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Laurent M, Geoffroy M, Pavani G, Guiraud S. CRISPR-Based Gene Therapies: From Preclinical to Clinical Treatments. Cells 2024; 13:800. [PMID: 38786024 PMCID: PMC11119143 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein have emerged as a revolutionary gene editing tool to treat inherited disorders affecting different organ systems, such as blood and muscles. Both hematological and neuromuscular genetic disorders benefit from genome editing approaches but face different challenges in their clinical translation. The ability of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to modify hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo has greatly accelerated the development of genetic therapies for blood disorders. In the last decade, many clinical trials were initiated and are now delivering encouraging results. The recent FDA approval of Casgevy, the first CRISPR/Cas9-based drug for severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, represents a significant milestone in the field and highlights the great potential of this technology. Similar preclinical efforts are currently expanding CRISPR therapies to other hematologic disorders such as primary immunodeficiencies. In the neuromuscular field, the versatility of CRISPR/Cas9 has been instrumental for the generation of new cellular and animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), offering innovative platforms to speed up preclinical development of therapeutic solutions. Several corrective interventions have been proposed to genetically restore dystrophin production using the CRISPR toolbox and have demonstrated promising results in different DMD animal models. Although these advances represent a significant step forward to the clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas9 therapies to DMD, there are still many hurdles to overcome, such as in vivo delivery methods associated with high viral vector doses, together with safety and immunological concerns. Collectively, the results obtained in the hematological and neuromuscular fields emphasize the transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 for patients affected by these debilitating conditions. As each field suffers from different and specific challenges, the clinical translation of CRISPR therapies may progress differentially depending on the genetic disorder. Ongoing investigations and clinical trials will address risks and limitations of these therapies, including long-term efficacy, potential genotoxicity, and adverse immune reactions. This review provides insights into the diverse applications of CRISPR-based technologies in both preclinical and clinical settings for monogenic blood disorders and muscular dystrophy and compare advances in both fields while highlighting current trends, difficulties, and challenges to overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Laurent
- INTEGRARE, UMR_S951, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Evry, France
| | | | - Giulia Pavani
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Simon Guiraud
- SQY Therapeutics, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
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2
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Rai R, Steinberg Z, Romito M, Zinghirino F, Hu YT, White N, Naseem A, Thrasher AJ, Turchiano G, Cavazza A. CRISPR/Cas9-Based Disease Modeling and Functional Correction of Interleukin 7 Receptor Alpha Severe Combined Immunodeficiency in T-Lymphocytes and Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2024; 35:269-283. [PMID: 38251667 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 7 Receptor alpha Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (IL7R-SCID) is a life-threatening disorder caused by homozygous mutations in the IL7RA gene. Defective IL7R expression in humans hampers T cell precursors' proliferation and differentiation during lymphopoiesis resulting in the absence of T cells in newborns, who succumb to severe infections and death early after birth. Previous attempts to tackle IL7R-SCID by viral gene therapy have shown that unregulated IL7R expression predisposes to leukemia, suggesting the application of targeted gene editing to insert a correct copy of the IL7RA gene in its genomic locus and mediate its physiological expression as a more feasible therapeutic approach. To this aim, we have first developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based IL7R-SCID disease modeling system that recapitulates the disease phenotype in primary human T cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Then, we have designed a knockin strategy that targets IL7RA exon 1 and introduces through homology-directed repair a corrective, promoterless IL7RA cDNA followed by a reporter cassette through AAV6 transduction. Targeted integration of the corrective cassette in primary T cells restored IL7R expression and rescued functional downstream IL7R signaling. When applied to HSPCs further induced to differentiate into T cells in an Artificial Thymic Organoid system, our gene editing strategy overcame the T cell developmental block observed in IL7R-SCID patients, while promoting full maturation of T cells with physiological and developmentally regulated IL7R expression. Finally, genotoxicity assessment of the CRISPR/Cas9 platform in HSPCs using biased and unbiased technologies confirmed the safety of the strategy, paving the way for a new, efficient, and safe therapeutic option for IL7R-SCID patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Rai
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zohar Steinberg
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marianna Romito
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Zinghirino
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yi-Ting Hu
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan White
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Asma Naseem
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Center, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giandomenico Turchiano
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessia Cavazza
- Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Center, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia School of Medicine, Modena, Italy
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3
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Kumar J, Karim A, Sweety UH, Sarma H, Nurunnabi M, Narayan M. Bioinspired Approaches for Central Nervous System Targeted Gene Delivery. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023. [PMID: 38100377 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) which include a wide range of neurodegenerative and neurological conditions have become a serious global issue. The presence of CNS barriers poses a significant challenge to the progress of designing effective therapeutic delivery systems, limiting the effectiveness of drugs, genes, and other therapeutic agents. Natural nanocarriers present in biological systems have inspired researchers to design unique delivery systems through biomimicry. As natural resource derived delivery systems are more biocompatible, current research has been focused on the development of delivery systems inspired by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mammalian cells. Despite their structural potential and extensive physiological function, making them an excellent choice for biomaterial engineering, the delivery of nucleic acids remains challenging due to their instability in biological systems. Similarly, the efficient delivery of genetic material within the tissues of interest remains a hurdle due to a lack of selectivity and targeting ability. Considering that gene therapies are the holy grail for intervention in diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's disease, this review centers around recent advances in bioinspired approaches to gene delivery for the prevention of CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotish Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Afroz Karim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Ummy Habiba Sweety
- Environmental Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Hemen Sarma
- Bioremediation Technology Research Group, Department of Botany, Bodoland University, Rangalikhata, Deborgaon, 783370, Kokrajhar (BTR), Assam, India
| | - Md Nurunnabi
- The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Mahesh Narayan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
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Aliyath A, Eni-Olotu A, Donaldson N, Trivedi P. Malignancy-associated immune responses: Lessons from human inborn errors of immunity. Immunology 2023; 170:319-333. [PMID: 37335539 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely understood that cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite numerous available treatments, prognosis for many remains poor, thus, the development of novel therapies remains essential. Given the incredible success of many immunotherapies in this field, the important contribution of the immune system to the control, and elimination, of malignancy is clear. While many immunotherapies target higher-order pathways, for example, through promoting T-cell activation via immune checkpoint blockade, the potential to target specific immunological pathways is largely not well researched. Precisely understanding how immunity can be tailored to respond to specific challenges is an exciting idea with great potential, and may trigger the development of new therapies for cancer. Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) are a group of rare congenital disorders caused by gene mutations that result in immune dysregulation. This heterogeneous group, spanning widespread, multisystem immunopathology to specific immune cell defects, primarily manifest in immunodeficiency symptoms. Thus, these patients are particularly susceptible to life-threatening infection, autoimmunity and malignancy, making IEI an especially complex group of diseases. While precise mechanisms of IEI-induced malignancy have not yet been fully elucidated, analysis of these conditions can highlight the importance of particular genes, and downstream immune responses, in carcinogenesis and may help inform mechanisms which can be utilised in novel immunotherapies. In this review, we examine the links between IEIs and cancer, establishing potential connections between immune dysfunction and malignancy and suggesting roles for specific immunological mechanisms involved in preventing carcinogenesis, thus, guiding essential future research focused on cancer immunotherapy and providing valuable insight into the workings of the immune system in both health and disease.
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de la Fuente-Nunez C, Cesaro A, Hancock REW. Antibiotic failure: Beyond antimicrobial resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 71:101012. [PMID: 37924726 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101012] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in antibiotic discovery, millions of lives are lost annually to infections. Surprisingly, the failure of antimicrobial treatments to effectively eliminate pathogens frequently cannot be attributed to genetically-encoded antibiotic resistance. This review aims to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms contributing to clinical scenarios where antimicrobial therapies are ineffective (i.e., antibiotic failure), emphasizing critical factors impacting this under-recognized issue. Explored aspects include biofilm formation and sepsis, as well as the underlying microbiome. Therapeutic strategies beyond antibiotics, are examined to address the dimensions and resolution of antibiotic failure, actively contributing to this persistent but escalating crisis. We discuss the clinical relevance of antibiotic failure beyond resistance, limited availability of therapies, potential of new antibiotics to be ineffective, and the urgent need for novel anti-infectives or host-directed therapies directly addressing antibiotic failure. Particularly noteworthy is multidrug adaptive resistance in biofilms that represent 65 % of infections, due to the lack of approved therapies. Sepsis, responsible for 19.7 % of all deaths (as well as severe COVID-19 deaths), is a further manifestation of this issue, since antibiotics are the primary frontline therapy, and yet 23 % of patients succumb to this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Angela Cesaro
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Rai R, Naseem A, Vetharoy W, Steinberg Z, Thrasher AJ, Santilli G, Cavazza A. An improved medium formulation for efficient ex vivo gene editing, expansion and engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 29:58-69. [PMID: 36950452 PMCID: PMC10025975 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing has emerged as a powerful tool for the therapeutic correction of monogenic diseases. CRISPR-Cas9 applied to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) has shown great promise in proof-of-principle preclinical studies to treat hematological disorders, and clinical trials using these tools are now under way. Nonetheless, there remain important challenges that need to be addressed, such as the efficiency of targeting primitive, long-term repopulating HSPCs and their in vitro expansion for clinical application. In this study, we assessed the effect of different culture medium compositions on the ability of HSPCs to proliferate and undergo homology-directed repair-mediated knock-in of a reporter gene, while preserving their stemness features during ex vivo culture. We demonstrated that by supplementing the culture medium with stem cell agonists and by fine-tuning its cytokine composition it is possible to achieve high levels of gene targeting in long-term repopulating HSPCs both in vitro and in vivo, with a beneficial balance between preservation of stemness and cell expansion. Overall, the implementation of this optimized ex vivo HSPC culture protocol can improve the efficacy, feasibility, and applicability of gene editing as a key step to unlocking the full therapeutic potential of this powerful technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Rai
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Asma Naseem
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Winston Vetharoy
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Zohar Steinberg
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Adrian J. Thrasher
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alessia Cavazza
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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7
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Allen D, Kalter N, Rosenberg M, Hendel A. Homology-Directed-Repair-Based Genome Editing in HSPCs for the Treatment of Inborn Errors of Immunity and Blood Disorders. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051329. [PMID: 37242571 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome engineering via targeted nucleases, specifically CRISPR-Cas9, has revolutionized the field of gene therapy research, providing a potential treatment for diseases of the blood and immune system. While numerous genome editing techniques have been used, CRISPR-Cas9 homology-directed repair (HDR)-mediated editing represents a promising method for the site-specific insertion of large transgenes for gene knock-in or gene correction. Alternative methods, such as lentiviral/gammaretroviral gene addition, gene knock-out via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)-mediated editing, and base or prime editing, have shown great promise for clinical applications, yet all possess significant drawbacks when applied in the treatment of patients suffering from inborn errors of immunity or blood system disorders. This review aims to highlight the transformational benefits of HDR-mediated gene therapy and possible solutions for the existing problems holding the methodology back. Together, we aim to help bring HDR-based gene therapy in CD34+ hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) from the lab bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Allen
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Nechama Kalter
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Michael Rosenberg
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Ayal Hendel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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Vieira RC, Pinho LG, Westerberg LS. Understanding immunoactinopathies: A decade of research on WAS gene defects. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e13951. [PMID: 37102395 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Immunoactinopathies caused by mutations in actin-related proteins are a growing group of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Immunoactinopathies are caused by a dysregulated actin cytoskeleton and affect hematopoietic cells especially because of their unique capacity to survey the body for invading pathogens and altered self, such as cancer cells. These cell motility and cell-to-cell interaction properties depend on the dynamic nature of the actin cytoskeleton. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is the archetypical immunoactinopathy and the first described. WAS is caused by loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in the actin regulator WASp, uniquely expressed in hematopoietic cells. Mutations in WAS cause a profound disturbance of actin cytoskeleton regulation of hematopoietic cells. Studies during the last 10 years have shed light on the specific effects on different hematopoietic cells, revealing that they are not affected equally by mutations in the WAS gene. Moreover, the mechanistic understanding of how WASp controls nuclear and cytoplasmatic activities may help to find therapeutic alternatives according to the site of the mutation and clinical phenotypes. In this review, we summarize recent findings that have added to the complexity and increased our understanding of WAS-related diseases and immunoactinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhaissa Calixto Vieira
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lia Goncalves Pinho
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Ugalde L, Fañanas S, Torres R, Quintana-Bustamante O, Río P. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. A promising strategy in hematological disorders. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:277-285. [PMID: 36610813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system has revolutionized the gene editing field, making it possible to interrupt, insert or replace a sequence of interest with high precision in the human genome. Its easy design and wide applicability open up a variety of therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of genetic diseases. Indeed, very promising approaches for the correction of hematological disorders have been developed in the recent years, based on the self-renewal and multipotent differentiation properties of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which make this cell subset the ideal target for gene therapy purposes. This technology has been applied in different congenital blood disorders, such as primary immunodeficiencies, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, X-linked chronic granulomatous disease or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, such as Fanconi anemia, congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia or severe congenital neutropenia. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing has been implemented successfully as a novel therapy for cancer immunotherapy, by the development of promising strategies such as the use of oncolytic viruses or adoptive cellular therapy to the chimeric antigen receptor-T-cell therapy. Therefore, considering the variety of genes and mutations affected, we can take advantage of the different DNA repair mechanisms by CRISPR/Cas9 in different manners, from homology-directed repair to non-homologous-end-joining to the latest emerging technologies such as base and prime editing. Although the delivery systems into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are still the bottleneck of this technology, some of the advances in genome editing shown in this review have already reached a clinical stage and show very promising preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ugalde
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Fañanas
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Torres
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Molecular Cytogenetics Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Quintana-Bustamante
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Río
- Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain.
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10
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Buffa V, Alvarez Vargas JR, Galy A, Spinozzi S, Rocca CJ. Hematopoietic stem and progenitors cells gene editing: Beyond blood disorders. Front Genome Ed 2023; 4:997142. [PMID: 36698790 PMCID: PMC9868335 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.997142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lessons learned from decades-long practice in the transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to treat severe inherited disorders or cancer, have set the stage for the current ex vivo gene therapies using autologous gene-modified hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that have treated so far, hundreds of patients with monogenic disorders. With increased knowledge of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell biology, improved modalities for patient conditioning and with the emergence of new gene editing technologies, a new era of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-based gene therapies is poised to emerge. Gene editing has the potential to restore physiological expression of a mutated gene, or to insert a functional gene in a precise locus with reduced off-target activity and toxicity. Advances in patient conditioning has reduced treatment toxicities and may improve the engraftment of gene-modified cells and specific progeny. Thanks to these improvements, new potential treatments of various blood- or immune disorders as well as other inherited diseases will continue to emerge. In the present review, the most recent advances in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell gene editing will be reported, with a focus on how this approach could be a promising solution to treat non-blood-related inherited disorders and the mechanisms behind the therapeutic actions discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Buffa
- Genethon, Evry, France,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - José Roberto Alvarez Vargas
- Genethon, Evry, France,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Anne Galy
- Genethon, Evry, France,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Simone Spinozzi
- Genethon, Evry, France,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Céline J. Rocca
- Genethon, Evry, France,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France,*Correspondence: Céline J. Rocca,
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11
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Campos JS, Henrickson SE. Defining and targeting patterns of T cell dysfunction in inborn errors of immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:932715. [PMID: 36189259 PMCID: PMC9516113 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a group of more than 450 monogenic disorders that impair immune development and function. A subset of IEIs blend increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmunity, and malignancy and are known collectively as primary immune regulatory disorders (PIRDs). While many aspects of immune function are altered in PIRDs, one key impact is on T-cell function. By their nature, PIRDs provide unique insights into human T-cell signaling; alterations in individual signaling molecules tune downstream signaling pathways and effector function. Quantifying T-cell dysfunction in PIRDs and the underlying causative mechanisms is critical to identifying existing therapies and potential novel therapeutic targets to treat our rare patients and gain deeper insight into the basic mechanisms of T-cell function. Though there are many types of T-cell dysfunction, here we will focus on T-cell exhaustion, a key pathophysiological state. Exhaustion has been described in both human and mouse models of disease, where the chronic presence of antigen and inflammation (e.g., chronic infection or malignancy) induces a state of altered immune profile, transcriptional and epigenetic states, as well as impaired T-cell function. Since a subset of PIRDs amplify T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and/or inflammatory cytokine signaling cascades, it is possible that they could induce T-cell exhaustion by genetically mimicking chronic infection. Here, we review the fundamentals of T-cell exhaustion and its possible role in IEIs in which genetic mutations mimic prolonged or amplified T-cell receptor and/or cytokine signaling. Given the potential insight from the many forms of PIRDs in understanding T-cell function and the challenges in obtaining primary cells from these rare disorders, we also discuss advances in CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technologies and potential applications to edit healthy donor T cells that could facilitate further study of mechanisms of immune dysfunctions in PIRDs. Editing T cells to match PIRD patient genetic variants will allow investigations into the mechanisms underpinning states of dysregulated T-cell function, including T-cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose S. Campos
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Henrickson
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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12
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Meng Q, Sun H, Liu J. Precise somatic genome editing for treatment of inborn errors of immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:960348. [PMID: 36091069 PMCID: PMC9459235 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.960348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid advances in high throughput sequencing have substantially expedited the identification and diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Correction of faulty genes in the hematopoietic stem cells can potentially provide cures for the majority of these monogenic immune disorders. Given the clinical efficacies of vector-based gene therapies already established for certain groups of IEI, the recently emerged genome editing technologies promise to bring safer and more versatile treatment options. Here, we review the latest development in genome editing technologies, focusing on the state-of-the-art tools with improved precision and safety profiles. We subsequently summarize the recent preclinical applications of genome editing tools in IEI models, and discuss the major challenges and future perspectives of such treatment modalities. Continued explorations of precise genome editing for IEI treatment shall move us closer toward curing these unfortunate rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhou Meng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianghuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center at Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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13
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Naseem A, Steinberg Z, Cavazza A. Genome editing for primary immunodeficiencies: A therapeutic perspective on Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:966084. [PMID: 36059471 PMCID: PMC9433875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.966084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are a group of rare inherited disorders affecting the immune system that can be conventionally treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and with experimental autologous gene therapy. With both approaches still facing important challenges, gene editing has recently emerged as a potential valuable alternative for the treatment of genetic disorders and within a relatively short period from its initial development, has already entered some landmark clinical trials aimed at tackling several life-threatening diseases. In this review, we discuss the progress made towards the development of gene editing-based therapeutic strategies for PIDs with a special focus on Wiskott - Aldrich syndrome and outline their main challenges as well as future directions with respect to already established treatments.
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Hong Y, Casimir M, Houghton BC, Zhang F, Jensen B, Omoyinmi E, Torrance R, Papadopoulou C, Cummins M, Roderick M, Thrasher AJ, Brogan PA, Eleftheriou D. Lentiviral Mediated ADA2 Gene Transfer Corrects the Defects Associated With Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase Type 2. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852830. [PMID: 35529868 PMCID: PMC9073084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of adenosine deaminase type 2 (DADA2) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by bi-allelic loss-of-function mutations in ADA2. Treatment with anti-TNF is effective for the autoinflammatory and vasculitic components of the disease but does not correct marrow failure or immunodeficiency; and anti-drug antibodies cause loss of efficacy over time. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be curative, but graft versus host disease remains a significant concern. Autologous gene therapy would therefore be an attractive longer-term therapeutic option. We investigated whether lentiviral vector (LV)–mediated ADA2 gene correction could rescue the immunophenotype of DADA2 in primary immune cells derived from patients and in cell line models. Lentiviral transduction led to: i) restoration of ADA2 protein expression and enzymatic activity; (ii) amelioration of M1 macrophage cytokine production, IFN-γ and phosphorylated STAT1 expression in patient-derived macrophages; and (iii) amelioration of macrophage-mediated endothelial activation that drives the vasculitis of DADA2. We also successfully transduced human CD34+ haematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPC) derived from a DADA2 patient with pure red cell aplasia and observed restoration of ADA2 expression and enzymatic activity in CD34+HSPC, alongside recovery of stem-cell proliferative and colony forming unit capacity. These preclinical data now expand the evidence for the efficacy of gene transfer strategies in DADA2, and strongly support clinical translation of a lentivirus-mediated gene therapy approach to treat DADA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hong
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Ying Hong,
| | - Marina Casimir
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin C. Houghton
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fang Zhang
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Jensen
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ebun Omoyinmi
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Torrance
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charalampia Papadopoulou
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Cummins
- Paediatric Haematology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Marion Roderick
- Paediatric Clinical Immunology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Thrasher
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Brogan
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Despina Eleftheriou
- Infection, Immunity, Inflammation Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
- Versus Arthritis Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
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15
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Schiavo E, Martini B, Attardi E, Consonni F, Ciullini Mannurita S, Coniglio ML, Tellini M, Chiocca E, Fotzi I, Luti L, D'Alba I, Veltroni M, Favre C, Gambineri E. Autoimmune Cytopenias and Dysregulated Immunophenotype Act as Warning Signs of Inborn Errors of Immunity: Results From a Prospective Study. Front Immunol 2022; 12:790455. [PMID: 35058929 PMCID: PMC8765341 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.790455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are genetic disorders characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from increased susceptibility to infections to significant immune dysregulation. Among these, primary immune regulatory disorders (PIRDs) are mainly presenting with autoimmune manifestations, and autoimmune cytopenias (AICs) can be the first clinical sign. Significantly, AICs in patients with IEI often fail to respond to first-line therapy. In pediatric patients, autoimmune cytopenias can be red flags for IEI. However, for these cases precise indicators or parameters useful to suspect and screen for a hidden congenital immune defect are lacking. Therefore, we focused on chronic/refractory AIC patients to perform an extensive clinical evaluation and multiparametric flow cytometry analysis to select patients in whom PIRD was strongly suspected as candidates for genetic analysis. Key IEI-associated alterations causative of STAT3 GOF disease, IKAROS haploinsufficiency, activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS), Kabuki syndrome and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) were identified. In this scenario, a dysregulated immunophenotype acted as a potential screening tool for an early IEI diagnosis, pivotal for appropriate clinical management and for the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebe Schiavo
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Martini
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Enrico Attardi
- Division of Hematology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Filippo Consonni
- Meyer University Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Ciullini Mannurita
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Coniglio
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Tellini
- Meyer University Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Chiocca
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Ilaria Fotzi
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Luti
- Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene D'Alba
- Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Hospital of Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marinella Veltroni
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudio Favre
- Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gambineri
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Centre of Excellence, Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Meyer University Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
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16
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Büning H, Baker AH, Griesenbach U, Flotte TR, Thrasher AJ. Gene and Cell Therapy for Inherited and Acquired Immune Deficiency. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1-3. [PMID: 33471605 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.29147.hbu] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, Little France Crescent, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Uta Griesenbach
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Terence R Flotte
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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17
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Blanco E, Izotova N, Booth C, Thrasher AJ. Immune Reconstitution After Gene Therapy Approaches in Patients With X-Linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease. Front Immunol 2020; 11:608653. [PMID: 33329605 PMCID: PMC7729079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.608653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked severe immunodeficiency disease (SCID-X1) is an inherited, rare, and life-threating disease. The genetic origin is a defect in the interleukin 2 receptor γ chain (IL2RG) gene and patients are classically characterized by absence of T and NK cells, as well as presence of partially-functional B cells. Without any treatment the disease is usually lethal during the first year of life. The treatment of choice for these patients is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with an excellent survival rate (>90%) if an HLA-matched sibling donor is available. However, when alternative donors are used, the success and survival rates are often lower. Gene therapy has been developed as an alternative treatment initially using γ-retroviral vectors to correct the defective γ chain in the absence of pre-conditioning treatment. The results were highly promising in SCID-X1 infants, showing long-term T-cell recovery and clinical benefit, although NK and B cell recovery was less robust. However, some infants developed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia after the gene therapy, due to vector-mediated insertional mutagenesis. Consequently, considerable efforts have been made to develop safer vectors. The most recent clinical trials using lentiviral vectors together with a low-dose pre-conditioning regimen have demonstrated excellent sustained T cell recovery, but also B and NK cells, in both children and adults. This review provides an overview about the different gene therapy approaches used over the last 20 years to treat SCID-X1 patients, particularly focusing on lymphoid immune reconstitution, as well as the developments that have improved the process and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Blanco
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Izotova
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Booth
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian James Thrasher
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Immunology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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