1
|
Lotfi M, Morshedi Rad D, Mashhadi SS, Ashouri A, Mojarrad M, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Farrokhi S, Hashemi M, Lotfi M, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, Abbaszadegan MR. Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 Delivery Approaches for Therapeutic Gene Editing of Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2576-2596. [PMID: 37723364 PMCID: PMC10661828 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10585-3] [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] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Rapid advancement in genome editing technologies has provided new promises for treating neoplasia, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and monogenic disorders. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has emerged as a powerful gene editing tool offering advantages, including high editing efficiency and low cost over the conventional approaches. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), with their great proliferation and differentiation potential into different cell types, have been exploited in stem cell-based therapy. The potential of hPSCs and the capabilities of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been paradigm-shifting in medical genetics for over two decades. Since hPSCs are categorized as hard-to-transfect cells, there is a critical demand to develop an appropriate and effective approach for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery into these cells. This review focuses on various strategies for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Lotfi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Dorsa Morshedi Rad
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Samaneh Sharif Mashhadi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atefeh Ashouri
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Mojarrad
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shima Farrokhi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Hashemi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Marzieh Lotfi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mohammadian Gol T, Ureña-Bailén G, Hou Y, Sinn R, Antony JS, Handgretinger R, Mezger M. CRISPR medicine for blood disorders: Progress and challenges in delivery. Front Genome Ed 2023; 4:1037290. [PMID: 36687779 PMCID: PMC9853164 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.1037290] [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: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood disorders are a group of diseases including hematological neoplasms, clotting disorders and orphan immune deficiency diseases that affects human health. Current improvements in genome editing based therapeutics demonstrated preclinical and clinical proof to treat different blood disorders. Genome editing components such as Cas nucleases, guide RNAs and base editors are supplied in the form of either a plasmid, an mRNA, or a ribonucleoprotein complex. The most common delivery vehicles for such components include viral vectors (e.g., AAVs and RV), non-viral vectors (e.g., LNPs and polymers) and physical delivery methods (e.g., electroporation and microinjection). Each of the delivery vehicles specified above has its own advantages and disadvantages and the development of a safe transferring method for ex vivo and in vivo application of genome editing components is still a big challenge. Moreover, the delivery of genome editing payload to the target blood cells possess key challenges to provide a possible cure for patients with inherited monogenic blood diseases and hematological neoplastic tumors. Here, we critically review and summarize the progress and challenges related to the delivery of genome editing elements to relevant blood cells in an ex vivo or in vivo setting. In addition, we have attempted to provide a future clinical perspective of genome editing to treat blood disorders with possible clinical grade improvements in delivery methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Mohammadian Gol
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Guillermo Ureña-Bailén
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yujuan Hou
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ralph Sinn
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Justin S. Antony
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Markus Mezger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,*Correspondence: Markus Mezger,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bloomer H, Khirallah J, Li Y, Xu Q. CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein-mediated genome and epigenome editing in mammalian cells. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114087. [PMID: 34942274 PMCID: PMC8844242 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has revolutionized the ability to edit the mammalian genome, providing a platform for the correction of pathogenic mutations and further investigation into gene function. CRISPR reagents can be delivered into the cell as DNA, RNA, or pre-formed ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). RNPs offer numerous advantages over other delivery approaches due to their ability to rapidly target genomic sites and quickly degrade thereafter. Here, we review the production steps and delivery methods for Cas9 RNPs. Additionally, we discuss how RNPs enhance genome and epigenome editing efficiencies, reduce off-target editing activity, and minimize cellular toxicity in clinically relevant mammalian cell types. We include details on a broad range of editing approaches, including novel base and prime editing techniques. Finally, we summarize key challenges for the use of RNPs, and propose future perspectives on the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Bloomer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US,School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, US
| | - Jennifer Khirallah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US
| | - Yamin Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US,Corresponding Authors: (Y. Li) and (Q. Xu)
| | - Qiaobing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, US,Corresponding Authors: (Y. Li) and (Q. Xu)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sweeney CL, Pavel-Dinu M, Choi U, Brault J, Liu T, Koontz S, Li L, Theobald N, Lee J, Bello EA, Wu X, Meis RJ, Dahl GA, Porteus MH, Malech HL, De Ravin SS. Correction of X-CGD patient HSPCs by targeted CYBB cDNA insertion using CRISPR/Cas9 with 53BP1 inhibition for enhanced homology-directed repair. Gene Ther 2021; 28:373-390. [PMID: 33712802 PMCID: PMC8232036 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00251-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
X-linked chronic granulomatous disease is an immunodeficiency characterized by defective production of microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS) by phagocytes. Causative mutations occur throughout the 13 exons and splice sites of the CYBB gene, resulting in loss of gp91phox protein. Here we report gene correction by homology-directed repair in patient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) using CRISPR/Cas9 for targeted insertion of CYBB exon 1-13 or 2-13 cDNAs from adeno-associated virus donors at endogenous CYBB exon 1 or exon 2 sites. Targeted insertion of exon 1-13 cDNA did not restore physiologic gp91phox levels, consistent with a requirement for intron 1 in CYBB expression. However, insertion of exon 2-13 cDNA fully restored gp91phox and ROS production upon phagocyte differentiation. Addition of a woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element did not further enhance gp91phox expression in exon 2-13 corrected cells, indicating that retention of intron 1 was sufficient for optimal CYBB expression. Targeted correction was increased ~1.5-fold using i53 mRNA to transiently inhibit nonhomologous end joining. Following engraftment in NSG mice, corrected HSPCs generated phagocytes with restored gp91phox and ROS production. Our findings demonstrate the utility of tailoring donor design and targeting strategies to retain regulatory elements needed for optimal expression of the target gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin L Sweeney
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mara Pavel-Dinu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Uimook Choi
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julie Brault
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Taylor Liu
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sherry Koontz
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Narda Theobald
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Janet Lee
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ezekiel A Bello
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Harry L Malech
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Suk See De Ravin
- Genetic Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Efficient and nontoxic biomolecule delivery to primary human hematopoietic stem cells using nanostraws. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:21267-21273. [PMID: 32817519 PMCID: PMC7474688 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2001367117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction of exogenous genetic material into primary stem cells is essential for studying biological function and for clinical applications. Traditional delivery methods for nucleic acids, such as electroporation, have advanced the field, but have negative effects on stem cell function and viability. We introduce nanostraw-assisted transfection as an alternative method for RNA delivery to human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Nanostraws are hollow alumina nanotubes that can be used to deliver biomolecules to living cells. We use nanostraws to target human primary HSPCs and show efficient delivery of mRNA, short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), DNA oligonucleotides, and dextrans of sizes ranging from 6 kDa to 2,000 kDa. Nanostraw-treated cells were fully functional and viable, with no impairment in their proliferative or colony-forming capacity, and showed similar long-term engraftment potential in vivo as untreated cells. Additionally, we found that gene expression of the cells was not perturbed by nanostraw treatment, while conventional electroporation changed the expression of more than 2,000 genes. Our results show that nanostraw-mediated transfection is a gentle alternative to established gene delivery methods, and uniquely suited for nonperturbative treatment of sensitive primary stem cells.
Collapse
|
6
|
Lattanzi A, Meneghini V, Pavani G, Amor F, Ramadier S, Felix T, Antoniani C, Masson C, Alibeu O, Lee C, Porteus MH, Bao G, Amendola M, Mavilio F, Miccio A. Optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 Delivery to Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells for Therapeutic Genomic Rearrangements. Mol Ther 2019; 27:137-150. [PMID: 30424953 PMCID: PMC6318785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Editing the β-globin locus in hematopoietic stem cells is an alternative therapeutic approach for gene therapy of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we genetically modified human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to mimic the large rearrangements in the β-globin locus associated with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), a condition that mitigates the clinical phenotype of patients with β-hemoglobinopathies. We optimized and compared the efficiency of plasmid-, lentiviral vector (LV)-, RNA-, and ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP)-based methods to deliver the CRISPR/Cas9 system into HSPCs. Plasmid delivery of Cas9 and gRNA pairs targeting two HPFH-like regions led to high frequency of genomic rearrangements and HbF reactivation in erythroblasts derived from sorted, Cas9+ HSPCs but was associated with significant cell toxicity. RNA-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 was similarly toxic but much less efficient in editing the β-globin locus. Transduction of HSPCs by LVs expressing Cas9 and gRNA pairs was robust and minimally toxic but resulted in poor genome-editing efficiency. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 exhibited a good balance between cytotoxicity and efficiency of genomic rearrangements as compared to the other delivery systems and resulted in HbF upregulation in erythroblasts derived from unselected edited HSPCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasco Meneghini
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris 75015, France; Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | | | | | - Sophie Ramadier
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris 75015, France; Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | - Tristan Felix
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris 75015, France; Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | - Chiara Antoniani
- Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris 75015, France; Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | - Cecile Masson
- Paris-Descartes Bioinformatics Platform, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | - Olivier Alibeu
- Genomic Platform, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France
| | - Ciaran Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77006, USA
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77006, USA
| | | | - Fulvio Mavilio
- Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Annarita Miccio
- Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Evry 91000, France; Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Regulation During Development, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR1163, Paris 75015, France; Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris 75015, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hudecek M, Ivics Z. Non-viral therapeutic cell engineering with the Sleeping Beauty transposon system. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2018; 52:100-108. [PMID: 29957586 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Widespread treatment of human diseases with gene therapies necessitates the development of gene transfer vectors that integrate genetic information effectively, safely and economically. Indeed, significant efforts have been devoted to engineer novel tools that (i) achieve high-level stable gene transfer at low toxicity to the host cell; (ii) induce low levels of genotoxicity and possess a `safe' integration profile with a high proportion of integrations into safe genomic locations; and (iii) are associated with acceptable cost per treatment, and scalable/exportable vector production to serve large numbers of patients. Two decades after the discovery of the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon, it has been transformed into a vector system that is fulfilling these requirements. Here we review recent developments in vectorization of SB as a tool for gene therapy, and highlight clinical development of the SB system towards hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy and cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hudecek
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Holstein M, Mesa-Nuñez C, Miskey C, Almarza E, Poletti V, Schmeer M, Grueso E, Ordóñez Flores JC, Kobelt D, Walther W, Aneja MK, Geiger J, Bonig HB, Izsvák Z, Schleef M, Rudolph C, Mavilio F, Bueren JA, Guenechea G, Ivics Z. Efficient Non-viral Gene Delivery into Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells by Minicircle Sleeping Beauty Transposon Vectors. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1137-1153. [PMID: 29503198 PMCID: PMC6079369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system is a non-viral gene delivery platform that combines simplicity, inexpensive manufacture, and favorable safety features in the context of human applications. However, efficient correction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with non-viral vector systems, including SB, demands further refinement of gene delivery techniques. We set out to improve SB gene transfer into hard-to-transfect human CD34+ cells by vectorizing the SB system components in the form of minicircles that are devoid of plasmid backbone sequences and are, therefore, significantly reduced in size. As compared to conventional plasmids, delivery of the SB transposon system as minicircle DNA is ∼20 times more efficient, and it is associated with up to a 50% reduction in cellular toxicity in human CD34+ cells. Moreover, providing the SB transposase in the form of synthetic mRNA enabled us to further increase the efficacy and biosafety of stable gene delivery into hematopoietic progenitors ex vivo. Genome-wide insertion site profiling revealed a close-to-random distribution of SB transposon integrants, which is characteristically different from gammaretroviral and lentiviral integrations in HSPCs. Transplantation of gene-marked CD34+ cells in immunodeficient mice resulted in long-term engraftment and hematopoietic reconstitution, which was most efficient when the SB transposase was supplied as mRNA and nucleofected cells were maintained for 4–8 days in culture before transplantation. Collectively, implementation of minicircle and mRNA technologies allowed us to further refine the SB transposon system in the context of HSPC gene delivery to ultimately meet clinical demands of an efficient and safe non-viral gene therapy protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Holstein
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Cristina Mesa-Nuñez
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Elena Almarza
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Esther Grueso
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Ordóñez Flores
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Dennis Kobelt
- Translational Oncology, Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Translational Oncology, Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Halvard B Bonig
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Rudolph
- ethris GmbH, Planegg, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Fulvio Mavilio
- Genethon, Evry, France; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Juan A Bueren
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Guenechea
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Diener Y, Bosio A, Bissels U. Delivery of RNA-based molecules to human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for modulation of gene expression. Exp Hematol 2016; 44:991-1001. [PMID: 27576131 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gene modulation of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) harbors great potential for therapeutic application of these cells and presents a versatile tool in basic research to enhance our understanding of HSPC biology. However, stable genetic modification might be adverse, particularly in clinical settings. Here, we review a broad range of approaches to transient, nonviral modulation of protein expression with a focus on RNA-based methods. We compare different delivery methods and describe the usefulness of RNA molecules for overexpression as well as downregulation of proteins in HSPCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ute Bissels
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tunneling nanotubes mediate the transfer of stem cell marker CD133 between hematopoietic progenitor cells. Exp Hematol 2016; 44:1092-1112.e2. [PMID: 27473566 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering all mechanisms of intercellular communication used by hematopoietic progenitors is important, not only for basic stem cell research, but also in view of their therapeutic relevance. Here, we investigated whether these cells can produce the thin F-actin-based plasma membrane protrusions referred to as tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), which are known to bridge cells over long distances without contact with the substratum and transfer cargo molecules along them in various biological processes. We found that human primary CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors and leukemic KG1a cells develop such structures upon culture on primary mesenchymal stromal cells or specific extracellular-matrix-based substrata. Time-lapse video microscopy revealed that cell dislodgement is the primary mechanism responsible for TNT biogenesis. Surprisingly, we found that, among various cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, only the stem cell antigen CD133 is transferred between cells. It is selectively and directionally transported along the surface of TNTs in small clusters, such as cytoplasmic phospho-myosin light chain 2, suggesting that the latter actin motor protein might be implicated in this process. Our data provide new insights into the biology of hematopoietic progenitors that can contribute to our understanding of all facets of intercellular communication in the bone marrow microenvironment under healthy or cancerous conditions.
Collapse
|
11
|
Goodman MA, Malik P. The potential of gene therapy approaches for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies: achievements and challenges. Ther Adv Hematol 2016; 7:302-315. [PMID: 27695619 DOI: 10.1177/2040620716653729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies, including β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD), are a heterogeneous group of commonly inherited disorders affecting the function or levels of hemoglobin. Disease phenotype can be severe with substantial morbidity and mortality. Bone marrow transplantation is curative, but limited to those patients with an appropriately matched donor. Genetic therapy, which utilizes a patient's own cells, is thus an attractive therapeutic option. Numerous therapies are currently in clinical trials or in development, including therapies utilizing gene replacement therapy using lentiviruses and the latest gene editing techniques. In addition, methods are being developed that may be able to expand gene therapies to those with poor access to medical care, potentially significantly decreasing the global burden of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Goodman
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Punam Malik
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The rapid advances in the field of genome editing using targeted endonucleases have called considerable attention to the potential of this technology for human gene therapy. Targeted correction of disease-causing mutations could ensure lifelong, tissue-specific expression of the relevant gene, thereby alleviating or resolving a specific disease phenotype. In this review, we aim to explore the potential of this technology for the therapy of β-thalassemia. This blood disorder is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the β-globin chain of hemoglobin, leading to severe anemia in affected patients. Curative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is available only to a small subset of patients, leaving the majority of patients dependent on regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. The transfer of gene-corrected autologous hematopoietic stem cells could provide a therapeutic alternative, as recent results from gene therapy trials using a lentiviral gene addition approach have demonstrated. Genome editing has the potential to further advance this approach as it eliminates the need for semi-randomly integrating viral vectors and their associated risk of insertional mutagenesis. In the following pages we will highlight the advantages and risks of genome editing compared to standard therapy for β-thalassemia and elaborate on lessons learned from recent gene therapy trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Glaser
- 1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Bradley McColl
- 1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Jim Vadolas
- 1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Diener Y, Jurk M, Kandil B, Choi YH, Wild S, Bissels U, Bosio A. RNA-based, transient modulation of gene expression in human haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17184. [PMID: 26599627 PMCID: PMC4657003 DOI: 10.1038/srep17184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of gene expression is a useful tool to study the biology of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and might also be instrumental to expand these cells for therapeutic approaches. Most of the studies so far have employed stable gene modification by viral vectors that are burdensome when translating protocols into clinical settings. Our study aimed at exploring new ways to transiently modify HSPC gene expression using non-integrating, RNA-based molecules. First, we tested different methods to deliver these molecules into HSPCs. The delivery of siRNAs with chemical transfection methods such as lipofection or cationic polymers did not lead to target knockdown, although we observed more than 90% fluorescent cells using a fluorochrome-coupled siRNA. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that despite extensive washing, siRNA stuck to or in the cell surface, thereby mimicking a transfection event. In contrast, electroporation resulted in efficient, siRNA-mediated protein knockdown. For transient overexpression of proteins, we used optimised mRNA molecules with modified 5'- and 3'-UTRs. Electroporation of mRNA encoding GFP resulted in fast, efficient and persistent protein expression for at least seven days. Our data provide a broad-ranging comparison of transfection methods for hard-to-transfect cells and offer new opportunities for DNA-free, non-integrating gene modulation in HSPCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marion Jurk
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | | - Yeong-Hoon Choi
- Heart Center of the University of Cologne, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Wild
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Ute Bissels
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Radtke S, Görgens A, Kordelas L, Schmidt M, Kimmig KR, Köninger A, Horn PA, Giebel B. CD133 allows elaborated discrimination and quantification of haematopoietic progenitor subsets in human haematopoietic stem cell transplants. Br J Haematol 2015; 169:868-78. [PMID: 25819405 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The success of haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation largely depends on numbers of transplanted HSCs, which reside in the CD34(+) populations of bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and umbilical cord blood (UCB). More specifically HSCs reside in the CD38(low/-) subpopulation, which cannot be objectively discriminated from mature CD34(+) CD38(+) progenitors. Thus, better marker combinations for the quantification of more primitive haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in transplants are required. Recently, by combining CD34 and CD133 we could clearly distinguish CD133(+) CD34(+) multipotent and lympho-myeloid from CD133(low) CD34(+) erythro-myeloid progenitors in UCB samples. To qualify the assessment of CD133 for routine quality control of adult HSC sources, we analysed the developmental potentials of CD133(+) and CD133(low) subpopulations in BM and PBSC. Similar to UCB, CD133 expression objectively discriminated functionally distinct subpopulations in adult HSC sources. By implementing anti-CD45RA staining, which separates multipotent (CD133(+) CD34(+) CD45RA(-) ) from lympho-myeloid (CD133(+) CD34(+) CD45RA(+) ) progenitor fractions, UCB was found to contain 2-3 times higher multipotent progenitor frequencies than BM and PBSC. To test for the consistency of CD133 expression, we compared CD133(+) CD34(+) contents of 128 UCB samples with maternal and obstetrical factors and obtained similar correlations to related studies focusing on CD34(+) cell contents. In conclusion, implementation of anti-CD133 staining into existing routine panels will improve the quality control analyses for HSC transplants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Radtke
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - André Görgens
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lambros Kordelas
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Markus Schmidt
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Duisburg, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Klaus R Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernd Giebel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Green DW, Kim EJ, Jung HS. Spontaneous gene transfection of human bone cells using 3D mineralized alginate-chitosan macrocapsules. J Biomed Mater Res A 2015; 103:2855-63. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Green
- Oral Biosciences; Faculty of Dentistry; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR
| | - Eun-Jung Kim
- Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology; Oral Science Research Center, BK21 PLUS Project; Yonsei University College of Dentistry; Seoul Korea
| | - Han-Sung Jung
- Oral Biosciences; Faculty of Dentistry; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR
- Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology; Oral Science Research Center, BK21 PLUS Project; Yonsei University College of Dentistry; Seoul Korea
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kamat V, Paluru P, Myint M, French DL, Gadue P, Diamond SL. MicroRNA screen of human embryonic stem cell differentiation reveals miR-105 as an enhancer of megakaryopoiesis from adult CD34+ cells. Stem Cells 2014; 32:1337-46. [PMID: 24446170 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can control stem cell differentiation by targeting mRNAs. Using 96-well plate electroporation, we screened 466 human miRNA mimics by four-color flow cytometry to explore differentiation of common myeloid progenitors (CMP) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The transfected cells were then cultured in a cytokine cocktail that supported multiple hematopoietic lineages. At 4-5 days post-transfection, flow cytometry of erythroid (CD235(+)CD41(-)), megakaryocyte (CD41(+)CD42(+)), and myeloid (CD18(+)CD235(-)) lineages revealed miR-105 as a novel enhancer of megakaryocyte production during in vitro primitive hematopoiesis. In hESC-derived CMPs, miR-105 caused a sixfold enhancement in megakaryocyte production. miR-513a, miR-571, and miR-195 were found to be less potent megakaryocyte enhancers. We confirmed the relevance of miR-105 in adult megakaryopoiesis by demonstrating increased megakaryocyte yield and megakaryocyte colony forming potential in human adult CD34(+) cells derived from peripheral blood. In addition, adult CD34(+) cells express endogenous miR-105 during megakaryocyte differentiation. siRNA knockdown of the hematopoietic transcription factor c-Myb caused a similar enhancement of megakaryocyte production as miR-105. Finally, a luciferase/c-Myb-3'UTR construct and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the hematopoietic transcription factor c-Myb mRNA was a target of miR-105. We report a novel hESC-based miR screening platform and demonstrate that miR-105 is an enhancer of megakaryopoiesis in both primitive and definitive hematopoiesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viraj Kamat
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 1024 Vagelos Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kim W, Kim JH, Kong SY, Park MH, Sohn UD, Kim HJ. Comparison of ectopic gene expression methods in rat neural stem cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2013; 17:23-30. [PMID: 23439859 PMCID: PMC3579101 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2013.17.1.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to proliferate and differentiate into various types of cells that compose the nervous system. To study functions of genes in stem cell biology, genes or siRNAs need to be transfected. However, it is difficult to transfect ectopic genes into NSCs. Thus to identify the suitable method to achieve high transfection efficiency, we compared lipid transfection, electroporation, nucleofection and retroviral transduction. Among the methods that we tested, we found that nucleofection and retroviral transduction showed significantly increased transfection efficiency. In addition, with retroviral transduction of Ngn2 that is known to induce neurogenesis in various types of cells, we observed facilitated final cell division in rat NSCs. These data suggest that nucleofection and retroviral transduction provide high efficiency of gene delivery system to study functions of genes in rat NSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woosuk Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kim I, Kim YJ, Métais JY, Dunbar CE, Larochelle A. Transient silencing of PTEN in human CD34(+) cells enhances their proliferative potential and ability to engraft immunodeficient mice. Exp Hematol 2011; 40:84-91. [PMID: 22019626 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/06/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability to expand hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vitro will enhance the success of a wide range of transplant-related therapies. PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) has been implicated as a regulator of murine HSPC self-renewal, but little is understood about the role of PTEN in human HSPC regulation. We tested the impact of transient small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced inhibition of PTEN expression in human CD34(+) cells on their cell cycle profile, their susceptibility to retroviral transduction, and their ability to self-renew and repopulate nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency disease with interleukin-2 receptor γ-chain deficiency mice. Reduced PTEN messenger RNA and protein levels were confirmed in PTEN siRNA-treated CD34(+) cells compared with control siRNA-treated CD34(+) cells. Transient silencing of PTEN in CD34(+) cells promoted their entry into cell cycle, and increased their expansion in vitro compared with control siRNA-treated CD34(+) cells. When these cells were transduced with retroviral vectors, transduction efficiencies in the bulk CD34(+) cells transfected with PTEN siRNA were significantly higher compared with CD34(+) cells transfected with a control siRNA. Transient PTEN suppression in CD34(+) cells also increased their proliferation and engraftment potential in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency disease with interleukin-2 receptor γ-chain deficiency mice, and maintained their multilineage differentiation capacity in vivo. No mice developed myeloproliferative disorders or leukemias. Similar to findings with murine HSPC, PTEN may also promote quiescence of human HSPC. With optimization of technologies for transfer of siRNA in primary CD34(+) cells, this approach may facilitate investigations into the mechanisms underlying HSPC self-renewal, and could find clinical applications in gene therapy protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inho Kim
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yu L, Hales CA. Effect of chemokine receptor CXCR4 on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in rats. Respir Res 2011; 12:21. [PMID: 21294880 PMCID: PMC3042398 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-12-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CXCR4 is the receptor for chemokine CXCL12 and reportedly plays an important role in systemic vascular repair and remodeling, but the role of CXCR4 in development of pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling has not been fully understood. METHODS In this study we investigated the role of CXCR4 in the development of pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling by using a CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 and by electroporation of CXCR4 shRNA into bone marrow cells and then transplantation of the bone marrow cells into rats. RESULTS We found that the CXCR4 inhibitor significantly decreased chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in rats and, most importantly, we found that the rats that were transplanted with the bone marrow cells electroporated with CXCR4 shRNA had significantly lower mean pulmonary pressure (mPAP), ratio of right ventricular weight to left ventricular plus septal weight (RV/(LV+S)) and wall thickness of pulmonary artery induced by chronic hypoxia as compared with control rats. CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis that CXCR4 is critical in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats has been demonstrated. The present study not only has shown an inhibitory effect caused by systemic inhibition of CXCR4 activity on pulmonary hypertension, but more importantly also has revealed that specific inhibition of the CXCR4 in bone marrow cells can reduce pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling via decreasing bone marrow derived cell recruitment to the lung in hypoxia. This study suggests a novel therapeutic approach for pulmonary hypertension by inhibiting bone marrow derived cell recruitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lunyin Yu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Madeira C, Ribeiro SC, Pinheiro IS, Martins SA, Andrade PZ, da Silva CL, Cabral JM. Gene delivery to human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by microporation. J Biotechnol 2011; 151:130-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
21
|
Fonseca AV, Freund D, Bornhäuser M, Corbeil D. Polarization and migration of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells rely on the RhoA/ROCK I pathway and an active reorganization of the microtubule network. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:31661-71. [PMID: 20682776 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.145037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the physiological migration of hematopoietic progenitors is important, not only for basic stem cell research, but also in view of their therapeutic relevance. Here, we investigated the role of the Rho kinase pathway in the morphology and migration of hematopoietic progenitors using an ex vivo co-culture consisting of human primary CD34(+) progenitors and mesenchymal stromal cells. The addition of the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 led to the abolishment of the uropod and microvillar-like structures of hematopoietic progenitors, concomitant with a redistribution of proteins found therein (prominin-1 and ezrin). Y-27632-treated cells displayed a deficiency in migration. Time-lapse video microscopy revealed impairment of the rear pole retraction. Interestingly, the knockdown of ROCK I, but not ROCK II, using RNA interference (RNAi) was sufficient to cause the referred morphological and migrational changes. Unexpectedly, the addition of nocodazole to either Y-27632- or ROCK I RNAi-treated cells could restore their polarized morphology and migration suggesting an active role for the microtubule network in tail retraction. Finally, we could demonstrate using RNAi that RhoA, the upstream regulator of ROCK, is involved in these processes. Collectively, our data provide new insights regarding the role of RhoA/ROCK I and the microtubules in the migration of stem cells.
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhu J, Park CW, Sjeklocha L, Kren BT, Steer CJ. High-level genomic integration, epigenetic changes, and expression of sleeping beauty transgene. Biochemistry 2010; 49:1507-21. [PMID: 20041635 DOI: 10.1021/bi9016846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Sleeping Beauty transposon (SB-Tn) has emerged as an important nonviral vector for integrating transgenes into mammalian genomes. We report here a novel dual fluorescent reporter cis SB-Tn system that permitted nonselective fluorescent-activated cell sorting for SB-Tn-transduced K562 erythroid cells. Using an internal ribosome entry site element, the green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was linked to the SB10 transposase gene as an indirect marker for the robust expression of SB10 transposase. Flourescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) by eGFP resulted in significant enrichment (>60%) of cells exhibiting SB-Tn-mediated genomic insertions and long-term expression of a DsRed transgene. The hybrid erythroid-specific promoter of DsRed transgene was verified in erythroid or megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells. Bisulfite-mediated genomic analyses identified different DNA methylation patterns between DsRed(+) and DsRed(-) cell clones, suggesting a critical role in transgene expression. Moreover, although the host genomic copy of the promoter element showed no CpG methylation, the same sequence carried by the transgene was markedly hypermethylated. Additional evidence also suggested a role for histone deacetylation in the regulation of DsRed transgene. The presence of SB transgene affected the expression of neighboring host genes at distances >45 kb. Our data suggested that a fluorescent reporter cis SB-Tn system can be used to enrich mammalian cells harboring SB-mediated transgene insertions. The observed epigenetic changes also demonstrated that transgenes inserted by SB could be selectively modified by endogenous factors. In addition, long-range activation of host genes must now be recognized as a potential consequence of an inserted transgene cassette containing enhancer elements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Zhu
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School,Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sumiyoshi T, Holt NG, Hollis RP, Ge S, Cannon PM, Crooks GM, Kohn DB. Stable transgene expression in primitive human CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, using the Sleeping Beauty transposon system. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 20:1607-26. [PMID: 19689196 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon-mediated integration has been shown to achieve long-term transgene expression in a wide range of host cells. In this study, we improved the SB transposon-mediated gene transfer system for transduction of human CD34(+) stem/progenitor cells by two approaches: (1) to increase the transposition efficacy, a hyperactive mutant of SB, HSB, was used; (2) to improve the expression of the SB transposase and the transgene cassette carried by the transposon, different viral and cellular promoters were evaluated. SB components were delivered in trans into the target cells by Nucleoporation. The SB transposon-mediated integration efficacy was assessed by integrated transgene (enhanced green fluorescent protein [eGFP]) expression both in vitro and in vivo. In purified human cord blood CD34(+) cells, HSB achieved long-term transgene expression in nearly 7-fold more cells than the original SB transposase. Significantly brighter levels of eGFP expression (5-fold) were achieved with the human elongation factor 1alpha (EF1-alpha) promoter in Jurkat human T cells, compared with that achieved with the modified myeloproliferative sarcoma virus long terminal repeat enhancer-promoter (MNDU3); in contrast, the MNDU3 promoter expressed eGFP at the highest level in K-562 myeloid cells. In human CD34(+) cord blood cells studied under conditions directing myeloid differentiation, the highest transgene integration and expression were achieved using the EF1-alpha promoter to express the SB transposase combined with the MNDU3 promoter to express the eGFP reporter. Stable transgene expression was achieved at levels up to 27% for more than 4 weeks of culture after improved gene transfer to CD34(+) cells (average, 17%; n = 4). In vivo studies evaluating engraftment and differentiation of the SB-modified human CD34(+) cells demonstrated that SB-modified human CD34(+) cells engrafted in NOD/SCID/gamma chain(null) (NSG) mice and differentiated into multilineage cell types with eGFP expression. More importantly, secondary transplantation studies demonstrated that the integrated transgene was stably expressed in more primitive CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with long-term repopulating capability. This study demonstrates that an improved HSB gene transfer system can stably integrate genes into primitive human HSCs while maintaining the pluripotency of the stem cells, which shows promise for further advancement of non-virus-based gene therapy using hematopoietic stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teiko Sumiyoshi
- Division of Research Immunology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, Saban Research Institute of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
During recent decades there have been major advances in the fields of thrombosis and haemostasis, in part through development of powerful molecular and genetic technologies. Nevertheless, genetic modification of megakaryocytes and generation of mutant platelets in vitro remains a highly specialized area of research. Developments are hampered by the low frequency of megakaryocytes and their progenitors, a poor efficiency of transfection and a lack of understanding with regard to the mechanism by which megakaryocytes release platelets. Current methods used in the generation of genetically modified megakaryocytes and platelets include mutant mouse models, cell line studies and use of viruses to transform primary megakaryocytes or haematopoietic precursor cells. This review summarizes the advantages, limitations and technical challenges of such methods, with a particular focus on recent successes and advances in this rapidly progressing field including the potential for use in gene therapy for treatment of patients with platelet disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Pendaries
- Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Biomedical Research, Wolfson Drive, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cao F, Xie X, Gollan T, Zhao L, Narsinh K, Lee RJ, Wu JC. Comparison of gene-transfer efficiency in human embryonic stem cells. Mol Imaging Biol 2009; 12:15-24. [PMID: 19551446 PMCID: PMC2803751 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-009-0236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2008] [Revised: 01/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Technologies designed to allow manipulation and modification of human embryonic stem (hES) cells are numerous and vary in the complexity of their methods, efficiency, reliability, and safety. The most commonly studied and practiced of these methods include electroporation, lipofection, nucleofection, and lentiviral transduction. However, at present, it is unclear which protocol offers the most efficient and reliable method of gene transfer to hES cells. In this study, a bi-fusion construct with ubiquitin promoter driving enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter and the firefly luciferase (pUb-eGFP-Fluc) along with neomycin selection marker was used for in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro studies examined the transfection efficiency and viability of each technique using two hES cell lines (male H1 and female H9 cells). Lentiviral transduction demonstrated the highest efficiency (H1: 25.3 ± 4.8%; H9: 22.4 ± 6.5%) with >95% cell viability. Nucleofection demonstrated transfection efficiency of 16.1 ± 3.6% (H1) and 5.8 ± 3.2% (H9). However, minimal transfection efficiency was observed with electroporation (2.1 ± 0.4% (H1) and 1.9 ± 0.3% (H9)) and lipofection (1.5 ± 0.5% (H1) and 1.3 ± 0.2% (H9); P < 0.05 vs. lentiviral transduction). Electroporation also demonstrated the highest cell death (62 ± 11% (H1) and 42 ± 10% (H9)) followed by nucleofection (25 ± 9% (H1) and 30 ± 15 (H9)). Importantly, lentiviral transduction generated a greater number of hES cell lines stably expressing the double-fusion reporter gene (hES-DF) compared to other transfection techniques. Finally, following subcutaneous transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice, the hES-eGFP-Fluc cells showed robust proliferation as determined by longitudinal bioluminescence imaging. In summary, this study demonstrates that lentiviral transduction and nucleofection are efficient, simple, and safe techniques for reliable gene transfer in hES cells. The double-fusion construct provides an attractive approach for generating stable hES cell lines and monitoring engraftment and proliferation in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Edwards Building R354, Stanford, CA 94305-5344 USA
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Department of Radiology and Bio-X Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaxi China
| | - Xiaoyan Xie
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Edwards Building R354, Stanford, CA 94305-5344 USA
| | - Timothy Gollan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Edwards Building R354, Stanford, CA 94305-5344 USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaxi China
| | - Kazim Narsinh
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Department of Radiology and Bio-X Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Randall J. Lee
- University of California San Francisco, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Joseph C. Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Edwards Building R354, Stanford, CA 94305-5344 USA
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS), Department of Radiology and Bio-X Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Maucksch C, Aneja MK, Hennen E, Bohla A, Hoffmann F, Elfinger M, Rosenecker J, Rudolph C. Cell type differences in activity of the Streptomyces bacteriophage phiC31 integrase. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 36:5462-71. [PMID: 18718925 PMCID: PMC2553569 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic integration by the Streptomyces bacteriophage ϕC31 integrase is a promising tool for non-viral gene therapy of various genetic disorders. We investigated the ϕC31 integrase recombination activity in T cell derived cell lines, primary T lymphocytes and CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells in comparison to mesenchymal stem cells and cell lines derived from lung-, liver- and cervix-tissue. In T cell lines, enhanced long-term expression above control was observed only with high amounts of integrase mRNA. Transfections of ϕC31 integrase plasmids were not capable of mediating enhanced long-term transgene expression in T cell lines. In contrast, moderate to high efficiency could be detected in human mesenchymal stem cells, human lung, liver and cervix carcinoma cell lines. Up to 100-fold higher levels of recombination product was found in ϕC31 integrase transfected A549 lung than Jurkat T cells. When the ϕC31 integrase activity was normalized to the intracellular integrase mRNA levels, a 16-fold difference was found. As one possible inhibitor of the ϕC31 integrase, we found 3- to 5-fold higher DAXX levels in Jurkat than in A549 cells, which could in addition to other yet unknown factors explain the observed discrepancy of ϕC31 integrase activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christof Maucksch
- Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Moritz S, Lehmann S, Faissner A, von Holst A. An induction gene trap screen in neural stem cells reveals an instructive function of the niche and identifies the splicing regulator sam68 as a tenascin-C-regulated target gene. Stem Cells 2008; 26:2321-31. [PMID: 18617690 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside in a niche that abounds in extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. The ECM glycoprotein tenascin-C (Tnc) that occurs in more than 25 isoforms represents a major constituent of the privileged NSC milieu. To understand its role for NSCs, the induction gene trap technology was successfully applied to mouse embryonic NSCs, and a library of more than 500 NSC lines with independent gene trap vector integrations was established. Our pilot screen identified Sam68 as a target of Tnc signaling in NSCs. The Tnc-mediated downregulation of Sam68, which we found expressed at low levels in the niche along with Tnc, was independently confirmed on the protein level. Sam68 is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein, and its potential significance for cultured NSCs was studied by overexpression. Increased Sam68 levels caused a marked reduction in NSC cell proliferation. In addition, Sam68 is a signal-dependent regulator of alternative splicing, and its overexpression selectively increased the larger Tnc isoforms, whereas a mutated phosphorylation-deficient Sam68 variant did not. This emphasizes the importance of Sam68 for NSC biology and implicates an instructive rather than a purely permissive role for Tnc in the neural stem cell niche.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sören Moritz
- Department for Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, NDEF 05/339, Universitaetsstrasse 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|