scholarly journals CRISPR-Cas12a delivery by DNA-mediated bioresponsive editing for cholesterol regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (21) ◽  
pp. eaba2983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wujin Sun ◽  
Jinqiang Wang ◽  
Quanyin Hu ◽  
Xingwu Zhou ◽  
Ali Khademhosseini ◽  
...  

CRISPR-Cas12a represents an efficient tool for genome editing in addition to the extensively investigated CRISPR-Cas9. However, development of efficient nonviral delivery system for CRISPR-Cas12a remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate a DNA nanoclew (NC)–based carrier for delivery of Cas12a/CRISPR RNA (crRNA) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) toward regulating serum cholesterol levels. The DNA NC could efficiently load the Cas12a/crRNA RNP through complementation between the DNA NC and the crRNA. Addition of a cationic polymer layer condensed the DNA-templated core and allowed further coating of a charge reversal polymer layer, which makes the assembly negatively charged under a physiological pH but reverts to positive charge under an acidic environment. When Pcsk9 was selected as the target gene because of its important role in regulating the level of serum cholesterol, efficient Pcsk9 disruption was observed in vivo (~48%), significantly reducing the expression of PCSK9 and gaining the therapeutic benefit of cholesterol control (~45% of cholesterol reduction).


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 1288-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumaya Ben-Aicha ◽  
Rafael Escate ◽  
Laura Casaní ◽  
Teresa Padró ◽  
Esther Peña ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are circulating micelles that transport proteins, lipids, and miRNAs. HDL-transported miRNAs (HDL-miRNAs) have lately received attention but their effects on vascular cells are not fully understood. Additionally, whether cardiovascular risk factors affect HDL-miRNAs levels and miRNA transfer to recipient cells remains equally poorly known. Here, we have investigated the changes induced by hypercholesterolaemia on HDL-miRNA levels and its effect on recipient endothelial cells (ECs). Methods and results Pigs were kept on a high-fat diet (HC; n = 10) or a normocholesterolaemic chow (NC; n = 10) for 10 days reaching cholesterol levels of 321.0 (229.7–378.5) mg/dL and 74.0 (62.5–80.2) mg/dL, respectively. HDL particles were isolated, purified, and quantified. HDL-miRNA profiling (n = 149 miRNAs) of HC- and NC-HDLs was performed by multipanel qPCR. Cell cultures of porcine aortic ECs were used to determine whether HDL-miRNAs were delivered to ECs. Potential target genes modulated by miRNAs were identified by bioinformatics and candidate miRNAs were validated by molecular analysis. In vivo effects in the coronary arteries of normocholesterolaemic swine administered HC- or NC-HDLs were analysed. Among the HDL-miRNAs, four were found in different amounts in HC- and NC-HDL (P < 0.05). miR-126-5p and -3p and miR-30b-5p (2.7×, 1.7×, and 1.3×, respectively) were found in higher levels and miR-103a-3p and miR-let-7g-5p (−1.6×, −1.4×, respectively) in lower levels in HC-HDL. miR-126-5p and -3p were transferred from HC-HDL to EC (2.5×; P < 0.05), but not from NC-HDL, by a SRB1-mediated mechanism. Bioinformatics revealed that HIF1α was the miR-126 target gene with the highest predictive value, which was accordingly found to be markedly reduced in HC-HDL-treated ECs and in miR126 mimic transfected ECs. In vivo validation confirmed that HIF1α was diminished in the coronary endothelial layer of NC pigs administered HC-HDL vs. those administered NC-HDL (P < 0.05). Conclusion Hypercholesterolaemia induces changes in the miRNA content of HDL enhancing miR126 and its delivery to ECs with the consequent down-regulation of its target gene HIF1α.



2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (2) ◽  
pp. C398-C405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrie A. Buhagiar ◽  
Peter S. Hansen ◽  
Benjamin Y. Kong ◽  
Ronald J. Clarke ◽  
Clyne Fernandes ◽  
...  

A modest diet-induced increase in serum cholesterol in rabbits increases the sensitivity of the sarcolemmal Na+/K+ pump to intracellular Na+, whereas a large increase in cholesterol levels decreases the sensitivity to Na+. To examine the mechanisms, we isolated cardiac myocytes from controls and from rabbits with diet-induced increases in serum cholesterol. The myocytes were voltage clamped with the use of patch pipettes that contained osmotically balanced solutions with Na+ in a concentration of 10 mM and K+ in concentrations ([K+]pip) ranging from 0 to 140 mM. There was no effect of dietary cholesterol on electrogenic Na+/K+ current ( Ip) when pipette solutions were K+ free. A modest increase in serum cholesterol caused a [K+]pip-dependent increase in Ip, whereas a large increase caused a [K+]pip-dependent decrease in Ip. Modeling suggested that pump stimulation with a modest increase in serum cholesterol can be explained by a decrease in the microscopic association constant KK describing the backward reaction E1 + 2K+ → E2(K+)2, whereas pump inhibition with a large increase in serum cholesterol can be explained by an increase in KK. Because hypercholesterolemia upregulates angiotensin II receptors and because angiotensin II regulates the Na+/K+ pump in cardiac myocytes in a [K+]pip-dependent manner, we blocked angiotensin synthesis or angiotensin II receptors in vivo in cholesterol-fed rabbits. This abolished cholesterol-induced pump inhibition. Because the ϵ-isoform of protein kinase C (ϵPKC) mediates effects of angiotensin II on the pump, we included specific ϵPKC-blocking peptide in patch pipette filling solutions. The peptide reversed cholesterol-induced pump inhibition.



1956 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Zomzely ◽  
J. Mayer

In vivo incorporation of acetate-1-C14 into fatty acids and cholesterol by carcass and liver was determined 30 minutes after injection of the labeled acetate in mice grafted with adrenocorticotropin-secreting tumors. Serum cholesterol levels were also determined. Lipogenesis is elevated under fed and fasted conditions in mice bearing adrenocorticotropin-secreting tumors as compared with normal controls or tumor-bearing adrenalectomized mice. Cholesterologenesis was not significantly different in fed tumor-bearing and control mice. When fasted, however, the tumor-bearing mice exhibited greater incorporation of C14 than that of their controls. Fasting did not decrease cholesterologenesis in the former group. Serum cholesterol levels of the adrenocorticotropic mice were found to be twice as high as those of controls. In addition, the amounts of carcass and liver fatty acids were three times as great for the ACTH mice as compared with controls, although their body weights did not differ significantly. Carcass and liver cholesterol content of adrenocorticotropic mice was also elevated. The results of this experiment indicate that mice bearing adrenocorticotropin-secreting tumors exhibit a ‘metabolic’ type of obesity.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Loizou ◽  
Kevin McNally ◽  
Jean-Lou C. M. Dorne ◽  
Alex Hogg

A computational workflow which integrates physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling, global sensitivity analysis (GSA), approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation was developed to facilitate quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE). The workflow accounts for parameter and model uncertainty within a computationally efficient framework. The workflow was tested using a human PBK model for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and high throughput screening (HTS) in vitro concentration–response data, determined in a human liver cell line, from the ToxCast/Tox21 database. In vivo benchmark doses (BMDs) for PFOA intake (ng/kg BW/day) and drinking water exposure concentrations (µg/L) were calculated from the in vivo dose responses and compared to intake values derived by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The intake benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL5) of 0.82 was similar to 0.86 ng/kg BW/day for altered serum cholesterol levels derived by EFSA, whereas the intake BMDL5 of 6.88 was six-fold higher than the value of 1.14 ng/kg BW/day for altered antibody titer also derived by the EFSA. Application of a chemical-specific adjustment factor (CSAF) of 1.4, allowing for inter-individual variability in kinetics, based on biological half-life, gave an intake BMDL5 of 0.59 for serum cholesterol and 4.91 (ng/kg BW/day), for decreased antibody titer, which were 0.69 and 4.31 the EFSA-derived values, respectively. The corresponding BMDL5 for drinking water concentrations, for estrogen receptor binding activation associated with breast cancer, pregnane X receptor binding associated with altered serum cholesterol levels, thyroid hormone receptor α binding leading to thyroid disease, and decreased antibody titer (pro-inflammation from cytokines) were 0.883, 0.139, 0.086, and 0.295 ng/ml, respectively, with application of no uncertainty factors. These concentrations are 5.7-, 36-, 58.5-, and 16.9-fold lower than the median measured drinking water level for the general US population which is approximately, 5 ng/ml.



1972 ◽  
Vol 27 (01) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A Hassanein ◽  
Th. A El-Garf ◽  
Z El-Baz

SummaryADP-induced platelet aggregation and calcium-induced platelet aggregation tests were studied in 14 diabetic patients in the fasting state and half an hour after an intravenous injection of 0.1 unit insulin/kg body weight. Platelet disaggregation was significantly diminished as compared to a normal control group, and their results were negatively correlated with the corresponding serum cholesterol levels. Insulin caused significant diminution in the ADP-induced platelet aggregation as a result of rapid onset of aggregation and disaggregation. There was also a significant increase in platelet disaggregation. In the calcium-induced platelet aggregation test, there was a significant shortening of the aggregation time, its duration, and the clotting time. The optical density fall due to platelet aggregation showed a significant increase. Insulin may have a role in correcting platelet disaggregation possibly through improvement in the intracellular enzymatic activity.



2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 625-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Che ◽  
Wei Dai

AhR is an environmental response gene that mediates cellular responses to a variety of xenobiotic compounds that frequently function as AhR ligands. Many AhR ligands are classified as carcinogens or pro-carcinogens. Thus, AhR itself acts as a major mediator of the carcinogenic effect of many xenobiotics in vivo. In this concise review, mechanisms by which AhR trans-activates downstream target gene expression, modulates immune responses, and mediates malignant transformation and tumor development are discussed. Moreover, activation of AhR by post-translational modifications and crosstalk with other transcription factors or signaling pathways are also summarized.



Circulation ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 91 (10) ◽  
pp. 2528-2540 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wouter Jukema ◽  
Albert V.G. Bruschke ◽  
Ad J. van Boven ◽  
Johan H.C. Reiber ◽  
Egbert T. Bal ◽  
...  


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 899-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia C. Hewitt ◽  
Leping Li ◽  
Sara A. Grimm ◽  
Wipawee Winuthayanon ◽  
Katherine J. Hamilton ◽  
...  

Abstract Estrogen receptor α (ERα) interacts with DNA directly or indirectly via other transcription factors, referred to as “tethering.” Evidence for tethering is based on in vitro studies and a widely used “KIKO” mouse model containing mutations that prevent direct estrogen response element DNA- binding. KIKO mice are infertile, due in part to the inability of estradiol (E2) to induce uterine epithelial proliferation. To elucidate the molecular events that prevent KIKO uterine growth, regulation of the pro-proliferative E2 target gene Klf4 and of Klf15, a progesterone (P4) target gene that opposes the pro-proliferative activity of KLF4, was evaluated. Klf4 induction was impaired in KIKO uteri; however, Klf15 was induced by E2 rather than by P4. Whole uterine chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing revealed enrichment of KIKO ERα binding to hormone response elements (HREs) motifs. KIKO binding to HRE motifs was verified using reporter gene and DNA-binding assays. Because the KIKO ERα has HRE DNA-binding activity, we evaluated the “EAAE” ERα, which has more severe DNA-binding domain mutations, and demonstrated a lack of estrogen response element or HRE reporter gene induction or DNA-binding. The EAAE mouse has an ERα null–like phenotype, with impaired uterine growth and transcriptional activity. Our findings demonstrate that the KIKO mouse model, which has been used by numerous investigators, cannot be used to establish biological functions for ERα tethering, because KIKO ERα effectively stimulates transcription using HRE motifs. The EAAE-ERα DNA-binding domain mutant mouse demonstrates that ERα DNA-binding is crucial for biological and transcriptional processes in reproductive tissues and that ERα tethering may not contribute to estrogen responsiveness in vivo.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Cui ◽  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Mu Su ◽  
ShiYou Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractSuper-enhancers or stretch enhancers (SEs) consist of large clusters of active transcription enhancers which promote the expression of critical genes that define cell identity during development and disease. However, the role of many super-enhancers in tumor cells remains unclear. This study aims to explore the function and mechanism of a new super-enhancer in various tumor cells. A new super-enhancer that exists in a variety of tumors named EphA2-Super-enhancer (EphA2-SE) was found using multiple databases and further identified. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of EphA2-SE results in the significant downregulation of its target gene EphA2. Mechanistically, we revealed that the core active region of EphA2-SE comprises E1 component enhancer, which recruits TCF7L2 and FOSL2 transcription factors to drive the expression of EphA2, induce cell proliferation and metastasis. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-seq data and functional experiments in vitro illustrated that EphA2-SE deletion inhibited cell growth and metastasis by blocking PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HeLa, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells. Overexpression of EphA2 in EphA2-SE−/− clones rescued the effect of EphA2-SE deletion on proliferation and metastasis. Subsequent xenograft animal model revealed that EphA2-SE deletion suppressed tumor proliferation and survival in vivo. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that EphA2-SE plays an oncogenic role and promotes tumor progression in various tumors by recruiting FOSL2 and TCF7L2 to drive the expression of oncogene EphA2.



Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document