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Coatti GC, Vaghela N, Gillurkar P, Leir SH, Harris A. A promoter-dependent upstream activator augments CFTR expression in diverse epithelial cell types. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195031. [PMID: 38679287 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene encodes an anion-selective channel found in epithelial cell membranes. Mutations in CFTR cause cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder that impairs epithelial function in multiple organs. Most men with CF are infertile due to loss of intact genital ducts. Here we investigated a novel epididymis-selective cis-regulatory element (CRE), located within a peak of open chromatin at -9.5 kb 5' to the CFTR gene promoter. Activation of the -9.5 kb CRE alone by CRISPRa had no impact on CFTR gene expression. However, CRISPRa co-activation of the -9.5 kb CRE and the CFTR gene promoter in epididymis cells significantly augmented CFTR mRNA and protein expression when compared to promoter activation alone. This increase was accompanied by enhanced chromatin accessibility at both sites. Furthermore, the combined CRISPRa strategy activated CFTR expression in other epithelial cells that lack open chromatin at the -9.5 kb site and in which the locus is normally inactive. However, the -9.5 kb CRE does not function as a classical enhancer of the CFTR promoter in transient reporter gene assays. These data provide a novel mechanism for activating/augmenting CFTR expression, which may have therapeutic utility for mutations that perturb CFTR transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana C Coatti
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Nirbhayaditya Vaghela
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Pulak Gillurkar
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Shih-Hsing Leir
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ann Harris
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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2
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Yang Y, Zheng Y, Chen Z, Xu C. Raising New Hope for Controlling Seizures in Focal Cortical Dysplasia with Gene Therapy. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01212-3. [PMID: 38733552 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Cenglin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xinhua Hospital of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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3
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Chen KN, Peng QL, Cao DF, Wang ZJ, Zhang K, Zhou XY, Min DY, Zhou BT, Mao XY. Inhibition of lysyl oxidase by pharmacological intervention and genetic manipulation alleviates epilepsy-associated cognitive disorder. Brain Res Bull 2024; 210:110928. [PMID: 38493836 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110928] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy-associated cognitive disorder (ECD), a prevalent comorbidity in epilepsy patients, has so far uncharacterized etiological origins. Our prior work revealed that lysyl oxidase (Lox) acted as a novel contributor of ferroptosis, a recently discovered cell death mode in the regulation of brain function. However, the role of Lox-mediated ferroptosis in ECD remains unknown. ECD mouse model was established 2 months later following a single injection of kainic acid (KA) for. After chronic treatment with KA, mice were treated with different doses (30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) of Lox inhibitor BAPN. Additionally, hippocampal-specific Lox knockout mice was also constructed and employed to validate the role of Lox in ECD. Cognitive functions were assessed using novel object recognition test (NOR) and Morris water maze test (MWM). Protein expression of phosphorylated cAMP-response element binding (CREB), a well-known molecular marker for evaluation of cognitive performance, was also detected by Western blot. The protein distribution of Lox was analyzed by immunofluorescence. In KA-induced ECD mouse model, ferroptosis process was activated according to upregulation of 4-HNE protein and a previously discovered ferroptosis in our group, namely, Lox was remarkably increased. Pharmacological inhibition of Lox by BAPN at the dose of 100 mg/kg significantly increased the discrimination index following NOR test and decreased escape latency as well as augmented passing times within 60 s following MWM test in ECD mouse model. Additionally, deficiency of Lox in hippocampus also led to pronounced improvement of deficits in ECD model. These findings indicate that the ferroptosis regulatory factor, Lox, is activated in ECD. Ablation of Lox by either pharmacological intervention or genetic manipulation ameliorates the impairment in ECD mouse model, which suggest that Lox serves as a promising therapeutic target for treating ECD in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Ni Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for TCM Viscera-State Theory and Applications, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 116600, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Qi-Lin Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Dan-Feng Cao
- Academician Workstation and Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha 410219, China
| | - Zhao-Jun Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Xin-Yu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang 222000, China; Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang 222000, China.
| | - Dong-Yu Min
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for TCM Viscera-State Theory and Applications, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 116600, China; Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, China.
| | - Bo-Ting Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Xiao-Yuan Mao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Engineering Research Center of Applied Technology of Pharmacogenomics of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
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4
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Gomez K, Allen HN, Duran P, Loya-Lopez S, Calderon-Rivera A, Moutal A, Tang C, Nelson TS, Perez-Miller S, Khanna R. Targeted transcriptional upregulation of SENP1 by CRISPR activation enhances deSUMOylation pathways to elicit antinociception in the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain. Pain 2024; 165:866-883. [PMID: 37862053 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The voltage-gated sodium channel Na V 1.7 is an essential component of human pain signaling. Changes in Na V 1.7 trafficking are considered critical in the development of neuropathic pain. SUMOylation of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) regulates the membrane trafficking and function of Na V 1.7. Enhanced CRMP2 SUMOylation in neuropathic pain correlates with increased Na V 1.7 activity. Pharmacological and genetic interventions that interfere with CRMP2 SUMOylation in rodents with neuropathic pain have been shown to reverse mechanical allodynia. Sentrin or SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs) are vital for balancing SUMOylation and deSUMOylation of substrates. Overexpression of SENP1 and/or SENP2 in CRMP2-expressing cells results in increased deSUMOylation and decreased membrane expression and currents of Na V 1.7. Although SENP1 is present in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia, its role in regulating Na V 1.7 function and pain is not known. We hypothesized that favoring SENP1 expression can enhance CRMP2 deSUMOylation to modulate Na V 1.7 channels. In this study, we used a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats activation (CRISPRa) SENP1 lentivirus to overexpress SENP1 in dorsal root ganglia neurons. We found that SENP1 lentivirus reduced CRMP2 SUMOylation, Na V 1.7-CRMP2 interaction, and Na V 1.7 membrane expression. SENP1 overexpression decreased Na V 1.7 currents through clathrin-mediated endocytosis, directly linked to CRMP2 deSUMOylation. Moreover, enhancing SENP1 expression did not affect the activity of TRPV1 channels or voltage-gated calcium and potassium channels. Intrathecal injection of CRISPRa SENP1 lentivirus reversed mechanical allodynia in male and female rats with spinal nerve injury. These results provide evidence that the pain-regulating effects of SENP1 overexpression involve, in part, the modulation of Na V 1.7 channels through the indirect mechanism of CRMP2 deSUMOylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Heather N Allen
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Santiago Loya-Lopez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aubin Moutal
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Cheng Tang
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tyler S Nelson
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Pain Research Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology and Neuroscience Institute, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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5
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Chen GT, Nair G, Osorio AJ, Holley SM, Ghassemzadeh K, Gonzalez J, Lu C, Sanjana NE, Cepeda C, Geschwind DH. Enhancer-targeted CRISPR-Activation Rescues Haploinsufficient Autism Susceptibility Genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584921. [PMID: 38559217 PMCID: PMC10980046 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable condition with diverse clinical presentations. Approximately 20% of ASD's genetic susceptibility is imparted by de novo mutations of major effect, most of which cause haploinsufficiency. We mapped enhancers of two high confidence autism genes - CHD8 and SCN2A and used CRISPR-based gene activation (CRISPR-A) in hPSC-derived excitatory neurons and cerebral forebrain organoids to correct the effects of haploinsufficiency, taking advantage of the presence of a wildtype allele of each gene and endogenous gene regulation. We found that CRISPR-A induced a sustained increase in CHD8 and SCN2A expression in treated neurons and organoids, with rescue of gene expression levels and mutation-associated phenotypes, including gene expression and physiology. These data support gene activation via targeting enhancers of haploinsufficient genes, as a therapeutic intervention in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Jiang H, Tang M, Xu Z, Wang Y, Li M, Zheng S, Zhu J, Lin Z, Zhang M. CRISPR/Cas9 system and its applications in nervous system diseases. Genes Dis 2024; 11:675-686. [PMID: 37692518 PMCID: PMC10491921 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system is an acquired immune system of many bacteria and archaea, comprising CRISPR loci, Cas genes, and its associated proteins. This system can recognize exogenous DNA and utilize the Cas9 protein's nuclease activity to break DNA double-strand and to achieve base insertion or deletion by subsequent DNA repair. In recent years, multiple laboratory and clinical studies have revealed the therapeutic role of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in neurological diseases. This article reviews the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology and its potential for clinical application against neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibin Jiang
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Mengyan Tang
- The First School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Zidi Xu
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Mopu Li
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Shuyin Zheng
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Jianghu Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
- Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Disease, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Zhenlang Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
- Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Disease, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
- Key Laboratory of Perinatal Medicine of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Disease, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
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7
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Richardson RJ, Petrou S, Bryson A. Established and emerging GABA A receptor pharmacotherapy for epilepsy. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1341472. [PMID: 38449810 PMCID: PMC10915249 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1341472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Drugs that modulate the GABAA receptor are widely used in clinical practice for both the long-term management of epilepsy and emergency seizure control. In addition to older medications that have well-defined roles for the treatment of epilepsy, recent discoveries into the structure and function of the GABAA receptor have led to the development of newer compounds designed to maximise therapeutic benefit whilst minimising adverse effects, and whose position within the epilepsy pharmacologic armamentarium is still emerging. Drugs that modulate the GABAA receptor will remain a cornerstone of epilepsy management for the foreseeable future and, in this article, we provide an overview of the mechanisms and clinical efficacy of both established and emerging pharmacotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Richardson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Praxis Precision Medicines, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexander Bryson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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8
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Sun J, Noss S, Banerjee D, Das M, Girirajan S. Strategies for dissecting the complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders. Trends Genet 2024; 40:187-202. [PMID: 37949722 PMCID: PMC10872993 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.10.009] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are associated with a wide range of clinical features, affecting multiple pathways involved in brain development and function. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have unveiled numerous genetic variants associated with NDDs, which further contribute to disease complexity and make it challenging to infer disease causation and underlying mechanisms. Herein, we review current strategies for dissecting the complexity of NDDs using model organisms, induced pluripotent stem cells, single-cell sequencing technologies, and massively parallel reporter assays. We further highlight single-cell CRISPR-based screening techniques that allow genomic investigation of cellular transcriptomes with high efficiency, accuracy, and throughput. Overall, we provide an integrated review of experimental approaches that can be applicable for investigating a broad range of complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawan Sun
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Serena Noss
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deepro Banerjee
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Maitreya Das
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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9
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Almacellas Barbanoj A, Graham RT, Maffei B, Carpenter JC, Leite M, Hoke J, Hardjo F, Scott-Solache J, Chimonides C, Schorge S, Kullmann DM, Magloire V, Lignani G. Anti-seizure gene therapy for focal cortical dysplasia. Brain 2024; 147:542-553. [PMID: 38100333 PMCID: PMC10834237 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal cortical dysplasias are a common subtype of malformation of cortical development, which frequently presents with a spectrum of cognitive and behavioural abnormalities as well as pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Focal cortical dysplasia type II is typically caused by somatic mutations resulting in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) hyperactivity, and is the commonest pathology found in children undergoing epilepsy surgery. However, surgical resection does not always result in seizure freedom, and is often precluded by proximity to eloquent brain regions. Gene therapy is a promising potential alternative treatment and may be appropriate in cases that represent an unacceptable surgical risk. Here, we evaluated a gene therapy based on overexpression of the Kv1.1 potassium channel in a mouse model of frontal lobe focal cortical dysplasia. An engineered potassium channel (EKC) transgene was placed under control of a human promoter that biases expression towards principal neurons (CAMK2A) and packaged in an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV9). We used an established focal cortical dysplasia model generated by in utero electroporation of frontal lobe neural progenitors with a constitutively active human Ras homolog enriched in brain (RHEB) plasmid, an activator of mTOR complex 1. We characterized the model by quantifying electrocorticographic and behavioural abnormalities, both in mice developing spontaneous generalized seizures and in mice only exhibiting interictal discharges. Injection of AAV9-CAMK2A-EKC in the dysplastic region resulted in a robust decrease (∼64%) in the frequency of seizures. Despite the robust anti-epileptic effect of the treatment, there was neither an improvement nor a worsening of performance in behavioural tests sensitive to frontal lobe function. AAV9-CAMK2A-EKC had no effect on interictal discharges or behaviour in mice without generalized seizures. AAV9-CAMK2A-EKC gene therapy is a promising therapy with translational potential to treat the epileptic phenotype of mTOR-related malformations of cortical development. Cognitive and behavioural co-morbidities may, however, resist an intervention aimed at reducing circuit excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Almacellas Barbanoj
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Robert T Graham
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Benito Maffei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jenna C Carpenter
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Marco Leite
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Justin Hoke
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Felisia Hardjo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - James Scott-Solache
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Christos Chimonides
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Stephanie Schorge
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Dimitri M Kullmann
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Vincent Magloire
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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10
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Wang W, Zhang Y, Li X, E Q, Jiang Z, Shi Q, Huang Y, Wang J, Huang Y. KCNA1 promotes the growth and invasion of glioblastoma cells through ferroptosis inhibition via upregulating SLC7A11. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:7. [PMID: 38172959 PMCID: PMC10765868 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03199-9] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high invasiveness and infiltrative nature of Glioblastoma (GBM) pose significant challenges for surgical removal. This study aimed to investigate the role of KCNA1 in GBM progression. METHODS CCK8, colony formation assay, scratch assay, transwell assay, and 3D tumor spheroid invasion assays were to determine how KCNA1 affects the growth and invasion of GBM cells. Subsequently, to confirm the impact of KCNA1 in ferroptosis, western blot, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry were conducted. To ascertain the impact of KCNA1 in vivo, patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models were established. RESULTS In functional assays, KCNA1 promotes the growth and invasion of GBM cells. Besides, KCNA1 can increase the expression of SLC7A11 and protect cells from ferroptosis. The vivo experiments demonstrated that knocking down KCNA1 inhibited the growth and infiltration of primary tumors in mice and extended survival time. CONCLUSION Therefore, our research suggests that KCNA1 may promote tumor growth and invasion by upregulating the expression of SLC7A11 and inhibiting ferroptosis, making it a promising therapeutic target for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Xuetao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Qinzi E
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Zuoyu Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Qikun Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, TaiCang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, 215000, China.
| | - Yulun Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
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11
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Bettegazzi B, Cattaneo S, Simonato M, Zucchini S, Soukupova M. Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: What Does the Future Hold? Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:5-13. [PMID: 38103141 PMCID: PMC10786988 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many pre-clinical studies have tested gene therapy approaches as possible treatments for epilepsy, following the idea that they may provide an alternative to conventional pharmacological and surgical options. Multiple gene therapy approaches have been developed, including those based on anti-sense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and viral vectors. In this opinion article, we focus on translational issues related to viral vector-mediated gene therapy for epilepsy. Research has advanced dramatically in addressing issues like viral vector optimization, target identification, strategies of gene expression, editing or regulation, and safety. Some of these pre-clinically validated potential gene therapies are now being tested in clinical trials, in patients with genetic or focal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Here, we discuss the ongoing translational research and the advancements that are needed and expected in the near future. We then describe the clinical trials in the pipeline and the further challenges that will need to be addressed at the clinical and economic levels. Our optimistic view is that all these issues and challenges can be overcome, and that gene therapy approaches for epilepsy will soon become a clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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12
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Extrémet J, Ramirez-Franco J, Fronzaroli-Molinieres L, Boumedine-Guignon N, Ankri N, El Far O, Garrido JJ, Debanne D, Russier M. Rescue of Normal Excitability in LGI1-Deficient Epileptic Neurons. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8596-8606. [PMID: 37863654 PMCID: PMC10727174 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0701-23.2023] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) is a glycoprotein secreted by neurons, the deletion of which leads to autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy. We previously showed that LGI1 deficiency in a mouse model (i.e., knock-out for LGI1 or KO-Lgi1) decreased Kv1.1 channel density at the axon initial segment (AIS) and at presynaptic terminals, thus enhancing both intrinsic excitability and glutamate release. However, it is not known whether normal excitability can be restored in epileptic neurons. Here, we show that the selective expression of LGI1 in KO-Lgi1 neurons from mice of both sexes, using single-cell electroporation, reduces intrinsic excitability and restores both the Kv1.1-mediated D-type current and Kv1.1 channels at the AIS. In addition, we show that the homeostatic-like shortening of the AIS length observed in KO-Lgi1 neurons is prevented in neurons electroporated with the Lgi1 gene. Furthermore, we reveal a spatial gradient of intrinsic excitability that is centered on the electroporated neuron. We conclude that expression of LGI1 restores normal excitability through functional Kv1 channels at the AIS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The lack of leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) protein induces severe epileptic seizures that leads to death. Enhanced intrinsic and synaptic excitation in KO-Lgi1 mice is because of the decrease in Kv1.1 channels in CA3 neurons. However, the conditions to restore normal excitability profile in epileptic neurons remain to be defined. We show here that the expression of LGI1 in KO-Lgi1 neurons in single neurons reduces intrinsic excitability, and restores both the Kv1.1-mediated D-type current and Kv1.1 channels at the axon initial segment (AIS). Furthermore, the homeostatic shortening of the AIS length observed in KO-Lgi1 neurons is prevented in neurons in which the Lgi1 gene has been rescued. We conclude that LGI1 constitutes a critical factor to restore normal excitability in epileptic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Extrémet
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Jorge Ramirez-Franco
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Laure Fronzaroli-Molinieres
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Norah Boumedine-Guignon
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Norbert Ankri
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Oussama El Far
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Juan José Garrido
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid, 28002, Spain
| | - Dominique Debanne
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
| | - Michaël Russier
- Unité de Neurobiologie des canaux Ioniques et de la Synapse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1072, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13015, France
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13
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Sampedro-Castañeda M, Baltussen LL, Lopes AT, Qiu Y, Sirvio L, Mihaylov SR, Claxton S, Richardson JC, Lignani G, Ultanir SK. Epilepsy-linked kinase CDKL5 phosphorylates voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3, altering inactivation kinetics and neuronal excitability. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7830. [PMID: 38081835 PMCID: PMC10713615 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43475-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of rare childhood disorders characterized by severe epilepsy and cognitive deficits. Numerous DEE genes have been discovered thanks to advances in genomic diagnosis, yet putative molecular links between these disorders are unknown. CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD, DEE2), one of the most common genetic epilepsies, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the brain-enriched kinase CDKL5. To elucidate CDKL5 function, we looked for CDKL5 substrates using a SILAC-based phosphoproteomic screen. We identified the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel Cav2.3 (encoded by CACNA1E) as a physiological target of CDKL5 in mice and humans. Recombinant channel electrophysiology and interdisciplinary characterization of Cav2.3 phosphomutant mice revealed that loss of Cav2.3 phosphorylation leads to channel gain-of-function via slower inactivation and enhanced cholinergic stimulation, resulting in increased neuronal excitability. Our results thus show that CDD is partly a channelopathy. The properties of unphosphorylated Cav2.3 closely resemble those described for CACNA1E gain-of-function mutations causing DEE69, a disorder sharing clinical features with CDD. We show that these two single-gene diseases are mechanistically related and could be ameliorated with Cav2.3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas L Baltussen
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases (VIB-KU Leuven), Department of Neurosciences, ON5 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - André T Lopes
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Yichen Qiu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Liina Sirvio
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Simeon R Mihaylov
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Suzanne Claxton
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jill C Richardson
- Neuroscience, MSD Research Laboratories, 120 Moorgate, London, EC2M 6UR, UK
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
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14
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Alshial EE, Abdulghaney MI, Wadan AHS, Abdellatif MA, Ramadan NE, Suleiman AM, Waheed N, Abdellatif M, Mohammed HS. Mitochondrial dysfunction and neurological disorders: A narrative review and treatment overview. Life Sci 2023; 334:122257. [PMID: 37949207 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122257] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a vital role in the nervous system, as they are responsible for generating energy in the form of ATP and regulating cellular processes such as calcium (Ca2+) signaling and apoptosis. However, mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and cell death, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. In this article, we review the main functions of mitochondria in the nervous system and explore the mechanisms related to mitochondrial dysfunction. We discuss the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development and progression of some neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), depression, and epilepsy. Finally, we provide an overview of various current treatment strategies that target mitochondrial dysfunction, including pharmacological treatments, phototherapy, gene therapy, and mitotherapy. This review emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of mitochondria in the nervous system and highlights the potential for mitochondrial-targeted therapies in the treatment of neurological disorders. Furthermore, it highlights some limitations and challenges encountered by the current therapeutic strategies and puts them in future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman E Alshial
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Al Buhayrah, Egypt
| | | | - Al-Hassan Soliman Wadan
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Sinai University, Arish, North Sinai, Egypt
| | | | - Nada E Ramadan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Gharbia, Egypt
| | | | - Nahla Waheed
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt
| | | | - Haitham S Mohammed
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
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15
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Cao BR, Huang YM, Tian FY, Li JH, Xu CL, Wei Y, Liu JK, Guo QB, Xu HY, Zhan L, Lv RM, Sun YD, Hu XD, Gao ZB, Zhou CY. Prime editing-based gene correction alleviates the hyperexcitable phenotype and seizures of a genetic epilepsy mouse model. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:2342-2345. [PMID: 37402996 PMCID: PMC10618215 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01115-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Rong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yi-Ming Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Fu-Yun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, China
| | - Jin-Hui Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Chun-Long Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yu Wei
- Shanghai Immunocan Biotech Co., LTD, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Ji-Kai Liu
- Shanghai Immunocan Biotech Co., LTD, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Qian-Bei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hai-Yan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Li Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Rui-Min Lv
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yi-di Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Xin-de Hu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Zhao-Bing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
| | - Chang-Yang Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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16
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Hermann DM. Hot topics in cellular neuropathology III: using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for deciphering central nervous system disease targets. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1276077. [PMID: 37720547 PMCID: PMC10502715 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1276077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk M. Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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17
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Sullivan KA, Vitko I, Blair K, Gaykema RP, Failor MJ, San Pietro JM, Dey D, Williamson JM, Stornetta RL, Kapur J, Perez-Reyes E. Drug-Inducible Gene Therapy Effectively Reduces Spontaneous Seizures in Kindled Rats but Creates Off-Target Side Effects in Inhibitory Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11347. [PMID: 37511107 PMCID: PMC10379297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411347] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Over a third of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are not effectively treated with current anti-seizure drugs, spurring the development of gene therapies. The injection of adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) into the brain has been shown to be a safe and viable approach. However, to date, AAV expression of therapeutic genes has not been regulated. Moreover, a common property of antiepileptic drugs is a narrow therapeutic window between seizure control and side effects. Therefore, a long-term goal is to develop drug-inducible gene therapies that can be regulated by clinically relevant drugs. In this study, a first-generation doxycycline-regulated gene therapy that delivered an engineered version of the leak potassium channel Kcnk2 (TREK-M) was injected into the hippocampus of male rats. Rats were electrically stimulated until kindled. EEG was monitored 24/7. Electrical kindling revealed an important side effect, as even low expression of TREK M in the absence of doxycycline was sufficient to cause rats to develop spontaneous recurring seizures. Treating the epileptic rats with doxycycline successfully reduced spontaneous seizures. Localization studies of infected neurons suggest seizures were caused by expression in GABAergic inhibitory neurons. In contrast, doxycycline increased the expression of TREK-M in excitatory neurons, thereby reducing seizures through net inhibition of firing. These studies demonstrate that drug-inducible gene therapies are effective in reducing spontaneous seizures and highlight the importance of testing for side effects with pro-epileptic stressors such as electrical kindling. These studies also show the importance of evaluating the location and spread of AAV-based gene therapies in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
- Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Iuliia Vitko
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - Kathryn Blair
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - Ronald P Gaykema
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - Madison J Failor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | | | - Deblina Dey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - John M Williamson
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - Ruth L Stornetta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - Jaideep Kapur
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
- UVA Brain Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
| | - Edward Perez-Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
- UVA Brain Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22980, USA
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18
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Zhang LM, Chen L, Zhao YF, Duan WM, Zhong LM, Liu MW. Identification of key potassium channel genes of temporal lobe epilepsy by bioinformatics analyses and experimental verification. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1175007. [PMID: 37483435 PMCID: PMC10361730 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1175007] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most prevalent types of epilepsy is temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), which has unknown etiological factors and drug resistance. The detailed mechanisms underlying potassium channels in human TLE have not yet been elucidated. Hence, this study aimed to mine potassium channel genes linked to TLE using a bioinformatic approach. The results found that Four key TLE-related potassium channel genes (TERKPCGs) were identified: potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily E member (KCNA) 1, KCNA2, potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11 (KCNJ11), and KCNS1. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to analyze the relationship between TERKPCGs and other key module genes. The results of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for a single gene indicated that the four TERKPCGs were highly linked to the cation channel, potassium channel, respiratory chain, and oxidative phosphorylation. The mRNA-TF network was established using four mRNAs and 113 predicted transcription factors. A ceRNA network containing seven miRNAs, two mRNAs, and 244 lncRNAs was constructed based on the TERKPCGs. Three common small-molecule drugs (enflurane, promethazine, and miconazole) target KCNA1, KCNA2, and KCNS1. Ten small-molecule drugs (glimepiride, diazoxide, levosimendan, and thiamylal et al.) were retrieved for KCNJ11. Compared to normal mice, the expression of KCNA1, KCNA2, KCNJ11, and KCNS1 was downregulated in the brain tissue of the epilepsy mouse model at both the transcriptional and translational levels, which was consistent with the trend of human data from the public database. The results indicated that key potassium channel genes linked to TLE were identified based on bioinformatics analysis to investigate the potential significance of potassium channel genes in the development and treatment of TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-ming Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yi-fei Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wei-mei Duan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lian-mei Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Disease, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Ming-wei Liu
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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19
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Bendixen L, Jensen TI, Bak RO. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional modulation: The therapeutic promises of CRISPRa and CRISPRi. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1920-1937. [PMID: 36964659 PMCID: PMC10362391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system is commonly known for its ability to cleave DNA in a programmable manner, which has democratized gene editing and facilitated recent breakthroughs in gene therapy. However, newer iterations of the technology using nuclease-disabled Cas enzymes have spurred a variety of different types of genetic engineering platforms such as transcriptional modulation using the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) systems. This review introduces the creation of these programmable transcriptional modulators, various methods of delivery utilized for these systems, and recent technological developments. CRISPRa and CRISPRi have also been implemented in genetic screens for interrogating gene function and discovering genes involved in various biological pathways. We describe recent compelling examples of how these tools have become powerful means to unravel genetic networks and uncovering important information about devastating diseases. Finally, we provide an overview of preclinical studies in which transcriptional modulation has been used therapeutically, and we discuss potential future directions of these novel modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bendixen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Trine I Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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20
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Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in preclinical studies to test genetic therapies for epilepsy. Some of these therapies have advanced to clinical trials and are being tested in patients with monogenetic or focal refractory epilepsy. This article provides an overview of the current state of preclinical studies that show potential for clinical translation. Specifically, we focus on genetic therapies that have demonstrated a clear effect on seizures in animal models and have the potential to be translated to clinical settings. Both therapies targeting the cause of the disease and those that treat symptoms are discussed. We believe that the next few years will be crucial in determining the potential of genetic therapies for treating patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S. Street
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yichen Qiu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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21
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Kostyushev D, Brezgin S, Kostyusheva A, Ponomareva N, Bayurova E, Zakirova N, Kondrashova A, Goptar I, Nikiforova A, Sudina A, Babin Y, Gordeychuk I, Lukashev A, Zamyatnin AA, Ivanov A, Chulanov V. Transient and tunable CRISPRa regulation of APOBEC/AID genes for targeting hepatitis B virus. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:478-493. [PMID: 37187708 PMCID: PMC10176074 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
APOBEC/AID cytidine deaminases play an important role in innate immunity and antiviral defenses and were shown to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by deaminating and destroying the major form of HBV genome, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), without toxicity to the infected cells. However, developing anti-HBV therapeutics based on APOBEC/AID is complicated by the lack of tools for activating and controlling their expression. Here, we developed a CRISPR-activation-based approach (CRISPRa) to induce APOBEC/AID transient overexpression (>4-800,000-fold increase in mRNA levels). Using this new strategy, we were able to control APOBEC/AID expression and monitor their effects on HBV replication, mutation, and cellular toxicity. CRISPRa prominently reduced HBV replication (∼90%-99% decline of viral intermediates), deaminated and destroyed cccDNA, but induced mutagenesis in cancer-related genes. By coupling CRISPRa with attenuated sgRNA technology, we demonstrate that APOBEC/AID activation can be precisely controlled, eliminating off-site mutagenesis in virus-containing cells while preserving prominent antiviral activity. This study untangles the differences in the effects of physiologically expressed APOBEC/AID on HBV replication and cellular genome, provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of HBV cccDNA mutagenesis, repair, and degradation, and, finally, presents a strategy for a tunable control of APOBEC/AID expression and for suppressing HBV replication without toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kostyushev
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Corresponding author Dmitry Kostyushev, Laboratory of Genetic Technologies and Drug Development, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Sergey Brezgin
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Ponomareva
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Zakirova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Science, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alla Kondrashova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Goptar
- Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health, 105275 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Anna Sudina
- Federal State Budgetary Institution Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yurii Babin
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 127994 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119146 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Lukashev
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey A. Zamyatnin
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7X, UK
| | - Alexander Ivanov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Science, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Division of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 127994 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119146 Moscow, Russia
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22
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Han JL, Entcheva E. Gene Modulation with CRISPR-based Tools in Human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:886-905. [PMID: 36656467 PMCID: PMC9851124 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of gene expression (knock-out, knock-in, knockdown or overexpression) is at the heart of functional genomics - an approach to dissect the contribution of a gene/protein to the system's function. The development of a human in vitro system that can be patient-specific, induced pluripotent stem cells, iPSC, and the ability to obtain various cell types of interest, have empowered human disease modeling and therapeutic development. Scalable tools have been deployed for gene modulation in these cells and derivatives, including pharmacological means, DNA-based RNA interference and standard RNA interference (shRNA/siRNA). The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, borrowed from bacteria and adopted for use in mammalian cells a decade ago, offers cell-specific genetic targeting and versatility. Outside genome editing, more subtle, time-resolved gene modulation is possible by using a catalytically "dead" Cas9 enzyme linked to an effector of gene transcription in combination with a guide RNA. The CRISPRi / CRISPRa (interference/activation) system evolved over the last decade as a scalable technology for performing functional genomics with libraries of gRNAs. Here, we review key developments of these approaches and their deployment in cardiovascular research. We discuss specific use with iPSC-cardiomyocytes and the challenges in further translation of these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Leann Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Suite 5000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Suite 5000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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23
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Advancement in CRISPR/Cas9 Technology to Better Understand and Treat Neurological Disorders. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:1019-1035. [PMID: 35751791 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01242-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurological disorders have complicated pathophysiology that may involve several genetic mutations. Conventional treatment has limitations as they only treat apparent symptoms. Although, personalized medicine is emerging as a promising neuro-intervention, lack of precision is the major pitfall. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system is evolving as a technological platform that may overcome the therapeutic limitations towards precision medicine. In the future, targeting genes in neurological disorders may be the mainstay of modern therapy. The present review on CRISPR/Cas9 and its application in various neurological disorders may provide a platform for its future clinical relevance towards developing precise and personalized medicine.
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24
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Therapeutic strategies for autism: targeting three levels of the central dogma of molecular biology. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:58. [PMID: 36792602 PMCID: PMC9931756 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02356-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decade has yielded much success in the identification of risk genes for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with many studies implicating loss-of-function (LoF) mutations within these genes. Despite this, no significant clinical advances have been made so far in the development of therapeutics for ASD. Given the role of LoF mutations in ASD etiology, many of the therapeutics in development are designed to rescue the haploinsufficient effect of genes at the transcriptional, translational, and protein levels. This review will discuss the various therapeutic techniques being developed from each level of the central dogma with examples including: CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and gene replacement at the DNA level, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) at the mRNA level, and small-molecule drugs at the protein level, followed by a review of current delivery methods for these therapeutics. Since central nervous system (CNS) penetrance is of utmost importance for ASD therapeutics, it is especially necessary to evaluate delivery methods that have higher efficiency in crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
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25
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Dhuriya YK, Naik AA. CRISPR: a tool with potential for genomic reprogramming in neurological disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:1845-1856. [PMID: 36507966 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08136-z] [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: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The intricate neural circuitry of the brain necessitates precise and synchronized transcriptional programs. Any disturbance during embryonic or adult development, whether caused by genetic or environmental factors, may result in refractory and recurrent neurological disorders. Inadequate knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurological disorders is the primary obstacle to the development of effective treatments, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic approaches to identify rational molecular targets. Recently, with the evolution of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, an engineered RNA system provides precise and highly effective correction or silencing of disease-causing mutations by modulating expression and thereby avoiding the limitations of the RNA interference strategy. This article discusses the CRISPR-Cas9 technology, its mechanisms, and the limitations of the new technology. We provide a glimpse of how the far-reaching implications of CRISPR can open new avenues for the development of tools to combat neurological disorders, as well as a review of recent attempts by neuroscientists to launch therapeutic correction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aijaz A Naik
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bethesda, USA.
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26
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Metzger JM, Wang Y, Neuman SS, Snow KJ, Murray SA, Lutz CM, Bondarenko V, Felton J, Gimse K, Xie R, Li D, Zhao Y, Flowers MT, Simmons HA, Roy S, Saha K, Levine JE, Emborg ME, Gong S. Efficient in vivo neuronal genome editing in the mouse brain using nanocapsules containing CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. Biomaterials 2023; 293:121959. [PMID: 36527789 PMCID: PMC9868115 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121959] [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: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing of somatic cells via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) offers promise for new therapeutics to treat a variety of genetic disorders, including neurological diseases. However, the dense and complex parenchyma of the brain and the post-mitotic state of neurons make efficient genome editing challenging. In vivo delivery systems for CRISPR-Cas proteins and single guide RNA (sgRNA) include both viral vectors and non-viral strategies, each presenting different advantages and disadvantages for clinical application. We developed non-viral and biodegradable PEGylated nanocapsules (NCs) that deliver preassembled Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Here, we show that the RNP NCs led to robust genome editing in neurons following intracerebral injection into the healthy mouse striatum. Genome editing was predominantly observed in medium spiny neurons (>80%), with occasional editing in cholinergic, calretinin, and parvalbumin interneurons. Glial activation was minimal and was localized along the needle tract. Our results demonstrate that the RNP NCs are capable of safe and efficient neuronal genome editing in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette M Metzger
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Yuyuan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Samuel S Neuman
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Kathy J Snow
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | | | | | - Viktoriya Bondarenko
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Jesi Felton
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Kirstan Gimse
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Ruosen Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Dongdong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Matthew T Flowers
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Heather A Simmons
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Subhojit Roy
- Departments of Pathology and Neuroscience, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Krishanu Saha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Jon E Levine
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Marina E Emborg
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
| | - Shaoqin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA; Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
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27
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Henshall DC, Arzimanoglou A, Dedeurwaerdere S, Guerrini R, Jozwiak S, Kokaia M, Lerche H, Pitkänen A, Ryvlin P, Simonato M, Sisodiya SM. Shaping the future of European epilepsy research: Final meeting report from EPICLUSTER. Epilepsy Res 2023; 189:107068. [PMID: 36549242 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.107068] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Collaboration is essential to the conduct of basic, applied and clinical research and its translation into the technologies and treatments urgently needed to improve the lives of people living with brain diseases and the health professionals who care for them. EPICLUSTER was formed in 2019 by the European Brain Research Area (EBRA) to support the coordination of epilepsy research in Europe. A key objective was to provide a platform to discuss shared research priorities by bringing together scientists and clinicians with multiple stakeholders including patient organisations and industry and the networks and infrastructures that provide healthcare and support research. Additional objectives were to facilitate access and sharing of data and biosamples, working together to ensure epilepsy is a priority for research funding, and embedding a culture of public and patient involvement (PPI) among epilepsy researchers. In this meeting report, we summarise the shared research priorities discussed by the leadership of EPICLUSTER at the recent final meeting. We also briefly review the discussion on patient and industry priorities, guidance on starting PPI for epilepsy researchers, and the sustainability of funding and infrastructures needed to ensure a comprehensive stakeholder-embedded community for epilepsy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Henshall
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics and FutureNeuro SFI Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland.
| | - Alexis Arzimanoglou
- Department of Paediatric Clinical Epileptology, Sleep Disorders and Functional Neurology, University Hospital of Lyon-HCL, Coordinator of the ERN EpiCARE, Lyon, France and Epilepsy Research Unit, Children's Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sergiusz Jozwiak
- The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Merab Kokaia
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital, Sölvegatan 17, BMC A11, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Holger Lerche
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University, Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Asla Pitkänen
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, FIN-70 211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Philippe Ryvlin
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Champ de l'Air Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 12 Queen Square, London, WC1N 1PJ, United Kingdom
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28
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Carpenter JC, Lignani G. Sex on the Brain: Reproductive Comorbidities in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Epilepsy Curr 2023; 23:58-60. [PMID: 36923330 PMCID: PMC10009125 DOI: 10.1177/15357597221135717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased GABA Transmission to GnRH Neurons After Intrahippocampal Kainic Acid Injection in Mice Is Sex-Specific and Associated With Estrous Cycle Disruption Ingram RJ, Leverton LK, Daniels VC, Li J, Christian-Hinman CA. Neurobiol Dis . 2022;172:105822. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105822 Patients with epilepsy develop reproductive endocrine comorbidities at a rate higher than that of the general population. Clinical studies have identified disrupted luteinizing hormone (LH) release patterns in patients of both sexes, suggesting potential epilepsy-associated changes in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron function. In previous work, we found that GnRH neuron firing is increased in diestrous females and males in the intrahippocampal kainic acid (IHKA) mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Notably, GABAA receptor activation is depolarizing in adult GnRH neurons. Therefore, here we tested the hypothesis that increased GnRH neuron firing in IHKA mice is associated with increased GABAergic drive to GnRH neurons. When ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) were blocked to isolate GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs), no differences in PSC frequency were seen between GnRH neurons from control and IHKA diestrous females. In the absence of iGluR blockade, however, GABA PSC frequency was increased in GnRH neurons from IHKA females with disrupted estrous cycles, but not saline-injected controls nor IHKA females without estrous cycle disruption. GABA PSC amplitude was also increased in IHKA females with disrupted estrous cycles. These findings suggest the presence of an iGluR-dependent increase in feed-forward GABAergic transmission to GnRH neurons specific to IHKA females with comorbid cycle disruption. In males, GABA PSC frequency and amplitude were unchanged but PSC duration was reduced. Together, these findings suggest that increased GABA transmission helps drive elevated firing in IHKA females on diestrus and indicate the presence of a sex-specific hypothalamic mechanism underlying reproductive endocrine dysfunction in IHKA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna C Carpenter
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London
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29
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Qiu Y, O’Neill N, Maffei B, Zourray C, Almacellas-Barbanoj A, Carpenter JC, Jones SP, Leite M, Turner TJ, Moreira FC, Snowball A, Shekh-Ahmad T, Magloire V, Barral S, Kurian MA, Walker MC, Schorge S, Kullmann DM, Lignani G. On-demand cell-autonomous gene therapy for brain circuit disorders. Science 2022; 378:523-532. [PMID: 36378958 PMCID: PMC7613996 DOI: 10.1126/science.abq6656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders are characterized by intermittent episodes of pathological activity. Although genetic therapies offer the ability to modulate neuronal excitability, a limiting factor is that they do not discriminate between neurons involved in circuit pathologies and "healthy" surrounding or intermingled neurons. We describe a gene therapy strategy that down-regulates the excitability of overactive neurons in closed loop, which we tested in models of epilepsy. We used an immediate early gene promoter to drive the expression of Kv1.1 potassium channels specifically in hyperactive neurons, and only for as long as they exhibit abnormal activity. Neuronal excitability was reduced by seizure-related activity, leading to a persistent antiepileptic effect without interfering with normal behaviors. Activity-dependent gene therapy is a promising on-demand cell-autonomous treatment for brain circuit disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Qiu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nathanael O’Neill
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Benito Maffei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Clara Zourray
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences, Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, GOS−Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Amanda Almacellas-Barbanoj
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jenna C. Carpenter
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Steffan P. Jones
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marco Leite
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas J. Turner
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francisco C. Moreira
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Albert Snowball
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tawfeeq Shekh-Ahmad
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vincent Magloire
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Serena Barral
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences, Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, GOS−Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Manju A. Kurian
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences, Zayed Centre for Research Into Rare Disease in Children, GOS−Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Matthew C. Walker
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Schorge
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology University College London, London, UK
| | - Dimitri M. Kullmann
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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30
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Hill SF, Ziobro JM, Jafar‐Nejad P, Rigo F, Meisler MH. Genetic interaction between Scn8a and potassium channel genes Kcna1 and Kcnq2. Epilepsia 2022; 63:e125-e131. [PMID: 35892317 PMCID: PMC9804156 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels regulate the initiation and termination of neuronal action potentials. Gain-of-function mutations of sodium channel Scn8a and loss-of-function mutations of potassium channels Kcna1 and Kcnq2 increase neuronal activity and lead to seizure disorders. We tested the hypothesis that reducing the expression of Scn8a would compensate for loss-of-function mutations of Kcna1 or Kcnq2. Scn8a expression was reduced by the administration of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). This treatment lengthened the survival of the Kcn1a and Kcnq2 mutants, and reduced the seizure frequency in the Kcnq2 mutant mice. These observations suggest that reduction of SCN8A may be therapeutic for genetic epilepsies resulting from mutations in these potassium channel genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie F. Hill
- Neuroscience Graduate ProgramUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA,Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Julie M. Ziobro
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | | | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis PharmaceuticalsCarlsbadCaliforniaUSA
| | - Miriam H. Meisler
- Neuroscience Graduate ProgramUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA,Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA,Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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31
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Reshetnikov VV, Chirinskaite AV, Sopova JV, Ivanov RA, Leonova EI. Translational potential of base-editing tools for gene therapy of monogenic diseases. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:942440. [PMID: 36032737 PMCID: PMC9399415 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.942440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Millions of people worldwide have rare genetic diseases that are caused by various mutations in DNA sequence. Classic treatments of rare genetic diseases are often ineffective, and therefore great hopes are placed on gene-editing methods. A DNA base–editing system based on nCas9 (Cas9 with a nickase activity) or dCas9 (a catalytically inactive DNA-targeting Cas9 enzyme) enables editing without double-strand breaks. These tools are constantly being improved, which increases their potential usefulness for therapies. In this review, we describe the main types of base-editing systems and their application to the treatment of monogenic diseases in experiments in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, to understand the therapeutic potential of these systems, the advantages and disadvantages of base-editing systems are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliy V. Reshetnikov
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Angelina V. Chirinskaite
- Сenter of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V. Sopova
- Сenter of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Roman A. Ivanov
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Elena I. Leonova
- Сenter of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- *Correspondence: Elena I. Leonova,
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32
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Kanafi MM, Tavallaei M. Overview of advances in CRISPR/deadCas9 technology and its applications in human diseases. Gene 2022; 830:146518. [PMID: 35447246 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prokaryotes possess an adaptive immune system using various CRISPR associated (Cas) genes to make an archive of records from invading phages and eliminate them upon re-exposure when specialized Cas proteins cut foreign DNA into small pieces. On the basis of the different types of Cas proteins, CRISPR systems seen in some prokaryotic genomes, are different to each other. It has been proved that CRISPR has a great potential for genome engineering. Studies have also demonstrated that in comparison to the preceding genome engineering tools CRISPR/Cas systems can be harnessed as a flexible tool with easy multiplexing and scaling ability. Recent studies suggest that CRISPR/Cas systems can also be used for non-genome engineering roles. Isolation and identification of new Cas proteins or modification of existing ones are effectively increasing the number of CRISPR applications and helps its development. D10A and H840A mutations at RuvC and HNH endonuclease domains of wild type Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) respectively creates a nuclease, dead Cas9 (dCas9) molecule, that does not cut target DNA but still retains its capability for binding to target DNA based on the gRNA targeting sequence. In this article we review the potentials of this enzyme, dCas9, toward development of the applications of CRISPR/dCas9 technology in fields such as; visualization of genomic loci, disease diagnosis and transcriptional repression and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahmood Tavallaei
- Human Genetic Research Centre, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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33
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Kasina V, Mownn RJ, Bahal R, Sartor GC. Nanoparticle delivery systems for substance use disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1431-1439. [PMID: 35351961 PMCID: PMC8960682 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Innovative breakthroughs in nanotechnology are having a substantial impact in healthcare, especially for brain diseases where effective therapeutic delivery systems are desperately needed. Nanoparticle delivery systems offer an unmatched ability of not only conveying a diverse array of diagnostic and therapeutic agents across complex biological barriers, but also possess the ability to transport payloads to targeted cell types over a sustained period. In substance use disorder (SUD), many therapeutic targets have been identified in preclinical studies, yet few of these findings have been translated to effective clinical treatments. The lack of success is, in part, due to the significant challenge of delivering novel therapies to the brain and specific brain cells. In this review, we evaluate the potential approaches and limitations of nanotherapeutic brain delivery systems. We also highlight the examples of promising strategies and future directions of nanocarrier-based treatments for SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Kasina
- grid.63054.340000 0001 0860 4915Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 USA
| | - Robert J. Mownn
- grid.63054.340000 0001 0860 4915Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- grid.63054.340000 0001 0860 4915Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 USA
| | - Gregory C. Sartor
- grid.63054.340000 0001 0860 4915Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 USA
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34
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Zhou M, Cao Y, Sui M, Shu X, Wan F, Zhang B. Dead Cas(t) light on new life: CRISPRa-mediated reprogramming of somatic cells into neurons. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:315. [PMID: 35610381 PMCID: PMC11073076 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04324-z] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of exogenous lineage-specific transcription factors could directly induce terminally differentiated somatic cells into target cell types. However, the low conversion efficiency and the concern about introducing exogenous genes limit the clinical application. With the rapid progress in genome editing, the application of CRISPR/dCas9 has been expanding rapidly, including converting somatic cells into other types of cells in vivo and in vitro. Using the CRISPR/dCas9 system, direct neuronal reprogramming could be achieved by activating endogenous genes. Here, we will discuss the latest progress, new insights, and future challenges of the application of the dCas9 system in direct neuronal reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Zhou
- Wuhan Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Wuhan Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Ming Sui
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiji Shu
- Wuhan Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- The Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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35
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Shaimardanova AA, Chulpanova DS, Mullagulova AI, Afawi Z, Gamirova RG, Solovyeva VV, Rizvanov AA. Gene and Cell Therapy for Epilepsy: A Mini Review. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:868531. [PMID: 35645733 PMCID: PMC9132249 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.868531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic non-infectious disease of the brain, characterized primarily by recurrent unprovoked seizures, defined as an episode of disturbance of motor, sensory, autonomic, or mental functions resulting from excessive neuronal discharge. Despite the advances in the treatment achieved with the use of antiepileptic drugs and other non-pharmacological therapies, about 30% of patients suffer from uncontrolled seizures. This review summarizes the currently available methods of gene and cell therapy for epilepsy and discusses the development of these approaches. Currently, gene therapy for epilepsy is predominantly adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of genes encoding neuro-modulatory peptides, neurotrophic factors, enzymes, and potassium channels. Cell therapy for epilepsy is represented by the transplantation of several types of cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bone marrow mononuclear cells, neural stem cells, and MSC-derived exosomes. Another approach is encapsulated cell biodelivery, which is the transplantation of genetically modified cells placed in capsules and secreting various therapeutic agents. The use of gene and cell therapy approaches can significantly improve the condition of patient with epilepsy. Therefore, preclinical, and clinical studies have been actively conducted in recent years to prove the benefits and safety of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daria S. Chulpanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Aysilu I. Mullagulova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Zaid Afawi
- Center for Neuroscience, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel
| | - Rimma G. Gamirova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- *Correspondence: Albert A. Rizvanov,
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Morris G, Schorge S. Gene Therapy for Neurological Disease: State of the Art and Opportunities for Next-generation Approaches. Neuroscience 2022; 490:309-314. [PMID: 35304290 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy for rare monogenetic neurological disorders is reaching clinics and offering hope to families affected by these diseases. There is also potential for gene therapy to offer new and effective treatments for common, non-genetic disorders. Treatments for Parkinson's Disease are in clinical trials, and treatments for refractory epilepsies are due to enter first-in-human clinical trials in 2022. Gene therapies for these disorders are based on delivering genes that address the mechanism of the disease, not repairing a mutated gene. Similar 'mechanistic' gene therapies could offer treatments to a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases where there is a known mechanism that could be restored using gene therapy. However, the permanent nature of most gene therapies is a serious drawback for translation of gene therapies to a wide-range of diseases because it could present risk of irreversible adverse effects. Several lines of research are aimed at developing gene therapy approaches that allow for the treatment to be turned on and off, including: using proteins activated by exogenous ligands, and promoters turned on by activators. We review these approaches and propose an overall de-risking strategy for gene therapy for common neurological and psychiatric diseases. This approach is based on using a temporary mRNA-based treatment to initially assess efficacy and safety of the planned manipulation, and only following with permanent, virally-delivered treatment if the approach appears safe and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Morris
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Schorge
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Giehrl-Schwab J, Giesert F, Rauser B, Lao CL, Hembach S, Lefort S, Ibarra IL, Koupourtidou C, Luecken MD, Truong DJJ, Fischer-Sternjak J, Masserdotti G, Prakash N, Ninkovic J, Hölter SM, Vogt Weisenhorn DM, Theis FJ, Götz M, Wurst W. Parkinson's disease motor symptoms rescue by CRISPRa-reprogramming astrocytes into GABAergic neurons. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14797. [PMID: 35373464 PMCID: PMC9081909 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct reprogramming based on genetic factors resembles a promising strategy to replace lost cells in degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. For this, we developed a knock‐in mouse line carrying a dual dCas9 transactivator system (dCAM) allowing the conditional in vivo activation of endogenous genes. To enable a translational application, we additionally established an AAV‐based strategy carrying intein‐split‐dCas9 in combination with activators (AAV‐dCAS). Both approaches were successful in reprogramming striatal astrocytes into induced GABAergic neurons confirmed by single‐cell transcriptome analysis of reprogrammed neurons in vivo. These GABAergic neurons functionally integrate into striatal circuits, alleviating voluntary motor behavior aspects in a 6‐OHDA Parkinson's disease model. Our results suggest a novel intervention strategy beyond the restoration of dopamine levels. Thus, the AAV‐dCAS approach might enable an alternative route for clinical therapies of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Giehrl-Schwab
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Giesert
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedict Rauser
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chu Lan Lao
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sina Hembach
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandrine Lefort
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ignacio L Ibarra
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christina Koupourtidou
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department for Cell Biology and Anatomy, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Malte Daniel Luecken
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dong-Jiunn Jeffery Truong
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Fischer-Sternjak
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Giacomo Masserdotti
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nilima Prakash
- Laboratory of Applied Genetics and Stem Cell Biology, Department Hamm 2, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Hamm, Germany
| | - Jovica Ninkovic
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department for Cell Biology and Anatomy, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sabine M Hölter
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Daniela M Vogt Weisenhorn
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Site Munich, Munich, Germany
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Bai YF, Zeng C, Jia M, Xiao B. Molecular mechanisms of topiramate and its clinical value in epilepsy. Seizure 2022; 98:51-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Zimmern V, Minassian B, Korff C. A Review of Targeted Therapies for Monogenic Epilepsy Syndromes. Front Neurol 2022; 13:829116. [PMID: 35250833 PMCID: PMC8891748 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.829116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic sequencing technologies have led to an increase in the identification and characterization of monogenic epilepsy syndromes. This increase has, in turn, generated strong interest in developing “precision therapies” based on the unique molecular genetics of a given monogenic epilepsy syndrome. These therapies include diets, vitamins, cell-signaling regulators, ion channel modulators, repurposed medications, molecular chaperones, and gene therapies. In this review, we evaluate these therapies from the perspective of their clinical validity and discuss the future of these therapies for individual syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Zimmern
- Division of Child Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Vincent Zimmern
| | - Berge Minassian
- Division of Child Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Christian Korff
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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40
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Becirovic E. Maybe you can turn me on: CRISPRa-based strategies for therapeutic applications. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:130. [PMID: 35152318 PMCID: PMC8840918 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04175-8] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSince the revolutionary discovery of the CRISPR-Cas technology for programmable genome editing, its range of applications has been extended by multiple biotechnological tools that go far beyond its original function as “genetic scissors”. One of these further developments of the CRISPR-Cas system allows genes to be activated in a targeted and efficient manner. These gene-activating CRISPR-Cas modules (CRISPRa) are based on a programmable recruitment of transcription factors to specific loci and offer several key advantages that make them particularly attractive for therapeutic applications. These advantages include inter alia low off-target effects, independence of the target gene size as well as the potential to develop gene- and mutation-independent therapeutic strategies. Herein, I will give an overview on the currently available CRISPRa modules and discuss recent developments, future potentials and limitations of this approach with a focus on therapeutic applications and in vivo delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvir Becirovic
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
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41
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The Interconnected Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Epilepsy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11010157. [PMID: 35052661 PMCID: PMC8772850 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important characteristics of the brain compared to other organs is its elevated metabolic demand. Consequently, neurons consume high quantities of oxygen, generating significant amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a by-product. These potentially toxic molecules cause oxidative stress (OS) and are associated with many disorders of the nervous system, where pathological processes such as aberrant protein oxidation can ultimately lead to cellular dysfunction and death. Epilepsy, characterized by a long-term predisposition to epileptic seizures, is one of the most common of the neurological disorders associated with OS. Evidence shows that increased neuronal excitability—the hallmark of epilepsy—is accompanied by neuroinflammation and an excessive production of ROS; together, these factors are likely key features of seizure initiation and propagation. This review discusses the role of OS in epilepsy, its connection to neuroinflammation and the impact on synaptic function. Considering that the pharmacological treatment options for epilepsy are limited by the heterogeneity of these disorders, we also introduce the latest advances in anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and how they interact with OS. We conclude that OS is intertwined with numerous physiological and molecular mechanisms in epilepsy, although a causal relationship is yet to be established.
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Scn1a gene reactivation after symptom onset rescues pathological phenotypes in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome. Nat Commun 2022; 13:161. [PMID: 35013317 PMCID: PMC8748984 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27837-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a severe epileptic encephalopathy caused primarily by haploinsufficiency of the SCN1A gene. Repetitive seizures can lead to endurable and untreatable neurological deficits. Whether this severe pathology is reversible after symptom onset remains unknown. To address this question, we generated a Scn1a conditional knock-in mouse model (Scn1a Stop/+) in which Scn1a expression can be re-activated on-demand during the mouse lifetime. Scn1a gene disruption leads to the development of seizures, often associated with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and behavioral alterations including hyperactivity, social interaction deficits and cognitive impairment starting from the second/third week of age. However, we showed that Scn1a gene re-activation when symptoms were already manifested (P30) led to a complete rescue of both spontaneous and thermic inducible seizures, marked amelioration of behavioral abnormalities and normalization of hippocampal fast-spiking interneuron firing. We also identified dramatic gene expression alterations, including those associated with astrogliosis in Dravet syndrome mice, that, accordingly, were rescued by Scn1a gene expression normalization at P30. Interestingly, regaining of Nav1.1 physiological level rescued seizures also in adult Dravet syndrome mice (P90) after months of repetitive attacks. Overall, these findings represent a solid proof-of-concept highlighting that disease phenotype reversibility can be achieved when Scn1a gene activity is efficiently reconstituted in brain cells. Dravet syndrome is a devastating epileptic encephalopathy caused by Scn1a gene haploinsufficiency. Exploiting a novel knock-in mouse model, here the authors show that restoring Scn1a expression after symptom onset is sufficient to rescue main phenotypic manifestations of the syndrome.
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Tsortouktzidis D, Tröscher AR, Schulz H, Opitz T, Schoch S, Becker AJ, van Loo KMJ. A Versatile Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats Toolbox to Study Neurological CaV3.2 Channelopathies by Promoter-Mediated Transcription Control. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:667143. [PMID: 35069110 PMCID: PMC8770422 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.667143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise genome editing in combination with viral delivery systems provides a valuable tool for neuroscience research. Traditionally, the role of genes in neuronal circuits has been addressed by overexpression or knock-out/knock-down systems. However, those techniques do not manipulate the endogenous loci and therefore have limitations. Those constraints include that many genes exhibit extensive alternative splicing, which can be regulated by neuronal activity. This complexity cannot be easily reproduced by overexpression of one protein variant. The CRISPR activation and interference/inhibition systems (CRISPRa/i) directed to promoter sequences can modulate the expression of selected target genes in a highly specific manner. This strategy could be particularly useful for the overexpression of large proteins and for alternatively spliced genes, e.g., for studying large ion channels known to be affected in ion channelopathies in a variety of neurological diseases. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of a newly developed CRISPRa/i toolbox to manipulate the promoter activity of the Cacna1h gene. Impaired, function of the low-voltage-activated T-Type calcium channel CaV3.2 is involved in genetic/mutational as well as acquired/transcriptional channelopathies that emerge with epileptic seizures. We show CRISPR-induced activation and inhibition of the Cacna1h locus in NS20Y cells and primary cortical neurons, as well as activation in mouse organotypic slice cultures. In future applications, the system offers the intriguing perspective to study functional effects of gain-of-function or loss-of-function variations in the Cacna1h gene in more detail. A better understanding of CaV3.2 channelopathies might result in a major advancement in the pharmacotherapy of CaV3.2 channelopathy diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Tsortouktzidis
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna R. Tröscher
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thoralf Opitz
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert J. Becker
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karen M. J. van Loo
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Epileptology and Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Karen M. J. van Loo,
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McGinn RJ, Von Stein EL, Summers Stromberg JE, Li Y. Precision medicine in epilepsy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 190:147-188. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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45
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Abstract
Endogenous gene activation by programmable transcription factors offers gene-dose-dependent phenotyping of target cells embedded in their in vivo natural tissue environment. Modified CRISPR/Cas9 systems were developed to be used as guide (g) RNA programmable transcriptional activation platforms (CRISPRa) in vitro and in vivo allowing targeted or multiplexed gene activation studies. We specifically developed these tools to be applied in cardiomyocytes providing dCas9VPR expressing mice under the control of the Myosin heavy chain 6 (Myh6) promoter. Here, we describe a protocol for the efficient design and validation of newly identified gRNA for enhancing transcriptional activity of a selected gene of interest. Additionally, we are providing insights into a downstream application in a dCas9VPR expressing mouse model specifically for cardiomyocyte biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Schoger
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK e.V.), Göttingen, Germany
- Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laura C Zelarayán
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK e.V.), Göttingen, Germany.
- Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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46
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Oguro K, Shimazaki K, Yokota H, Onuki Y, Murashima Y, Kawai K, Muramatsu SI. Global brain delivery of neuroligin 2 gene ameliorates seizures in a mouse model of epilepsy. J Gene Med 2021; 24:e3402. [PMID: 34897885 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the increasing availability of effective drugs, around one-third of patients with epilepsy are still resistant to pharmacotherapy. Gene therapy has been suggested as a plausible approach to achieve seizure control, in particular for patients with focal epilepsy. Because seizures develop across wide spans of the brain in many forms of epilepsy, global delivery of the vectors is necessary to tackle such generalized seizures. Neuroligin 2 (NL2) is a postsynaptic cell adhesion molecule that induces or strengthens inhibitory synaptic function by specifically combining with neurexin 1. METHODS In the present study, we applied an adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 9 vector expressing NL2 to modulate neuronal excitability in broad areas of the brain in epileptic (EL) mice, a model of polygene epilepsy. We administered the AAV vector expressing Flag-tagged NL2 under the synapsin I promoter (AAV-NL2) via cardiac injection 6 weeks after birth. RESULTS Significant reductions in the duration, strength and frequency of seizure were observed during a 14-week observation period in NL2-treated EL mice compared to untreated or AAV-green fluorescent protein-treated EL mice. No behavioral abnormality was observed in NL2-treated EL mice in an open-field test. Immunohistochemical examination at 14 weeks after AAV-NL2 injection revealed the expression of exogenous NL2 in broad areas of the brain, including the hippocampus and, in these areas, NL2 co-localized with postsynaptic inhibitory molecule gephyrin. CONCLUSIONS Global brain delivery of NL2 by systemic administration of AAV vector may provide a non-invasive therapeutic approach for generalized epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Oguro
- Department of Neurosurgery, International University of Health and Welfare, Shioya Hospital, Tochigi, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kuniko Shimazaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hidenori Yokota
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Koga Red Cross Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Onuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Murashima
- Divison of Frontier Health Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University Graduate School of Human Health Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensuke Kawai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Muramatsu
- Division of Neurological Gene Therapy, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.,Center for Gene & Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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47
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CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Gene Therapy in Neurological Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 59:968-982. [PMID: 34813019 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02638-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are primarily diseases with sophisticated etiology that are always refractory and recrudescent. The major obstruction to effective therapies for neurological disorders is the poor understanding of their pathogenic mechanisms. CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which allows precise and effective gene editing in almost any cell type and organism, is accelerating the pace of basic biological research. An increasing number of groups are focusing on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders and developing novel therapies using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. This review highlights the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the treatment of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or frontotemporal dementia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Dravet syndrome, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Hopefully, it will improve our understanding of neurological disorders and give insights into future treatments for neurological disorders.
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48
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McTague A, Rossignoli G, Ferrini A, Barral S, Kurian MA. Genome Editing in iPSC-Based Neural Systems: From Disease Models to Future Therapeutic Strategies. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:630600. [PMID: 34713254 PMCID: PMC8525405 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.630600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic advances for neurological disorders are challenging due to limited accessibility of the human central nervous system and incomplete understanding of disease mechanisms. Many neurological diseases lack precision treatments, leading to significant disease burden and poor outcome for affected patients. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides human neuronal cells that facilitate disease modeling and development of therapies. The use of genome editing, in particular CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has extended the potential of iPSCs, generating new models for a number of disorders, including Alzheimers and Parkinson Disease. Editing of iPSCs, in particular with CRISPR-Cas9, allows generation of isogenic pairs, which differ only in the disease-causing mutation and share the same genetic background, for assessment of phenotypic differences and downstream effects. Moreover, genome-wide CRISPR screens allow high-throughput interrogation for genetic modifiers in neuronal phenotypes, leading to discovery of novel pathways, and identification of new therapeutic targets. CRISPR-Cas9 has now evolved beyond altering gene expression. Indeed, fusion of a defective Cas9 (dCas9) nuclease with transcriptional repressors or activation domains allows down-regulation or activation of gene expression (CRISPR interference, CRISPRi; CRISPR activation, CRISPRa). These new tools will improve disease modeling and facilitate CRISPR and cell-based therapies, as seen for epilepsy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Genome engineering holds huge promise for the future understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, but there are numerous barriers to overcome. The synergy of iPSC-based model systems and gene editing will play a vital role in the route to precision medicine and the clinical translation of genome editing-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy McTague
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giada Rossignoli
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arianna Ferrini
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serena Barral
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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49
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Zhang L, Wang Y. Gene therapy in epilepsy. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112075. [PMID: 34488082 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy may constitute a promising alternative to conventional pharmacological tools and surgeries for epilepsy. For primary epilepsy, a single variant leading to a significant effect is relatively rare, while other forms are considered complex in inheritances with multiple susceptible mutations and impacts from the environment. Gene therapy in preclinical models of epilepsy has attempted to perform antiepileptogenic, anticonvulsant, or disease-modifying effects during epileptogenesis or after establishing the disease. Creating gene vectors tailored for different situations is the key to expanding gene therapy, and choosing the appropriate therapeutic target remains another fundamental problem. A variety of treatment strategies, from overexpressing inhibitory neuropeptides to modulating the expression of neurotransmitters or ion channels, have been tested in animal models. Additionally, emerging new approaches of optogenetics and chemogenetics, as well as genome-editing tools will further boost the prosperity of gene therapy. This review summarizes the experience obtained to date and discusses the challenges and opportunities in clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Department of Neurology at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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50
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Bruxel EM, do Canto AM, Bruno DCF, Geraldis JC, Lopes-Cendes I. Multi-omic strategies applied to the study of pharmacoresistance in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2021; 7 Suppl 1:S94-S120. [PMID: 34486831 PMCID: PMC9340306 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most common type of focal epilepsy in adults, and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a frequent histopathological feature in patients with MTLE. Pharmacoresistance is present in at least one-third of patients with MTLE with HS (MTLE+HS). Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanisms of pharmacoresistance in epilepsy, including the effect of genetic and molecular factors. In recent years, the increased knowledge generated by high-throughput omic technologies has significantly improved the power of molecular genetic studies to discover new mechanisms leading to disease and response to treatment. In this review, we present and discuss the contribution of different omic modalities to understand the basic mechanisms determining pharmacoresistance in patients with MTLE+HS. We provide an overview and a critical discussion of the findings, limitations, new approaches, and future directions of these studies to improve the understanding of pharmacoresistance in MTLE+HS. However, it is important to point out that, as with other complex traits, pharmacoresistance to anti-seizure medications is likely a multifactorial condition in which gene-gene and gene-environment interactions play an important role. Thus, studies using multidimensional approaches are more likely to unravel these intricate biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela M Bruxel
- Departments of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Amanda M do Canto
- Departments of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Danielle C F Bruno
- Departments of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline C Geraldis
- Departments of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Iscia Lopes-Cendes
- Departments of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), Campinas, Brazil
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