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Döbler NA, Carbon CC. Adapting Ourselves, Instead of the Environment: An Inquiry into Human Enhancement for Function and Beyond. Integr Psychol Behav Sci 2024; 58:589-637. [PMID: 37597122 PMCID: PMC11052783 DOI: 10.1007/s12124-023-09797-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Technology enables humans not only to adapt their environment to their needs but also to modify themselves. Means of Human Enhancement - embodied technologies to improve the human body's capabilities or to create a new one - are the designated means of adapting ourselves instead of the environment. The debate about these technologies is typically fought on ethical soil. However, alarmist, utopian, and science fiction scenarios distract from the fact that Human Enhancement is a historical and pervasive phenomenon incorporated into many everyday practices. In the vein of disentangling conceptual difficulties, we claim that means of Human Enhancement are either physiologically or psychologically embodied, rendering the merging with the human user their most defining aspect. To fulfill its purpose, an enhancement must pass the test-in-the-world, i.e., assisting with effective engagement with a dynamic world. Even if failing in this regard: Human Enhancement is the fundamental and semi-targeted process of changing the users relationship with the world through the physical or psychological embodiment of a hitherto external object and/or change of one's body. This can potentially change the notion of being human. Drawing on a rich body of theoretical and empirical literature, we aim to provide a nuanced analysis of the transformative nature of this phenomenon in close proximity to human practice. Stakeholders are invited to apply the theory presented here to interrogate their perspective on technology in general and Human Enhancement in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Alexander Döbler
- Department for General Psychology and Methodology, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.
- Research group EPÆG (Ergonomics, Psychological Æsthetics, Gestalt), Bamberg, Germany.
- Bamberg Graduate School of Affective and Cognitive Sciences (BaGrACS), Bamberg, Germany.
| | - Claus-Christian Carbon
- Department for General Psychology and Methodology, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
- Research group EPÆG (Ergonomics, Psychological Æsthetics, Gestalt), Bamberg, Germany
- Bamberg Graduate School of Affective and Cognitive Sciences (BaGrACS), Bamberg, Germany
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2
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Adhikary S, Pathak S, Palani V, Acar A, Banerjee A, Al-Dewik NI, Essa MM, Mohammed SGAA, Qoronfleh MW. Current Technologies and Future Perspectives in Immunotherapy towards a Clinical Oncology Approach. Biomedicines 2024; 12:217. [PMID: 38255322 PMCID: PMC10813720 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010217] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is now established as a potent therapeutic paradigm engendering antitumor immune response against a wide range of malignancies and other diseases by modulating the immune system either through the stimulation or suppression of immune components such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. By targeting several immune checkpoint inhibitors or blockers (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4, LAG3, and TIM-3) expressed on the surface of immune cells, several monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies have been developed and already translated clinically. In addition, natural killer cell-based, dendritic cell-based, and CAR T cell therapies have been also shown to be promising and effective immunotherapeutic approaches. In particular, CAR T cell therapy has benefited from advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology, allowing the generation of several modified CAR T cells with enhanced antitumor immunity. However, the emerging SARS-CoV-2 infection could hijack a patient's immune system by releasing pro-inflammatory interleukins and cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10, and IFN-γ and TNF-α, respectively, which can further promote neutrophil extravasation and the vasodilation of blood vessels. Despite the significant development of advanced immunotherapeutic technologies, after a certain period of treatment, cancer relapses due to the development of resistance to immunotherapy. Resistance may be primary (where tumor cells do not respond to the treatment), or secondary or acquired immune resistance (where tumor cells develop resistance gradually to ICIs therapy). In this context, this review aims to address the existing immunotherapeutic technologies against cancer and the resistance mechanisms against immunotherapeutic drugs, and explain the impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment. In addition, we will discuss what will be the future implementation of these strategies against cancer drug resistance. Finally, we will emphasize the practical steps to lay the groundwork for enlightened policy for intervention and resource allocation to care for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhamay Adhikary
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Vignesh Palani
- Faculty of Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Ahmet Acar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye;
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Nader I. Al-Dewik
- Department of Pediatrics, Women’s Wellness and Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 00974, Qatar;
| | - Musthafa Mohamed Essa
- College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
| | | | - M. Walid Qoronfleh
- Research & Policy Division, Q3 Research Institute (QRI), Ypsilanti, MI 48917, USA
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3
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Arroyo-Olarte R, Mejía-Muñoz A, León-Cabrera S. Expanded Alternatives of CRISPR-Cas9 Applications in Immunotherapy of Colorectal Cancer. Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:69-86. [PMID: 37907826 PMCID: PMC10786962 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00680-z] [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: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) is limited to patients with advanced disease who have already undergone first-line chemotherapy and whose tumors exhibit microsatellite instability. Novel technical strategies are required to enhance therapeutic options and achieve a more robust immunological response. Therefore, exploring gene analysis and manipulation at the molecular level can further accelerate the development of advanced technologies to address these challenges. The emergence of advanced genome editing technology, particularly of clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) 9, holds promise in expanding the boundaries of cancer immunotherapy. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive review of the applications and perspectives of CRISPR technology in improving the design, generation, and efficiency of current immunotherapies, focusing on solid tumors such as colorectal cancer, where these approaches have not been as successful as in hematological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Arroyo-Olarte
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Edo. De México, México
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Edo. De México, México
| | - Aranza Mejía-Muñoz
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Edo. De México, México
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Edo. De México, México
| | - Sonia León-Cabrera
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. De los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Edo. De México, México.
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 54090, Tlalnepantla, Edo. De México, México.
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4
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Maity S, Mukherjee R, Banerjee S. Recent Advances and Therapeutic Strategies Using CRISPR Genome Editing Technique for the Treatment of Cancer. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:206-226. [PMID: 35999480 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00550-9] [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: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR genome editing technique has the potential to target cancer cells in a precise manner. The latest advancements have helped to address one of the prominent concerns about this strategy which is the off-target integrations observed with dsDNA and have resulted in more studies being carried out for potentially safer and more targeted gene therapy, so as to make it available for the clinical trials in order to effectively treat cancer. CRISPR screens offer great potential for the high throughput investigation of the gene functionality in various tumors. It extends its capability to identify the tumor growth essential genes, therapeutic resistant genes, and immunotherapeutic responses. CRISPR screens are mostly performed in in vitro models, but latest advancements focus on developing in vivo models to view cancer progression in animal models. It also allows the detection of factors responsible for tumorigenesis. In CRISPR screens key parameters are optimized in order to meet proficient gene targeting efficiencies. It also detects various molecular effectors required for gene regulation in different cancers, essential pathways which modulate cytotoxicity to immunotherapy in cancer cells, important genes which contribute to cancer cell survival in hypoxic states and modulate cancer long non-coding RNAs. The current review focuses on the recent developments in the therapeutic application of CRISPR technology for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the associated challenges and safety concerns along with the various strategies that can be implemented to overcome these drawbacks has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyasi Maity
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rishyani Mukherjee
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Satarupa Banerjee
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Dutta S, Ganguly A, Chatterjee K, Spada S, Mukherjee S. Targets of Immune Escape Mechanisms in Cancer: Basis for Development and Evolution of Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020218. [PMID: 36829496 PMCID: PMC9952779 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a novel therapeutic tool for cancer therapy in the last decade. Unfortunately, a small number of patients benefit from approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, multiple studies are being conducted to find new ICIs and combination strategies to improve the current ICIs. In this review, we discuss some approved immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4, and also highlight newer emerging ICIs. For instance, HLA-E, overexpressed by tumor cells, represents an immune-suppressive feature by binding CD94/NKG2A, on NK and T cells. NKG2A blockade recruits CD8+ T cells and activates NK cells to decrease the tumor burden. NKG2D acts as an NK cell activating receptor that can also be a potential ICI. The adenosine A2A and A2B receptors, CD47-SIRPα, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and VISTA are targets that also contribute to cancer immunoresistance and have been considered for clinical trials. Their antitumor immunosuppressive functions can be used to develop blocking antibodies. PARPs, mARTs, and B7-H3 are also other potential targets for immunosuppression. Additionally, miRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated immunotherapeutic approaches are being investigated with great interest. Pre-clinical and clinical studies project these targets as potential immunotherapeutic candidates in different cancer types for their robust antitumor modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shovan Dutta
- The Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Anirban Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar 814152, India
| | | | - Sheila Spada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
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6
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Progresses, Challenges, and Prospects of CRISPR/Cas9 Gene-Editing in Glioma Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020396. [PMID: 36672345 PMCID: PMC9856991 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma refers to a tumor that is derived from brain glial stem cells or progenitor cells and is the most common primary intracranial tumor. Due to its complex cellular components, as well as the aggressiveness and specificity of the pathogenic site of glioma, most patients with malignant glioma have poor prognoses following surgeries, radiotherapies, and chemotherapies. In recent years, an increasing amount of research has focused on the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in the treatment of glioma. As an emerging gene-editing technology, CRISPR/Cas9 utilizes the expression of certain functional proteins to repair tissues or treat gene-deficient diseases and could be applied to immunotherapies through the expression of antigens, antibodies, or receptors. In addition, some research also utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to establish tumor models so as to study tumor pathogenesis and screen tumor prognostic targets. This paper mainly discusses the roles of CRISPR/Cas9 in the treatment of glioma patients, the exploration of the pathogenesis of neuroglioma, and the screening targets for clinical prognosis. This paper also raises the future research prospects of CRISPR/Cas9 in glioma, as well as the opportunities and challenges that it will face in clinical treatment in the future.
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7
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Boti MA, Athanasopoulou K, Adamopoulos PG, Sideris DC, Scorilas A. Recent Advances in Genome-Engineering Strategies. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:129. [PMID: 36672870 PMCID: PMC9859587 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In October 2020, the chemistry Nobel Prize was awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the discovery of a new promising genome-editing tool: the genetic scissors of CRISPR-Cas9. The identification of CRISPR arrays and the subsequent identification of cas genes, which together represent an adaptive immunological system that exists not only in bacteria but also in archaea, led to the development of diverse strategies used for precise DNA editing, providing new insights in basic research and in clinical practice. Due to their advantageous features, the CRISPR-Cas systems are already employed in several biological and medical research fields as the most suitable technique for genome engineering. In this review, we aim to describe the CRISPR-Cas systems that have been identified among prokaryotic organisms and engineered for genome manipulation studies. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparison between the innovative CRISPR-Cas methodology and the previously utilized ZFN and TALEN editing nucleases is also discussed. Ultimately, we highlight the contribution of CRISPR-Cas methodology in modern biomedicine and the current plethora of available applications for gene KO, repression and/or overexpression, as well as their potential implementation in therapeutical strategies that aim to improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Panagiotis G. Adamopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece
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8
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Integration of CRISPR/Cas9 with artificial intelligence for improved cancer therapeutics. J Transl Med 2022; 20:534. [PMID: 36401282 PMCID: PMC9673220 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03765-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing has great potential in treating diseases caused by well-characterized molecular alterations. The introduction of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)–based gene-editing tools has substantially improved the precision and efficiency of gene editing. The CRISPR/Cas9 system offers several advantages over the existing gene-editing approaches, such as its ability to target practically any genomic sequence, enabling the rapid development and deployment of novel CRISPR-mediated knock-out/knock-in methods. CRISPR/Cas9 has been widely used to develop cancer models, validate essential genes as druggable targets, study drug-resistance mechanisms, explore gene non-coding areas, and develop biomarkers. CRISPR gene editing can create more-effective chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells that are durable, cost-effective, and more readily available. However, further research is needed to define the CRISPR/Cas9 system’s pros and cons, establish best practices, and determine social and ethical implications. This review summarizes recent CRISPR/Cas9 developments, particularly in cancer research and immunotherapy, and the potential of CRISPR/Cas9-based screening in developing cancer precision medicine and engineering models for targeted cancer therapy, highlighting the existing challenges and future directions. Lastly, we highlight the role of artificial intelligence in refining the CRISPR system's on-target and off-target effects, a critical factor for the broader application in cancer therapeutics.
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9
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Nelson AL, Fontana G, Miclau E, Rongstad M, Murphy W, Huard J, Ehrhart N, Bahney C. Therapeutic approaches to activate the canonical Wnt pathway for bone regeneration. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 16:961-976. [PMID: 36112528 PMCID: PMC9826348 DOI: 10.1002/term.3349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Activation of the canonical Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) pathway has been shown to increase bone formation and therefore has therapeutic potential for use in orthopedic conditions. However, attempts at developing an effective strategy to achieve Wnt activation has been met with several challenges. The inherent hydrophobicity of Wnt ligands makes isolating and purifying the protein difficult. To circumvent these challenges, many have sought to target extracellular inhibitors of the Wnt pathway, such as Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors Sclerostin and Dickkopf-1, or to use small molecules, ions and proteins to increase target Wnt genes. Here, we review systemic and localized bioactive approaches to enhance bone formation or improve bone repair through antibody-based therapeutics, synthetic Wnt surrogates and scaffold doping to target canonical Wnt. We conclude with a brief review of emerging technologies, such as mRNA therapy and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats technology, which serve as promising approaches for future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Laura Nelson
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized MedicineSteadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI)VailColoradoUSA,School of Biomedical EngineeringColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - GianLuca Fontana
- Department of Orthopedics and RehabilitationUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Elizabeth Miclau
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized MedicineSteadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI)VailColoradoUSA
| | - Mallory Rongstad
- Department of Orthopedics and RehabilitationUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - William Murphy
- Department of Orthopedics and RehabilitationUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA,Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Johnny Huard
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized MedicineSteadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI)VailColoradoUSA,Department of Clinical SciencesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Nicole Ehrhart
- School of Biomedical EngineeringColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA,Department of Clinical SciencesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Chelsea Bahney
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized MedicineSteadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI)VailColoradoUSA,School of Biomedical EngineeringColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA,Department of Clinical SciencesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA,Orthopaedic Trauma InstituteUniversity of California, San Francisco (UCSF)San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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10
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Danaeifar M. Recent advances in gene therapy: genetic bullets to the root of the problem. Clin Exp Med 2022:10.1007/s10238-022-00925-x. [PMID: 36284069 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00925-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Genetics and molecular genetic techniques have changed many perspectives and paradigms in medicine. Using genetic methods, many diseases have been cured or alleviated. Gene therapy, in its simplest definition, is application of genetic materials and related techniques to treat various human diseases. Evaluation of the trends in the field of medicine and therapeutics clarifies that gene therapy has attracted a lot of attention due to its powerful potential to treat a number of diseases. There are various genetic materials that can be used in gene therapy such as DNA, single- and double-stranded RNA, siRNA and shRNA. The main gene editing techniques used for in vitro and in vivo gene modification are ZNF, TALEN and CRISPR-Cas9. The latter has increased hopes for more precise and efficient gene targeting as it requires two separate recognition sites which makes it more specific and can also cause rapid and sufficient cleavage within the target sequence. There must be carriers for delivering genes to the target tissue. The most commonly used carriers for this purpose are viral vectors such as adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses and lentiviruses. Non-viral vectors consist of bacterial vectors, liposomes, dendrimers and nanoparticles.
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Shademan B, Masjedi S, Karamad V, Isazadeh A, Sogutlu F, Rad MHS, Nourazarian A. CRISPR Technology in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Opportunities and Challenges. Biochem Genet 2022; 60:1446-1470. [PMID: 35092559 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-022-10193-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A novel gene editing tool, the Cas system, associated with the CRISPR system, is emerging as a potential method for genome modification. This simple method, based on the adaptive immune defense system of prokaryotes, has been developed and used in human cancer research. These technologies have tremendous therapeutic potential, especially in gene therapy, where a patient-specific mutation is genetically corrected to cure diseases that cannot be cured with conventional treatments. However, translating CRISPR/Cas9 into the clinic will be challenging, as we still need to improve the efficiency, specificity, and application of the technology. In this review, we will explain how CRISPR-Cas9 technology can treat cancer at the molecular level, focusing on ordination and the epigenome. We will also focus on the promise and shortcomings of this system to ensure its application in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrouz Shademan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, EGE University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sepideh Masjedi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Sciences, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran
| | - Vahidreza Karamad
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, EGE University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Alireza Isazadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatma Sogutlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, EGE University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Alireza Nourazarian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran.
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12
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Nie D, Guo T, Yue M, Li W, Zong X, Zhu Y, Huang J, Lin M. Research Progress on Nanoparticles-Based CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted Therapy of Tumors. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091239. [PMID: 36139078 PMCID: PMC9496048 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a genetic mutation disease that seriously endangers the health and life of all human beings. As one of the most amazing academic achievements in the past decade, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been sought after by many researchers due to its powerful gene editing capability. CRISPR/Cas9 technology shows great potential in oncology, and has become one of the most promising technologies for cancer genome-editing therapeutics. However, its efficiency and the safety issues of in vivo gene editing severely limit its widespread application. Therefore, developing a suitable delivery method for the CRISPR/Cas9 system is an urgent problem to be solved at present. Rapid advances in nanomedicine suggest nanoparticles could be a viable option. In this review, we summarize the latest research on the potential use of nanoparticle-based CRISPR/Cas9 systems in cancer therapeutics, in order to further their clinical application. We hope that this review will provide a novel insight into the CRISPR/Cas9 system and offer guidance for nanocarrier designs that will enable its use in cancer clinical applications.
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13
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Paskeh MDA, Entezari M, Mirzaei S, Zabolian A, Saleki H, Naghdi MJ, Sabet S, Khoshbakht MA, Hashemi M, Hushmandi K, Sethi G, Zarrabi A, Kumar AP, Tan SC, Papadakis M, Alexiou A, Islam MA, Mostafavi E, Ashrafizadeh M. Emerging role of exosomes in cancer progression and tumor microenvironment remodeling. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:83. [PMID: 35765040 PMCID: PMC9238168 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01305-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and the factors responsible for its progression need to be elucidated. Exosomes are structures with an average size of 100 nm that can transport proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. This review focuses on the role of exosomes in cancer progression and therapy. We discuss how exosomes are able to modulate components of the tumor microenvironment and influence proliferation and migration rates of cancer cells. We also highlight that, depending on their cargo, exosomes can suppress or promote tumor cell progression and can enhance or reduce cancer cell response to radio- and chemo-therapies. In addition, we describe how exosomes can trigger chronic inflammation and lead to immune evasion and tumor progression by focusing on their ability to transfer non-coding RNAs between cells and modulate other molecular signaling pathways such as PTEN and PI3K/Akt in cancer. Subsequently, we discuss the use of exosomes as carriers of anti-tumor agents and genetic tools to control cancer progression. We then discuss the role of tumor-derived exosomes in carcinogenesis. Finally, we devote a section to the study of exosomes as diagnostic and prognostic tools in clinical courses that is important for the treatment of cancer patients. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of exosomes in cancer therapy, focusing on their therapeutic value in cancer progression and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Saleki
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohamad Javad Naghdi
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Sabet
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Khoshbakht
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, 34396, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Shing Cheng Tan
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, University of Witten-Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, Australia.,AFNP Med Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Md Asiful Islam
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.,Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ebrahim Mostafavi
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
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14
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Vaghari-Tabari M, Hassanpour P, Sadeghsoltani F, Malakoti F, Alemi F, Qujeq D, Asemi Z, Yousefi B. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing: a new approach for overcoming drug resistance in cancer. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:49. [PMID: 35715750 PMCID: PMC9204876 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00348-2] [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: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is an RNA-based adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea. Various studies have shown that it is possible to target a wide range of human genes and treat some human diseases, including cancers, by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. In fact, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is one of the most efficient genome manipulation techniques. Studies have shown that CRISPR/Cas9 technology, in addition to having the potential to be used as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancers, can also be used to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments. Undoubtedly, the issue of drug resistance is one of the main obstacles in the treatment of cancers. Cancer cells resist anticancer drugs by a variety of mechanisms, such as enhancing anticancer drugs efflux, enhancing DNA repair, enhancing stemness, and attenuating apoptosis. Mutations in some proteins of different cellular signaling pathways are associated with these events and drug resistance. Recent studies have shown that the CRISPR/Cas9 technique can be used to target important genes involved in these mechanisms, thereby increasing the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. In this review article, studies related to the applications of this technique in overcoming drug resistance in cancer cells will be reviewed. In addition, we will give a brief overview of the limitations of the CRISP/Cas9 gene-editing technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parisa Hassanpour
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghsoltani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Faezeh Malakoti
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Forough Alemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Durdi Qujeq
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC), Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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15
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Rouatbi N, McGlynn T, Al-Jamal KT. Pre-clinical non-viral vectors exploited for in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing: an overview. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:3410-3432. [PMID: 35604372 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01452h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats or CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a potent and versatile tool for efficient genome editing. This technology has been exploited for several applications including disease modelling, cell therapy, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases including cancer. The in vivo application of CRISPR/Cas9 is hindered by poor stability, pharmacokinetic profile, and the limited ability of the CRISPR payloads to cross biological barriers. Although viral vectors have been implemented as delivery tools for efficient in vivo gene editing, their application is associated with high immunogenicity and toxicity, limiting their clinical translation. Hence, there is a need to explore new delivery methods that can guarantee safe and efficient delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 components to target cells. In this review, we first provide a brief history and principles of nuclease-mediated gene editing, we then focus on the different CRISPR/Cas9 formats outlining their potentials and limitations. Finally, we discuss the alternative non-viral delivery strategies currently adopted for in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Rouatbi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
| | - Tasneem McGlynn
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
| | - Khuloud T Al-Jamal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
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16
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McMillan HJ, Proud CM, Farrar MA, Alexander IE, Muntoni F, Servais L. Onasemnogene abeparvovec for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:1075-1090. [PMID: 35437095 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2066471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) represents a significant milestone in the treatment of neurologic diseases. SMA is a neurodegenerative disease that results in motor neuron loss because of mutations of the survival motor neuron 1 gene, which directs survival motor neuron (SMN) protein production. Onasemnogene abeparvovec, a one-time gene replacement therapy, delivers a functional transgene to restore SMN protein expression. Onasemnogene abeparvovec has demonstrated improved survival and motor milestone achievements for presymptomatic infants and patients with SMA type 1. AREAS COVERED This expert review describes the current state of gene therapy for SMA, reviews the mechanism of and clinical experience with onasemnogene abeparvovec, explains future efforts to expand applications of gene therapy for SMA, and provides context for developing gene therapy for other conditions. EXPERT OPINION Onasemnogene abeparvovec has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials and, because of this, is a valuable treatment option for patients with symptomatic infantile SMA and those identified by newborn screening. Gene therapy is still in its infancy, and challenges and uncertainties associated with transgene delivery must be addressed. With ongoing development of vector technology, more specific tissue tropism, reduced "off-target" effects, and an enhanced safety profile will continue to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh J McMillan
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Crystal M Proud
- Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney.,Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, & Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, UK
| | - Laurent Servais
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège & Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.,MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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17
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Zhou E, Zhang Y, Wang H, Jia Z, Wang X, Wen J, Shen J, Fu T, Yi B. Identification and Characterization of the MIKC-Type MADS-Box Gene Family in Brassica napus and Its Role in Floral Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084289. [PMID: 35457106 PMCID: PMC9026197 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing rapeseed yield has always been a primary goal of rapeseed research and breeding. However, flowering time is a prerequisite for stable rapeseed yield and determines its adaptability to ecological regions. MIKC-type MADS-box (MICK) genes are a class of transcription factors that are involved in various physiological and developmental processes in plants. To understand their role in floral transition-related pathways, a genome-wide screening was conducted with Brassica napus (B. napus), which revealed 172 members. Using previous data from a genome-wide association analysis of flowering traits, BnaSVP and BnaSEP1 were identified as candidate flowering genes. Therefore, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to verify the function of BnaSVP and BnaSEP1 in B. napus. T0 plants were edited efficiently at the BnaSVP and BnaSEP1 target sites to generate homozygous and heterozygous mutants with most mutations stably inherited by the next generation. Notably, the mutant only showed the early flowering phenotype when all homologous copies of BnaSVP were edited, indicating functional redundancy between homologous copies. However, no changes in flowering were observed in the BnaSEP1 mutant. Quantitative analysis of the pathway-related genes in the BnaSVP mutant revealed the upregulation of SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes, which promoted early flowering in the mutant. In summary, our study created early flowering mutants, which provided valuable resources for early maturing breeding, and provided a new method for improving polyploid crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enqiang Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
- Jiangsu Yanjiang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Nantong 226001, China; (Y.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Yin Zhang
- Jiangsu Yanjiang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Nantong 226001, China; (Y.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Huadong Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
| | - Zhibo Jia
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Jiangsu Yanjiang Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Nantong 226001, China; (Y.Z.); (X.W.)
| | - Jing Wen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
| | - Jinxiong Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
| | - Tingdong Fu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
| | - Bin Yi
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Rapeseed Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (E.Z.); (H.W.); (Z.J.); (J.W.); (J.S.); (T.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-27-8728-1676; Fax: +86-27-8728-0009
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18
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Selvakumar SC, Preethi KA, Ross K, Tusubira D, Khan MWA, Mani P, Rao TN, Sekar D. CRISPR/Cas9 and next generation sequencing in the personalized treatment of Cancer. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:83. [PMID: 35331236 PMCID: PMC8944095 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01565-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer is caused by a combination of genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Current cancer therapies are limited due to the complexity of their mechanism, underlining the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Interestingly, combining the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) system with next-generation sequencing (NGS) has the potential to speed up the identification, validation, and targeting of high-value targets. Main text Personalized or precision medicine combines genetic information with phenotypic and environmental characteristics to produce healthcare tailored to the individual and eliminates the constraints of “one-size-fits-all” therapy. Precision medicine is now possible thanks to cancer genome sequencing. Having advantages over limited sample requirements and the recent development of biomarkers have made the use of NGS a major leap in personalized medicine. Tumor and cell-free DNA profiling using NGS, proteome and RNA analyses, and a better understanding of immunological systems, are all helping to improve cancer treatment choices. Finally, direct targeting of tumor genes in cancer cells with CRISPR/Cas9 may be achievable, allowing for eliminating genetic changes that lead to tumor growth and metastatic capability. Conclusion With NGS and CRISPR/Cas9, the goal is no longer to match the treatment for the diagnosed tumor but rather to build a treatment method that fits the tumor exactly. Hence, in this review, we have discussed the potential role of CRISPR/Cas9 and NGS in advancing personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmaa Chandralekha Selvakumar
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India
| | - K Auxzilia Preethi
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India
| | - Kehinde Ross
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Deusdedit Tusubira
- Biochemistry Department, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
| | - Mohd Wajid Ali Khan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Panagal Mani
- Department of Biotechnology, Annai College of Arts and Science, Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Tentu Nageswara Rao
- Department of Chemistry, Krishna University, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 521001, India
| | - Durairaj Sekar
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India.
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19
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Karagiannakos A, Adamaki M, Tsintarakis A, Vojtesek B, Fåhraeus R, Zoumpourlis V, Karakostis K. Targeting Oncogenic Pathways in the Era of Personalized Oncology: A Systemic Analysis Reveals Highly Mutated Signaling Pathways in Cancer Patients and Potential Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030664. [PMID: 35158934 PMCID: PMC8833388 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. One of the main hallmarks in cancer is the functional deregulation of crucial molecular pathways via driver genetic events that lead to abnormal gene expression, giving cells a selective growth advantage. Driver events are defined as mutations, fusions and copy number alterations that are causally implicated in oncogenesis. Molecular analysis on tissues that have originated from a wide range of anatomical areas has shown that mutations in different members of several pathways are implicated in different cancer types. In recent decades, significant efforts have been made to incorporate this knowledge into daily medical practice, providing substantial insight towards clinical diagnosis and personalized therapies. However, since there is still a strong need for more effective drug development, a deep understanding of the involved signaling mechanisms and the interconnections between these pathways is highly anticipated. Here, we perform a systemic analysis on cancer patients included in the Pan-Cancer Atlas project, with the aim to select the ten most highly mutated signaling pathways (p53, RTK-RAS, lipids metabolism, PI-3-Kinase/Akt, ubiquitination, b-catenin/Wnt, Notch, cell cycle, homology directed repair (HDR) and splicing) and to provide a detailed description of each pathway, along with the corresponding therapeutic applications currently being developed or applied. The ultimate scope is to review the current knowledge on highly mutated pathways and to address the attractive perspectives arising from ongoing experimental studies for the clinical implementation of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Karagiannakos
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (M.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Maria Adamaki
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (M.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Antonis Tsintarakis
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (M.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Borek Vojtesek
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 65653 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.V.); (R.F.)
| | - Robin Fåhraeus
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 65653 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.V.); (R.F.)
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, F-75010 Paris, France
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Vassilis Zoumpourlis
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (M.A.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: (V.Z.); (K.K.)
| | - Konstantinos Karakostis
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (M.A.); (A.T.)
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, F-75010 Paris, France
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (V.Z.); (K.K.)
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20
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Liscum M, Garcia ML. You can't keep a bad idea down: Dark history, death, and potential rebirth of eugenics. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:902-937. [PMID: 34919789 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
"Be careful what you wish for": This adage guides both how this project came to life, and how the topic covered in this review continues to unfold. What began as talks between two friends on shared interests in military history led to a 4-year discussion about how our science curriculum does little to introduce our students to societal and ethical impacts of the science they are taught. What emerged was a curricular idea centered on how "good intentions" of some were developed and twisted by others to result in disastrous consequences of state-sanctioned eugenics. In this article, we take the reader (as we did our students) through the long and soiled history of eugenic thought, from its genesis to the present. Though our focus is on European and American eugenics, we will show how the interfaces and interactions between science and society have evolved over time but have remained ever constant. Four critical 'case studies' will also be employed here for deep, thoughtful exploration on a particular eugenic issue. The goal of the review, as it is with our course, is not to paint humanity with a single evil brush. Instead, our ambition is to introduce our students/readers to the potential for harm through the misapplication and misappropriation of science and scientific technology, and to provide them with the tools to ask the appropriate questions of their scientists, physicians, and politicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mannie Liscum
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael L Garcia
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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21
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Bender G, Fahrioglu Yamaci R, Taneri B. CRISPR and KRAS: a match yet to be made. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:77. [PMID: 34781949 PMCID: PMC8591907 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems are one of the most fascinating tools of the current era in molecular biotechnology. With the ease that they provide in genome editing, CRISPR systems generate broad opportunities for targeting mutations. Specifically in recent years, disease-causing mutations targeted by the CRISPR systems have been of main research interest; particularly for those diseases where there is no current cure, including cancer. KRAS mutations remain untargetable in cancer. Mutations in this oncogene are main drivers in common cancers, including lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, which are severe causes of public health burden and mortality worldwide, with no cure at hand. CRISPR systems provide an opportunity for targeting cancer causing mutations. In this review, we highlight the work published on CRISPR applications targeting KRAS mutations directly, as well as CRISPR applications targeting mutations in KRAS-related molecules. In specific, we focus on lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. To date, the limited literature on CRISPR applications targeting KRAS, reflect promising results. Namely, direct targeting of mutant KRAS variants using various CRISPR systems resulted in significant decrease in cell viability and proliferation in vitro, as well as tumor growth inhibition in vivo. In addition, the effect of mutant KRAS knockdown, via CRISPR, has been observed to exert regulatory effects on the downstream molecules including PI3K, ERK, Akt, Stat3, and c-myc. Molecules in the KRAS pathway have been subjected to CRISPR applications more often than KRAS itself. The aim of using CRISPR systems in these studies was mainly to analyze the therapeutic potential of possible downstream and upstream effectors of KRAS, as well as to discover further potential molecules. Although there have been molecules identified to have such potential in treatment of KRAS-driven cancers, a substantial amount of effort is still needed to establish treatment strategies based on these discoveries. We conclude that, at this point in time, despite being such a powerful directed genome editing tool, CRISPR remains to be underutilized for targeting KRAS mutations in cancer. Efforts channelled in this direction, might pave the way in solving the long-standing challenge of targeting the KRAS mutations in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guzide Bender
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rezan Fahrioglu Yamaci
- Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Cultural Studies, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bahar Taneri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, via Mersin-10, Famagusta, 99628, North Cyprus, Turkey.
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute for Public Health Genomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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22
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Pan X, Veroniaina H, Su N, Sha K, Jiang F, Wu Z, Qi X. Applications and developments of gene therapy drug delivery systems for genetic diseases. Asian J Pharm Sci 2021; 16:687-703. [PMID: 35027949 PMCID: PMC8737406 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diseases seriously threaten human health and have always been one of the refractory conditions facing humanity. Currently, gene therapy drugs such as siRNA, shRNA, antisense oligonucleotide, CRISPR/Cas9 system, plasmid DNA and miRNA have shown great potential in biomedical applications. To avoid the degradation of gene therapy drugs in the body and effectively deliver them to target tissues, cells and organelles, the development of excellent drug delivery vehicles is of utmost importance. Viral vectors are the most widely used delivery vehicles for gene therapy in vivo and in vitro due to their high transfection efficiency and stable transgene expression. With the development of nanotechnology, novel nanocarriers are gradually replacing viral vectors, emerging superior performance. This review mainly illuminates the current widely used gene therapy drugs, summarizes the viral vectors and non-viral vectors that deliver gene therapy drugs, and sums up the application of gene therapy to treat genetic diseases. Additionally, the challenges and opportunities of the field are discussed from the perspective of developing an effective nano-delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhua Pan
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | | | - Nan Su
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Kang Sha
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Fenglin Jiang
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Zhenghong Wu
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaole Qi
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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Luo B, Zhan Y, Luo M, Dong H, Liu J, Lin Y, Zhang J, Wang G, Verhoeyen E, Zhang Y, Zhang H. Engineering of α-PD-1 antibody-expressing long-lived plasma cells by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted gene integration. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:973. [PMID: 33184267 PMCID: PMC7661525 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03187-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) are robust specialized antibody-secreting cells that mainly stay in the bone marrow and can persist a lifetime. As they can be generated by inducing the differentiation of B-lymphocytes, we investigated the possibility that human LLPCs might be engineered to express α-PD-1 monoclonal antibody to substitute recombinant α-PD-1 antitumor immunotherapy. To this end, we inserted an α-PD-1 cassette into the GAPDH locus through Cas9/sgRNA-guided specific integration in B-lymphocytes, which was mediated by an integrase-defective lentiviral vector. The edited B cells were capable of differentiating into LLPCs both in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptional profiling analysis confirmed that these cells were typical LLPCs. Importantly, these cells secreted de novo antibodies persistently, which were able to inhibit human melanoma growth via an antibody-mediated checkpoint blockade in xenograft-tumor mice. Our work suggests that the engineered LLPCs may be utilized as a vehicle to constantly produce special antibodies for long-term cellular immunotherapy to eradicate tumors and cellular reservoirs for various pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohong Luo
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yikang Zhan
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minqi Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huimin Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingtong Lin
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junsong Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanwen Wang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology, Research team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, C3M, 06204, Nice, France
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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