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Huayamares SG, Loughrey D, Kim H, Dahlman JE, Sorscher EJ. Nucleic acid-based drugs for patients with solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024:10.1038/s41571-024-00883-1. [PMID: 38589512 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of patients with advanced-stage solid tumours typically involves a multimodality approach (including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy), which is often ultimately ineffective. Nucleic acid-based drugs, either as monotherapies or in combination with standard-of-care therapies, are rapidly emerging as novel treatments capable of generating responses in otherwise refractory tumours. These therapies include those using viral vectors (also referred to as gene therapies), several of which have now been approved by regulatory agencies, and nanoparticles containing mRNAs and a range of other nucleotides. In this Review, we describe the development and clinical activity of viral and non-viral nucleic acid-based treatments, including their mechanisms of action, tolerability and available efficacy data from patients with solid tumours. We also describe the effects of the tumour microenvironment on drug delivery for both systemically administered and locally administered agents. Finally, we discuss important trends resulting from ongoing clinical trials and preclinical testing, and manufacturing and/or stability considerations that are expected to underpin the next generation of nucleic acid agents for patients with solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian G Huayamares
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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2
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Bharti N, Santos L, Davyt M, Behrmann S, Eichholtz M, Jimenez-Sanchez A, Hong JS, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Albers S, Ignatova Z. Translation velocity determines the efficacy of engineered suppressor tRNAs on pathogenic nonsense mutations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2957. [PMID: 38580646 PMCID: PMC10997658 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47258-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonsense mutations - the underlying cause of approximately 11% of all genetic diseases - prematurely terminate protein synthesis by mutating a sense codon to a premature stop or termination codon (PTC). An emerging therapeutic strategy to suppress nonsense defects is to engineer sense-codon decoding tRNAs to readthrough and restore translation at PTCs. However, the readthrough efficiency of the engineered suppressor tRNAs (sup-tRNAs) largely varies in a tissue- and sequence context-dependent manner and has not yet yielded optimal clinical efficacy for many nonsense mutations. Here, we systematically analyze the suppression efficacy at various pathogenic nonsense mutations. We discover that the translation velocity of the sequence upstream of PTCs modulates the sup-tRNA readthrough efficacy. The PTCs most refractory to suppression are embedded in a sequence context translated with an abrupt reversal of the translation speed leading to ribosomal collisions. Moreover, modeling translation velocity using Ribo-seq data can accurately predict the suppression efficacy at PTCs. These results reveal previously unknown molecular signatures contributing to genotype-phenotype relationships and treatment-response heterogeneity, and provide the framework for the development of personalized tRNA-based gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Bharti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonardo Santos
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcos Davyt
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stine Behrmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marie Eichholtz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Suki Albers
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
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3
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Lee JH, LeCher JC, Parigoris E, Shinagawa N, Sentosa J, Manfredi C, Goh SL, De R, Tao S, Zandi K, Amblard F, Sorscher EJ, Spence JR, Tirouvanziam R, Schinazi RF, Takayama S. Stably-Inverted Apical-Out Human Upper Airway Organoids for SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Therapeutic Testing. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.02.573939. [PMID: 38260306 PMCID: PMC10802305 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.02.573939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Apical-out organoids produced through eversion triggered by extra-organoid extracellular matrix (ECM) removal or degradation are generally small, structurally variable, and limited for viral infection and therapeutics testing. This work describes ECM-encapsulating, stably-inverted apical-out human upper airway organoids (AORBs) that are large (~500 μm diameter), consistently spherical, recapitulate in vivo-like cellular heterogeneity, and maintain their inverted morphology for over 60 days. Treatment of AORBs with IL-13 skews differentiation towards goblet cells and the apical-out geometry allows extra-organoid mucus collection. AORB maturation for 14 days induces strong co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 to allow high-yield infection with five SARS-CoV-2 variants. Dose-response analysis of three well-studied SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds [remdesivir, bemnifosbuvir (AT-511), and nirmatrelvir] shows AORB antiviral assays to be comparable to gold-standard air-liquid interface cultures, but with higher throughput (~10-fold) and fewer cells (~100-fold). While this work focuses on SARS-CoV-2 applications, the consistent AORB shape and size, and one-organoid-per-well modularity broadly impacts in vitro human cell model standardization efforts in line with economic imperatives and recently updated FDA regulation on therapeutic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hoon Lee
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Julia C. LeCher
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eric Parigoris
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Noriyuki Shinagawa
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jason Sentosa
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Candela Manfredi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shu Ling Goh
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ramyani De
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sijia Tao
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Keivan Zandi
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Franck Amblard
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jason R. Spence
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rabindra Tirouvanziam
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for CF and Airways Disease Research, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center for Viroscience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shuichi Takayama
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA USA
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4
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Tedbury PR, Manfredi C, Degenhardt F, Conway J, Horwath MC, McCracken C, Sorscher AJ, Moreau S, Wright C, Edwards C, Brewer J, Guarner J, de Wit E, Williamson BN, Suthar MS, Ong YT, Roback JD, Alter DN, Holter JC, Karlsen TH, Sacchi N, Romero-Gómez M, Invernizzi P, Fernández J, Buti M, Albillos A, Julià A, Valenti L, Asselta R, Banales JM, Bujanda L, de Cid R, Sarafianos SG, Hong JS, Sorscher EJ, Ehrhardt A. Mechanisms by which the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator may influence SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23220. [PMID: 37801035 PMCID: PMC10760435 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300077r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit pronounced respiratory damage and were initially considered among those at highest risk for serious harm from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Numerous clinical studies have subsequently reported that individuals with CF in North America and Europe-while susceptible to severe COVID-19-are often spared from the highest levels of virus-associated mortality. To understand features that might influence COVID-19 among patients with cystic fibrosis, we studied relationships between SARS-CoV-2 and the gene responsible for CF (i.e., the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR). In contrast to previous reports, we found no association between CFTR carrier status (mutation heterozygosity) and more severe COVID-19 clinical outcomes. We did observe an unexpected trend toward higher mortality among control individuals compared with silent carriers of the common F508del CFTR variant-a finding that will require further study. We next performed experiments to test the influence of homozygous CFTR deficiency on viral propagation and showed that SARS-CoV-2 production in primary airway cells was not altered by the absence of functional CFTR using two independent protocols. On the contrary, experiments performed in vitro strongly indicated that virus proliferation depended on features of the mucosal fluid layer known to be disrupted by absent CFTR in patients with CF, including both low pH and increased viscosity. These results point to the acidic, viscous, and mucus-obstructed airways in patients with cystic fibrosis as unfavorable for the establishment of coronaviral infection. Our findings provide new and important information concerning relationships between the CF clinical phenotype and severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R. Tedbury
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Candela Manfredi
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Frauke Degenhardt
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Joseph Conway
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia, United States
| | - Michael C. Horwath
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Courtney McCracken
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Adam J. Sorscher
- Dartmouth University School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Sandy Moreau
- Elliot Hospital, Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
| | | | - Carolina Edwards
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia, United States
| | - Jo Brewer
- Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia, United States
| | | | - Emmie de Wit
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States
| | - Brandi N. Williamson
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States
| | - Mehul S. Suthar
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Yee T. Ong
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - John D. Roback
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - David N. Alter
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Jan C. Holter
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom H. Karlsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Gastroenterology, Department of Transplantation Medicine, Division for Cancer Medicine, Surgery and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain
- University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Digestive Diseases Unit, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Javier Fernández
- Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF-CLIF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit. Hospital Universitario Valle Hebron and CIBEREHD del Instituto Carlos III. Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agustin Albillos
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, University of Alcalá, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Julià
- Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luca Valenti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Biological Resorce Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan Italy
| | - Rosanna Asselta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jesus M. Banales
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute – Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luis Bujanda
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute – Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Rafael de Cid
- Genomes for Life-GCAT lab. German Trias I Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | | | - Stefan G. Sarafianos
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Jeong S. Hong
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Annette Ehrhardt
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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5
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Rab A, Yang X, Tracy WF, Hong JS, Joshi D, Manfredi C, Ponnaluri SS, Kolykhalov AA, Qui M, Fu H, Du Y, Davies HML, Sorscher EJ. A Novel 7 H-[1,2,4]Triazolo[3,4- b]thiadiazine-based Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Potentiator Directed toward Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1338-1343. [PMID: 37849531 PMCID: PMC10577695 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal genetic disorder caused by disrupted anion transport in epithelial cells lining tissues in the human airways and digestive system. While cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator compounds have provided transformative improvement in CF respiratory function, certain patients exhibit marginal clinical benefit or detrimental effects or have a form of the disease not approved or unlikely to respond using CFTR modulation. We tested hit compounds from a 300,000-drug screen for their ability to augment CFTR transepithelial transport alone or in combination with the FDA-approved CFTR potentiator ivacaftor (VX-770). A subsequent SAR campaign led us to a class of 7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines that in combination with VX-770 rescued function of G551D mutant CFTR channels to approximately 400% above the activity of VX-770 alone and to nearly wild-type CFTR levels in the same Fischer rat thyroid model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras Rab
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Xun Yang
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30329, United States
| | - William F. Tracy
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30329, United States
| | - Jeong S. Hong
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Candela Manfredi
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Sadhana S. Ponnaluri
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | | | - Min Qui
- Department
of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory
University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Emory
Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory
University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Haian Fu
- Department
of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory
University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Emory
Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory
University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department
of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory
University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Emory
Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory
University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Huw M. L. Davies
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30329, United States
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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6
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Kim M, McDonald EF, Sabusap CMP, Timalsina B, Joshi D, Hong JS, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Plate L. Elexacaftor/VX-445-mediated CFTR interactome remodeling reveals differential correction driven by mutation-specific translational dynamics. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105242. [PMID: 37690692 PMCID: PMC10579539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most prevalent lethal genetic diseases with over 2000 identified mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Pharmacological chaperones such as lumacaftor (VX-809), tezacaftor (VX-661), and elexacaftor (VX-445) treat mutation-induced defects by stabilizing CFTR and are called correctors. These correctors improve proper folding and thus facilitate processing and trafficking to increase the amount of functional CFTR on the cell surface. Yet, CFTR variants display differential responses to each corrector. Here, we report that variants P67L and L206W respond similarly to VX-809 but divergently to VX-445 with P67L exhibiting little rescue when treated with VX-445. We investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of how CFTR biogenesis is altered by correctors in these variants. Affinity purification-mass spectrometry multiplexed with isobaric tandem mass tags was used to quantify CFTR protein-protein interaction changes between variants P67L and L206W. VX-445 facilitates unique proteostasis factor interactions especially in translation, folding, and degradation pathways in a CFTR variant-dependent manner. A number of these interacting proteins knocked down by siRNA, such as ribosomal subunit proteins, moderately rescued fully glycosylated P67L. Importantly, these knockdowns sensitize P67L to VX-445 and further enhance the trafficking correction of this variant. Partial inhibition of protein translation also mildly sensitizes P67L CFTR to VX-445 correction, supporting a role for translational dynamics in the rescue mechanism of VX-445. Our results provide a better understanding of VX-445 biological mechanism of action and reveal cellular targets that may sensitize nonresponsive CFTR variants to known and available correctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsoo Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Program in Chemical and Physical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eli Fritz McDonald
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Bibek Timalsina
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lars Plate
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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7
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Albers S, Allen EC, Bharti N, Davyt M, Joshi D, Perez-Garcia CG, Santos L, Mukthavaram R, Delgado-Toscano MA, Molina B, Kuakini K, Alayyoubi M, Park KJJ, Acharya G, Gonzalez JA, Sagi A, Birket SE, Tearney GJ, Rowe SM, Manfredi C, Hong JS, Tachikawa K, Karmali P, Matsuda D, Sorscher EJ, Chivukula P, Ignatova Z. Engineered tRNAs suppress nonsense mutations in cells and in vivo. Nature 2023; 618:842-848. [PMID: 37258671 PMCID: PMC10284701 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06133-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Nonsense mutations are the underlying cause of approximately 11% of all inherited genetic diseases1. Nonsense mutations convert a sense codon that is decoded by tRNA into a premature termination codon (PTC), resulting in an abrupt termination of translation. One strategy to suppress nonsense mutations is to use natural tRNAs with altered anticodons to base-pair to the newly emerged PTC and promote translation2-7. However, tRNA-based gene therapy has not yielded an optimal combination of clinical efficacy and safety and there is presently no treatment for individuals with nonsense mutations. Here we introduce a strategy based on altering native tRNAs into efficient suppressor tRNAs (sup-tRNAs) by individually fine-tuning their sequence to the physico-chemical properties of the amino acid that they carry. Intravenous and intratracheal lipid nanoparticle (LNP) administration of sup-tRNA in mice restored the production of functional proteins with nonsense mutations. LNP-sup-tRNA formulations caused no discernible readthrough at endogenous native stop codons, as determined by ribosome profiling. At clinically important PTCs in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR), the sup-tRNAs re-established expression and function in cell systems and patient-derived nasal epithelia and restored airway volume homeostasis. These results provide a framework for the development of tRNA-based therapies with a high molecular safety profile and high efficacy in targeted PTC suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suki Albers
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Nikhil Bharti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcos Davyt
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Leonardo Santos
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amit Sagi
- Arcturus Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Susan E Birket
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Guillermo J Tearney
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA
| | - Steven M Rowe
- Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Candela Manfredi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Zoya Ignatova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
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8
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Huayamares SG, Lokugamage MP, Rab R, Da Silva Sanchez AJ, Kim H, Radmand A, Loughrey D, Lian L, Hou Y, Achyut BR, Ehrhardt A, Hong JS, Sago CD, Paunovska K, Echeverri ES, Vanover D, Santangelo PJ, Sorscher EJ, Dahlman E. High-throughput screens identify a lipid nanoparticle that preferentially delivers mRNA to human tumors in vivo. J Control Release 2023; 357:394-403. [PMID: 37028451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a clinically relevant way to deliver therapeutic mRNA to hepatocytes in patients. However, LNP-mRNA delivery to end-stage solid tumors such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains more challenging. While scientists have used in vitro assays to evaluate potential nanoparticles for HNSCC delivery, high-throughput delivery assays performed directly in vivo have not been reported. Here we use a high-throughput LNP assay to evaluate how 94 chemically distinct nanoparticles delivered nucleic acids to HNSCC solid tumors in vivo. DNA barcodes were used to identify LNPHNSCC, a novel LNP for systemic delivery to HNSCC solid tumors. Importantly, LNPHNSCC retains tropism to HNSCC solid tumors while minimizing off-target delivery to the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian G Huayamares
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Melissa P Lokugamage
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Regina Rab
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alejandro J Da Silva Sanchez
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Afsane Radmand
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Liming Lian
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Yuning Hou
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Bhagelu R Achyut
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Annette Ehrhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Cory D Sago
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Kalina Paunovska
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Elisa Schrader Echeverri
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Daryll Vanover
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Philip J Santangelo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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9
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Kim M, McDonald EF, Sabusap CMP, Timalsina B, Joshi D, Hong JS, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Plate L. Elexacaftor/VX-445-mediated CFTR interactome remodeling reveals differential correction driven by mutation-specific translational dynamics. bioRxiv 2023:2023.02.04.527134. [PMID: 36778339 PMCID: PMC9915750 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.04.527134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most prevalent lethal genetic diseases with over 2000 identified mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Pharmacological chaperones such as Lumacaftor (VX-809), Tezacaftor (VX-661) and Elexacaftor (VX-445) treat mutation-induced defects by stabilizing CFTR and are called correctors. These correctors improve proper folding and thus facilitate processing and trafficking to increase the amount of functional CFTR on the cell surface. Yet, CFTR variants display differential responses to each corrector. Here, we report variants P67L and L206W respond similarly to VX-809 but divergently to VX-445 with P67L exhibiting little rescue when treated with VX-445. We investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of how CFTR biogenesis is altered by correctors in these variants. Affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) multiplexed with isobaric Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) was used to quantify CFTR protein-protein interaction changes between variants P67L and L206W. VX-445 facilitates unique proteostasis factor interactions especially in translation, folding, and degradation pathways in a CFTR variant-dependent manner. A number of these interacting proteins knocked down by siRNA, such as ribosomal subunit proteins, moderately rescued fully glycosylated P67L. Importantly, these knock-downs sensitize P67L to VX-445 and further enhance the correction of this variant. Our results provide a better understanding of VX-445 biological mechanism of action and reveal cellular targets that may sensitize unresponsive CFTR variants to known and available correctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsoo Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
- Program in Chemical and Physical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Eli Fritz McDonald
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | | | - Bibek Timalsina
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Jeong S. Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Lars Plate
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
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10
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Rab R, Ehrhardt A, Achyut BR, Joshi D, Gilbert‐Ross M, Huang C, Floyd K, Borovjagin AV, Parker WB, Sorscher EJ, Hong JS. Evaluating antitumor activity of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase against head and neck patient-derived xenografts. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6:e1708. [PMID: 36253876 PMCID: PMC9939994 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) gene transfer represents a promising approach to treatment of head and neck malignancies. We tested recombinant adenovirus already in phase I/II clinical testing and leading-edge patient-derived xenografts (PDX) as a means to optimize this therapeutic strategy. METHODS Our experiments investigated purine base cytotoxicity, PNP enzyme activity following treatment of malignant tissue, tumor mass regression, viral receptor studies, and transduction by tropism-modified adenovirus. RESULTS Replication deficient vector efficiently transduced PDX cells and mediated significant anticancer effect following treatment with fludarabine phosphate in vivo. Either 6-methylpurine or 2-fluoroadenine (toxic molecules generated by the PNP approach) ablated head and neck cancer cell proliferation. High levels of adenovirus-3 specific receptors were detected in human tumor models, and vector was evaluated that utilizes this pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our studies provide the scientific foundation necessary to improve PNP prodrug cleavage and advance a new treatment for head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Rab
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of AtlantaEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Annette Ehrhardt
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of AtlantaEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Bhagelu R. Achyut
- Winship Cancer InstituteEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of AtlantaEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | | | - Chunzi Huang
- Winship Cancer InstituteEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Katharine Floyd
- Winship Cancer InstituteEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Anton V. Borovjagin
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - William B. Parker
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham; PNP Therapeutics, Inc.BirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of AtlantaEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
- Winship Cancer InstituteEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jeong S. Hong
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of AtlantaEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
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11
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Barillà C, Suzuki S, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Davis BR. Targeted Gene Insertion for Functional CFTR Restoration in Airway Epithelium. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:847645. [PMID: 35330693 PMCID: PMC8940244 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.847645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by a diverse set of mutations distributed across the approximately 250 thousand base pairs of the CFTR gene locus, of which at least 382 are disease-causing (CFTR2.org). Although a variety of editing tools are now available for correction of individual mutations, a strong justification can be made for a more universal gene insertion approach, in principle capable of correcting virtually all CFTR mutations. Provided that such a methodology is capable of efficiently correcting relevant stem cells of the airway epithelium, this could potentially provide life-long correction for the lung. In this Perspective we highlight several requirements for efficient gene insertion into airway epithelial stem cells. In addition, we focus on specific features of the transgene construct and the endogenous CFTR locus that influence whether the inserted gene sequences will give rise to robust and physiologically relevant levels of CFTR function in airway epithelium. Finally, we consider how in vitro gene insertion methodologies may be adapted for direct in vivo editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Barillà
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shingo Suzuki
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Brian R. Davis
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Brian R. Davis,
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12
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Morgan R, Manfredi C, Easley KF, Watkins LD, Hunt WR, Goudy SL, Sorscher EJ, Koval M, Molina SA. A medium composition containing normal resting glucose that supports differentiation of primary human airway cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1540. [PMID: 35087167 PMCID: PMC8795386 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05446-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary cells isolated from the human respiratory tract are the state-of-the-art for in vitro airway epithelial cell research. Airway cell isolates require media that support expansion of cells in a basal state to maintain the capacity for differentiation as well as proper cellular function. By contrast, airway cell differentiation at an air–liquid interface (ALI) requires a distinct medium formulation that typically contains high levels of glucose. Here, we expanded and differentiated human basal cells isolated from the nasal and conducting airway to a mature mucociliary epithelial cell layer at ALI using a medium formulation containing normal resting glucose levels. Of note, bronchial epithelial cells expanded and differentiated in normal resting glucose medium showed insulin-stimulated glucose uptake which was inhibited by high glucose concentrations. Normal glucose containing ALI also enabled differentiation of nasal and tracheal cells that showed comparable electrophysiological profiles when assessed for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function and that remained responsive for up to 7 weeks in culture. These data demonstrate that normal glucose containing medium supports differentiation of primary nasal and lung epithelial cells at ALI, is well suited for metabolic studies, and avoids pitfalls associated with exposure to high glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Morgan
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 205 Whitehead Building, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Candela Manfredi
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Kristen F Easley
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 205 Whitehead Building, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Lionel D Watkins
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 205 Whitehead Building, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - William R Hunt
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 205 Whitehead Building, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Steven L Goudy
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Michael Koval
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. .,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 205 Whitehead Building, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. .,Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Samuel A Molina
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 205 Whitehead Building, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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13
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Sharma J, Du M, Wong E, Mutyam V, Li Y, Chen J, Wangen J, Thrasher K, Fu L, Peng N, Tang L, Liu K, Mathew B, Bostwick RJ, Augelli-Szafran CE, Bihler H, Liang F, Mahiou J, Saltz J, Rab A, Hong J, Sorscher EJ, Mendenhall EM, Coppola CJ, Keeling KM, Green R, Mense M, Suto MJ, Rowe SM, Bedwell DM. A small molecule that induces translational readthrough of CFTR nonsense mutations by eRF1 depletion. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4358. [PMID: 34272367 PMCID: PMC8285393 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature termination codons (PTCs) prevent translation of a full-length protein and trigger nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Nonsense suppression (also termed readthrough) therapy restores protein function by selectively suppressing translation termination at PTCs. Poor efficacy of current readthrough agents prompted us to search for better compounds. An NMD-sensitive NanoLuc readthrough reporter was used to screen 771,345 compounds. Among the 180 compounds identified with readthrough activity, SRI-37240 and its more potent derivative SRI-41315, induce a prolonged pause at stop codons and suppress PTCs associated with cystic fibrosis in immortalized and primary human bronchial epithelial cells, restoring CFTR expression and function. SRI-41315 suppresses PTCs by reducing the abundance of the termination factor eRF1. SRI-41315 also potentiates aminoglycoside-mediated readthrough, leading to synergistic increases in CFTR activity. Combining readthrough agents that target distinct components of the translation machinery is a promising treatment strategy for diseases caused by PTCs. Premature termination codons can cause early translation termination and lead to disease. Here the authors perform a screen to identify compounds with readthrough activity and show that these reduce eRF1 levels to suppress premature termination associated with cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Sharma
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ming Du
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eric Wong
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Venkateshwar Mutyam
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yao Li
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jianguo Chen
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jamie Wangen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kari Thrasher
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lianwu Fu
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ning Peng
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Liping Tang
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kaimao Liu
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Hermann Bihler
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Feng Liang
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Jerome Mahiou
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Josef Saltz
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jeong Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric M Mendenhall
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Candice J Coppola
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Kim M Keeling
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rachel Green
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin Mense
- CFFT Lab, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lexington, MA, USA
| | | | - Steven M Rowe
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David M Bedwell
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
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14
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Goeckeler-Fried JL, Aldrin Denny R, Joshi D, Hill C, Larsen MB, Chiang AN, Frizzell RA, Wipf P, Sorscher EJ, Brodsky JL. Improved correction of F508del-CFTR biogenesis with a folding facilitator and an inhibitor of protein ubiquitination. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 48:128243. [PMID: 34246753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of diseases are linked to the misfolding of integral membrane proteins, and many of these proteins are targeted for ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation. One such substrate is a mutant form of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (F508del-CFTR). Protein folding "correctors" that repair the F508del-CFTR folding defect have entered the clinic, but they are unlikely to protect the entire protein from degradation. To increase the pool of F508del-CFTR protein that is available for correction by existing treatments, we determined a structure-activity relationship to improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of an inhibitor of the E1 ubiquitin activating enzyme that facilitates F508del-CFTR maturation. A resulting lead compound lacked measurable toxicity and improved the ability of an FDA-approved corrector to augment F508del-CFTR folding, transport the protein to the plasma membrane, and maintain its activity. These data support a proof-of-concept that modest inhibition of substrate ubiquitination improves the activity of small molecule correctors to treat CF and potentially other protein conformational disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajiah Aldrin Denny
- Department of Inflammation & Immunology, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Clare Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Mads B Larsen
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Annette N Chiang
- Department of Biological Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Raymond A Frizzell
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Peter Wipf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Department of Biological Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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15
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Rooj AK, Cormet-Boyaka E, Clark EB, Qadri YJ, Lee W, Boddu R, Agarwal A, Tambi R, Uddin M, Parpura V, Sorscher EJ, Fuller CM, Berdiev BK. Association of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator with epithelial sodium channel subunits carrying Liddle's syndrome mutations. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L308-L320. [PMID: 34037494 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00298.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) is controversial. Previously, we demonstrated a close physical association between wild-type (WT) CFTR and WT ENaC. We have also shown that the F508del CFTR fails to associate with ENaC unless the mutant protein is rescued pharmacologically or by low temperature. In this study, we present the evidence for a direct physical association between WT CFTR and ENaC subunits carrying Liddle's syndrome mutations. We show that all three ENaC subunits bearing Liddle's syndrome mutations (both point mutations and the complete truncation of the carboxy terminus), could be coimmunoprecipitated with WT CFTR. The biochemical studies were complemented by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), a distance-dependent approach that monitors protein-protein interactions between fluorescently labeled molecules. Our measurements revealed significantly increased fluorescence resonance energy transfer between CFTR and all tested ENaC combinations as compared with controls (ECFP and EYFP cotransfected cells). Our findings are consistent with the notion that CFTR and ENaC are within reach of each other even in the setting of Liddle's syndrome mutations, suggestive of a direct intermolecular interaction between these two proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun K Rooj
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Edlira B Clark
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Yawar J Qadri
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - William Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ravindra Boddu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Anupam Agarwal
- Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Richa Tambi
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, The Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Cathy M Fuller
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Bakhrom K Berdiev
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.,College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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16
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Cho DY, Zhang S, Lazrak A, Skinner D, Thompson HM, Grayson J, Guroji P, Aggarwal S, Bebok Z, Rowe SM, Matalon S, Sorscher EJ, Woodworth BA. LPS decreases CFTR open probability and mucociliary transport through generation of reactive oxygen species. Redox Biol 2021; 43:101998. [PMID: 33971543 PMCID: PMC8129928 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serves as the interface between gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and the innate immune response in respiratory epithelial cells (REC). Herein, we describe a novel biological role of LPS that permits GNB to persist in the respiratory tract through inducing CFTR and mucociliary dysfunction. LPS reduced cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulater (CFTR)-mediated short-circuit current in mammalian REC in Ussing chambers and nearly abrogated CFTR single channel activity (defined as forskolin-activated Cl- currents) in patch clamp studies, effects of which were blocked with toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 inhibitor. Unitary conductance and single-channel amplitude of CFTR were unaffected, but open probability and number of active channels were markedly decreased. LPS increased cytoplasmic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species resulting in CFTR carbonylation. All effects of exposure were eliminated when reduced glutathione was added in the medium along with LPS. Functional microanatomy parameters, including mucociliary transport, in human sinonasal epithelial cells in vitro were also decreased, but restored with co-incubation with glutathione or TLR-4 inhibitor. In vivo measurements, following application of LPS in the nasal cavities showed significant decreases in transepithelial Cl- secretion as measured by nasal potential difference (NPD) – an effect that was nullified with glutathione and TLR-4 inhibitor. These data provide definitive evidence that LPS-generated reactive intermediates downregulate CFTR function in vitro and in vivo which results in cystic fibrosis-type disease. Findings have implications for therapeutic approaches intent on stimulating Cl- secretion and/or reducing oxidative stress to decrease the sequelae of GNB airway colonization and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Yeon Cho
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shaoyan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ahmed Lazrak
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Daniel Skinner
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Harrison M Thompson
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jessica Grayson
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Purushotham Guroji
- Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Saurabh Aggarwal
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Zsuzsanna Bebok
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Steven M Rowe
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sadis Matalon
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bradford A Woodworth
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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17
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Bahia MS, Khazanov N, Zhou Q, Yang Z, Wang C, Hong JS, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Brouillette CG, Hunt JF, Senderowitz H. Stability Prediction for Mutations in the Cytosolic Domains of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:1762-1777. [PMID: 33720715 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations to the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. CFTR is composed of two membrane spanning domains, two cytosolic nucleotide-binding domains (NBD1 and NBD2) and a largely unstructured R-domain. Multiple CF-causing mutations reside in the NBDs and some are known to compromise the stability of these domains. The ability to predict the effect of mutations on the stability of the cytosolic domains of CFTR and to shed light on the mechanisms by which they exert their effect is therefore important in CF research. With this in mind, we have predicted the effect on domain stability of 59 mutations in NBD1 and NBD2 using 15 different algorithms and evaluated their performances via comparison to experimental data using several metrics including the correct classification rate (CCR), and the squared Pearson correlation (R2) and Spearman's correlation (ρ) calculated between the experimental ΔTm values and the computationally predicted ΔΔG values. Overall, the best results were obtained with FoldX and Rosetta. For NBD1 (35 mutations), FoldX provided R2 and ρ values of 0.64 and -0.71, respectively, with an 86% correct classification rate (CCR). For NBD2 (24 mutations), FoldX R2, ρ, and CCR were 0.51, -0.73, and 75%, respectively. Application of the Rosetta high-resolution protocol (Rosetta_hrp) to NBD1 yielded R2, ρ, and CCR of 0.64, -0.75, and 69%, respectively, and for NBD2 yielded R2, ρ, and CCR of 0.29, -0.27, and 50%, respectively. The corresponding numbers for the Rosetta's low-resolution protocol (Rosetta_lrp) were R2 = 0.47, ρ = -0.69, and CCR = 69% for NBD1 and R2 = 0.27, ρ = -0.24, and CCR = 63% for NBD2. For NBD1, both algorithms suggest that destabilizing mutations suffer from destabilizing vdW clashes, whereas stabilizing mutations benefit from favorable H-bond interactions. Two triple consensus approaches based on FoldX, Rosetta_lpr, and Rosetta_hpr were attempted using either "majority-voting" or "all-voting". The all-voting consensus outperformed the individual predictors, albeit on a smaller data set. In summary, our results suggest that the effect of mutations on the stability of CFTR's NBDs could be largely predicted. Since NBDs are common to all ABC transporters, these results may find use in predicting the effect and mechanism of the action of multiple disease-causing mutations in other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Netaly Khazanov
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Qingxian Zhou
- School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Zhengrong Yang
- School of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Chi Wang
- 702 Fairchild Center, MC3423, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Christie G Brouillette
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - John F Hunt
- 702 Fairchild Center, MC3423, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Hanoch Senderowitz
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
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18
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Sabusap CM, Joshi D, Simhaev L, Oliver KE, Senderowitz H, van Willigen M, Braakman I, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Hong JS. The CFTR P67L variant reveals a key role for N-terminal lasso helices in channel folding, maturation, and pharmacologic rescue. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100598. [PMID: 33781744 PMCID: PMC8102917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) harboring the P67L variant in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) often exhibit a typical CF phenotype, including severe respiratory compromise. This rare mutation (reported in <300 patients worldwide) responds robustly to CFTR correctors, such as lumacaftor and tezacaftor, with rescue in model systems that far exceed what can be achieved for the archetypical CFTR mutant F508del. However, the specific molecular consequences of the P67L mutation are poorly characterized. In this study, we conducted biochemical measurements following low-temperature growth and/or intragenic suppression, which suggest a mechanism underlying P67L that (1) shares key pathogenic features with F508del, including off-pathway (non-native) folding intermediates, (2) is linked to folding stability of nucleotide-binding domains 1 and 2, and (3) demonstrates pharmacologic rescue that requires domains in the carboxyl half of the protein. We also investigated the "lasso" helices 1 and 2, which occur immediately upstream of P67. Based on limited proteolysis, pulse chase, and molecular dynamics analysis of full-length CFTR and a series of deletion constructs, we argue that P67L and other maturational processing (class 2) defects impair the integrity of the lasso motif and confer misfolding of downstream domains. Thus, amino-terminal missense variants elicit a conformational change throughout CFTR that abrogates maturation while providing a robust substrate for pharmacologic repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carleen Mae Sabusap
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Luba Simhaev
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Kathryn E Oliver
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Marcel van Willigen
- Department of Cellular Protein Chemistry, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ineke Braakman
- Department of Cellular Protein Chemistry, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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19
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Rauscher R, Bampi GB, Guevara-Ferrer M, Santos LA, Joshi D, Mark D, Strug LJ, Rommens JM, Ballmann M, Sorscher EJ, Oliver KE, Ignatova Z. Positive epistasis between disease-causing missense mutations and silent polymorphism with effect on mRNA translation velocity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2010612118. [PMID: 33468668 PMCID: PMC7848603 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010612118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Epistasis refers to the dependence of a mutation on other mutation(s) and the genetic context in general. In the context of human disorders, epistasis complicates the spectrum of disease symptoms and has been proposed as a major contributor to variations in disease outcome. The nonadditive relationship between mutations and the lack of complete understanding of the underlying physiological effects limit our ability to predict phenotypic outcome. Here, we report positive epistasis between intragenic mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis (CF) pathology. We identified a synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (sSNP) that is invariant for the CFTR amino acid sequence but inverts translation speed at the affected codon. This sSNP in cis exhibits positive epistatic effects on some CF disease-causing missense mutations. Individually, both mutations alter CFTR structure and function, yet when combined, they lead to enhanced protein expression and activity. The most robust effect was observed when the sSNP was present in combination with missense mutations that, along with the primary amino acid change, also alter the speed of translation at the affected codon. Functional studies revealed that synergistic alteration in ribosomal velocity is the underlying mechanism; alteration of translation speed likely increases the time window for establishing crucial domain-domain interactions that are otherwise perturbed by each individual mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Rauscher
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giovana B Bampi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Guevara-Ferrer
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonardo A Santos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Disha Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - David Mark
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lisa J Strug
- Program in Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Statistical Sciences, Computer Science and Division of Biostatistics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Johanna M Rommens
- Program in Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Canada
| | | | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Kathryn E Oliver
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany;
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20
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Birket SE, Davis JM, Fernandez-Petty CM, Henderson AG, Oden AM, Tang L, Wen H, Hong J, Fu L, Chambers A, Fields A, Zhao G, Tearney GJ, Sorscher EJ, Rowe SM. Ivacaftor Reverses Airway Mucus Abnormalities in a Rat Model Harboring a Humanized G551D-CFTR. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 202:1271-1282. [PMID: 32584141 PMCID: PMC7605185 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202002-0369oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Animal models have been highly informative for understanding the characteristics, onset, and progression of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. In particular, the CFTR-/- rat has revealed insights into the airway mucus defect characteristic of CF but does not replicate a human-relevant CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) variant.Objectives: We hypothesized that a rat expressing a humanized version of CFTR and harboring the ivacaftor-sensitive variant G551D could be used to test the impact of CFTR modulators on pathophysiologic development and correction.Methods: In this study, we describe a humanized-CFTR rat expressing the G551D variant obtained by zinc finger nuclease editing of a human complementary DNA superexon, spanning exon 2-27, with a 5' insertion site into the rat gene just beyond intron 1. This targeted insertion takes advantage of the endogenous rat promoter, resulting in appropriate expression compared with wild-type animals.Measurements and Main Results: The bioelectric phenotype of the epithelia recapitulates the expected absence of CFTR activity, which was restored with ivacaftor. Large airway defects, including depleted airway surface liquid and periciliary layers, delayed mucus transport rates, and increased mucus viscosity, were normalized after the administration of ivacaftor.Conclusions: This model is useful to understand the mechanisms of disease and the extent of pathology reversal with CFTR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Wen
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, and
| | - Jeong Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lianwu Fu
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, and
- Cell, Developmental, and Integrated Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Alvin Fields
- Horizon Discovery Group PLC, St. Louis, Missouri; and
| | - Gojun Zhao
- Horizon Discovery Group PLC, St. Louis, Missouri; and
| | - Guillermo J. Tearney
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Cell, Developmental, and Integrated Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Steven M. Rowe
- Department of Medicine
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, and
- Cell, Developmental, and Integrated Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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21
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Bampi GB, Rauscher R, Kirchner S, Oliver KE, Bijvelds MJC, Santos LA, Wagner J, Frizzell RA, de Jonge HR, Sorscher EJ, Ignatova Z. Global assessment of the integrated stress response in CF patient-derived airway and intestinal tissues. J Cyst Fibros 2020; 19:1021-1026. [PMID: 32451204 PMCID: PMC7932027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammation is a hallmark among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We explored whether mutation-induced (F508del) misfolding of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and/or secondary colonization with opportunistic pathogens, activate tissue remodeling and innate immune response drivers. METHODS Using RNA-seq to interrogate global gene expression profiles, we analyzed stress response signaling cascades in primary human bronchial epithelia (HBE) and intestinal organoids. RESULTS Primary HBE acquired from CF patients with advanced disease and prolonged exposure to pathogenic microorganisms display a clear molecular signature of activated tissue remodeling pathways, unfolded protein response (UPR), and chronic inflammation. Furthermore, CFTR misfolding induces inflammatory signaling cascades in F508del patient-derived organoids from both the distal small intestine and colon. CONCLUSION Despite the small patient cohort size, this proof-of-principle study supports the use of RNA-seq as a means to both identify CF-specific signaling profiles in various tissues and evaluate disease heterogeneity. Our global transcriptomic data is a useful resource for the CF research community for analyzing other gene expression sets influencing CF disease signature but also transcriptionally contributing to CF heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana B Bampi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Rauscher
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kirchner
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kathryn E Oliver
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Marcel J C Bijvelds
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, USA
| | - Leonardo A Santos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Wagner
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Raymond A Frizzell
- Pediatrics and Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hugo R de Jonge
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
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22
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Oliver KE, Rauscher R, Mijnders M, Wang W, Wolpert MJ, Maya J, Sabusap CM, Kesterson RA, Kirk KL, Rab A, Braakman I, Hong JS, Hartman JL, Ignatova Z, Sorscher EJ. Slowing ribosome velocity restores folding and function of mutant CFTR. J Clin Invest 2020; 129:5236-5253. [PMID: 31657788 DOI: 10.1172/jci124282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), with approximately 90% of patients harboring at least one copy of the disease-associated variant F508del. We utilized a yeast phenomic system to identify genetic modifiers of F508del-CFTR biogenesis, from which ribosomal protein L12 (RPL12/uL11) emerged as a molecular target. In the present study, we investigated mechanism(s) by which suppression of RPL12 rescues F508del protein synthesis and activity. Using ribosome profiling, we found that rates of translation initiation and elongation were markedly slowed by RPL12 silencing. However, proteolytic stability and patch-clamp assays revealed RPL12 depletion significantly increased F508del-CFTR steady-state expression, interdomain assembly, and baseline open-channel probability. We next evaluated whether Rpl12-corrected F508del-CFTR could be further enhanced with concomitant pharmacologic repair (e.g., using clinically approved modulators lumacaftor and tezacaftor) and demonstrated additivity of these treatments. Rpl12 knockdown also partially restored maturation of specific CFTR variants in addition to F508del, and WT Cftr biogenesis was enhanced in the pancreas, colon, and ileum of Rpl12 haplosufficient mice. Modulation of ribosome velocity therefore represents a robust method for understanding both CF pathogenesis and therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Rauscher
- Institute for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marjolein Mijnders
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wei Wang
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and
| | | | - Jessica Maya
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and
| | | | - Robert A Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Kevin L Kirk
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and
| | - Andras Rab
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ineke Braakman
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - John L Hartman
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and.,Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Institute for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Suzuki S, Crane AM, Anirudhan V, Barillà C, Matthias N, Randell SH, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Kerschner JL, Yin S, Harris A, Mendel M, Kim K, Zhang L, Conway A, Davis BR. Highly Efficient Gene Editing of Cystic Fibrosis Patient-Derived Airway Basal Cells Results in Functional CFTR Correction. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1684-1695. [PMID: 32402246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a strong rationale to consider future cell therapeutic approaches for cystic fibrosis (CF) in which autologous proximal airway basal stem cells, corrected for CFTR mutations, are transplanted into the patient's lungs. We assessed the possibility of editing the CFTR locus in these cells using zinc-finger nucleases and have pursued two approaches. The first, mutation-specific correction, is a footprint-free method replacing the CFTR mutation with corrected sequences. We have applied this approach for correction of ΔF508, demonstrating restoration of mature CFTR protein and function in air-liquid interface cultures established from bulk edited basal cells. The second is targeting integration of a partial CFTR cDNA within an intron of the endogenous CFTR gene, providing correction for all CFTR mutations downstream of the integration and exploiting the native CFTR promoter and chromatin architecture for physiologically relevant expression. Without selection, we observed highly efficient, site-specific targeted integration in basal cells carrying various CFTR mutations and demonstrated restored CFTR function at therapeutically relevant levels. Significantly, Omni-ATAC-seq analysis revealed minimal impact on the positions of open chromatin within the native CFTR locus. These results demonstrate efficient functional correction of CFTR and provide a platform for further ex vivo and in vivo editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Suzuki
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ana M Crane
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Varada Anirudhan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristina Barillà
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nadine Matthias
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Scott H Randell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jenny L Kerschner
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Shiyi Yin
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ann Harris
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | | | - Kenneth Kim
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | | | - Brian R Davis
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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24
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeong S Hong
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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25
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Abstract
Small molecules that address fundamental defects underlying cystic fibrosis (CF), including modulators such as the approved drugs ivacaftor, lumacaftor, tezacaftor, and elexacaftor, have advanced dramatically over the past few years and are transforming care and prognosis among individuals with this disease. The new treatment strategies are predicated on established scientific insight concerning pathogenesis, and applying "personalized" or "precision" interventions for specific abnormalities of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Even with the advent of highly effective triple drug combinations-which hold great promise for the majority of patients with CF worldwide-barriers to precision therapy remain. These include refractory CFTR variants (premature truncation codons, splice defects, large indels, severe missense mutations, and others) not addressed by available modulators, and access to leading-edge therapeutic compounds for patients with ultrarare forms of CF. In addition to describing the remarkable progress that has occurred regarding CF precision medicine, this review outlines some of the remaining challenges. The CF experience is emblematic of many conditions for which personalized interventions are actively being sought.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Joshi
- Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - A Ehrhardt
- Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - JS Hong
- Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - EJ Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, GA, USA
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26
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Polte C, Wedemeyer D, Oliver KE, Wagner J, Bijvelds MJC, Mahoney J, de Jonge HR, Sorscher EJ, Ignatova Z. Assessing cell-specific effects of genetic variations using tRNA microarrays. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:549. [PMID: 31307398 PMCID: PMC6632033 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5864-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background By definition, effect of synonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) on protein folding and function are neutral, as they alter the codon and not the encoded amino acid. Recent examples indicate tissue-specific and transfer RNA (tRNA)-dependent effects of some genetic variations arguing against neutrality of synonymous SNVs for protein biogenesis. Results We performed systematic analysis of tRNA abunandance across in various models used in cystic fibrosis (CF) research and drug development, including Fischer rat thyroid (FRT) cells, patient-derived primary human bronchial epithelia (HBE) from lung biopsies, primary human nasal epithelia (HNE) from nasal curettage, intestinal organoids, and airway progenitor-directed differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These were compared to an immortalized CF bronchial cell model (CFBE41o−) and two widely used laboratory cell lines, HeLa and HEK293. We discovered that specific synonymous SNVs exhibited differential effects which correlated with variable concentrations of cognate tRNAs. Conclusions Our results highlight ways in which the presence of synonymous SNVs may alter local kinetics of mRNA translation; and thus, impact protein biogenesis and function. This effect is likely to influence results from mechansistic analysis and/or drug screeining efforts, and establishes importance of cereful model system selection based on genetic variation profile. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5864-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Polte
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Wedemeyer
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kathryn E Oliver
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Johannes Wagner
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcel J C Bijvelds
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John Mahoney
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation CFFT Lab, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA
| | - Hugo R de Jonge
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
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27
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Behbahani TE, Rosenthal EL, Parker WB, Sorscher EJ. Intratumoral generation of 2-fluoroadenine to treat solid malignancies of the head and neck. Head Neck 2019; 41:1979-1983. [PMID: 30633420 DOI: 10.1002/hed.25627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This report describes treatment of locoregional head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by an innovative, experimental strategy involving generation of a robust anti-cancer agent (2-fluoroadenine [F-Ade]) following transduction by Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) in a small number of tumor cells. F-Ade works by a unique mechanism of action (ablation of RNA and protein synthesis) and confers tumor regressions of otherwise refractory HNSCC in human subjects. Clinical studies have now advanced to a pivotal (registration-directed) trial involving locoregional HNSCC, with plans to begin subject enrollment late in 2018. The present review is the first to summarize use of PNP in the context of HNSCC, and provides background regarding this emerging anti-cancer approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turang E Behbahani
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eben L Rosenthal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | | | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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28
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Fenker DE, McDaniel CT, Panmanee W, Panos RJ, Sorscher EJ, Sabusap C, Clancy JP, Hassett DJ. A Comparison between Two Pathophysiologically Different yet Microbiologically Similar Lung Diseases: Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Respir Pulm Med 2018; 5:098. [PMID: 30627668 PMCID: PMC6322854 DOI: 10.23937/2378-3516/1410098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic pulmonary diseases that affect ~70,000 and 251 million individuals worldwide, respectively. Although these two diseases have distinctly different pathophysiologies, both cause chronic respiratory insufficiency that erodes quality of life and causes significant morbidity and eventually death. In both CF and COPD, the respiratory microbiome plays a major contributing role in disease progression and morbidity. Pulmonary pathogens can differ dramatically during various stages of each disease and frequently cause acute worsening of lung function due to disease exacerbation. Despite some similarities, outcome and timing/type of exacerbation can also be quite different between CF and COPD. Given these clinical distinctions, both patients and physicians should be aware of emerging therapeutic options currently being offered or in development for the treatment of lung infections in individuals with CF and COPD. Although interventions are available that prolong life and mitigate morbidity, neither disorder is curable. Both acute and chronic pulmonary infections contribute to an inexorable downward course and may trigger exacerbations, culminating in loss of lung function or respiratory failure. Knowledge of the pulmonary pathogens causing these infections, their clinical presentation, consequences, and management are, therefore, critical. In this review, we compare and contrast CF and COPD, including underlying causes, general outcomes, features of the lung microbiome, and potential treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Fenker
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Cameron T McDaniel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Warunya Panmanee
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Ralph J Panos
- Department of Medicine, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | | | | | - John P Clancy
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Daniel J Hassett
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
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29
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Plyler ZE, Birket SE, Schultz BD, Hong JS, Rowe SM, Petty CF, Crowley MR, Crossman DK, Schoeb TR, Sorscher EJ. Non-obstructive vas deferens and epididymis loss in cystic fibrosis rats. Mech Dev 2018; 155:15-26. [PMID: 30391480 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
This study utilizes morphological and mechanistic endpoints to characterize the onset of bilateral atresia of the vas deferens in a recently derived cystic fibrosis (CF) rat model. Embryonic reproductive structures, including Wolffian (mesonephric) duct, Mullerian (paramesonephric) duct, mesonephric tubules, and gonad, were shown to mature normally through late embryogenesis, with involution of the vas deferens and/or epididymis typically occurring between birth and postnatal day 4 (P4), although timing and degree of atresia varied. No evidence of mucus obstruction, which is associated with pathology in other CF-affected tissues, was observed at any embryological or postnatal time point. Reduced epididymal coiling was noted post-partum and appeared to coincide with, or predate, loss of more distal vas deferens structure. Remarkably, α smooth muscle actin expression in cells surrounding duct epithelia was markedly diminished in CF animals by P2.5 when compared to wild type counterparts, indicating reduced muscle development. RNA-seq and immunohistochemical analysis of affected tissues showed disruption of developmental signaling by Wnt and related pathways. The findings have relevance to vas deferens loss in humans with CF, where timing of ductular damage is not well characterized and underlying mechanisms are not understood. If vas deferens atresia in humans begins in late gestation and continues through early postnatal life, emerging modulator therapies given perinatally might preserve and enhance integrity of the reproductive tract, which is otherwise absent or deficient in 97% of males with cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z E Plyler
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - S E Birket
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - B D Schultz
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - J S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - S M Rowe
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - C F Petty
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - M R Crowley
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - D K Crossman
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - T R Schoeb
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - E J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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30
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Han ST, Rab A, Pellicore MJ, Davis EF, McCague AF, Evans TA, Joynt AT, Lu Z, Cai Z, Raraigh KS, Hong JS, Sheppard DN, Sorscher EJ, Cutting GR. Residual function of cystic fibrosis mutants predicts response to small molecule CFTR modulators. JCI Insight 2018; 3:121159. [PMID: 30046002 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.121159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been transformed by small molecule therapies that target select pathogenic variants in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To expand treatment eligibility, we stably expressed 43 rare missense CFTR variants associated with moderate CF from a single site in the genome of human CF bronchial epithelial (CFBE41o-) cells. The magnitude of drug response was highly correlated with residual CFTR function for the potentiator ivacaftor, the corrector lumacaftor, and ivacaftor-lumacaftor combination therapy. Response of a second set of 16 variants expressed stably in Fischer rat thyroid (FRT) cells showed nearly identical correlations. Subsets of variants were identified that demonstrated statistically significantly higher responses to specific treatments. Furthermore, nearly all variants studied in CFBE cells (40 of 43) and FRT cells (13 of 16) demonstrated greater response to ivacaftor-lumacaftor combination therapy than either modulator alone. Together, these variants represent 87% of individuals in the CFTR2 database with at least 1 missense variant. Thus, our results indicate that most individuals with CF carrying missense variants are (a) likely to respond modestly to currently available modulator therapy, while a small fraction will have pronounced responses, and (b) likely to derive the greatest benefit from combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwoo T Han
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andras Rab
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Matthew J Pellicore
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emily F Davis
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison F McCague
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taylor A Evans
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anya T Joynt
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhongzhou Lu
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhiwei Cai
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Karen S Raraigh
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David N Sheppard
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Garry R Cutting
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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31
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Clancy JP, Cotton CU, Donaldson SH, Solomon GM, VanDevanter DR, Boyle MP, Gentzsch M, Nick JA, Illek B, Wallenburg JC, Sorscher EJ, Amaral MD, Beekman JM, Naren AP, Bridges RJ, Thomas PJ, Cutting G, Rowe S, Durmowicz AG, Mense M, Boeck KD, Skach W, Penland C, Joseloff E, Bihler H, Mahoney J, Borowitz D, Tuggle KL. CFTR modulator theratyping: Current status, gaps and future directions. J Cyst Fibros 2018; 18:22-34. [PMID: 29934203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New drugs that improve the function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein with discreet disease-causing variants have been successfully developed for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Preclinical model systems have played a critical role in this process, and have the potential to inform researchers and CF healthcare providers regarding the nature of defects in rare CFTR variants, and to potentially support use of modulator therapies in new populations. METHODS The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) assembled a workshop of international experts to discuss the use of preclinical model systems to examine the nature of CF-causing variants in CFTR and the role of in vitro CFTR modulator testing to inform in vivo modulator use. The theme of the workshop was centered on CFTR theratyping, a term that encompasses the use of CFTR modulators to define defects in CFTR in vitro, with application to both common and rare CFTR variants. RESULTS Several preclinical model systems were identified in various stages of maturity, ranging from the expression of CFTR variant cDNA in stable cell lines to examination of cells derived from CF patients, including the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tree, and the blood. Common themes included the ongoing need for standardization, validation, and defining the predictive capacity of data derived from model systems to estimate clinical outcomes from modulator-treated CF patients. CONCLUSIONS CFTR modulator theratyping is a novel and rapidly evolving field that has the potential to identify rare CFTR variants that are responsive to approved drugs or drugs in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Clancy
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| | | | - Scott H Donaldson
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Marsico Lung Institute, United States
| | - George M Solomon
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Donald R VanDevanter
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Michael P Boyle
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, United States
| | - Martina Gentzsch
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Jerry A Nick
- National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
| | - Beate Illek
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, United States
| | - John C Wallenburg
- Cystic Firbosis Canada, Directeur en chef des activites scientifiques, fibrose kystique, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Garry Cutting
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Steven Rowe
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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32
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Birket SE, Davis JM, Fernandez CM, Tuggle KL, Oden AM, Chu KK, Tearney GJ, Fanucchi MV, Sorscher EJ, Rowe SM. Development of an airway mucus defect in the cystic fibrosis rat. JCI Insight 2018; 3:97199. [PMID: 29321377 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.97199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the development and natural progression of the airway mucus defect in cystic fibrosis (CF) remain largely unclear. New animal models of CF, coupled with imaging using micro-optical coherence tomography, can lead to insights regarding these questions. The Cftr-/- (KO) rat allows for longitudinal examination of the development and progression of airway mucus abnormalities. The KO rat exhibits decreased periciliary depth, hyperacidic pH, and increased mucus solid content percentage; however, the transport rates and viscoelastic properties of the mucus are unaffected until the KO rat ages. Airway submucosal gland hypertrophy develops in the KO rat by 6 months of age. Only then does it induce increased mucus viscosity, collapse of the periciliary layer, and delayed mucociliary transport; stimulation of gland secretion potentiates this evolution. These findings could be reversed by bicarbonate repletion but not pH correction without counterion donation. These studies demonstrate that abnormal surface epithelium in CF does not cause delayed mucus transport in the absence of functional gland secretions. Furthermore, abnormal bicarbonate transport represents a specific target for restoring mucus clearance, independent of effects on periciliary collapse. Thus, mature airway secretions are required to manifest the CF defect primed by airway dehydration and bicarbonate deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Birket
- Department of Medicine and.,Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | | | - Katherine L Tuggle
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Kengyeh K Chu
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guillermo J Tearney
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michelle V Fanucchi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Steven M Rowe
- Department of Medicine and.,Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Cellular, Developmental, and Integrative Biology and.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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33
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Stalvey MS, Havasi V, Tuggle KL, Wang D, Birket S, Rowe SM, Sorscher EJ. Reduced bone length, growth plate thickness, bone content, and IGF-I as a model for poor growth in the CFTR-deficient rat. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188497. [PMID: 29190650 PMCID: PMC5708703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reduced growth and osteopenia are common in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Additionally, improved weight and height are associated with better lung function and overall health in the disease. Mechanisms for this reduction in growth are not understood. We utilized a new CFTR knockout rat to evaluate growth in young CF animals, via femur length, microarchitecture of bone and growth plate, as well as serum IGF-I concentrations. Methods Femur length was measured in wild-type (WT) and SD-CFTRtm1sage (Cftr-/-) rats, as a surrogate marker for growth. Quantitative bone parameters in Cftr-/- and WT rats were measured by micro computed tomography (micro-CT). Bone histomorphometry and cartilaginous growth plates were analyzed. Serum IGF-I concentrations were also compared. Results Femur length was reduced in both Cftr-/- male and female rats compared to WT. Multiple parameters of bone microarchitecture (of both trabecular and cortical bone) were adversely affected in Cftr-/- rats. There was a reduction in overall growth plate thichkness in both male and female Cftr-/- rats, as well as hypertrophic zone thickness and mean hypertrophic cell volume in male rats, indicating abnormal growth characteristics at the plate. Serum IGF-I concentrations were severely reduced in Cftr-/- rats compared to WT littermates. Conclusions Despite absence of overt lung or pancreatic disease, reduced growth and bone content were readily detected in young Cftr-/- rats. Reduced size of the growth plate and decreased IGF-I concentrations suggest the mechanistic basis for this phenotype. These findings appear to be intrinsic to the CFTR deficient state and independent of significant clinical confounders, providing substantive evidence for the importance of CFTR on maintinaing normal bone growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Stalvey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Viktoria Havasi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Katherine L. Tuggle
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Dezhi Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Susan Birket
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Steve M. Rowe
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The selective expression of non-human genes in tumor tissue to activate non-toxic compounds (Gene Directed Prodrug Enzyme Therapy, GDEPT) is a novel strategy designed for killing tumor cells in patients with little or no systemic toxicity. Numerous non-human genes have been evaluated, but none have yet been successful in the clinic. METHODS Unlike human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), E. coli PNP accepts adenine containing nucleosides as substrates, and is therefore able to selectively activate non-toxic purine analogs in tumor tissue. Various in vitro and in vivo assays have been utilized to evaluate E. coli PNP as a potential activating enzyme. RESULTS We and others have demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity with various GDEPT strategies utilizing E. coli PNP to activate purine nucleoside analogs. A phase I clinical trial utilizing recombinant adenoviral vector for delivery of E. coli PNP to solid tumors followed by systemic administration of fludarabine phosphate (NCT01310179; IND# 14271) has recently been completed. In this trial, significant anti-tumor activity was demonstrated with negligible toxicity related to the therapy. The mechanism of cell kill (inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis) is distinct from all currently used anticancer drugs and all experimental compounds under development. The approach has demonstrated excellent ability to kill neighboring tumor cells that do not express E. coli PNP, is active against non-proliferating and proliferating tumors cells (as well as tumor stem cells, stroma), and is therefore very effective against solid tumors with a low growth fraction. CONCLUSION The unique attributes distinguish this approach from other GDEPT strategies and are precisely those required to mediate significant improvements in antitumor therapy.
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Oliver KE, Han ST, Sorscher EJ, Cutting GR. Transformative therapies for rare CFTR missense alleles. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2017; 34:76-82. [PMID: 29032041 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2017.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
With over 1900 variants reported in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), enhanced understanding of cystic fibrosis (CF) genotype-phenotype correlation represents an important and expanding area of research. The potentiator Ivacaftor has proven an effective treatment for a subset of individuals carrying missense variants, particularly those that impact CFTR gating. Therapeutic efforts have recently focused on correcting the basic defect resulting from the common F508del variant, as well as many less frequent missense alleles. Modest enhancement of F508del-CFTR function has been achieved by combining Ivacaftor with Lumacaftor, a compound that aids maturational processing of misfolded CFTR. Continued development of in silico and in vitro models will facilitate CFTR variant characterization and drug testing, thereby elucidating heterogeneity in the molecular pathogenesis, phenotype, and modulator responsiveness of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Oliver
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sangwoo T Han
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Garry R Cutting
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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36
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Veit G, Avramescu RG, Chiang AN, Houck SA, Cai Z, Peters KW, Hong JS, Pollard HB, Guggino WB, Balch WE, Skach WR, Cutting GR, Frizzell RA, Sheppard DN, Cyr DM, Sorscher EJ, Brodsky JL, Lukacs GL. From CFTR biology toward combinatorial pharmacotherapy: expanded classification of cystic fibrosis mutations. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:424-33. [PMID: 26823392 PMCID: PMC4751594 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-04-0935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 359] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 2000 mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) have been described that confer a range of molecular cell biological and functional phenotypes. Most of these mutations lead to compromised anion conductance at the apical plasma membrane of secretory epithelia and cause cystic fibrosis (CF) with variable disease severity. Based on the molecular phenotypic complexity of CFTR mutants and their susceptibility to pharmacotherapy, it has been recognized that mutations may impose combinatorial defects in CFTR channel biology. This notion led to the conclusion that the combination of pharmacotherapies addressing single defects (e.g., transcription, translation, folding, and/or gating) may show improved clinical benefit over available low-efficacy monotherapies. Indeed, recent phase 3 clinical trials combining ivacaftor (a gating potentiator) and lumacaftor (a folding corrector) have proven efficacious in CF patients harboring the most common mutation (deletion of residue F508, ΔF508, or Phe508del). This drug combination was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients homozygous for ΔF508. Emerging studies of the structural, cell biological, and functional defects caused by rare mutations provide a new framework that reveals a mixture of deficiencies in different CFTR alleles. Establishment of a set of combinatorial categories of the previously defined basic defects in CF alleles will aid the design of even more efficacious therapeutic interventions for CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudio Veit
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Radu G Avramescu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Annette N Chiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Scott A Houck
- Marsico Lung Institute, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
| | - Zhiwei Cai
- School of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn W Peters
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Department of Cellular, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Harvey B Pollard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Center for Medical Proteomics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - William B Guggino
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - William E Balch
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Skaggs Institute of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - William R Skach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Garry R Cutting
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Raymond A Frizzell
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - David N Sheppard
- School of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas M Cyr
- Marsico Lung Institute, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Gergely L Lukacs
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada GRASP, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
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37
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Chung WJ, Goeckeler-Fried JL, Havasi V, Chiang A, Rowe SM, Plyler ZE, Hong JS, Mazur M, Piazza GA, Keeton AB, White EL, Rasmussen L, Weissman AM, Denny RA, Brodsky JL, Sorscher EJ. Increasing the Endoplasmic Reticulum Pool of the F508del Allele of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Leads to Greater Folding Correction by Small Molecule Therapeutics. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163615. [PMID: 27732613 PMCID: PMC5061379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecules that correct the folding defects and enhance surface localization of the F508del mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) comprise an important therapeutic strategy for cystic fibrosis lung disease. However, compounds that rescue the F508del mutant protein to wild type (WT) levels have not been identified. In this report, we consider obstacles to obtaining robust and therapeutically relevant levels of F508del CFTR. For example, markedly diminished steady state amounts of F508del CFTR compared to WT CFTR are present in recombinant bronchial epithelial cell lines, even when much higher levels of mutant transcript are present. In human primary airway cells, the paucity of Band B F508del is even more pronounced, although F508del and WT mRNA concentrations are comparable. Therefore, to augment levels of “repairable” F508del CFTR and identify small molecules that then correct this pool, we developed compound library screening protocols based on automated protein detection. First, cell-based imaging measurements were used to semi-quantitatively estimate distribution of F508del CFTR by high content analysis of two-dimensional images. We evaluated ~2,000 known bioactive compounds from the NIH Roadmap Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository in a pilot screen and identified agents that increase the F508del protein pool. Second, we analyzed ~10,000 compounds representing diverse chemical scaffolds for effects on total CFTR expression using a multi-plate fluorescence protocol and describe compounds that promote F508del maturation. Together, our findings demonstrate proof of principle that agents identified in this fashion can augment the level of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident “Band B” F508del CFTR suitable for pharmacologic correction. As further evidence in support of this strategy, PYR-41—a compound that inhibits the E1 ubiquitin activating enzyme—was shown to synergistically enhance F508del rescue by C18, a small molecule corrector. Our combined results indicate that increasing the levels of ER-localized CFTR available for repair provides a novel route to correct F508del CFTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Joon Chung
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Goeckeler-Fried
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Viktoria Havasi
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Annette Chiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Steven M. Rowe
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Department of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Zackery E. Plyler
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Jeong S. Hong
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Department of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Marina Mazur
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Gary A. Piazza
- Oncologic Sciences, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Adam B. Keeton
- Oncologic Sciences, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
| | - E. Lucile White
- Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Lynn Rasmussen
- Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Allan M. Weissman
- Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - R. Aldrin Denny
- Worldwide Medicinal Chemistry, Pfizer, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey L. Brodsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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38
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Sabusap CM, Wang W, McNicholas CM, Chung WJ, Fu L, Wen H, Mazur M, Kirk KL, Collawn JF, Hong JS, Sorscher EJ. Analysis of cystic fibrosis-associated P67L CFTR illustrates barriers to personalized therapeutics for orphan diseases. JCI Insight 2016; 1. [PMID: 27660821 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.86581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging knowledge indicates the difficulty in categorizing unusual cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations, with regard to both pathogenic mechanism and theratype. As case in point, we present data concerning P67L mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a defect carried by a small number of individuals with CF and sometimes attributed to a channel conductance abnormality. Findings from our laboratory and others establish that P67L causes protein misfolding, disrupts maturation, confers gating defects, is thermally stable, and exhibits near normal conductance. These results provide one framework by which rare CF alleles such as P67L can be more comprehensively profiled vis-à-vis molecular pathogenesis. We also demonstrate that emerging CF treatments - ivacaftor and lumacaftor - can mediate pronounced pharmacologic activation of P67L CFTR. Infrequent CF alleles are often improperly characterized, in part, due to the small numbers of patients involved. Moreover, access to new personalized treatments among patients with ultra-orphan genotypes has been limited by difficulty arranging phase III clinical trials, and off-label prescribing has been impaired by high drug cost and difficulty arranging third party reimbursement. Rare CFTR mutations such as P67L are emblematic of the challenges to "precision" medicine, including use of the best available mechanistic knowledge to treat patients with unusual forms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carleen M Sabusap
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Carmel M McNicholas
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - W Joon Chung
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Lianwu Fu
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Hui Wen
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Marina Mazur
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Kevin L Kirk
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - James F Collawn
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeong S Hong
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.; Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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39
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McClure ML, Barnes S, Brodsky JL, Sorscher EJ. Trafficking and function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator: a complex network of posttranslational modifications. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L719-L733. [PMID: 27474090 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00431.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications add diversity to protein function. Throughout its life cycle, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) undergoes numerous covalent posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including glycosylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, phosphorylation, and palmitoylation. These modifications regulate key steps during protein biogenesis, such as protein folding, trafficking, stability, function, and association with protein partners and therefore may serve as targets for therapeutic manipulation. More generally, an improved understanding of molecular mechanisms that underlie CFTR PTMs may suggest novel treatment strategies for CF and perhaps other protein conformational diseases. This review provides a comprehensive summary of co- and posttranslational CFTR modifications and their significance with regard to protein biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L McClure
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Stephen Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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40
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Veit G, Oliver K, Apaja PM, Perdomo D, Bidaud-Meynard A, Lin ST, Guo J, Icyuz M, Sorscher EJ, Hartman JL, Lukacs GL. Ribosomal Stalk Protein Silencing Partially Corrects the ΔF508-CFTR Functional Expression Defect. PLoS Biol 2016; 14:e1002462. [PMID: 27168400 PMCID: PMC4864299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common cystic fibrosis (CF) causing mutation, deletion of phenylalanine 508 (ΔF508 or Phe508del), results in functional expression defect of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) at the apical plasma membrane (PM) of secretory epithelia, which is attributed to the degradation of the misfolded channel at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Deletion of phenylalanine 670 (ΔF670) in the yeast oligomycin resistance 1 gene (YOR1, an ABC transporter) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae phenocopies the ΔF508-CFTR folding and trafficking defects. Genome-wide phenotypic (phenomic) analysis of the Yor1-ΔF670 biogenesis identified several modifier genes of mRNA processing and translation, which conferred oligomycin resistance to yeast. Silencing of orthologues of these candidate genes enhanced the ΔF508-CFTR functional expression at the apical PM in human CF bronchial epithelia. Although knockdown of RPL12, a component of the ribosomal stalk, attenuated the translational elongation rate, it increased the folding efficiency as well as the conformational stability of the ΔF508-CFTR, manifesting in 3-fold augmented PM density and function of the mutant. Combination of RPL12 knockdown with the corrector drug, VX-809 (lumacaftor) restored the mutant function to ~50% of the wild-type channel in primary CFTRΔF508/ΔF508 human bronchial epithelia. These results and the observation that silencing of other ribosomal stalk proteins partially rescue the loss-of-function phenotype of ΔF508-CFTR suggest that the ribosomal stalk modulates the folding efficiency of the mutant and is a potential therapeutic target for correction of the ΔF508-CFTR folding defect. Reducing the rate of translational elongation by silencing ribosomal stalk proteins ameliorates the folding and stability defect of the cystic fibrosis mutant protein ΔF508-CFTR, partially restoring the plasma membrane chloride conductance. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common autosomal recessive diseases in Caucasians. It is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which functions as an anion channel at the apical plasma membrane of secretory epithelia. The most common CF mutation, a deletion of the phenylalanine residue at position 508 (ΔF508), results in the channel misfolding and subsequent intracellular degradation. Our previous genome-wide phenotypic screens, using a yeast variant, have predicted modifier genes for ΔF508-CFTR biogenesis. Here, we show that silencing of one of these candidate genes, RPL12, a component of the ribosomal stalk, increased the folding and stabilization of ΔF508-CFTR, resulting in its increased plasma membrane expression and function. Our data suggest that reducing the translational elongation rate via RPL12 silencing can partially reverse the ΔF508-CFTR folding defect. Importantly, RPL12 silencing in combination with the corrector drug VX-809 (lumacaftor), increased the mutant function to 50% of the wild-type CFTR channel, suggesting that the ribosomal stalk perturbation may represent a therapeutic target for rescuing the ΔF508-CFTR biogenesis defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Veit
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kathryn Oliver
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Pirjo M. Apaja
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Doranda Perdomo
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Sheng-Ting Lin
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jingyu Guo
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Mert Icyuz
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John L. Hartman
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JLH); (GLL)
| | - Gergely L. Lukacs
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche Axé sur la Structure des Protéines (GRASP), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (JLH); (GLL)
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41
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Wang W, Hong JS, Rab A, Sorscher EJ, Kirk KL. Robust Stimulation of W1282X-CFTR Channel Activity by a Combination of Allosteric Modulators. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152232. [PMID: 27007499 PMCID: PMC4805204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
W1282X is a common nonsense mutation among cystic fibrosis patients that results in the production of a truncated Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) channel. Here we show that the channel activity of the W1282X-CFTR polypeptide is exceptionally low in excised membrane patches at normally saturating doses of ATP and PKA (single channel open probability (PO) < 0.01). However, W1282X-CFTR channels were stimulated by two CFTR modulators, the FDA-approved VX-770 and the dietary compound curcumin. Each of these compounds is an allosteric modulator of CFTR gating that promotes channel activity in the absence of the native ligand, ATP. Although W1282X-CFTR channels were stimulated by VX-770 in the absence of ATP their activities remained dependent on PKA phosphorylation. Thus, activated W1282X-CFTR channels should remain under physiologic control by cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways in vivo. VX-770 and curcumin exerted additive effects on W1282X-CFTR channel gating (opening/closing) in excised patches such that the Po of the truncated channel approached unity (> 0.9) when treated with both modulators. VX-770 and curcumin also additively stimulated W1282X-CFTR mediated currents in polarized FRT epithelial monolayers. In this setting, however, the stimulated W1282X-CFTR currents were smaller than those mediated by wild type CFTR (3-5%) due presumably to lower expression levels or cell surface targeting of the truncated protein. Combining allosteric modulators of different mechanistic classes is worth considering as a treatment option for W1282X CF patients perhaps when coupled with maneuvers to increase expression of the truncated protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- * E-mail: (WW); (KLK)
| | - Jeong S. Hong
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Andras Rab
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States of America
| | - Kevin L. Kirk
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- * E-mail: (WW); (KLK)
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42
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Birket SE, Chu KK, Houser GH, Liu L, Fernandez CM, Solomon GM, Lin V, Shastry S, Mazur M, Sloane PA, Hanes J, Grizzle WE, Sorscher EJ, Tearney GJ, Rowe SM. Combination therapy with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators augment the airway functional microanatomy. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 310:L928-39. [PMID: 26968770 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00395.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently approved therapies that modulate CFTR function have shown significant clinical benefit, but recent investigations regarding their molecular mechanism when used in combination have not been consistent with clinical results. We employed micro-optical coherence tomography as a novel means to assess the mechanism of action of CFTR modulators, focusing on the effects on mucociliary clearance. Primary human airway monolayers from patients with a G551D mutation responded to ivacaftor treatment with increased ion transport, airway surface liquid depth, ciliary beat frequency, and mucociliary transport rate, in addition to decreased effective viscosity of the mucus layer, a unique mechanism established by our findings. These endpoints are consistent with the benefit observed in G551D patients treated with ivacaftor, and identify a novel mechanism involving mucus viscosity. In monolayers derived from F508del patients, the situation is more complicated, compounded by disparate effects on CFTR expression and function. However, by combining ion transport measurements with functional imaging, we establish a crucial link between in vitro data and clinical benefit, a finding not explained by ion transport studies alone. We establish that F508del cells exhibit increased mucociliary transport and decreased mucus effective viscosity, but only when ivacaftor is added to the regimen. We further show that improvement in the functional microanatomy in vitro corresponds with lung function benefit observed in the clinical trials, whereas ion transport in vitro corresponds to changes in sweat chloride. Functional imaging reveals insights into clinical efficacy and CFTR biology that significantly impact our understanding of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Birket
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Kengyeh K Chu
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Grace H Houser
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Linbo Liu
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Courtney M Fernandez
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - George M Solomon
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Vivian Lin
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Suresh Shastry
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Marina Mazur
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Peter A Sloane
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Justin Hanes
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Ophthalmology, and Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - William E Grizzle
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Guillermo J Tearney
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Steven M Rowe
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Cellular, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama;
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Cho DY, Skinner D, Zhang S, Fortenberry J, Sorscher EJ, Dean NR, Woodworth BA. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activation by the solvent ethanol: implications for topical drug delivery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2015; 6:178-84. [PMID: 26869199 DOI: 10.1002/alr.21638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decreased cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-mediated chloride (Cl) secretion across mucosal surfaces contributes to the development of airway disease by depleting airway surface liquid, increasing mucus viscosity and adhesion, and consequently hindering mucociliary clearance. We serendipitously discovered during testing of drugs solubilized in low concentrations ethanol (0.25%, 43 mM) that the control vehicle produced robust activation of CFTR-mediated Cl(-) transport. The objective of the current study is to investigate low concentrations of ethanol for effects on Cl(-) secretion and ciliary beat frequency (CBF). METHODS Wild-type (WT) and transgenic CFTR(-/-) primary murine nasoseptal epithelial (MNSE) cultures and WT and F508del/F508del human sinonasal epithelial (HSNE) cultures were subjected to transepithelial ion transport measurements using pharmacologic manipulation in Ussing chambers. CBF activation was also monitored. Murine nasal potential difference (NPD) was measured in vivo. RESULTS Ussing chamber tracings revealed ethanol activated CFTR-mediated Cl transport in a dose-dependent fashion in WT MNSE (n = 4, p < 0.05) and HSNE (n = 4, p < 0.05). Ethanol also significantly increased CBF (fold change) in WT MNSE cultures in a dose-dependent fashion (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], 1.33 ± 0.04; 0.25% ethanol, 1.37 ± 0.09; 0.5% ethanol, 1.53 ± 0.06 [p < 0.05]; 1% ethanol, 1.62 ± 0.1 [p < 0.05]). Lack of stimulation in CFTR(-/-) and F508del/F508del cultures indicated activity was dependent on the presence of intact functional CFTR. Ethanol perfusion (0.5%) resulted in a significant -3.5-mV mean NPD polarization when compared to control solution (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The observation that brief exposure of ethanol stimulated Cl(-) secretion via CFTR-mediated pathways indicates its possible use as topical aerosol delivered alone or in combination with other CFTR activators for diseases of dysfunctional mucociliary clearance (MCC) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Yeon Cho
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.,Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Daniel Skinner
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Shaoyan Zhang
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - James Fortenberry
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.,Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Nichole R Dean
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Bradford A Woodworth
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.,Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Ehrhardt A, Chung WJ, Pyle LC, Wang W, Nowotarski K, Mulvihill CM, Ramjeesingh M, Hong J, Velu SE, Lewis HA, Atwell S, Aller S, Bear CE, Lukacs GL, Kirk KL, Sorscher EJ. Channel Gating Regulation by the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) First Cytosolic Loop. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:1854-1865. [PMID: 26627831 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.704809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we present data indicating a robust and specific domain interaction between the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) first cytosolic loop (CL1) and nucleotide binding domain 1 (NBD1) that allows ion transport to proceed in a regulated fashion. We used co-precipitation and ELISA to establish the molecular contact and showed that binding kinetics were not altered by the common clinical mutation F508del. Both intrinsic ATPase activity and CFTR channel gating were inhibited severely by CL1 peptide, suggesting that NBD1/CL1 binding is a crucial requirement for ATP hydrolysis and channel function. In addition to cystic fibrosis, CFTR dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of prevalent diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acquired rhinosinusitis, pancreatitis, and lethal secretory diarrhea (e.g. cholera). On the basis of clinical relevance of the CFTR as a therapeutic target, a cell-free drug screen was established to identify modulators of NBD1/CL1 channel activity independent of F508del CFTR and pharmacologic rescue. Our findings support a targetable mechanism of CFTR regulation in which conformational changes in the NBDs cause reorientation of transmembrane domains via interactions with CL1 and result in channel gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Ehrhardt
- From the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and; the Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - W Joon Chung
- From the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and; Departments of Neurobiology
| | - Louise C Pyle
- From the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and
| | - Wei Wang
- Cellular, Integrative, and Developmental Biology
| | | | - Cory M Mulvihill
- the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada
| | | | - Jeong Hong
- From the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and; Cellular, Integrative, and Developmental Biology
| | - Sadanandan E Velu
- Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Hal A Lewis
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543
| | | | - Steve Aller
- From the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and; Pharmacology, and
| | - Christine E Bear
- the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada,; the Departments of Biochemistry and; Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada, and
| | - Gergely L Lukacs
- the Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Kevin L Kirk
- From the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and; Cellular, Integrative, and Developmental Biology
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- the Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322,.
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Plyler ZE, Hill AE, McAtee CW, Cui X, Moseley LA, Sorscher EJ. SNP Formation Bias in the Murine Genome Provides Evidence for Parallel Evolution. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:2506-19. [PMID: 26253317 PMCID: PMC4607513 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we show novel DNA motifs that promote single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) formation and are conserved among exons, introns, and intergenic DNA from mice (Sanger Mouse Genomes Project), human genes (1000 Genomes), and tumor-specific somatic mutations (data from TCGA). We further characterize SNPs likely to be very recent in origin (i.e., formed in otherwise congenic mice) and show enrichment for both synonymous and parallel DNA variants occurring under circumstances not attributable to purifying selection. The findings provide insight regarding SNP contextual bias and eukaryotic codon usage as strategies that favor long-term exonic stability. The study also furnishes new information concerning rates of murine genomic evolution and features of DNA mutagenesis (at the time of SNP formation) that should be viewed as "adaptive."
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aubrey E Hill
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Christopher W McAtee
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Xiangqin Cui
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Leah A Moseley
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
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46
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Illing EA, Cho DY, Zhang S, Skinner DF, Dunlap QA, Sorscher EJ, Woodworth BA. Chlorogenic Acid Activates CFTR-Mediated Cl- Secretion in Mice and Humans: Therapeutic Implications for Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2015; 153:291-7. [PMID: 26019132 DOI: 10.1177/0194599815586720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Salubrious effects of the green coffee bean are purportedly secondary to high concentrations of chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid has a molecular structure similar to bioflavonoids that activate transepithelial Cl(-) transport in sinonasal epithelia. In contrast to flavonoids, the drug is freely soluble in water. The objective of this study is to evaluate the Cl(-) secretory capability of chlorogenic acid and its potential as a therapeutic activator of mucus clearance in sinus disease. STUDY DESIGN Basic research. SETTING Laboratory. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Chlorogenic acid was tested on primary murine nasal septal epithelial (MNSE) (CFTR(+/+) and transgenic CFTR(-/-)) and human sinonasal epithelial (HSNE) (CFTR(+/+) and F508del/F508del) cultures under pharmacologic conditions in Ussing chambers to evaluate effects on transepithelial Cl(-) transport. Cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), phosphorylation of the CFTR regulatory domain (R-D), and CFTR mRNA transcription were also measured. RESULTS Chlorogenic acid stimulated transepithelial Cl(-) secretion (change in short-circuit current [ΔISC = µA/cm(2)]) in MNSE (13.1 ± 0.9 vs 0.1 ± 0.1; P < .05) and HSNE (34.3 ± 0.9 vs 0.0 ± 0.1; P < .05). The drug had a long duration until peak effect at 15 to 30 minutes after application. Significant inhibition with INH-172 as well as absent stimulation in cultures lacking functional CFTR suggest effects are dependent on CFTR-mediated pathways. However, the absence of elevated cellular cAMP and phosphorylation the CFTR R-D indicates chlorogenic acid does not work through a PKA-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSION Chlorogenic acid is a water-soluble agent that promotes CFTR-mediated Cl(-) transport in mouse and human sinonasal epithelium. Translating activators of mucociliary transport to clinical use provides a new therapeutic approach to sinus disease. Further in vivo evaluation is planned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa A Illing
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Do-Yeon Cho
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Shaoyan Zhang
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Quinn A Dunlap
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Chung TK, Rosenthal E, Parker WB, Allan P, Clemons L, Lowman D, Hong J, Hunt FR, Richman J, Conry RM, Mannion K, Carroll W, Nabell L, Sorscher EJ. First-in-human dose-escalating trial of E.coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase and fludarabine gene therapy for advanced solid tumors. J Clin Oncol 2015. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.33.15_suppl.3084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lisa Clemons
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | - Jeong Hong
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | | | | | - Kyle Mannion
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Lisle Nabell
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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48
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Rosenthal EL, Chung TK, Parker WB, Allan PW, Clemons L, Lowman D, Hong J, Hunt FR, Richman J, Conry RM, Mannion K, Carroll WR, Nabell L, Sorscher EJ. Phase I dose-escalating trial of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase and fludarabine gene therapy for advanced solid tumors. Ann Oncol 2015; 26:1481-7. [PMID: 25899782 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) to activate fludarabine has demonstrated safety and antitumor activity during preclinical analysis and has been approved for clinical investigation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A first-in-human phase I clinical trial (NCT 01310179; IND 14271) was initiated to evaluate safety and efficacy of an intratumoral injection of adenoviral vector expressing E. coli PNP in combination with intravenous fludarabine for the treatment of solid tumors. The study was designed with escalating doses of fludarabine in the first three cohorts (15, 45, and 75 mg/m(2)) and escalating virus in the fourth (10(11)-10(12) viral particles, VP). RESULTS All 12 study subjects completed therapy without dose-limiting toxicity. Tumor size change from baseline to final measurement demonstrated a dose-dependent response, with 5 of 6 patients in cohorts 3 and 4 achieving significant tumor regression compared with 0 responsive subjects in cohorts 1 and 2. The overall adverse event rate was not dose-dependent. Most common adverse events included pain at the viral injection site (92%), drainage/itching/burning (50%), fatigue (50%), and fever/chills/influenza-like symptoms (42%). Analysis of serum confirmed the lack of systemic exposure to fluoroadenine. Antibody response to adenovirus was detected in two patients, suggesting that neutralizing immune response is not a barrier to efficacy. CONCLUSIONS This first-in-human clinical trial found that localized generation of fluoroadenine within tumor tissues using E. coli PNP and fludarabine is safe and effective. The pronounced effect on tumor volume after a single treatment cycle suggests that phase II studies are warranted. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT01310179.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Rosenthal
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - T K Chung
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | | | - P W Allan
- Southern Research Institute, Birmingham
| | - L Clemons
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - D Lowman
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - J Hong
- Department of Cellular, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - F R Hunt
- PNP Therapeutics, Inc., Birmingham
| | - J Richman
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - R M Conry
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - K Mannion
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - W R Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - L Nabell
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
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49
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Crane AM, Kramer P, Bui JH, Chung WJ, Li XS, Gonzalez-Garay ML, Hawkins F, Liao W, Mora D, Choi S, Wang J, Sun HC, Paschon DE, Guschin DY, Gregory PD, Kotton DN, Holmes MC, Sorscher EJ, Davis BR. Targeted correction and restored function of the CFTR gene in cystic fibrosis induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 4:569-77. [PMID: 25772471 PMCID: PMC4400651 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently developed reprogramming and genome editing technologies make possible the derivation of corrected patient-specific pluripotent stem cell sources-potentially useful for the development of new therapeutic approaches. Starting with skin fibroblasts from patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, we derived and characterized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. We then utilized zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), designed to target the endogenous CFTR gene, to mediate correction of the inherited genetic mutation in these patient-derived lines via homology-directed repair (HDR). We observed an exquisitely sensitive, homology-dependent preference for targeting one CFTR allele versus the other. The corrected cystic fibrosis iPSCs, when induced to differentiate in vitro, expressed the corrected CFTR gene; importantly, CFTR correction resulted in restored expression of the mature CFTR glycoprotein and restoration of CFTR chloride channel function in iPSC-derived epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Crane
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Philipp Kramer
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jacquelin H Bui
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wook Joon Chung
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Xuan Shirley Li
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Manuel L Gonzalez-Garay
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Finn Hawkins
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Wei Liao
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniela Mora
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sangbum Choi
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianbin Wang
- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Helena C Sun
- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | | | | | | | - Darrell N Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | | | - Eric J Sorscher
- Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Brian R Davis
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Oren YS, McClure ML, Rowe SM, Sorscher EJ, Bester AC, Manor M, Kerem E, Rivlin J, Zahdeh F, Mann M, Geiger T, Kerem B. The unfolded protein response affects readthrough of premature termination codons. EMBO Mol Med 2014; 6:685-701. [PMID: 24705877 PMCID: PMC4023889 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201303347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
One-third of monogenic inherited diseases result from premature termination codons (PTCs). Readthrough of in-frame PTCs enables synthesis of full-length functional proteins. However, extended variability in the response to readthrough treatment is found among patients, which correlates with the level of nonsense transcripts. Here, we aimed to reveal cellular pathways affecting this inter-patient variability. We show that activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) governs the response to readthrough treatment by regulating the levels of transcripts carrying PTCs. Quantitative proteomic analyses showed substantial differences in UPR activation between patients carrying PTCs, correlating with their response. We further found a significant inverse correlation between the UPR and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), suggesting a feedback loop between these homeostatic pathways. We uncovered and characterized the mechanism underlying this NMD-UPR feedback loop, which augments both UPR activation and NMD attenuation. Importantly, this feedback loop enhances the response to readthrough treatment, highlighting its clinical importance. Altogether, our study demonstrates the importance of the UPR and its regulatory network for genetic diseases caused by PTCs and for cell homeostasis under normal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifat S Oren
- Department of Genetics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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