Comparing Strategies to Reactivate Fetal Globin Expression for the Treatment of Beta-Globinopathies

Abstract The hemoglobinopathies, such as β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia (SCA), are characterized by mutations of the β-globin gene resulting in either decreased or functionally abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) production. As bone marrow transplant is the only curative option for these patients, there is a strong need for new therapeutic approaches. Both β-thalassemia and SCA represent ideal targets for gene therapy since introduction of a normal β-globin gene can ameliorate the phenotype, as we and others have shown previously. Overcoming the developmental silencing of the fetal γ-globin gene represents an additional approach for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies. Here, we directly compare a recently established approach to activate the γ-globin gene using forced chromatin looping with pharmacologic approaches to raise γ-globin expression. The β-type globin genes are activated through dynamic interactions with a distal upstream enhancer, the locus control region (LCR). The LCR physically contacts the developmental stage appropriate globin gene via chromatin looping, a process partially dependent on the protein Ldb1. Previously, we have shown that tethering Ldb1 to the murine β-globin promoter with a custom designed zinc finger protein (ZF-Ldb1) can induce loop formation and β-globin transcription in an erythroid cell line (Deng et al., 2012). Further work showed that forced chromatin looping can be exploited to potently reactivate fetal globin gene expression in adult human erythroid cells (Deng et al., 2014). Here we compared the efficacy and toxicity of ZF-Ldb1 to pharmacologic compounds that induce HbF in cultured hematopoietic stem progenitor cell-derived erythroid cultures from normal and SCA donors. ZF-Ldb1 increased HbF synthesis in SCA erythroid cells (N=8) up to 86% and, concurrently, reduced sickle Hb (HbS) below 15%, consistent with previous studies of erythroid cells from normal probands. Preliminary results obtained from treating SCA specimens (N=3) show that the induction of HbF in cells treated with ZF-Ldb1 is twice as high (+35.55% ± 8.34%, at a dose of ~ one ZF-Ldb1 transgene copy per cell) as that observed using pomalidomide (+16.50% ± 14.57%, 20μM) and decitabine (+15.60% ± 12.36%, 0.5μM). Tranylcypromine and hydroxyurea showed the lowest HbF increase (+9.67% ± 3.26% and +5.06 ± 2.82%, 1.5μM and 150μM respectively). Importantly, decitabine and pomalidomide treatment lowered cell viability to 39% and 26%, respectively, while ZF-Ldb1 expressing cells retained normal viability similar to control populations. In related experiments, we are comparing the expression of a battery of genes known to regulate HbF levels (BCL11A, SOX6, KLF1 and C-Myb) in normal and SCA derived erythroid cells treated with ZF-Ldb1 or HbF inducers and compared to controls. Preliminary analyses indicate altered expression of KLF1 in SCA versus normal cells, consistent with a superior response of SCA cells to HbF induction. In conclusion, lentiviral-mediated ZF-Ldb1 gene transfer appears superior to pharmacologic compounds in terms of efficacy and cell viability further supporting suitability for the reactivation of HbF in SCA erythroid cells. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Downregulation of Transcription Factor LRF/ZBTB7A Increases Fetal Hemoglobin Expression in β-Thalassemia/Hemoglobin E Erythroid Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-126664 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 3549-3549

Author(s):

Sukanya Chumchuen ◽

Tanapat Pornsukjantra ◽

Pinyaphat Khamphikham ◽

Usanarat Anurathapan ◽

Orapan Sripichai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Therapy ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Fetal Hemoglobin ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Hemoglobin E ◽

In Erythroid Cells

LRF/ZBTB7A is a transcription factor that has been recently identified as a new key regulator of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; α2γ2) production in erythroid cells. Reduction of LRF/ZBTB7A expression led to increases in levels of HbF in human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC)-derived erythroblast and in human immortalized erythroid line (HUDEP-2). Since reactivation of γ-globin gene is associated with the improvement of clinical manifestations of β-hemoglobinopathy patients, decrement in LRF/ZBTB7A expression might be a substantial interest as a novel target for gene therapy in β-thalassemia. In this study, we investigated the effects of LRF/ZBTB7A downregulation in erythroid cells derived from β-thalassemia/HbE patients in order to evaluate its therapeutic potential. The hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells were collected from 3 patients and 3 healthy normal individuals' peripheral blood and subjected for in vitro erythroblast culture. The cells were transduced with lentivirus carrying LRF/ZBTB7A specific shRNA, and used untransduced cells and non-targeted control shRNA (shNTC) as experimental controls. The LRF/ZBTB7A shRNA reduced LRF/ZBTB7A transcript and protein to nearly undetectable levels. Interestingly, downregulation of LRF/ZBTB7A increased expression of γ-globin, ε-globin and ζ-globin in both adult normal and β-thalassemia/HbE derived cells, whereas α-globin, β-globin and δ-globin expression were decreased. As previously reported, we found that the LRF/ZBTB7A knockdown produced a robust increase in HbF levels in both normal (43.3±9.0% vs. 5.9±2.1% in shNTC) and β-thalassemia/HbE erythroblasts (78.1±3.5% vs. 26.3±3.9% in shNTC). Noteworthy, the delay of erythroid differentiation was observed in the LRF/ZBTB7A knockdown cells of both derived from β-thalassemia/HbE patients and normal control, suggesting an additional role of LRF/ZBTB7A in regulating erythroid maturation. These data support the manipulation of LRF/ZBTB7A as one of the most interesting gene therapy candidates for treating the β-thalassemia, but the effect on erythroid cell maturation is needed to be concerned and required further investigation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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LSD1 Plays an Important Role in GATA Switch during Erythroid Differentiation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.4846.4846 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 4846-4846

Author(s):

Yue Jin ◽

Yidi Guo ◽

Dongxue Liang ◽

Yue Li ◽

Zhe Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Es Cells ◽

Regulatory Element ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Mouse Es Cells ◽

Murine Erythroleukemia

Abstract GATA factors play important role in hematopoiesis. In particular, GATA2 is critical for maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HS/PCs) and GATA1 is required for erythropoiesis. GATA1 and GATA2 are expressed in reciprocal patterns during erythroid differentiation. It was shown that GATA1 occupied the -2.8Kb regulatory element and mediated repression of the GATA2 promoter in terminally differentiating erythroid cells. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms that control the enhancer/promoter activities of the GATA2 gene remain to be elucidated. In this report, we found that LSD1 and TAL1 co-localize at GATA2 1S promoter through ChIP and double-ChIP assays in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. To further test whether LSD1 and its mediated H3K4 demethylation is important for repression of the GATA2 gene during erythroid differentiation, we silenced LSD1 expression in both MEL cells and mouse ES cells using retrovirus mediated shRNA knockdown and induced them to differentiate into erythroid cells with DMSO and EPO, respectively. GATA2 expression was elevated while the level of GATA1 was repressed by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, consistent with the GATA witch hypothesis, ChIP analysis revealed that the levels of H3K4me2 were increased at the GATA2 1S promoter. In addition, knock-down of LSD1 in MEL cells results in inhibition of erythroid cell differenciation and attenuation of MEL cell proliferation and survival. Thus, our data reveal that LSD1 involved in control of terminal erythroid differentiation by regulating GATA switch. The LSD1 histone demethylase complex may be recruited to the GATA2 1S promoter by interacting with TAL1. The H3K4 demethylation activity of LSD1 leads to downregulation of the active H3K4m2 mark at the GATA2 promoter that alters chromatin structure and represses transcription of the GATA2 genes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Novel Lentiviral Vectors for Gene Therapy of Sickle Cell Disease Combining Gene Addition and Gene Silencing Strategies

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-151076 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3973-3973

Author(s):

Megane Brusson ◽

Anne Chalumeau ◽

Pierre Martinucci ◽

Valentina Poletti ◽

Fulvio Mavilio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Gene Silencing ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Insertion Site ◽

Lentiviral Vectors ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is due to a mutation in the β-globin (HBB) gene causing the production of the sickle β S-globin chain. The sickle Hb (HbS, a 2β S2) polymerizes, leading to the formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells that cause vaso-occlusions and organ damage. Transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) transduced with lentiviral vectors (LV) expressing an anti-sickling β-globin transgene (βAS LV) is a promising curative treatment; however, it is partially effective in SCD patients, who still present elevated HbS levels. Here, we aim to improve LVs to boost therapeutic β-like globin levels without increasing the mutagenic vector load in HSPCs. We developed 2 novel LVs expressing βAS together with an artificial microRNA (amiR) targeting either the fetal Hb (HbF) repressor BCL11A (βAS/amiRBCL11A) or the β S-globin (βAS/amiRHBB). By downregulating BCL11A, amiRBCL11A re-activates the expression of the endogenous anti-sickling fetal γ-globin, which, together with βAS, should improve the clinical course of SCD; β S-globin downregulation should favor βAS incorporation in Hb tetramers, increase therapeutic Hb levels and ameliorate the SCD phenotype. First, we developed βAS/amiRBCL11A LV by inserting the amiR in multiple position of the βAS intron 2 under the control of HBB promoter/enhancers to limit BCL11A downregulation to the erythroid lineage and reduce potential amiR-related cellular toxicity and off-target effects. We showed that amiR insertion site did not affect LV titer nor βAS expression in a human erythroid cell line (HUDEP2). BCL11A downregulation in HUDEP2 led to γ-globin gene de-repression and a high proportion of HbF + cells (RTqPCR, HPLC, flow cytometry). Importantly, the total amount of therapeutic β-like globins was substantially higher in βAS/amiRBCL11A LV- than in βAS LV-transduced cells, with no impairment in cell viability or erythroid differentiation. In parallel, we designed 17 amiRs targeting HBB and generated the corresponding βAS/amiRHBB LVs. We tested these LVs in HUDEP2 and selected 2 amiRs efficiently downregulating β-globin at mRNA and protein levels (RT-qPCR and Western Blot). Of note, we modified the βAS transgene by inserting silent mutations that prevent its recognition by the amiR (βASm). Finally, we tested βAS/amiRBCL11A and βAS/amiRHBB LVs in HSPCs from SCD patients. HSPC-derived erythroid cells transduced with βAS/amiRBCL11A LV showed increased HbF levels, although HbS levels remained high. To further reduce β S-globin levels, we targeted the β S-globin mRNA using the βAS/amiRHBB LV. Efficient HSPC transduction by βASm/amiRHBB LV led to a substantial decrease of β S-globin transcripts in HSPC-derived erythroid cells compared to the βAS LV-transduced cells (RTqPCR) at a VCN/cell of 2. Notably, the amiR specifically down-regulated β S-globin, without affecting βAS expression. In βASm/amiRHBB- vs βAS LV-transduced cells, HPLC analysis showed that β S-globin downregulation led to a significant decrease of HbS, which represented 58% and 71% of the total Hb, respectively). This was associated with a significant increase of the therapeutic Hb in βASm/amiRHBB LV- vs βAS LV-transduced erythroid cells (38% and 27% of the total Hb, respectively). Importantly, we observed a substantial reduction of the proportion of HbS-positive cells in βASm/amiRHBB- vs βAS LV-transduced samples (from 96% to 70%; Figure 1A). The increased incorporation of βAS in Hb tetramers and the decrease in β S-globin led to a better correction of the sickling phenotype in mature RBCs derived from HSPCs transduced with βASm/amiRHBB LV- compared to βAS LV (55% and 84% of sickling cells, respectively; Figure 1B). A clonal assay of hematopoietic progenitors showed no impairment in HSPC viability and differentiation towards the erythroid and myeloid lineages upon transduction with bifunctional LVs. βASm/amiRHBB LV showed a standard lentiviral integration profile. Finally, we performed RNAseq to further evaluate the safety of our therapeutic strategy. In conclusion, we created a LV able to concomitantly silence the β S-globin and express βAS, achieving clinically relevant levels of therapeutic Hb and efficient correction of the sickling phenotype. Therefore, the combination of gene addition and gene silencing strategies can improve the efficacy of current therapeutic approaches, representing a novel treatment for SCD. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Cavazzana: Smart Immune: Other: co-founder.

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Base Editing Repairs the HbE Mutation Restoring the Production of Normal Globin Chains in Severe HbE/β-Thalassemia Patient Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Erythroid Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-153283 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 2935-2935

Author(s):

Mohsin Badat ◽

Peng Hua ◽

Sachith Mettananda ◽

Christopher Fisher ◽

Noemi Roy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Lentiviral Vector ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Causative Mutation ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Base Editing ◽

Globin Chains ◽

Thalassemia Trait

Abstract HbE/β-thalassemia is the commonest form of severe β-thalassemia, and comprises approximately 50% of all cases worldwide. HbE/β-thalassemia is caused by the HbE codon 26 G>A mutation on one allele and any severe β 0-thalassemia mutation on the other. These mutations lead to a reduction in β-globin production, resulting in a relative excess in α-globin chains that go on to cause ineffective erythropoiesis. Importantly, individuals with a mutation on one, but not two, alleles have β-thalassemia trait, a carrier state with a normal phenotype. Recent gene therapy and gene editing approaches have been developed to treat β-thalassemia but do not directly repair the causative mutation in-situ. Gene replacement approaches rely on lentiviral vector-based sequence insertion or homology directed repair (HDR). HbF induction strategies also rely on non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) targeting of enhancers in-trans. These approaches, whilst variably successful, are associated with potential safety concerns. Adenine base editors (ABEs) potentially circumvent these problems by directly repairing pathogenic variants in-situ through deamination. ABEs catalyse A-T to G-C conversions through targeting with a Cas9-nickase and single-guide RNA (sgRNA). Conversion of the HbE codon to normal through base editing is an attractive strategy to recapitulate the phenotypically normal β-thalassemia trait state without potentially harmful double-strand breaks or random vector insertions (Figure 1A). ABEs are able to convert the HbE codon (AAG, lys) to wild-type (GAG, glu), but also to GGG (gly) or AGG (arg). GGG at codon 26 is found in a naturally occurring hemoglobin, Hb Aubenas. Heterozygotes have normal red cell indices and are phenotypically normal. We electroporated the latest generation of ABE8 editors (ABE8e, ABE8.13 and ABE8 V106W) as mRNA into WT CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with sgRNAs targeting the middle A of the WT GAG codon. These had similar editing efficiencies although ABE8 V106W had marginally higher on-target efficiency. V106W has been evolved to have a favourable off-target profile. V106W mRNA/sgRNA was electroporated into 3 different severe HbE/β-thalassemia donor HSPCs. The HbE codon was converted to WT with a mean 28.7% efficiency, to Hb Aubenas 48.6% and to an undescribed AGG codon 2.1%. The mean conversion from HbE to a normal or normal variant was 78.7±8.7% (Figure 1B). The indel rate from inadvertent on-target Cas9 cleavage was below 0.5%. Edited cells did not show any perturbations in erythroid differentiation as assessed by Immunophenotyping and cellular morphology. In differentiated erythroid cells, RT-qPCR showed a mean fall in the α/β mRNA ratio to 0.65±0.08 (unedited patient cells normalised to 1, n=5, Figure 1C), indicating a reduction in the relative excess α-globin gene expression. Protein analysis by CE-HPLC showed a 3.6-fold reduction in HbE levels (SD±1.3) and a 13.5-fold increase in HbA/Hb Aubenas (SD±2.4, Figure 1C and D). To prove that base editing using mRNA was possible in long-term HSCs, CD34+ cells from 4 WT cord blood donors were edited using ABEmax. Mice were culled after 16 weeks, and human cells were collected and transplanted into 7 secondary mice, which were also culled after 16 weeks. Each secondary mouse showed the presence of hCD45+ cells, indicating engraftment of LT-HSCs. All secondary replicates showed editing, with a mean editing efficiency of 34.5% (initial editing 46.3%). In both rounds of mice, there was robust lymphoid and myeloid engraftment and expected levels of erythroid engraftment for the NSG model in bone marrow and spleen. Potential off-target effects were assessed in-vitro by CIRCLE-seq in triplicate. These sites were assessed by targeted oligonucleotide capture of DNA from mRNA edited patient cells to detect in-vivo editing. Together these data provide robust evidence for base editing as an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for HbE/β-thalassemia. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Using Forced Chromatin Looping To Overcome Developmental Silencing Of Embryonic and Fetal β-Type Globin Genes In Adult Erythroid Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.433.433 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 433-433

Author(s):

Jeremy W Rupon ◽

Wulan Deng ◽

Hongxin Wang ◽

Philip D Gregory ◽

Andreas Reik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Long Range ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Zinc Finger Protein ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Globin Genes ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Chromatin Looping ◽

Finger Protein

Abstract The β-genes undergo developmental activation and silencing in part by competing for their upstream enhancer, the locus control region (LCR). In adult erythroid cells, the LCR contacts the β-globin gene promoter by forming a loop that precludes interaction with the embryonic and fetal β-type globin genes. Reversing this developmental gene expression switch in favor of embryonic/fetal genes has therapeutic implications for patients with hemoglobinopathies. Here we employed a forced chromatin looping approach to activate the silenced murine embryonic βh1-globin gene and the human fetal γ-globin gene in adult erythroid cells. We have previously shown that forced recruitment via artificial zinc finger proteins of Ldb1, a protein necessary for long-range chromatin interactions at the β-globin locus, can trigger chromatin loop formation and transcription initiation. Here, we designed a zinc finger protein targeting the βh1 promoter, fused it to the self-association domain of Ldb1 (βh1-Ldb1), and introduced it into an adult murine erythroid cell line that normally produces nearly 100% adult β-globin. βh1-Ldb1 expression activated βh1-globin transcription up to 3000-fold accounting for ∼20% of total β-globin expression. βh1-Ldb1 similarly increased expression of βh1-globin in fetal liver derived primary erythroid cells. These results are striking given the degree to which murine embryonic globin genes are normally repressed. To test whether the activity βh1-Ldb1 was due to a looped interaction of the βh1 promoter with the LCR, we introduced βh1-Ldb1 into fetal liver derived erythroblasts from mice in which the LCR had been deleted. βh1-Ldb1 was virtually inactive in the absence of the LCR, demonstrating the dependence on the LCR and, by inference, long range looping of βh1-Ldb1 function. We next extended this approach to the human β-globin locus in an effort to activate expression of the fetal γ-globin gene in adult erythroid cells. Ldb1 was fused to a previously described γ-globin promoter binding zinc finger protein, GG1, to generate GG1-Ldb1. Introduction of GG1-Ldb1 into adult primary human erythroid cells strongly activated γ-globin expression with a concomitant reduction in β-globin transcription. Strikingly, γ-globin accounted for nearly 90% of total β-type globin transcription. Furthermore, fetal hemoglobin expression was nearly pan-cellular as determined by flow cytometry. These results demonstrate the power of forced chromatin looping to reprogram developmental regulation of gene expression, and provide a novel proof of concept for activating the γ-globin gene for the benefit of patients with hemoglobinopathies. Disclosures: Gregory: Sangamo BioSciences: Employment. Reik:Sangamo BioSciences: Employment.

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Isolation and characterization of the cDNA encoding BKLF/TEF-2, a major CACCC-box-binding protein in erythroid cells and selected other cells.

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.16.4.1695 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 1695-1705 ◽

Cited By ~ 181

Author(s):

M Crossley ◽

E Whitelaw ◽

A Perkins ◽

G Williams ◽

Y Fujiwara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zinc Finger Protein ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Simian Virus 40 ◽

Regulatory Elements ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Isolation And Characterization ◽

Gel Shift ◽

In Erythroid Cells

CACCC boxes are among the critical sequences present in regulatory elements of genes expressed in erythroid cells, as well as in selected other cell types. While an erythroid cell-specific CACCC-box-binding protein, EKLF, has been shown to be required in vivo for proper expression of the adult beta-globin gene, it is dispensable for the regulation of several other globin and nonglobin erythroid cell-expressed genes. In the work described here, we searched for additional CACCC-box transcription factors that might be active in murine erythroid cells. We identified a major gel shift activity (termed BKLF), present in yolk sac and fetal liver erythroid cells, that could be distinguished from EKLF by specific antisera. Through relaxed-stringency hybridization, we obtained the cDNA encoding BKLF, a highly basic, novel zinc finger protein that is related to EKLF and other Krüppel-like members in its DNA-binding domain but unrelated elsewhere. BKLF, which is widely but not ubiquitously expressed in cell lines, is highly expressed in the midbrain region of embryonic mice and appears to correspond to the gel shift activity TEF-2, a transcriptional activator implicated in regulation of the simian virus 40 enhancer and other CACCC-box-containing regulatory elements. Because BKLF binds with high affinity and preferentially over Sp1 to many CACCC sequences of erythroid cell expressed genes, it is likely to participate in the control of many genes whose expression appears independent of the action of EKLF.

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Positive regulators of the lineage-specific transcription factor GATA-1 in differentiating erythroid cells

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.14.5.3108-3114.1994 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 3108-3114

Author(s):

M H Baron ◽

S M Farrington

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Embryonic Stem Cells ◽

Cultured Cells ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Targeted Mutagenesis ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Erythroid Cells

The zinc finger transcription factor GATA-1 is a major regulator of gene expression in erythroid, megakaryocyte, and mast cell lineages. GATA-1 binds to WGATAR consensus motifs in the regulatory regions of virtually all erythroid cell-specific genes. Analyses with cultured cells and cell-free systems have provided strong evidence that GATA-1 is involved in control of globin gene expression during erythroid differentiation. Targeted mutagenesis of the GATA-1 gene in embryonic stem cells has demonstrated its requirement in normal erythroid development. Efficient rescue of the defect requires an intact GATA element in the distal promoter, suggesting autoregulatory control of GATA-1 transcription. To examine whether GATA-1 expression involves additional regulatory factors or is maintained entirely by an autoregulatory loop, we have used a transient heterokaryon system to test the ability of erythroid factors to activate the GATA-1 gene in nonerythroid nuclei. We show here that proerythroblasts and mature erythroid cells contain a diffusible activity (TAG) capable of transcriptional activation of GATA-1 and that this activity decreases during the terminal differentiation of erythroid cells. Nuclei from GATA-1- mutant embryonic stem cells can still be reprogrammed to express their globin genes in erythroid heterokaryons, indicating that de novo induction of GATA-1 is not required for globin gene activation following cell fusion.

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Hematopoietic-Specific CSNK2B Loss in Mice Causes Impaired Erythropoiesis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v130.suppl_1.82.82 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 130 (Suppl_1) ◽

pp. 82-82

Author(s):

Laura Quotti Tubi ◽

Sara Canovas Nunes ◽

Marilena Carrino ◽

Ketty Gianesin ◽

Sabrina Manni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Knockout Mice ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Conditional Knockout ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Red Cell ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Erythroid Maturation

Abstract CK2 (Csnk2, casein kinase 2) is a Ser-Thr kinase composed by two catalytic (α) and two regulatory (β) subunits and involved in the regulation of various signaling cascades, which are critical for stem cell biology and hematopoietic development. However, a direct role for CK2 during blood cell differentiation is still undefined. Here, we examined the function of CK2 in erythropoiesis by using a hematopoietic-specific conditional knockout mouse model of the β regulatory subunit (Vav1-CRE x Csnk2β f/f mice). Since CK2β knockout mice died in utero, the study was carried out during gestation collecting fetuses from 12.5 to 17.5 days post conception (dpc) and performing the analysis on fetal liver. CK2β knockout fetuses were pale and hydropic, displayed a smaller liver, disarrayed vascularization and haemorrhages. Lack of CK2β caused depletion of hematopoietic/precursor cells, in particular of common lymphoid progenitors and megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors. CK2β loss resulted to affect both early and late erythroid maturation and red cell viability. CK2β knockout contained lower numbers of TER119 positive cells, which displayed a down modulation of the surface expression of transferrin receptor (CD71) and an increased spontaneous apoptosis. Erythroid cells showed alterations in morphology compatible with myelodysplastic changes. Loss of CK2β caused alterations of erythroid cell proliferation, which was different depending on the stage of erythroid maturation: indeed, BrdU and 7AAD staining showed that less mature erythroid cells (CD71+Ter119-) had a lower rate of proliferation but a normal viability; on the contrary, more mature (CD71-Ter119+) erythroid cells suffered in part of apoptosis and in part accumulated in the S phase. RNA seq analysis performed on purified Ter119+ cells revealed upregulation of TP53 -associated genes as well as of Cdkn1a (p21); on the contrary, there was a down-modulation of Stat5 (an erythropoietin receptor down-stream effector) and genes involved in red cell survival and differentiation in particular c-kit and genes associated to the PI3/Akt pathway. The expression of adhesion molecules and surface carriers for inorganic cations/anionsimportant for the osmotic equilibrium and cell membrane integrity was also found markedly dysregulated. Real time quantitative PCR and Western Blot (WB) analyses confirmed the expression data of Cdkn1a, c-Kit, Bcl-xL, Jak-Stat5 as well as of Akt-Gata-1 axis. Gata-1, the key transcription factor for definitive erythropoiesis, was reduced in CK2β knockout mice as were its downstream target genes such as Alas-2, Lrf, Eklf, Epo-R, β-globin. Immature fetal globins accumulated. In order to find a molecular mechanism, we used an in vitro model of erythroid differentiation based on G1ER cells, an estrogen inducible GATA-1 null murine erythroblast cell line; the combined treatment of β-estradiol and inhibition of CK2 through the chemical inhibitor CX-4945 or RNA interference against CK2β confirmed the negative effect on differentiation. Western blot analysis indicated a potential role of the kinase in the regulation of Akt, Gata-1 and Stat5 protein stability. Moreover, the blockade or down modulation of CK2 caused changes in Gata-1 nuclear distribution with loss of the speckled pattern induced by β-estradiol. Thus, CK2 is a likely essential controller of GATA-1 transcriptional function. Altogether, our work demonstrates that CK2 is a master regulator of erythroid development, by impinging on Stat5, Akt and Gata-1 signaling and influencing red cell viability, bioenergetics, proliferation and maturation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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A human beta-globin gene fused to the human beta-globin locus control region is expressed at high levels in erythroid cells of mice engrafted with retrovirus-transduced hematopoietic stem cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v81.5.1384.1384 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 81 (5) ◽

pp. 1384-1392 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

I Plavec ◽

T Papayannopoulou ◽

C Maury ◽

F Meyer

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow Cells ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Beta Globin ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Beta Globin Gene ◽

Erythroleukemia Cells ◽

Murine Erythroleukemia ◽

In Erythroid Cells

Abstract Retroviral-mediated gene transfer of human beta-globin provides a model system for the development of somatic gene therapy for hemoglobinopathies. Previous work has shown that mice receiving a transplant of bone marrow cells infected with a retroviral vector containing the human beta-globin gene can express human beta-globin specifically in erythroid cells; however, the level of expression of the transduced globin gene was low (1% to 2% per gene copy as compared with that of the endogenous mouse beta-globin gene). We report here the construction of a recombinant retrovirus vector encoding a human beta- globin gene fused to the 4 major regulatory elements of the human beta- globin locus control region (LCR). The LCR cassette increases the level of expression of the globin gene in murine erythroleukemia cells by 10- fold. To study the level of expression in vivo, mouse bone marrow cells were infected with virus-producing cells and the transduced cells were injected into lethally irradiated recipients. In the majority of provirus-containing mice (up to 75%), expression of human beta-globin in peripheral blood was detected at least 3 to 6 months after transplantation. Twelve animals representative of the level of expression of the transduced gene in blood (0.04% to 3.2% of the endogenous mouse beta-globin RNA) were selected for further analysis. A range of 0.4% to 12% of circulating erythrocytes stained positive for human beta-globin protein. Based on these values, the level of expression of the transduced gene per cell was estimated to be 10% to 39% of the endogenous mouse beta-globin gene. These data demonstrate that fusion of the LCR to the beta-globin gene in a retroviral vector increases the level of beta-globin expression in murine erythroleukemia cells and suggest that high-level expression can be obtained in erythroid cells in vivo after transduction into hematopoietic stem cells.

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Klf1 Regulatory Networks in Primary Erythroid Cells.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.1462.1462 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 1462-1462

Author(s):

Michael Tallack ◽

Thomas Whitington ◽

Brooke Gardiner ◽

Eleanor Wainwright ◽

Janelle Keys ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regulatory Networks ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Es Cells ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Erythroid Cell ◽

Gene Promoters ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Red Cell Membrane ◽

Sequencing Platform

Abstract Abstract 1462 Poster Board I-485 Klf1/Eklf regulates a diverse suite of genes to direct erythroid cell differentiation from bi-potent progenitors. To determine the local cis-regulatory contexts and transcription factor networks in which Klf1 works, we performed Klf1 ChIP-seq using the SOLiD deep sequencing platform. We mapped more than 10 million unique 35mer tags and found ∼1500 sites in the genome of primary fetal liver erythroid cells are occupied by endogenous Klf1. Many reside within well characterised erythroid gene promoters (e.g. b-globin) or enhancers (e.g. E2f2 intron 1), but some are >100kb from any known gene. We tested a number of Klf1 bound promoter and intragenic sites for activity in erythroid cell lines and zebrafish. Our data suggests Klf1 directly regulates most aspects of terminal erythroid differentiation including synthesis of the hemoglobin tetramer, construction of a deformable red cell membrane and cytoskeleton, bimodal regulation of proliferation, and co-ordination of anti-apoptosis and enucleation pathways. Additionally, we suggest new mechanisms for Klf1 co-operation with other transcription factors such as those of the gata, ets and myb families based on over-representation and spatial constraints of their binding motifs in the vicinity of Klf1-bound promoters and enhancers. Finally, we have identified a group of ∼100 Klf1-occupied sites in fetal liver which overlap with Klf4-occupied sites in ES cells defined by Klf4 ChIP-seq. These sites are associated with genes controlling the cell cycle and proliferation and are Klf4-dependent in skin, gut and ES cells, suggesting a global paradigm for Klfs as regulators of differentiation in many, if not all, cell types. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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