scholarly journals In vivo CRISPRa decreases seizures and rescues cognitive deficits in a rodent model of epilepsy

Brain ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 891-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaia Colasante ◽  
Yichen Qiu ◽  
Luca Massimino ◽  
Claudia Di Berardino ◽  
Jonathan H Cornford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Focal Treatment ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Endogenous Genes ◽  
Clonic Seizures

Abstract Epilepsy is a major health burden, calling for new mechanistic insights and therapies. CRISPR-mediated gene editing shows promise to cure genetic pathologies, although hitherto it has mostly been applied ex vivo. Its translational potential for treating non-genetic pathologies is still unexplored. Furthermore, neurological diseases represent an important challenge for the application of CRISPR, because of the need in many cases to manipulate gene function of neurons in situ. A variant of CRISPR, CRISPRa, offers the possibility to modulate the expression of endogenous genes by directly targeting their promoters. We asked if this strategy can effectively treat acquired focal epilepsy, focusing on ion channels because their manipulation is known be effective in changing network hyperactivity and hypersynchronziation. We applied a doxycycline-inducible CRISPRa technology to increase the expression of the potassium channel gene Kcna1 (encoding Kv1.1) in mouse hippocampal excitatory neurons. CRISPRa-mediated Kv1.1 upregulation led to a substantial decrease in neuronal excitability. Continuous video-EEG telemetry showed that AAV9-mediated delivery of CRISPRa, upon doxycycline administration, decreased spontaneous generalized tonic-clonic seizures in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy, and rescued cognitive impairment and transcriptomic alterations associated with chronic epilepsy. The focal treatment minimizes concerns about off-target effects in other organs and brain areas. This study provides the proof-of-principle for a translational CRISPR-based approach to treat neurological diseases characterized by abnormal circuit excitability.

scholarly journals In vivo CRISPRa decreases seizures and rescues cognitive deficits in a rodent model of epilepsy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaia Colasante ◽  
Yichen Qiu ◽  
Luca Massimino ◽  
Claudia Di Berardino ◽  
Jonathan H. Cornford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Focal Treatment ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Endogenous Genes ◽  
Clonic Seizures

AbstractEpilepsy is a major health burden, calling for new mechanistic and therapeutic insights. CRISPR–mediated gene editing shows promise to cure genetic pathologies, although hitherto it has mostly been applied ex-vivo. Its translational potential for treating non-genetic pathologies is still unexplored. Furthermore, neurological diseases represent an important challenge for the application of CRISPR, because of the need in many cases to manipulate gene function of neurons in situ. A variant of CRISPR, CRISPRa, offers the possibility to modulate the expression of endogenous genes by directly targeting their promoters. We asked if this strategy can effectively treat acquired focal epilepsy, focusing on ion channels because their manipulation is known be effective in changing network hyperactivity and hypersynchronisation. We applied a doxycycline-inducible CRISPRa technology to increase the expression of the potassium channel gene Kcna1 (encoding Kv1.1) in mouse hippocampal excitatory neurons. CRISPRa-mediated Kv1.1 upregulation led to a substantial decrease in neuronal excitability. Continuous video-EEG telemetry showed that AAV9-mediated delivery of CRISPRa, upon doxycycline administration, decreased spontaneous generalized tonic-clonic seizures in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy, and rescued cognitive impairment and transcriptomic alterations associated with chronic epilepsy. The focal treatment minimizes concerns about off-target effects in other organs and brain areas. This study provides the proof of principle for a translational CRISPR-based approach to treat neurological diseases characterized by abnormal circuit excitability.

In-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo release evaluation of in situ forming buprenorphine implants using mixture of PLGA copolymers and additives

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (16) ◽  
pp. 965-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Kamali ◽  
Elham Khodaverdi ◽  
Farzin Hadizadeh ◽  
Seyed Ahmad Mohajeri ◽  
Younes Kamali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
In Situ Forming ◽  
In Vivo Release

scholarly journals Non-synaptic Cell-Autonomous Mechanisms Underlie Neuronal Hyperactivity in a Genetic Model of PIK3CA-Driven Intractable Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Achira Roy ◽  
Victor Z. Han ◽  
Angela M. Bard ◽  
Devin T. Wehle ◽  
Stephen E. P. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

Patients harboring mutations in the PI3K-AKT-MTOR pathway-encoding genes often develop a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy. A significant proportion remains unresponsive to conventional anti-seizure medications. Understanding mutation-specific pathophysiology is thus critical for molecularly targeted therapies. We previously determined that mouse models expressing a patient-related activating mutation in PIK3CA, encoding the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), are epileptic and acutely treatable by PI3K inhibition, irrespective of dysmorphology. Here we report the physiological mechanisms underlying this dysregulated neuronal excitability. In vivo, we demonstrate epileptiform events in the Pik3ca mutant hippocampus. By ex vivo analyses, we show that Pik3ca-driven hyperactivation of hippocampal pyramidal neurons is mediated by changes in multiple non-synaptic, cell-intrinsic properties. Finally, we report that acute inhibition of PI3K or AKT, but not MTOR activity, suppresses the intrinsic hyperactivity of the mutant neurons. These acute mechanisms are distinct from those causing neuronal hyperactivity in other AKT-MTOR epileptic models and define parameters to facilitate the development of new molecularly rational therapeutic interventions for intractable epilepsy.

Antibodies to β-Amyloid Decrease the Blood-to-Brain Transfer of β-Amyloid Peptide1

2002 ◽  
Vol 227 (8) ◽  
pp. 609-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihong Pan ◽  
Beka Solomon ◽  
Lawrence M. Maness ◽  
Abba J. Kastin
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Brain Perfusion ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Amyloid Angiopathy ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Blocking Antibodies ◽  
The Brain

Amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) play an important role in the pathophysiology of dementia of the Alzheimer's type and in amyloid angiopathy. Aβ outside the CNS could contribute to plaque formation in the brain where its entry would involve interactions with the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Effective antibodies to Aβ have been developed in an effort to vaccinate against Alzheimer's disease. These antibodies could interact with Aβ in the peripheral blood, block the passage of Aβ across the BBB, or prevent Aβ deposition within the CNS. To determine whether the blocking antibodies act at the BBB level, we examined the influx of radiolabeled Aβ (125I-Aβ1-40) into the brain after ex-vivo incubation with the antibodies. Antibody mAb3D6 (élan Company) reduced the blood-to-brain influx of Aβ after iv bolus injection. It also significantly decreased the accumulation of Aβ in brain parenchyma. To confirm the in-vivo study and examine the specificity of mAb3D6, in-situ brain perfusion in serum-free buffer was performed after incubation of 125I-Aβ1-40 with another antibody mAbmc1 (DAKO Company). The presence of mAbmc1 also caused significant reduction of the influx of Aβ into the brain after perfusion. Therefore, effective antibodies to Aβ can reduce the influx of Aβ1-40 into the brain.

scholarly journals The CD8+ Dendritic Cell Subset Selectively Endocytoses Dying Cells in Culture and In Vivo

2002 ◽  
Vol 195 (10) ◽  
pp. 1289-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomonori Iyoda ◽  
Susumu Shimoyama ◽  
Kang Liu ◽  
Yoshiki Omatsu ◽  
Yuji Akiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Osmotic Shock ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Fluorescent Labeling ◽  
Dendritic Cell Subset ◽  
Dying Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are able in tissue culture to phagocytose and present antigens derived from infected, malignant, and allogeneic cells. Here we show directly that DCs in situ take up these types of cells after fluorescent labeling with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and injection into mice. The injected cells include syngeneic splenocytes and tumor cell lines, induced to undergo apoptosis ex vivo by exposure to osmotic shock, and allogeneic B cells killed by NK cells in situ. The CFSE-labeled cells in each case are actively endocytosed by DCs in vivo, but only the CD8+ subset. After uptake, all of the phagocytic CD8+ DCs can form major histocompatibility complex class II–peptide complexes, as detected with a monoclonal antibody specific for these complexes. The CD8+ DCs also selectively present cell-associated antigens to both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Similar events take place with cultured DCs; CD8+ DCs again selectively take up and present dying cells. In contrast, both CD8+ and CD8− DCs phagocytose latex particles in culture, and both DC subsets present soluble ovalbumin captured in vivo. Therefore CD8+ DCs are specialized to capture dying cells, and this helps to explain their selective ability to cross present cellular antigens to both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Sleep deprivation decreases neuronal excitability and responsiveness in rats both in vivo and ex vivo

2018 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 166-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sándor Borbély ◽  
Ildikó Világi ◽  
Zsófia Haraszti ◽  
Örs Szalontai ◽  
Tünde Hajnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Ex Vivo

scholarly journals Targeted In Situ Gene Correction of DysfunctionalAPOEAlleles to Produce Atheroprotective Plasma ApoE3 Protein

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Papaioannou ◽  
J. Paul Simons ◽  
James S. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Gene Correction ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Transfer Strategies ◽  
Technical Advances ◽  
The Common ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Cardiovascular disease is the leading worldwide cause of death. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a 34-kDa circulating glycoprotein, secreted by the liver and macrophages with pleiotropic antiatherogenic functions and hence a candidate to treat hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis. Here, we describe atheroprotective properties of ApoE, though also potential proatherogenic actions, and the prevalence of dysfunctional isoforms, outline conventional gene transfer strategies, and then focus on gene correction therapeutics that can repair defectiveAPOEalleles. In particular, we discuss the possibility and potential benefit of applying in combination two technical advances to repair aberrantAPOEgenes: (i) an engineered endonuclease to introduce a double-strand break (DSB) in exon 4, which contains the common, but dysfunctional,ε2 andε4 alleles; (ii) an efficient and selectable template for homologous recombination (HR) repair, namely, an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, which harbours wild-typeAPOEsequence. This technology is applicable ex vivo, for example to target haematopoietic or induced pluripotent stem cells, and also for in vivo hepatic gene targeting. It is to be hoped that such emerging technology will eventually translate to patient therapy to reduce CVD risk.

scholarly journals Progestin increases the expression of gonadotropins in pituitaries of male zebrafish

2016 ◽  
Vol 230 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuili Wang ◽  
Dongteng Liu ◽  
Weiting Chen ◽  
Wei Ge ◽  
Wanshu Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Adult Zebrafish ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Time Course Experiment ◽  
Nuclear Progesterone Receptor

Our previous study showed that the in vivo positive effects of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), the major progestin in zebrafish, on early spermatogenesis was much stronger than the ex vivo ones, which may suggest an effect of DHP on the expression of gonadotropins. In our present study, we first observed that fshb and lhb mRNA levels in the pituitary of male adult zebrafish were greatly inhibited by 3 weeks exposure to 10nM estradiol (E2). However, an additional 24h 100nM DHP exposure not only reversed the E2-induced inhibition, but also significantly increased the expression of fshb and lhb mRNA. These stimulatory effects were also observed in male adult fish without E2 pretreatment, and a time course experiment showed that it took 24h for fshb and 12h for lhb to respond significantly. Because these stimulatory activities were partially antagonized by a nuclear progesterone receptor (Pgr) antagonist mifepristone, we generated a Pgr-knockout (pgr–/–) model using the TALEN technique. With and without DHP in vivo treatment, fshb and lhb mRNA levels of pgr–/– were significantly lower than those of pgr+/+. Furthermore, ex vivo treatment of pituitary fragments of pgr–/– with DHP stimulated lhb, but not fshb mRNA expression. Results from double-colored fluorescent in situ hybridization showed that pgr mRNA was expressed only in fshb-expressing cells. Taken together, our results indicated that DHP participated in the regulation of neuroendocrine control of reproduction in male zebrafish, and exerted a Pgr-mediated direct stimulatory effect on fshb mRNA at pituitary level.

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