via homology-directed repair (HDR) currently comprises the best strategy to obtain perfect corrections for pathogenic mutations of monogenic diseases, such as the severe recessive dystrophic form of the blistering skin disease epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Limitations of this strategy, in particular low efficiencies and off-target effects, hinder progress toward clinical applications. However, the severity of RDEB necessitates the development of efficient and safe gene-editing therapies based on perfect repair. To this end, we sought to assess the corrective efficiencies following optimal Cas9 nuclease and nickase-based COL7A1-targeting strategies in combination with single- or double-stranded donor templates for HDR at the COL7A1 mutation site. We achieved HDR-mediated correction efficiencies of up to 21% and 10% in primary RDEB keratinocytes and fibroblasts, respectively, as analyzed by next-generation sequencing, leading to full-length type VII collagen restoration and accurate deposition within engineered three-dimensional (3D) skin equivalents (SEs). Extensive on- and off-target analyses confirmed that the combined treatment of paired nicking and single-stranded oligonucleotides constituted a highly efficient COL7A1-editing strategy, associated with a significantly improved safety profile. Our findings, therefore, represent a further advancement in the field of traceless genome editing for genodermatoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kocher
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Simone Alexandra Haas
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Patrick March
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Bernadette Liemberger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Illmer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anna Hoog
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katharina Muigg
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heide-Marie Binder
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alfred Klausegger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Dirk Strunk
- Cell Therapy Institute, SCI-TReCS, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann Wolfgang Bauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Corresponding author Ulrich Koller, EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Breunig S, Wallner V, Kobler K, Wimmer H, Steinbacher P, Streubel MK, Bischof J, Duschl J, Neuhofer C, Gruber W, Aberger F, Breitenbach M, Russe E, Wechselberger G, Duranton A, Richter K, Rinnerthaler M. The life in a gradient: calcium, the lncRNA SPRR2C and mir542/mir196a meet in the epidermis to regulate the aging process. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:19127-19144. [PMID: 34339392 PMCID: PMC8386546 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The turnover of the epidermis beginning with the progenitor cells in the basal layer to the fully differentiated corneocytes is tightly regulated by calcium. Calcium more than anything else promotes the differentiation of keratinocytes which implies the need for a calcium gradient with low concentrations in the stratum basale and high concentrations in the stratum granulosum. One of the hallmarks of skin aging is a collapse of this gradient that has a direct impact on the epidermal fitness. The rise of calcium in the stratum basale reduces cell proliferation, whereas the drop of calcium in the stratum granulosum leads to a changed composition of the cornified envelope. We showed that keratinocytes respond to the calcium induced block of cell division by a large increase of the expression of several miRNAs (hsa-mir542-5p, hsa-mir125a, hsa-mir135a-5p, hsa-mir196a-5p, hsa-mir491-5p and hsa-mir552-5p). The pitfall of this rescue mechanism is a dramatic change in gene expression which causes a further impairment of the epidermal barrier. This effect is attenuated by a pseudogene (SPRR2C) that gives rise to a lncRNA. SPRR2C specifically resides in the stratum granulosum/corneum thus acting as a sponge for miRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Breunig
- Procomcure Biotech, Breitwies, Thalgau, Austria.,Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Veronika Wallner
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katharina Kobler
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Herbert Wimmer
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Peter Steinbacher
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jutta Duschl
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Claudia Neuhofer
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Gruber
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Breitenbach
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Russe
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzige Brüder, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gottfried Wechselberger
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzige Brüder, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kocher T, March OP, Bischof J, Liemberger B, Hainzl S, Klausegger A, Hoog A, Strunk D, Bauer JW, Koller U. Predictable CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated COL7A1 Reframing for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:1985-1993.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
17
|
Bornert O, Hogervorst M, Nauroy P, Bischof J, Swildens J, Athanasiou I, Tufa SF, Keene DR, Kiritsi D, Hainzl S, Murauer EM, Marinkovich MP, Platenburg G, Hausser I, Wally V, Ritsema T, Koller U, Haisma EM, Nyström A. QR-313, an Antisense Oligonucleotide, Shows Therapeutic Efficacy for Treatment of Dominant and Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: A Preclinical Study. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:883-893.e6. [PMID: 32946877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a blistering skin disease caused by mutations in the gene COL7A1 encoding collagen VII. DEB can be inherited as recessive DEB (RDEB) or dominant DEB (DDEB) and is associated with a high wound burden. Perpetual cycles of wounding and healing drive fibrosis in DDEB and RDEB, as well as the formation of a tumor-permissive microenvironment. Prolonging wound-free episodes by improving the quality of wound healing would therefore confer substantial benefit for individuals with DEB. The collagenous domain of collagen VII is encoded by 82 in-frame exons, which makes splice-modulation therapies attractive for DEB. Indeed, antisense oligonucleotide-based exon skipping has shown promise for RDEB. However, the suitability of antisense oligonucleotides for treatment of DDEB remains unexplored. Here, we developed QR-313, a clinically applicable, potent antisense oligonucleotide specifically targeting exon 73. We show the feasibility of topical delivery of QR-313 in a carbomer-composed gel for treatment of wounds to restore collagen VII abundance in human RDEB skin. Our data reveal that QR-313 also shows direct benefit for DDEB caused by exon 73 mutations. Thus, the same topically applied therapeutic could be used to improve the wound healing quality in RDEB and DDEB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Bornert
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Pauline Nauroy
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jim Swildens
- ProQR Therapeutics N.V., Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Athanasiou
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sara F Tufa
- Micro-Imaging Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Douglas R Keene
- Micro-Imaging Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Dimitra Kiritsi
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eva M Murauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - M Peter Marinkovich
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA; Dermatology, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | - Ingrid Hausser
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Verena Wally
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tita Ritsema
- ProQR Therapeutics N.V., Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Alexander Nyström
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shokri L, Inukai S, Hafner A, Weinand K, Hens K, Vedenko A, Gisselbrecht SS, Dainese R, Bischof J, Furger E, Feuz JD, Basler K, Deplancke B, Bulyk ML. A Comprehensive Drosophila melanogaster Transcription Factor Interactome. Cell Rep 2020; 27:955-970.e7. [PMID: 30995488 PMCID: PMC6485956 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Combinatorial interactions among transcription factors (TFs) play essential roles in generating gene expression specificity and diversity in metazoans. Using yeast 2-hybrid (Y2H) assays on nearly all sequence-specific Drosophila TFs, we identified 1,983 protein-protein interactions (PPIs), more than doubling the number of currently known PPIs among Drosophila TFs. For quality assessment, we validated a subset of our interactions using MITOMI and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. We combined our interactome with prior PPI data to generate an integrated Drosophila TF-TF binary interaction network. Our analysis of ChIP-seq data, integrating PPI and gene expression information, uncovered different modes by which interacting TFs are recruited to DNA. We further demonstrate the utility of our Drosophila interactome in shedding light on human TF-TF interactions. This study reveals how TFs interact to bind regulatory elements in vivo and serves as a resource of Drosophila TF-TF binary PPIs for understanding tissue-specific gene regulation. Combinatorial regulation by transcription factors (TFs) is one mechanism for achieving condition and tissue-specific gene regulation. Shokri et al. mapped TF-TF interactions between most Drosophila TFs, reporting a comprehensive TF-TF network integrated with previously known interactions. They used this network to discern distinct TF-DNA binding modes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Shokri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sachi Inukai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Antonina Hafner
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Systems Biology Graduate Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kathryn Weinand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Ph.D. Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Korneel Hens
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Vedenko
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephen S Gisselbrecht
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Riccardo Dainese
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edy Furger
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Daniel Feuz
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bart Deplancke
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Martha L Bulyk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Systems Biology Graduate Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Ph.D. Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Geltinger F, Tevini J, Briza P, Geiser A, Bischof J, Richter K, Felder T, Rinnerthaler M. The transfer of specific mitochondrial lipids and proteins to lipid droplets contributes to proteostasis upon stress and aging in the eukaryotic model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae. GeroScience 2019; 42:19-38. [PMID: 31676965 PMCID: PMC7031196 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-019-00103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Originally Lipid droplets (LDs) were considered as being droplets for lipid storage only. Increasing evidence, however, demonstrates that LDs fulfill a pleiotropy of additional functions. Among them is the modulation of protein as well as lipid homeostasis. Under unfavorable pro-oxidative conditions, proteins can form aggregates which may exceed the overall proteolytic capacity of the proteasome. After stress termination LDs can adjust and support the removal of these aggregates. Additionally, LDs interact with mitochondria, specifically take over certain proteins and thus prevent apoptosis. LDs, which are loaded with these harmful proteins, are subsequently eliminated via lipophagy. Recently it was demonstrated that this autophagic process is a modulator of longevity. LDs do not only eliminate potentially dangerous proteins, but they are also able to prevent lipotoxicity by storing specific lipids. In the present study we used the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae to compare the proteome as well as lipidome of mitochondria and LDs under different conditions: replicative aging, stress and apoptosis. In this context we found an accumulation of proteins at LDs, supporting the role of LDs in proteostasis. Additionally, the composition of main lipid classes such as phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylglycerols, triacylglycerols, ceramides, phosphatidic acids and ergosterol of LDs and mitochondria changed during stress conditions and aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Geltinger
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Julia Tevini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Peter Briza
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Amrito Geiser
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Felder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
- Obesity Research Unit, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bischof J, Gärtner F, Zeiser K, Kunz R, Schreiner C, Hoffer E, Burster T, Knippschild U, Zimecki M. Immune Cells and Immunosenescence. Folia Biol (Praha) 2019; 65:53-63. [PMID: 31464181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to impaired physical and mental functions as well as increased morbidity and mortality. With advancing age, the immune system is no longer able to adequately control autoimmunity, infections, or cancer. The abilities of the elderly to slow down undesirable effects of aging may depend on the genetic background, lifestyle, geographic region, and other presently unknown factors. Although most aspects of the immunity are constantly declining in relation to age, some features are retained, while e.g. the ability to produce high levels of cytokines, response to pathogens by increased inflammation, and imbalanced proteolytic activity are found in the elderly, and might eventually cause harm. In this context, it is important to differentiate between the effect of immunosenescence that is contributing to this decline and adaptations of the immune system that can be quickly reversed if necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Bischof
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - F Gärtner
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - K Zeiser
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - R Kunz
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - C Schreiner
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - E Hoffer
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - T Burster
- Department of Biology, School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan Republic
| | - U Knippschild
- Department of General Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - M Zimecki
- Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bischof J, Duffraisse M, Furger E, Ajuria L, Giraud G, Vanderperre S, Paul R, Björklund M, Ahr D, Ahmed AW, Spinelli L, Brun C, Basler K, Merabet S. Generation of a versatile BiFC ORFeome library for analyzing protein-protein interactions in live Drosophila. eLife 2018; 7:38853. [PMID: 30247122 PMCID: PMC6177257 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors achieve specificity by establishing intricate interaction networks that will change depending on the cell context. Capturing these interactions in live condition is however a challenging issue that requires sensitive and non-invasive methods. We present a set of fly lines, called ‘multicolor BiFC library’, which covers most of the Drosophila transcription factors for performing Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC). The multicolor BiFC library can be used to probe two different binary interactions simultaneously and is compatible for large-scale interaction screens. The library can also be coupled with established Drosophila genetic resources to analyze interactions in the developmentally relevant expression domain of each protein partner. We provide proof of principle experiments of these various applications, using Hox proteins in the live Drosophila embryo as a case study. Overall this novel collection of ready-to-use fly lines constitutes an unprecedented genetic toolbox for the identification and analysis of protein-protein interactions in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Edy Furger
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Mikael Björklund
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | | | | | | | - Christine Brun
- INSERM, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.,TAGC, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Streubel MK, Bischof J, Weiss R, Duschl J, Liedl W, Wimmer H, Breitenbach M, Weber M, Geltinger F, Richter K, Rinnerthaler M. Behead and live long or the tale of cathepsin L. Yeast 2017; 35:237-249. [PMID: 29044689 PMCID: PMC5808862 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be one of the most valuable model organisms of aging research. Pathways such as autophagy or the effect of substances like resveratrol and spermidine that prolong the replicative as well as chronological lifespan of cells were described for the first time in S. cerevisiae. In this study we describe the establishment of an aging reporter that allows a reliable and relative quick screening of substances and genes that have an impact on the replicative lifespan. A cDNA library of the flatworm Dugesia tigrina that can be immortalized by beheading was screened using this aging reporter. Of all the flatworm genes, only one could be identified that significantly increased the replicative lifespan of S.cerevisiae. This gene is the cysteine protease cathepsin L that was sequenced for the first time in this study. We were able to show that this protease has the capability to degrade such proteins as the yeast Sup35 protein or the human α‐synuclein protein in yeast cells that are both capable of forming cytosolic toxic aggregates. The degradation of these proteins by cathepsin L prevents the formation of these unfolded protein aggregates and this seems to be responsible for the increase in replicative lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Karolin Streubel
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Weiss
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jutta Duschl
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Liedl
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Herbert Wimmer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Breitenbach
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Manuela Weber
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Florian Geltinger
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ameling S, Doerr M, Bischof J, Weitmann K, Empen K, Voelker U, Felix S, Hammer E. P706Association study of proteins and left ventricular echocardiographic parameters reflect impaired LV function in DCM patients. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx501.p706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
24
|
Auer S, Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel MK, Breitenbach-Koller H, Geisberger R, Aigner E, Cadamuro J, Richter K, Sopjani M, Haschke-Becher E, Felder TK, Breitenbach M. The Human NADPH Oxidase, Nox4, Regulates Cytoskeletal Organization in Two Cancer Cell Lines, HepG2 and SH-SY5Y. Front Oncol 2017; 7:111. [PMID: 28620580 PMCID: PMC5449459 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
NADPH oxidases of human cells are not only functional in defense against invading microorganisms and for oxidative reactions needed for specialized biosynthetic pathways but also during the past few years have been established as signaling modules. It has been shown that human Nox4 is expressed in most somatic cell types and produces hydrogen peroxide, which signals to remodel the actin cytoskeleton. This correlates well with the function of Yno1, the only NADPH oxidase of yeast cells. Using two established tumor cell lines, which are derived from hepatic and neuroblastoma tumors, respectively, we are showing here that in both tumor models Nox4 is expressed in the ER (like the yeast NADPH oxidase), where according to published literature, it produces hydrogen peroxide. Reducing this biochemical activity by downregulating Nox4 transcription leads to loss of F-actin stress fibers. This phenotype is reversible by adding hydrogen peroxide to the cells. The effect of the Nox4 silencer RNA is specific for this gene as it does not influence the expression of Nox2. In the case of the SH-SY5Y neuronal cell line, Nox4 inhibition leads to loss of cell mobility as measured in scratch assays. We propose that inhibition of Nox4 (which is known to be strongly expressed in many tumors) could be studied as a new target for cancer treatment, in particular for inhibition of metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Auer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maria Karolin Streubel
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Roland Geisberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Elmar Aigner
- First Department of Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Obesity Research Unit, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Janne Cadamuro
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mentor Sopjani
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | | | - Thomas Klaus Felder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Obesity Research Unit, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Breitenbach
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Myachina F, Bosshardt F, Bischof J, Kirschmann M, Lehner CF. Drosophila beta-tubulin 97EF is upregulated at low temperature and stabilizes microtubules. Development 2017; 144:4573-4587. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.156109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cells in ectotherms function normally within an often wide temperature range. As temperature dependence is not uniform across all the distinct biological processes, acclimation presumably requires complex regulation. The molecular mechanisms coping with the disruptive effects of temperature variation are still poorly understood. Interestingly, one of five different beta-tubulin paralogs, betaTub97EF, was among the genes up-regulated at low temperature in cultured Drosophila cells. As microtubules are known to be cold-sensitive, we analyzed whether betaTub97EF protects microtubules at low temperatures. During development at the optimal temperature (25°C), betaTub97EF was expressed in a tissue-specific pattern primarily in the gut. There, as well as in hemocytes, expression was increased at low temperature (14°C). While betaTub97EF mutants were viable and fertile at 25°C, their sensitivity within the well-tolerated range was slightly enhanced during embryogenesis specifically at low temperatures. Changing beta-tubulin isoform ratios in hemocytes demonstrated that beta-Tubulin 97EF has a pronounced microtubule stabilizing effect. Moreover, betaTub97EF is required for normal microtubule stability in the gut. These results suggest that betaTub97EF up-regulation at low temperature contributes to acclimation by stabilizing microtubules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faina Myachina
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (IMLS), University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fritz Bosshardt
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (IMLS), University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (IMLS), University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Kirschmann
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian F. Lehner
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (IMLS), University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Manuchehrabadi N, Gao Z, Zhang J, Ring H, Shao Q, Liu F, Chen Y, Mcdermott M, Fok A, Brockbank K, Garwood M, Haynes C, Bischof J. Nanowarming of tissues. Cryobiology 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.09.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
27
|
Shao Q, Burbach B, Ramadhyan S, Vallapureddy V, Shimizu Y, Bischof J. Cryosurgery with vascular and immune adjuvants to address local and systemic cancer. Cryobiology 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.09.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
28
|
Shi M, Manuchehrabadi N, Clopton A, Jinbin Q, Xu F, Lu T, Bischof J. Ultrarapid inductive rewarming of vitrified bulk biomaterials with metal foams. Cryobiology 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2016.09.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
29
|
Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel MK, Trost A, Richter K. Oxidative stress in aging human skin. Biomolecules 2015; 5:545-89. [PMID: 25906193 PMCID: PMC4496685 DOI: 10.3390/biom5020545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 480] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress in skin plays a major role in the aging process. This is true for intrinsic aging and even more for extrinsic aging. Although the results are quite different in dermis and epidermis, extrinsic aging is driven to a large extent by oxidative stress caused by UV irradiation. In this review the overall effects of oxidative stress are discussed as well as the sources of ROS including the mitochondrial ETC, peroxisomal and ER localized proteins, the Fenton reaction, and such enzymes as cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, xanthine oxidases, and NADPH oxidases. Furthermore, the defense mechanisms against oxidative stress ranging from enzymes like superoxide dismutases, catalases, peroxiredoxins, and GSH peroxidases to organic compounds such as L-ascorbate, α-tocopherol, beta-carotene, uric acid, CoQ10, and glutathione are described in more detail. In addition the oxidative stress induced modifications caused to proteins, lipids and DNA are discussed. Finally age-related changes of the skin are also a topic of this review. They include a disruption of the epidermal calcium gradient in old skin with an accompanying change in the composition of the cornified envelope. This modified cornified envelope also leads to an altered anti-oxidative capacity and a reduced barrier function of the epidermis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Maria Karolin Streubel
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Andrea Trost
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Engelmann B, Bischof J, Dirk AL, Friedrich N, Hammer E, Thiele T, Iwen A, Führer D, Homuth G, Völker U, Brabant EG. Effect of experimental thyrotoxicosis onto blood coagulation – A proteomics study. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2015. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1547738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
31
|
Schertel C, Albarca M, Rockel-Bauer C, Kelley NW, Bischof J, Hens K, van Nimwegen E, Basler K, Deplancke B. A large-scale, in vivo transcription factor screen defines bivalent chromatin as a key property of regulatory factors mediating Drosophila wing development. Genome Res 2015; 25:514-23. [PMID: 25568052 PMCID: PMC4381523 DOI: 10.1101/gr.181305.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of cell fate. The estimated 755 genes that encode DNA binding domain-containing proteins comprise ∼ 5% of all Drosophila genes. However, the majority has remained uncharacterized so far due to the lack of proper genetic tools. We generated 594 site-directed transgenic Drosophila lines that contain integrations of individual UAS-TF constructs to facilitate spatiotemporally controlled misexpression in vivo. All transgenes were expressed in the developing wing, and two-thirds induced specific phenotypic defects. In vivo knockdown of the same genes yielded a phenotype for 50%, with both methods indicating a great potential for misexpression to characterize novel functions in wing growth, patterning, and development. Thus, our UAS-TF library provides an important addition to the genetic toolbox of Drosophila research, enabling the identification of several novel wing development-related TFs. In parallel, we established the chromatin landscape of wing imaginal discs by ChIP-seq analyses of five chromatin marks and RNA Pol II. Subsequent clustering revealed six distinct chromatin states, with two clusters showing enrichment for both active and repressive marks. TFs that carry such "bivalent" chromatin are highly enriched for causing misexpression phenotypes in the wing, and analysis of existing expression data shows that these TFs tend to be differentially expressed across the wing disc. Thus, bivalently marked chromatin can be used as a marker for spatially regulated TFs that are functionally relevant in a developing tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claus Schertel
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Monica Albarca
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Rockel-Bauer
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas W Kelley
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Korneel Hens
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erik van Nimwegen
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Bart Deplancke
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Schaller N, Blume K, Hanssen H, Schuster T, Schmidt-Trucksäss A, Bischof J, Halle M. [Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its risk factors: results of a large work-site health assessment]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2014; 139:2279-84. [PMID: 25350240 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1387352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facing the demographic change, cardiovascular risk factors have been assessed within an occupational checkup to establish health programs. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 2006 to 2007, anthropometric and blood parameters of 27 359 employees of a large company of the German automobile industry were collected aiming to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (by NCEP ATP III) and its risk factors. Data from 3048 employees (fasting state) were analyzed (age: ∅ 39,4 ± 10,3 years, 81.4% males). RESULTS The most common risk factors were hypertension ≥ 130/85 mmHg (men [m]: 74,4%, 95%-confidence interval [CI] 73-76%, women [w]: 47,1%, 95%-CI 43-51%), elevated triglycerides (≥ 150 mg/dl; m: 32,8%, 95%-CI 31-35%, w: 13,8%, 95%-CI 11-17%) and waist-circumferences (> 102 cm for men: 15,1%, 95%-CI 14-17%; > 88 cm for women: 16,9%, 95%-CI 14-20%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (≥ 3 risk factors) was 11,7% (95%-CI 12-15%; m: 12,7%, 95%-CI 11-14%, w: 7,4%, 95%-CI 6-10%) increasing with physical inactivity and rising age up to 20%. The prevalence of hypertension in young (< 20 years) and elder men (≥ 50 years) was similarly high (79,1%, 95%-CI 70-86% vs. 79,9%, 95%-CI 75-82%). CONCLUSION The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this sample is rather low, but 75% of the men and nearly 50% of the women had hypertension. Health programs should focus on this risk factor in particular.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Schaller
- Lehrstuhl und Poliklinik für Prävention, Rehabilitation und Sportmedizin, Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Zentrum für Ernährungsmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
| | - K Blume
- Gesundheitsmanagement, BMW Group, München
| | - H Hanssen
- Lehrstuhl und Poliklinik für Prävention, Rehabilitation und Sportmedizin, Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Zentrum für Ernährungsmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
| | - T Schuster
- Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Epidemiologie, Technische Universität München
| | - A Schmidt-Trucksäss
- Lehrstuhl und Poliklinik für Prävention, Rehabilitation und Sportmedizin, Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Zentrum für Ernährungsmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
| | - J Bischof
- Gesundheitsmanagement, BMW Group, München
| | - M Halle
- Lehrstuhl und Poliklinik für Prävention, Rehabilitation und Sportmedizin, Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Zentrum für Ernährungsmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rinnerthaler M, Streubel MK, Bischof J, Richter K. Skin aging, gene expression and calcium. Exp Gerontol 2014; 68:59-65. [PMID: 25262846 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2014.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human epidermis provides a very effective barrier function against chemical, physical and microbial insults from the environment. This is only possible as the epidermis renews itself constantly. Stem cells located at the basal lamina which forms the dermoepidermal junction provide an almost inexhaustible source of keratinocytes which differentiate and die during their journey to the surface where they are shed off as scales. Despite the continuous renewal of the epidermis it nevertheless succumbs to aging as the turnover rate of the keratinocytes is slowing down dramatically. Aging is associated with such hallmarks as thinning of the epidermis, elastosis, loss of melanocytes associated with an increased paleness and lucency of the skin and a decreased barrier function. As the differentiation of keratinocytes is strictly calcium dependent, calcium also plays an important role in the aging epidermis. Just recently it was shown that the epidermal calcium gradient in the skin that facilitates the proliferation of keratinocytes in the stratum basale and enables differentiation in the stratum granulosum is lost in the process of skin aging. In the course of this review we try to explain how this calcium gradient is built up on the one hand and is lost during aging on the other hand. How this disturbed calcium homeostasis is affecting the gene expression in aged skin and is leading to dramatic changes in the composition of the cornified envelope will also be discussed. This loss of the epidermal calcium gradient is not only specific for skin aging but can also be found in skin diseases such as Darier disease, Hailey-Hailey disease, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which might be very helpful to get a deeper insight in skin aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maria Karolin Streubel
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Cell Biology, Division of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Reindel R, Bischof J, Kim KYA, Orenstein JM, Soares MB, Baker SC, Shulman ST, Perlman EJ, Lingen MW, Pink AJ, Trevenen C, Rowley AH. CD84 is markedly up-regulated in Kawasaki disease arteriopathy. Clin Exp Immunol 2014; 177:203-11. [PMID: 24635044 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The major goals of Kawasaki disease (KD) therapy are to reduce inflammation and prevent thrombosis in the coronary arteries (CA), but some children do not respond to currently available non-specific therapies. New treatments have been difficult to develop because the molecular pathogenesis is unknown. In order to identify dysregulated gene expression in KD CA, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing on KD and control CA, validated potentially dysregulated genes by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and localized protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Signalling lymphocyte activation molecule CD84 was up-regulated 16-fold (P < 0·01) in acute KD CA (within 2 months of onset) and 32-fold (P < 0·01) in chronic CA (5 months to years after onset). CD84 was localized to inflammatory cells in KD tissues. Genes associated with cellular proliferation, motility and survival were also up-regulated in KD CA, and immune activation molecules MX2 and SP140 were up-regulated in chronic KD. CD84, which facilitates immune responses and stabilizes platelet aggregates, is markedly up-regulated in KD CA in patients with acute and chronic arterial disease. We provide the first molecular evidence of dysregulated inflammatory responses persisting for months to years in CA significantly damaged by KD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Reindel
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bischof J, Björklund M, Furger E, Schertel C, Taipale J, Basler K. A versatile platform for creating a comprehensive UAS-ORFeome library in Drosophila. Development 2013; 140:2434-42. [PMID: 23637332 DOI: 10.1242/dev.088757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression screens are used to explore gene functions in Drosophila, but this strategy suffers from the lack of comprehensive and systematic fly strain collections and efficient methods for generating such collections. Here, we present a strategy that could be used efficiently to generate large numbers of transgenic Drosophila strains, and a collection of 1149 UAS-ORF fly lines that were created with the site-specific ΦC31 integrase method. For this collection, we used a set of 655 genes that were cloned as two variants, either as an open reading frame (ORF) with a native stop codon or with a C-terminal 3xHA tag. To streamline the procedure for transgenic fly generation, we demonstrate the utility of injecting pools of plasmids into embryos, each plasmid containing a randomised sequence (barcode) that serves as a unique identifier for plasmids and, subsequently, fly strains. We also developed a swapping technique that facilitates the rapid exchange of promoters and epitope tags in vivo, expanding the versatility of the ORF collection. The work described here serves as the basis of a systematic library of Gal4/UAS-regulated transgenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Rinnerthaler M, Duschl J, Steinbacher P, Salzmann M, Bischof J, Schuller M, Wimmer H, Peer T, Bauer JW, Richter K. Age-related changes in the composition of the cornified envelope in human skin. Exp Dermatol 2013; 22:329-35. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Jutta Duschl
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Peter Steinbacher
- Department of Organismic Biology; Division of Zoology; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Manuel Salzmann
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Johannes Bischof
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Markus Schuller
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Herbert Wimmer
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Thomas Peer
- Department of Organismic Biology; Division of Zoology; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| | - Johann W. Bauer
- Department of Dermatology; Division of Molecular Dermatology and EB House Austria; Paracelsus Medical University; Salzburg Austria
| | - Klaus Richter
- Department of Cell Biology; Division of Genetics; University of Salzburg; Salzburg Austria
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Laible M, Schoenberg SO, Weckbach S, Lettau M, Winnik E, Bischof J, Franke R, Reiser M, Kramer H. Whole-body MRI and MRA for evaluation of the prevalence of atherosclerosis in a cohort of subjectively healthy individuals. Insights Imaging 2012; 3:485-93. [PMID: 22836780 PMCID: PMC3443278 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-012-0180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular findings in asymptomatic individuals by means of 1.5-T whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. Methods A cohort of 138 individuals (118 men, 20 women) with a mean age of 54 years (SD ± 7.55) was referred to whole-body MRI at 1.5-T, including contrast-enhanced whole-body MR angiography (MRA) and cardiac MRI. A total of 2,065/2,070 vessel segments (99.8%) and cardiac function were evaluated. Results Approximately one-fourth of the participating individuals had vascular abnormalities. In 17 subjects (12.3% of all subjects) significant luminal narrowing was observed in at least one vascular segment. Luminal narrowing (mild to severe) was observed in 1 (0.7% of all subjects respectively) of the renal arteries, 7 (5.0%) of the carotid arteries, and 3 (2.2%) of the pelvic and upper leg arteries, and in 17 segments (12.3%) of arteries in the lower leg. In cardiac function and perfusion imaging, wall motion disorders were observed in six patients (4.3%), with additional delayed enhancement and isolated delayed enhancement present in two cases. Functional parameters differed from reference values in 55 cases. Conclusions Even in an asymptomatic cohort of middle-aged predominantly male individuals, atherosclerotic disease is not uncommon and is detectable by whole-body MRI. Main Messages In middle-aged predominantly male individuals, atherosclerotic disease is not uncommon. Even in an asymptomatic collective, approximately one fourth had vascular abnormalities. Using whole-body MR angiography (MRA), 99.8% of 2,070 vessel segments could be evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Laible
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Munich, Grosshadern Campus, Munich, Germany,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Song H, Goetze S, Bischof J, Spichiger-Haeusermann C, Kuster M, Brunner E, Basler K. Coop functions as a corepressor of Pangolin and antagonizes Wingless signaling. Genes Dev 2010; 24:881-6. [PMID: 20439429 DOI: 10.1101/gad.561310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Wingless (Wg) signaling regulates expression of its target genes via Pangolin and Armadillo, and their interacting cofactors. In the absence of Wg, Pangolin mediates transcriptional repression. In the presence of Wg, Pangolin, Armadillo, and a cohort of coactivators mediate transcriptional activation. Here we uncover Coop (corepressor of Pan) as a Pangolin-interacting protein. Coop and Pangolin form a complex on DNA containing a Pangolin/TCF-binding motif. Overexpression of Coop specifically represses Wg target genes, while loss of Coop function causes derepression. Finally, we show that Coop antagonizes the binding of Armadillo to Pangolin, providing a mechanism for Coop-mediated repression of Wg target gene transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Song
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Jiang J, Bischof J. Effect of timing, dose and interstitial versus nanoparticle delivery of tumor necrosis factor alpha in combinatorial adjuvant cryosurgery treatment of ELT-3 uterine fibroid tumor. Cryo Letters 2010; 31:50-62. [PMID: 20309509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Cryosurgery has shown potential as a minimally invasive technology for tumor treatment. However, incomplete destruction followed by tumor recurrence after cryosurgery is a common drawback. This study characterizes several variables in the cryoadjuvant TNF-alpha enhancement of conservative cryosurgery (i.e. freezing to the visible edge) of ELT-3 (uterine leiomyoma) tumor in a female nude mouse model. The variables include pretreatment time, mode of TNF-alpha delivery (native vs. CYT-6091, a PEGylated 33 nm colloidal gold core nanoparticle) and dose of TNF-alpha. Survival and tumor growth delay were measured up to 30 days and showed: 1) pretreatment with TNF-alpha required 4 hours incubation prior to cryosurgery to produce a tumor growth delay over cryosurgery alone, and 2) CYT-6091 reduced the toxicity of TNF-alpha administration over intratumoral or peritumoral injection of native TNF-alpha. Taken together, 5 microgram TNF-alpha delivered by the nanodrug CYT-6091 4 hours prior to cryosurgery yielded a dramatic reduction in tumor growth over cryosurgery alone and in some cases even total remission of the tumor. However, some toxicity at higher doses (i.e. 5 micrograms) with CYT-6091 was noted compared to previous work in prostate (LNCaP) cancer grown in a male nude mouse. Potential reasons for this, including sex and weight of the animals are discussed. Further opportunities to optimize the TNF-alpha enhanced cryosurgical response of this tumor include dosing between 2 - 5 microgram at 4 hours prior to cryosurgery, and freezing beyond the visible edge of the tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Jiang J, Bischof J. Effect of Dose, Timing and Delivery of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha as an Adjuvant in Cryosurgery of ELT-3 Uterine Leiomyoma (Fibroid) Tumor. J Med Device 2009. [DOI: 10.1115/1.3147380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (fibroid or myoma) is the most common indication for hysterectomy in premenopausal women. Cryomyolysis is a uterus sparing procedure in which a myoma is frozen by a cryoprobe, thereby causing tissue necrosis upon thawing and eventual reduction in myoma size. Unfortunately, although the iceball is readily visualized (by ultrasound-US or magnetic resonance-MR), the tissue at the periphery of the iceball is not completely destroyed. One potential solution to this problem is the use of cryosurgical adjuvants that increase cryosurgical image guidance and efficacy. Previous work in our lab has shown that TNF-α (native or as the nanodrug, CYT-6091, Cytimmune Sciences, Inc.) can act synergistically with cryosurgery to destroy all prostate cancer within an iceball. Building on this work, the current study was designed to test TNF-α as an adjuvant in an in vivo model of uterine fibroid (ELT-3) in a nude mouse. The aims of this study are to characterize in vivo: 1) the destruction of the uterine fibroid over time after cryosurgery; 2) the effect of TNF-α pre-treatment on enhancement of cryosurgery; 3) the effect of TNF-α dose, pre-treatment time and mode of delivery on the above and to note any toxicities. ELT–3 rat uterine fibroid cells were grown in the hind limb of female nude mice. TNF-α at various dose (2μg and 5μg) was administered at 1, 2 and 4 hours before cryotreatment in native or CYT-6091. Native TNF-α was injected either intra-tumorally or peri-tumorally. Injecting TNF-α solution into the center of the tumor comprised the intra-tumoral approach. For peri-tumoral injection, TNF-α solution was injected at each one of eight evenly distributed points spanning the circumference of the tumor base. CYT-6091 was administered by i.v. injection only. Cryosurgery was performed with a modified 1 mm diameter cryoprobe tip (−120°C). Freezing was allowed to continue to the visible edge of the tumor. Injury was assessed by measuring tumor-growth delay. Baseline tumor size was measured on day 0; fold-changes in tumor size are reported relative to size at day 0. Toxicity was evaluated by survival rate. Groups were 4–6 animals in each group. The data suggests that pre-treatment with TNF-α before cryosurgery significantly enhances visually guided destruction of uterine leiomyoma, and that the dose, timing and mode of delivery are important variables in optimization of this combination treatment. First, it was observed that at least four hours pretreatment with TNF-α is required to obtain the synergistic effect of TNF-α and cryoinjury. Second, peri-tumoral injection of native TNF-α, was the most effective delivery method to enhance cryoinjury at low dose (2μg), however it was also the most toxic method at high dose (5μg). On the other hand, CYT-6091, although less effective than peri-tumoral injection at 2μg, was the safest delivery mode (0% lethality at 2μg; 33% at 5μg). Finally, CYT-6091 delivery at 5μg with cryosurgery resulted in a dramatic tumor growth delay compared with cryosurgery alone. Therefore, i.v. injection of CYT-6091 followed by cryosurgery allowed the highest dose of TNF-α, the least toxicity and the best overall myoma reduction. Funding: R01 CA075284, American Medical Systems, Inc. TNF-α and CYT-6091: Cytimmune Sciences, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Jiang
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - J. Bischof
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Pedro R, Thekke-Adiyat K, Shenoi M, Goel R, Schmechel S, Slaton J, Bischof J, Anderson K. Molecular Enhancement of Thermal Ablation Therapies Using TNF-α-Coated Gold Nanoparticles in a Translational Model of Renal Tumors. J Med Device 2009. [DOI: 10.1115/1.3135192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermal ablation therapies are currently used for the treatment of select renal masses. Such treatments are limited to tumors that are small (<3 cm diameter), exophytic, and away from vital structures such as ureter or intestine. Novel treatment approaches are geared towards increasing the size of the thermal lesion created, limiting damage to collateral normal tissues, reducing local recurrence and distant metastases as well as improving the imaging potential of the therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated the enhancement of thermal therapies in pre-clinical murine models of solid tumors by intravenously infusing 33 nm TNF-α and PEG coated gold nanoparticles (CYT-6091, Cytimmune Sciences Inc.) prior to ablation. This study investigates the enhancement of thermal ablation therapy by CYT-6091 in a translational animal model of renal tumors. New Zealand White rabbits (37 for radiofrequency ablation (RFA), 20 for cryoablation) had VX-2 tumors implanted into their bilateral kidneys. The tumors were allowed to grow for 14 days to a size of ∼1 cm. For RFA, the rabbits were split into 3 treatment groups of 10 rabbits each and a sham group of 7 rabbits. The groups were treated with CYT-6091 (200 μg/kg) only, RFA only, or CYT-6091 (200 μg/kg) followed 4 hours later by RFA. For cryoablation, 2 treatment groups of 10 rabbits each were used. The groups were treated with cryoablation only or CYT-6091 (200 μg/kg) followed 4 hours later by cryoablation. The kidneys were harvested 3 days later for RFA and 7 days later for cryoablation. Gross and microscopic measurements of the ablation size as well as histological analysis using H&E staining were performed. The RFA plus CYT-6091 group had a larger zone of complete cell death than the RFA only group when measured both on gross sectioning (0.32±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.07cm3, p=0.015) and on microscopic examination (0.30±0.07 vs. 0.23±0.03cm3, p=0.03). Overall this was a 23% increase in ablation volume. This difference in ablation size was due to a replacement of partially ablated tissue at the periphery in the RFA only group by completely ablated tissue in the RFA plus CYT-6091 group. Thus this zone of partially ablated tissue was smaller in the RFA plus CYT-6091 group than the RFA only group (0.08±0.02cm3 vs. 0.13±0.05cm3, p=0.01). Excessive tumor growth into the ablation lesion at day 7 following cryoablation prevented accurate measurements in these groups; however, a significant decrease in the rate of peritoneal carcinomatosis (metastases) was obtained in the cryo plus CYT-6091 group compared to the cryoablation alone group (1/10 vs. 8/10, p=0.04). We have shown that use of CYT-6091 prior to thermal ablation therapy in a rabbit kidney tumor model can minimize the zone of partial treatment at the periphery of the thermal lesion and thus maximize the complete kill zone in RFA while significantly decreasing the rate of metastases in cryoablation. These data provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of adjuvant use of CYT-6091 for thermal ablation therapies in a large animal translational tumor model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R. Pedro
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - M. Shenoi
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - R. Goel
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - J. Slaton
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - J. Bischof
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Shenoi M, Zhang X, Bischof J, George L. CT Visualization of Cryoablation in Pulmonary Veins. J Med Device 2009. [DOI: 10.1115/1.3135157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 2 million adults in the United States are affected by atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia that is associated with decreased survival, increased cardiovascular morbidities, and a decrease in quality of life. AF can be initiated by ectopic beats originating in the myocardial sleeves surrounding the pulmonary viens. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation via radio frequency ablation is the current gold standard for treating patients with drug-refractory AF. However, cryoablation is emerging as a new minimally-invasive technique to achieve PV isolation. Cryoablation is fast gaining acceptance due to its minimal tissue disruption, decreased thrombogenicity, and reduced complications (RF can lead to low rate of stenosis). One important question in regard to this technology is whether the PV lesion is transmural and circumferential and to what extent adjacent tissues are involved in the freezing process. As ice formation lends itself to image contrast in the body, we hypothesized that intraprocedural CT visualization of the iceball formation would allow us to predict the extent of the cryolesion and provide us with a measure of the adjacent tissue damage. Cryoablation was performed using a prototype balloon catheter cryoablation system (Boston Scientific Corporation). CT visualization of iceball formation was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Initial in vitro studies were performed in agarose gel phantoms immersed in a 37°C water bath. Subsequently, in vivo cryoablations were performed in 5 PV ostia in 3 crossbred farm swine. The catheters were positioned in the ostia under fluoroscopic guidance. CT scans of the thoracic region were obtained every 2.5 minutes. Animals were sacrified 6 days after the procedures. Gross pathology and histology of tissues in the region of interest were evaluated. Significant metal artifacts from the catheter and edge artifacts from the tissues surrounding the cryoballoon were observed under CT imaging both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, it was found that the size of the iceball was comparable to that observed visually during freezing of agarose gel phantoms. In vivo, contrast change consistent with iceball formation was observed during the ablation in two out of five veins. The most clearly delineated iceball also yielded the clearest morbidity. In this case, esophageal injury on the anterior side proximal to the cryoablation site was noticed during necropsy of the animal in which the iceball was visualized. Transmural and circumferential lesions were obtained in all PVs ablated. We have shown that CT can be used to visualize iceball formation in vitro and in vivo (with limitations) using our cryoablation system. While the iceball in vitro is easily visualized, iceball growth in vivo is most evident once the iceball has grown beyond the PV into the adjacent tissues. This suggests that while CT cannot easily visualize iceball growth in the PV wall itself, it may still be an important tool to guide clinicians and reduce potential morbidities in adjacent tissues. The authors acknowledge Dan Busian (Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN) and Dr. Erik Cressman for assistance with CT imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Shenoi
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - X. Zhang
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - J. Bischof
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
The site-specific recombinase FLP is used in Drosophila to precisely manipulate the genome, in particular, to eliminate gene function by mitotic recombination and to activate transgenes in discrete populations of cells. These approaches are already part of the standard tool kit for studying gene function. The number of applications for the FLP recombinase has increased over the years and further members of the large family of site-specific recombinases are being added to the arsenal of fly geneticists, most recently, the phiC31 integrase. This chapter will introduce these recombinases and describe how such instruments are utilized to accurately manipulate the Drosophila genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bischof J, Maeda RK, Hediger M, Karch F, Basler K. An optimized transgenesis system for Drosophila using germ-line-specific phiC31 integrases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:3312-7. [PMID: 17360644 PMCID: PMC1805588 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0611511104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1438] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ-line transformation via transposable elements is a powerful tool to study gene function in Drosophila melanogaster. However, some inherent characteristics of transposon-mediated transgenesis limit its use for transgene analysis. Here, we circumvent these limitations by optimizing a phiC31-based integration system. We generated a collection of lines with precisely mapped attP sites that allow the insertion of transgenes into many different predetermined intergenic locations throughout the fly genome. By using regulatory elements of the nanos and vasa genes, we established endogenous sources of the phiC31 integrase, eliminating the difficulties of coinjecting integrase mRNA and raising the transformation efficiency. Moreover, to discriminate between specific and rare nonspecific integration events, a white gene-based reconstitution system was generated that enables visual selection for precise attP targeting. Finally, we demonstrate that our chromosomal attP sites can be modified in situ, extending their scope while retaining their properties as landing sites. The efficiency, ease-of-use, and versatility obtained here with the phiC31-based integration system represents an important advance in transgenesis and opens up the possibility of systematic, high-throughput screening of large cDNA sets and regulatory elements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- *Frontiers in Genetics, National Center of Competence in Research, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; and
| | - Robert K. Maeda
- Frontiers in Genetics, National Center of Competence in Research, Department of Zoology and Animal Biology, University of Geneva, 30 quai E. Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Monika Hediger
- *Frontiers in Genetics, National Center of Competence in Research, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; and
| | - François Karch
- Frontiers in Genetics, National Center of Competence in Research, Department of Zoology and Animal Biology, University of Geneva, 30 quai E. Ansermet, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- *Frontiers in Genetics, National Center of Competence in Research, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland; and
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hohmann J, Schaaf T, Bühring B, Bischof J, Tepe H, Poschmann R, Tolxdorff T, Wolf KJ. RIS-gestütztes Data Mining von Expertenwissen mit graphischer Visualisierung und Möglichkeit einer ad-hoc Expertenkonsultation. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2007. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-977052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
46
|
Visaria R, Griffin R, Hui S, Williams B, Ebbini E, Paciotti G, Song C, Bischof J. Efficacy and biodistribution of gold nanoparticles. J Biomech 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9290(06)84538-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
47
|
Kalambur V, Bischof J. Heating, movement and visualization challenges in the use of iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. J Biomech 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9290(06)84541-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
48
|
Bischof J, Driever W. Regulation of hhex expression in the yolk syncytial layer, the potential Nieuwkoop center homolog in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2005; 276:552-62. [PMID: 15581885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2004.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2004] [Revised: 09/13/2004] [Accepted: 09/28/2004] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Nieuwkoop center is the earliest signaling center during dorsal-ventral pattern formation in amphibian embryos and has been implied to function in induction of the Spemann-Mangold organizer. In zebrafish, Nieuwkoop-center-like activity resides in the dorsal yolk syncytial layer (YSL) at the interface of the vegetal yolk cell and the blastoderm. hex homologs are expressed in the anterior endomesoderm in frogs (Xhex), the anterior visceral endoderm in mice, and the dorsal YSL in zebrafish (hhex). Here, we investigate the control of hhex expression in the YSL. We demonstrate that bozozok (boz) is absolutely required for early hhex expression, while overexpression of boz causes ectopic hhex expression. Activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling by LiCl induces hhex expression in wild-type YSL but not in boz mutant embryos, revealing that boz activity is required downstream of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling for hhex expression. Further, we show that the boz-mediated induction of hhex is independent of the Boz-mediated repression of bmp2b. Our data reveal that repressive effects of both Vega1 and Vega2 may be responsible for the exclusion of hhex expression from the ventral and lateral parts of the YSL. In summary, zebrafish hhex appears to be activated by Wnt/beta-catenin in the dorsal YSL, where Boz acts in a permissive way to limit repression of hhex by Vega1 and Vega2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bischof
- Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology 1, University of Freiburg, Haupstrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Leung T, Bischof J, Söll I, Niessing D, Zhang D, Ma J, Jäckle H, Driever W. bozozok directly represses bmp2b transcription and mediates the earliest dorsoventral asymmetry of bmp2b expression in zebrafish. Development 2003; 130:3639-49. [PMID: 12835381 DOI: 10.1242/dev.00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Formation of the gastrula organizer requires suppression of ventralizing signals and, in fish and frog, the need to counteract the effect of ubiquitously present maternal factors that activate the expression of Bmps. How the balance between dorsalizing and ventralizing factors is shifted towards organizer establishment at late blastula stages is not well understood. Mutations in zebrafish bozozok (boz) cause severe defects in axial mesoderm and anterior neurectoderm and affect organizer formation. The boz gene encodes the homeodomain protein Bozozok/Dharma and its expression in the region of the organizer is activated through beta-catenin signaling. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanism by which boz contributes to the establishment of the organizer. We demonstrate that the homeodomain protein Boz acts as a transcriptional repressor in zebrafish: overexpression of an En-Boz fusion protein can rescue the boz phenotype, whereas a VP16-Boz fusion protein acts as an antimorph. Expression analysis of bmp2b indicates that Boz negatively regulates bmp2b in the prospective organizer. We demonstrate that this Boz activity is independent of that of other zygotic genes, because it also occurs when translation of zygotic genes is suppressed by cycloheximide (CHX). We identify two high-affinity binding sites for Boz within the first intron of the bmp2b gene. Deletion of these control elements abolishes Boz-dependent repression of bmp2b in the early blastula. Thus, Boz directly represses bmp2b by binding to control elements in the bmp2b locus. We propose that early transcriptional repression of bmp2b by Boz is one of the first steps toward formation of a stable organizer, whereas the later-acting Bmp antagonists (e.g. Chordin, Noggin) modulate Bmp activity in the gastrula to induce patterning along the dorsoventral axis. Thus, similar to Drosophila Dpp, asymmetry of Bmp expression in zebrafish is initiated at the transcriptional level, and the shape of the gradient and its function as a morphogen are later modulated by post-transcriptional mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- TinChung Leung
- Developmental Biology, Institute Biology 1, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bischof J, Gratzka V, Strehlow U, Haffner J, Parzer P, Resch F. [Reliability, trainability and stability of auditory discrimination performance in 2 computer-assisted assessment and training methods]. Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother 2002; 30:261-70. [PMID: 12474317 DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917.30.4.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present study focuses on the possibilities and effects of training dyslexic children in tone and phoneme discrimination tasks. METHODS A computer program was developed to train dyslexic children to discriminate between tone and speech stimuli. The correlation between auditory discrimination and reading and orthography performance was then tested in a preliminary study of n = 63 children. In a prospective study 44 children were assigned to one of three paralyzed groups: tone training, phoneme training or a control group. Upon completion of the initial diagnostics for all groups, the two training groups received four weeks of discrimination training, after which all three groups were immediately re-tested for the first time. Parallel thereto all children underwent specific training in reading and orthography at their school. Six months later all were re-tested a second time. RESULTS Both test methods showed a high reliability (rn = .94; .95). Significant correlations between auditory discrimination and reading and orthography performance were confirmed. Auditory discrimination was significantly trainable. Specific training effects, as well as independent developmental effects were found. While the training effects of phoneme discrimination were stable over six months, those of tone discrimination were not. CONCLUSION The central auditory discrimination between tone and phoneme stimuli can be trained successfully in dyslexic children and might also affect their reading and orthography performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Bischof
- Abteilung für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie der Psychiatrischen Klinik, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|