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Maino E, Scott O, Rizvi SZ, Chan WS, Visuvanathan S, Zablah YB, Li H, Sengar AS, Salter MW, Jia Z, Rossant J, Cohn RD, Gu B, Ivakine EA. An Irak1-Mecp2 tandem duplication mouse model for the study of MECP2 duplication syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050528. [PMID: 38881329 PMCID: PMC11552499 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by tandem duplication of the MECP2 locus and its surrounding genes, including IRAK1. Current MDS mouse models involve transgenic expression of MECP2 only, limiting their applicability to the study of the disease. Herein, we show that an efficient and precise CRISPR/Cas9 fusion proximity-based approach can be utilized to generate an Irak1-Mecp2 tandem duplication mouse model ('Mecp2 Dup'). The Mecp2 Dup mouse model recapitulates the genomic landscape of human MDS by harboring a 160 kb tandem duplication encompassing Mecp2 and Irak1, representing the minimal disease-causing duplication, and the neighboring genes Opn1mw and Tex28. The Mecp2 Dup model exhibits neuro-behavioral abnormalities, and an abnormal immune response to infection not previously observed in other mouse models, possibly owing to Irak1 overexpression. The Mecp2 Dup model thus provides a tool to investigate MDS disease mechanisms and develop potential therapies applicable to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Maino
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ori Scott
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, the Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1E8, Canada
| | - Samar Z. Rizvi
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wing Suen Chan
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Shagana Visuvanathan
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Youssif Ben Zablah
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Ameet S. Sengar
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Michael W. Salter
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Janet Rossant
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Ronald D. Cohn
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, the Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1E8, Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, the Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Bin Gu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Evgueni A. Ivakine
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Odeh A, Dronina M, Domankevich V, Shams I, Manov I. Downregulation of the inflammatory network in senescent fibroblasts and aging tissues of the long-lived and cancer-resistant subterranean wild rodent, Spalax. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13045. [PMID: 31605433 PMCID: PMC6974727 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The blind mole rat (Spalax) is a wild, long‐lived rodent that has evolved mechanisms to tolerate hypoxia and resist cancer. Previously, we demonstrated high DNA repair capacity and low DNA damage in Spalax fibroblasts following genotoxic stress compared with rats. Since the acquisition of senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) is a consequence of persistent DNA damage, we investigated whether cellular senescence in Spalax is accompanied by an inflammatory response. Spalax fibroblasts undergo replicative senescence (RS) and etoposide‐induced senescence (EIS), evidenced by an increased activity of senescence‐associated beta‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐Gal), growth arrest, and overexpression of p21, p16, and p53 mRNAs. Yet, unlike mouse and human fibroblasts, RS and EIS Spalax cells showed undetectable or decreased expression of the well‐known SASP factors: interleukin‐6 (IL6), IL8, IL1α, growth‐related oncogene alpha (GROα), SerpinB2, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM‐1). Apparently, due to the efficient DNA repair in Spalax, senescent cells did not accumulate the DNA damage necessary for SASP activation. Conversely, Spalax can maintain DNA integrity during replicative or moderate genotoxic stress and limit pro‐inflammatory secretion. However, exposure to the conditioned medium of breast cancer cells MDA‐MB‐231 resulted in an increase in DNA damage, activation of the nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) through nuclear translocation, and expression of inflammatory mediators in RS Spalax cells. Evaluation of SASP in aging Spalax brain and intestine confirmed downregulation of inflammatory‐related genes. These findings suggest a natural mechanism for alleviating the inflammatory response during cellular senescence and aging in Spalax, which can prevent age‐related chronic inflammation supporting healthy aging and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amani Odeh
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Haifa Haifa Israel
| | - Maria Dronina
- Institute of Evolution University of Haifa Haifa Israel
| | - Vered Domankevich
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Haifa Haifa Israel
| | - Imad Shams
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Haifa Haifa Israel
- Institute of Evolution University of Haifa Haifa Israel
| | - Irena Manov
- Institute of Evolution University of Haifa Haifa Israel
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