1
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Bacman SR, Barrera-Paez JD, Pinto M, Van Booven D, Stewart JB, Griswold AJ, Moraes CT. mitoTALEN reduces the mutant mtDNA load in neurons. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2024; 35:102132. [PMID: 38404505 PMCID: PMC10883830 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102132] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Mutations within mtDNA frequently give rise to severe encephalopathies. Given that a majority of these mtDNA defects exist in a heteroplasmic state, we harnessed the precision of mitochondrial-targeted TALEN (mitoTALEN) to selectively eliminate mutant mtDNA within the CNS of a murine model harboring a heteroplasmic mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA alanine gene (m.5024C>T). This targeted approach was accomplished by the use of AAV-PHP.eB and a neuron-specific synapsin promoter for effective neuronal delivery and expression of mitoTALEN. We found that most CNS regions were effectively transduced and showed a significant reduction in mutant mtDNA. This reduction was accompanied by an increase in mitochondrial tRNA alanine levels, which are drastically reduced by the m.5024C>T mutation. These results showed that mitochondrial-targeted gene editing can be effective in reducing CNS-mutant mtDNA in vivo, paving the way for clinical trials in patients with mitochondrial encephalopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R. Bacman
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jose Domingo Barrera-Paez
- Graduate Program in Human Genetics and Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Milena Pinto
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Derek Van Booven
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - James B. Stewart
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anthony J. Griswold
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Carlos T. Moraes
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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2
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Karagianni K, Bibi A, Madé A, Acharya S, Parkkonen M, Barbalata T, Srivastava PK, de Gonzalo-Calvo D, Emanueli C, Martelli F, Devaux Y, Dafou D, Nossent AY. Recommendations for detection, validation, and evaluation of RNA editing events in cardiovascular and neurological/neurodegenerative diseases. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2024; 35:102085. [PMID: 38192612 PMCID: PMC10772297 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102085] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
RNA editing, a common and potentially highly functional form of RNA modification, encompasses two different RNA modifications, namely adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) and cytidine to uridine (C-to-U) editing. As inosines are interpreted as guanosines by the cellular machinery, both A-to-I and C-to-U editing change the nucleotide sequence of the RNA. Editing events in coding sequences have the potential to change the amino acid sequence of proteins, whereas editing events in noncoding RNAs can, for example, affect microRNA target binding. With advancing RNA sequencing technology, more RNA editing events are being discovered, studied, and reported. However, RNA editing events are still often overlooked or discarded as sequence read quality defects. With this position paper, we aim to provide guidelines and recommendations for the detection, validation, and follow-up experiments to study RNA editing, taking examples from the fields of cardiovascular and brain disease. We discuss all steps, from sample collection, storage, and preparation, to different strategies for RNA sequencing and editing-sensitive data analysis strategies, to validation and follow-up experiments, as well as potential pitfalls and gaps in the available technologies. This paper may be used as an experimental guideline for RNA editing studies in any disease context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korina Karagianni
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alessia Bibi
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alisia Madé
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Shubhra Acharya
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Mikko Parkkonen
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Teodora Barbalata
- Lipidomics Department, Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” of the Romanian Academy, 8, B. P. Hasdeu Street, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - David de Gonzalo-Calvo
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Fabio Martelli
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Yvan Devaux
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A. Yaël Nossent
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - on behalf of EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-alzette, Luxembourg
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Lipidomics Department, Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” of the Romanian Academy, 8, B. P. Hasdeu Street, 050568 Bucharest, Romania
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Chen X, Du J, Yun S, Xue C, Yao Y, Rao S. Recent advances in CRISPR-Cas9-based genome insertion technologies. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2024; 35:102138. [PMID: 38379727 PMCID: PMC10878794 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102138] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Programmable genome insertion (or knock-in) is vital for both fundamental and translational research. The continuously expanding number of CRISPR-based genome insertion strategies demonstrates the ongoing development in this field. Common methods for site-specific genome insertion rely on cellular double-strand breaks repair pathways, such as homology-directed repair, non-homologous end-joining, and microhomology-mediated end joining. Recent advancements have further expanded the toolbox of programmable genome insertion techniques, including prime editing, integrase coupled with programmable nuclease, and CRISPR-associated transposon. These tools possess their own capabilities and limitations, promoting tremendous efforts to enhance editing efficiency, broaden targeting scope and improve editing specificity. In this review, we first summarize recent advances in programmable genome insertion techniques. We then elaborate on the cons and pros of each technique to assist researchers in making informed choices when using these tools. Finally, we identify opportunities for future improvements and applications in basic research and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Jingjing Du
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Shaowei Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Chaoyou Xue
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin 300308, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yao Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Shuquan Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 301600, China
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4
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Sun Z, Kantor B, Chiba-Falek O. Neuronal-type-specific epigenome editing to decrease SNCA expression: Implications for precision medicine in synucleinopathies. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2024; 35:102084. [PMID: 38130373 PMCID: PMC10732167 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102084] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of SNCA has been implicated in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies, particularly Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). While PD and DLB share some clinical and pathological similarities, each disease presents distinct characteristics, including the primary affected brain region and neuronal type. We aimed to develop neuronal-type-specific SNCA-targeted epigenome therapies for synucleinopathies. The system is based on an all-in-one lentiviral vector comprised of CRISPR-dSaCas9 and guide RNA (gRNA) targeted at SNCA intron 1 fused with a synthetic repressor molecule of Krüppel-associated box (KRAB)/ methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCp2) transcription repression domain (TRD). To achieve neuronal-type specificity for dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons, the system was driven by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) promoters, respectively. Delivering the system into human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons from a patient with the SNCA triplication resulted in efficient and neuronal-type-specific downregulation of SNCA-mRNA and protein. Furthermore, the reduction in SNCA levels by the gRNA-dSaCas9-repressor system rescued disease-related cellular phenotypes including Ser129-phophorylated α-synuclein, neuronal viability, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We established a novel neuronal-type-specific SNCA-targeted epigenome therapy and provided in vitro proof of concept using human-based disease models. Our results support the therapeutic potential of our system for PD and DLB and provide the foundation for further preclinical studies in animal models toward investigational new drug (IND) enablement and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Boris Kantor
- Viral Vector Core, Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ornit Chiba-Falek
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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5
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Giambruno R, Zacco E, Ugolini C, Vandelli A, Mulroney L, D’Onghia M, Giuliani B, Criscuolo E, Castelli M, Clementi N, Clementi M, Mancini N, Bonaldi T, Gustincich S, Leonardi T, Tartaglia GG, Nicassio F. Unveiling the role of PUS7-mediated pseudouridylation in host protein interactions specific for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 34:102052. [PMID: 38028201 PMCID: PMC10630655 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102052] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a positive single-stranded RNA virus, engages in complex interactions with host cell proteins throughout its life cycle. While these interactions enable the host to recognize and inhibit viral replication, they also facilitate essential viral processes such as transcription, translation, and replication. Many aspects of these virus-host interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we employed the catRAPID algorithm and utilized the RNA-protein interaction detection coupled with mass spectrometry technology to predict and validate the host proteins that specifically bind to the highly structured 5' and 3' terminal regions of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Among the interactions identified, we prioritized pseudouridine synthase PUS7, which binds to both ends of the viral RNA. Using nanopore direct RNA sequencing, we discovered that the viral RNA undergoes extensive post-transcriptional modifications. Modified consensus regions for PUS7 were identified at both terminal regions of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including one in the viral transcription regulatory sequence leader. Collectively, our findings offer insights into host protein interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 UTRs and highlight the likely significance of pseudouridine synthases and other post-transcriptional modifications in the viral life cycle. This new knowledge enhances our understanding of virus-host dynamics and could inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Giambruno
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, 20090 Segrate, Italy
| | - Elsa Zacco
- Central RNA and RNA Systems Biology Labs, Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Camilla Ugolini
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Vandelli
- Central RNA and RNA Systems Biology Labs, Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Logan Mulroney
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SD, UK
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Monterotondo, RM 00015, Italy
| | - Manfredi D’Onghia
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
| | - Bianca Giuliani
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Criscuolo
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Castelli
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Clementi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Clementi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicasio Mancini
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Virology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonaldi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20139 Milano, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Central RNA and RNA Systems Biology Labs, Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Tommaso Leonardi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Central RNA and RNA Systems Biology Labs, Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREA, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Nicassio
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20139 Milano, Italy
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Harb JF, Christensen CL, Kan SH, Rha AK, Andrade-Heckman P, Pollard L, Steet R, Huang JY, Wang RY. Base editing corrects the common Salla disease SLC17A5 c.115C>T variant. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 34:102022. [PMID: 37727271 PMCID: PMC10506058 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.08.024] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Free sialic acid storage disorders (FSASDs) result from pathogenic variations in the SLC17A5 gene, which encodes the lysosomal transmembrane protein sialin. Loss or deficiency of sialin impairs FSA transport out of the lysosome, leading to cellular dysfunction and neurological impairment, with the most severe form of FSASD resulting in death during early childhood. There are currently no therapies for FSASDs. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) and adenine base editing (ABE) targeting the founder variant, SLC17A5 c.115C>T (p.Arg39Cys) in human dermal fibroblasts. We observed minimal correction of the pathogenic variant in HDR samples with a high frequency of undesired insertions/deletions (indels) and significant levels of correction for ABE-treated samples with no detectable indels, supporting previous work showing that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated ABE outperforms HDR. Furthermore, ABE treatment of either homozygous or compound heterozygous SLC17A5 c.115C>T human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated significant FSA reduction, supporting amelioration of disease pathology. Translation of this ABE strategy to mouse embryonic fibroblasts harboring the Slc17a5 c.115C>T variant in homozygosity recapitulated these results. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of base editing as a therapeutic approach for the FSASD variant SLC17A5 c.115C>T and highlights the usefulness of base editing in monogenic diseases where transmembrane protein function is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry F. Harb
- CHOC Children’s Research Institute, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | | | - Shih-Hsin Kan
- CHOC Children’s Research Institute, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Raymond Y. Wang
- Division of Metabolic Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Orange County Specialists, Orange, CA 92868, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California-Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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7
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Yan Z, Yao Y, Li L, Cai L, Zhang H, Zhang S, Xiao Q, Wang X, Zuo E, Xu C, Wu J, Yang H. Treatment of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa caused by RHO-P23H mutation with high-fidelity Cas13X in mice. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 33:750-761. [PMID: 37621413 PMCID: PMC10445100 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.08.002] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in Rhodopsin (RHO) gene commonly cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) without effective therapeutic treatment so far. Compared with genomic DNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas9 system, Cas13 edits RNA for therapeutic applications, avoiding the risk of causing permanent changes in the genome. In particular, a compact and high-fidelity Cas13X (hfCas13X) recently has been developed to degrade targeted RNA with minimal collateral effects and could also be packaged in a single adeno-associated virus for efficient in vivo delivery. In this study, we engineered single-guide RNA for hfCas13X to specifically knock down human mutant Rhodopsin transcripts RHO-P23H with minimal effect on wild-type transcripts. Moreover, treatment with hfCas13X alleviated the adRP progression in both RHO-P23H overexpression-induced and humanized hRHOP23H/WT mouse models. Our study indicates the potential of hfCas13X in treating adRP caused by RHO mutations and other genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiang Yan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yuqin Yao
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Luyao Li
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Lingqiong Cai
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Haiwei Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shenghai Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingquan Xiao
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Xing Wang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
| | - Erwei Zuo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Chunlong Xu
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai 201210, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jihong Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Yang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200131, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai 201210, China
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8
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Gapinske M, Winter J, Swami D, Gapinske L, Woods WS, Shirguppe S, Miskalis A, Busza A, Joulani D, Kao CJ, Kostan K, Bigot A, Bashir R, Perez-Pinera P. Targeting Duchenne muscular dystrophy by skipping DMD exon 45 with base editors. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 33:572-586. [PMID: 37637209 PMCID: PMC10448430 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.029] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked monogenic disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene (DMD) characterized by progressive muscle weakness, leading to loss of ambulation and decreased life expectancy. Since the current standard of care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is to merely treat symptoms, there is a dire need for treatment modalities that can correct the underlying genetic mutations. While several gene replacement therapies are being explored in clinical trials, one emerging approach that can directly correct mutations in genomic DNA is base editing. We have recently developed CRISPR-SKIP, a base editing strategy to induce permanent exon skipping by introducing C > T or A > G mutations at splice acceptors in genomic DNA, which can be used therapeutically to recover dystrophin expression when a genomic deletion leads to an out-of-frame DMD transcript. We now demonstrate that CRISPR-SKIP can be adapted to correct some forms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by disrupting the splice acceptor in human DMD exon 45 with high efficiency, which enables open reading frame recovery and restoration of dystrophin expression. We also demonstrate that AAV-delivered split-intein base editors edit the splice acceptor of DMD exon 45 in cultured human cells and in vivo, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Gapinske
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jackson Winter
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Devyani Swami
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lauren Gapinske
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Nick J. Holonyak Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Wendy S. Woods
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Shraddha Shirguppe
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Angelo Miskalis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Anna Busza
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Dana Joulani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Collin J. Kao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kurt Kostan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Anne Bigot
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Rashid Bashir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Nick J. Holonyak Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Pablo Perez-Pinera
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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9
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Han H, Yang Y, Jiao Y, Qi H, Han Z, Wang L, Dong L, Tian J, Vanhaesebroeck B, Li X, Liu J, Ma G, Lei H. Leverage of nuclease-deficient CasX for preventing pathological angiogenesis. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 33:738-748. [PMID: 37662968 PMCID: PMC10469388 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.08.001] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing with a CRISPR/Cas system is a novel potential strategy for treating human diseases. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) δ suppresses retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Here we show that an innovative system of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated CRISPR/nuclease-deficient (d)CasX fused with the Krueppel-associated box (KRAB) domain is leveraged to block (81.2% ± 6.5%) in vitro expression of p110δ, the catalytic subunit of PI3Kδ, encoded by Pik3cd. This CRISPR/dCasX-KRAB (4, 269 bp) system is small enough to be fit into a single AAV vector. We then document that recombinant AAV serotype (rAAV)1 efficiently transduces vascular endothelial cells from pathologic retinal vessels, which show high expression of p110δ; furthermore, we demonstrate that blockade of retinal p110δ expression by intravitreally injected rAAV1-CRISPR/dCasX-KRAB targeting the Pik3cd promoter prevents (32.1% ± 5.3%) retinal p110δ expression as well as pathological retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. These data establish a strong foundation for treating pathological angiogenesis by AAV-mediated CRISPR interference with p110δ expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haote Han
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanhui Yang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Common Infectious Diseases, the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunjuan Jiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People’s Republic of China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Hui Qi
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen 518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Han
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Luping Wang
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijun Dong
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen 518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingkui Tian
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Xiaopeng Li
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Junwen Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gaoen Ma
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Hetian Lei
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen 518000, People’s Republic of China
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10
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Qi X, Tan L, Zhang X, Jin J, Kong W, Chen W, Wang J, Dong W, Gao L, Luo L, Lu D, Gong J, Guan F, Shu W, Huang X, Zhang L, Wang S, Shen B, Ma Y. Expanding DdCBE-mediated targeting scope to aC motif preference in rat. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 32:1-12. [PMID: 36942261 PMCID: PMC10023868 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.02.028] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
An animal model harboring pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is important to understand the biological links between mtDNA variation and mitochondrial diseases. DdCBE, a DddA-derived cytosine base editor, has been utilized in zebrafish, mice, and rats for tC sequence-context targeting and human mitochondrial disease modeling. However, human pathogenic mtDNA mutations other than the tC context cannot be manipulated. Here, we screened the combination of different DdCBE pairs at pathogenic mtDNA mutation sites with nC (n for a, g, or c) context and identified that the left-G1333C (L1333C) + right G1333N (R1333N) pair could mediate C⋅G-to-T⋅A conversion effectively at aC sites in rat C6 cells. The editing efficiency at disease-associated mtDNA mutation sites within aC context was further confirmed to be up to 67.89% in vivo. Also, the installed disease-associated mtDNA mutations were germline transmittable. Moreover, the edited rats showed impaired cardiac function and mitochondrial function, resembling human mitochondrial disease symptoms. In summary, for the first time, we expanded the DdCBE targeting scope to an aC motif and installed the pathogenic mutation in rats to model human mitochondrial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Qi
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lei Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jiachuan Jin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Weining Kong
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jianying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lijuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Dan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jianan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Feifei Guan
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wenjie Shu
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Lianfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
- Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Shengqi Wang
- Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100850, China
- Corresponding author: Shengqi Wang, Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China
- Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 215031, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China
- Corresponding author: Bin Shen, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China.
| | - Yuanwu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
- Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
- National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China
- Corresponding author: Yuanwu Ma, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, National Health Commission of China (NHC), Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medicine College, Beijing 100021, China.
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11
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Didara Z, Reithofer F, Zöttl K, Jürets A, Kiss I, Witte A, Klein R. Inhibition of adenovirus replication by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated targeting of the viral E1A gene. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 32:48-60. [PMID: 36950281 PMCID: PMC10025986 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.02.033] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems are able to cleave dsDNA in mammalian cells. Accordingly, they have been employed to target the genomes of dsDNA viruses, mostly when present in cells in a non-replicative state with low copy numbers. However, the sheer amount of viral DNA produced within a very short time by certain lytically replicating viruses potentially brings the capacities of CRISPR-Cas systems to their limits. The accessibility of viral DNA replication sites, short time of accessibility of the DNA before encapsidation, or its complexation with shielding proteins are further potential hurdles. Adenoviruses are fast-replicating dsDNA viruses for which no approved antiviral therapy currently exists. We evaluated the potency of CRISPR-Cas9 in inhibiting the replication of human adenovirus 5 in vitro by targeting its master regulator E1A with a set of guide RNAs and observed a decrease in infectious virus particles by up to three orders of magnitude. Target DNA cleavage also negatively impacted the amount of viral DNA accumulated during the infection cycle. This outcome was mainly caused by specific deletions, inversions, and duplications occurring between target sites, which abolished most E1A functions in most cases. Additionally, we compared two strategies for multiplex gRNA expression and obtained comparable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zrinka Didara
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Florian Reithofer
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Karina Zöttl
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Alexander Jürets
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Izabella Kiss
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Angela Witte
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Klein
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria
- Corresponding author: Reinhard Klein, Department of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria.
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12
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Chai AC, Chemello F, Li H, Nishiyama T, Chen K, Zhang Y, Sánchez-Ortiz E, Alomar A, Xu L, Liu N, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Single-swap editing for the correction of common Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutations. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 32:522-535. [PMID: 37215149 PMCID: PMC10192335 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked recessive disease of progressive muscle weakness and wasting caused by the absence of dystrophin protein. Current gene therapy approaches using antisense oligonucleotides require lifelong dosing and have limited efficacy in restoring dystrophin production. A gene editing approach could permanently correct the genome and restore dystrophin protein expression. Here, we describe single-swap editing, in which an adenine base editor edits a single base pair at a splice donor site or splice acceptor site to enable exon skipping or reframing. In human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, we demonstrate that single-swap editing can enable beneficial exon skipping or reframing for the three most therapeutically relevant exons-DMD exons 45, 51, and 53-which could be beneficial for 30% of all DMD patients. Furthermore, an adeno-associated virus delivery method for base editing components can efficiently restore dystrophin production locally and systemically in skeletal and cardiac muscles of a DMD mouse model containing a deletion of Dmd exon 44. Our studies demonstrate single-swap editing as a potential gene editing therapy for common DMD mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas C. Chai
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Francesco Chemello
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Takahiko Nishiyama
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Efraín Sánchez-Ortiz
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Adeeb Alomar
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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13
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Su J, She K, Song L, Jin X, Li R, Zhao Q, Xiao J, Chen D, Cheng H, Lu F, Wei Y, Yang Y. In vivo base editing rescues photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 31:596-609. [PMID: 36910709 PMCID: PMC9996133 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.02.011] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of retinal diseases that cause the progressive death of retinal photoreceptor cells and eventually blindness. Mutations in the β-domain of the phosphodiesterase 6 (Pde6b) gene are the most identified causes of autosomal recessive RP. Clinically, there is no effective treatment so far that can stop the progression of RP and restore the vision. Here, we report a base editing approach in which adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated adenine base editor (ABE) delivering to postmitotic photoreceptors was conducted to correct the Pde6b mutation in a retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mouse model of RP. Subretinal delivery of AAV8-ABE corrected Pde6b mutation with averaging up to 20.79% efficiency at the DNA level and 54.97% efficiency at the cDNA level without bystanders, restored PDE6B expression, preserved photoreceptors, and rescued visual function. RNA-seq revealed the preservation of genes associated with phototransduction and photoreceptor survival. Our data have demonstrated that base editing is a potential gene therapy that could provide durable protection against RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kaiqin She
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruiting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qinyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianlu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Danian Chen
- Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Cheng
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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14
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Abstract
In recent years, N7-methylguanosine (m7G) methylation, originally considered as messenger RNA (mRNA) 5' caps modifications, has been identified at defined internal positions within multiple types of RNAs, including transfer RNAs, ribosomal RNAs, miRNA, and mRNAs. Scientists have put substantial efforts to discover m7G methyltransferases and methylated sites in RNAs to unveil the essential roles of m7G modifications in the regulation of gene expression and determine the association of m7G dysregulation in various diseases, including neurological disorders. Here, we review recent findings regarding the distribution, abundance, biogenesis, modifiers, and functions of m7G modifications. We also provide an up-to-date summary of m7G detection and profile mapping techniques, databases for validated and predicted m7G RNA sites, and web servers for m7G methylation prediction. Furthermore, we discuss the pathological roles of METTL1/WDR-driven m7G methylation in neurological disorders. Last, we outline a roadmap for future directions and trends of m7G modification research, particularly in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China,Corresponding author: Xiaohuan Xia, Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China,Translational Research Center, Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201613, China
| | - Jialin C. Zheng
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, Shanghai 200331, China,Corresponding author: Jialin C. Zheng, Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China.
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15
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Jo DH, Jang HK, Cho CS, Han JH, Ryu G, Jung Y, Bae S, Kim JH. Visual function restoration in a mouse model of Leber congenital amaurosis via therapeutic base editing. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 31:16-27. [PMID: 36589710 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), an inherited retinal degeneration, causes severe visual dysfunction in children and adolescents. In patients with LCA, pathogenic variants, such as RPE65, are evident in specific genes, related to the functions of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. In contrast to the original Cas9, base editing tools can correct pathogenic substitutions without generation of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). In this study, dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing split adenine base editors (ABEs) with trans-splicing intein were prepared for in vivo base editing in retinal degeneration of 12 (rd12) mice, an animal model of LCA, possessing a nonsense mutation of C to T transition in the Rpe65 gene (p.R44X). Subretinal injection of AAV-ABE in retinal pigment epithelial cells of rd12 mice resulted in an A to G transition. The on-target editing was sufficient for recovery of wild-type mRNA, RPE65 protein, and light-induced electrical responses from the retina. Compared with our previous therapeutic editing strategies using Cas9 and prime editing, or with the gene transfer strategy shown in the current study, our results suggest that, considering the editing efficacy and functional recovery, ABEs could be a strong, reliable method for correction of pathogenic variants in the treatment of LCA.
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16
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Happi Mbakam C, Rousseau J, Lu Y, Bigot A, Mamchaoui K, Mouly V, Tremblay JP. Prime editing optimized RTT permits the correction of the c.8713C>T mutation in DMD gene. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2022; 30:272-285. [PMID: 36320324 PMCID: PMC9587501 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe debilitating genetic disease caused by different mutations in the DMD gene leading to the absence of dystrophin protein under the sarcolemma. We used CRISPR-Cas9 prime editing technology for correction of the c.8713C>T mutation in the DMD gene and tested different variations of reverse transcription template (RTT) sequences. We increased by 3.8-fold the editing percentage of the target nucleotide located at +13. A modification of the protospacer adjacent motif sequence (located at +6) and a silent mutation (located at +9) were also simultaneously added to the target sequence modification. We observed significant differences in editing efficiency in interconversion of different nucleotides and the distance between the target, the nicking site, and the additional mutations. We achieved 22% modifications in myoblasts of a DMD patient, which led to dystrophin expression detected by western blot in the myotubes that they formed. RTT optimization permitted us to improve the prime editing of a point mutation located at +13 nucleotides from the nick site to restore dystrophin protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Happi Mbakam
- CHU de Québec Research Centre, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Molecular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Joel Rousseau
- CHU de Québec Research Centre, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Molecular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Yaoyao Lu
- CHU de Québec Research Centre, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Molecular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Anne Bigot
- Myology Research Center, Institute of Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Myology Research Center, Institute of Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Myology Research Center, Institute of Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Jacques P. Tremblay
- CHU de Québec Research Centre, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Molecular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Corresponding author Jacques P. Tremblay, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Cui C, Wang D, Huang B, Wang F, Chen Y, Lv J, Zhang L, Han L, Liu D, Chen ZY, Li GL, Li H, Shu Y. Precise detection of CRISPR-Cas9 editing in hair cells in the treatment of autosomal dominant hearing loss. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2022; 29:400-412. [PMID: 36035752 PMCID: PMC9386031 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy would benefit from the effective editing of targeted cells with CRISPR-Cas9 tools. However, it is difficult to precisely assess the editing performance in vivo because the tissues contain many non-targeted cells, which is one of the major barriers to clinical translation. Here, in the Atoh1-GFP;Kcnq4 +/G229D mice, recapitulating a novel mutation we identified in a hereditary hearing loss pedigree, the high-efficiency editing of CRISPR-Cas9 in hair cells (34.10% on average) was precisely detected by sorting out labeled cells compared with only 1.45% efficiency in the whole cochlear tissue. After injection of the developed AAV_SaCas9-KKH_sgRNA agents, the Kcnq4 +/G229D mice showed significantly lower auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) thresholds, shorter ABR wave I latencies, higher ABR wave I amplitudes, increased number of surviving outer hair cells (OHCs), and more hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials of OHCs. These findings provide an innovative approach to accurately assess the underestimated editing efficiency of CRISPR-Cas9 in vivo and offer a promising strategy for the treatment of KCNQ4-related deafness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Cui
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Daqi Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bowei Huang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Fang Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jun Lv
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Luping Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Nantong University, Nantong 226006, China
| | - Lei Han
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Zheng-Yi Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Geng-Lin Li
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Huawei Li
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yilai Shu
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Corresponding author Yilai Shu, ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Park SB, Uchida T, Tilson S, Hu Z, Ma CD, Leek M, Eichner M, Hong SG, Liang TJ. A dual conditional CRISPR-Cas9 system to activate gene editing and reduce off-target effects in human stem cells. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2022; 28:656-669. [PMID: 35615005 PMCID: PMC9112054 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas9 system has emerged as a powerful and efficient tool for genome editing. An important drawback of the CRISPR-Cas9 system is the constitutive endonuclease activity when Cas9 endonuclease and its sgRNA are co-expressed. This constitutive activity results in undesirable off-target effects that hinder studies using the system, such as probing gene functions or its therapeutic use in humans. Here, we describe a convenient method that allows temporal and tight control of CRISPR-Cas9 activity by combining transcriptional regulation of Cas9 expression and protein stability control of Cas9 in human stem cells. To achieve this dual control, we combined the doxycycline-inducible system for transcriptional regulation and FKBP12-derived destabilizing domain fused to Cas9 for protein stability regulation. We showed that approximately 5%–10% of Cas9 expression was observed when only one of the two controls was applied. By combining two systems, we markedly lowered the baseline Cas9 expression and limited the exposure time of Cas9 endonuclease in the cell, resulting in little or no undesirable on- or off-target effects. We anticipate that this dual conditional CRISPR-Cas9 system can serve as a valuable tool for systematic characterization and identification of genes for various pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Bum Park
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Takuro Uchida
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Samantha Tilson
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Zongyi Hu
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Christopher D Ma
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Madeleine Leek
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Michael Eichner
- Division of Veterinary Resources, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - So Gun Hong
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - T Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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