scholarly journals Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 Technology to Genome Editing in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2342
Author(s):  
Nadia Al-Sammarraie ◽  
Swapan K. Ray

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive malignancy of the brain and spinal cord with a poor life expectancy. The low survivability of GBM patients can be attributed, in part, to its heterogeneity and the presence of multiple genetic alterations causing rapid tumor growth and resistance to conventional therapy. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) nuclease 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system is a cost-effective and reliable gene editing technology, which is widely used in cancer research. It leads to novel discoveries of various oncogenes that regulate autophagy, angiogenesis, and invasion and play important role in pathogenesis of various malignancies, including GBM. In this review article, we first describe the principle and methods of delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Second, we summarize the current knowledge and major applications of CRISPR-Cas9 to identifying and modifying the genetic regulators of the hallmark of GBM. Lastly, we elucidate the major limitations of current CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the GBM field and the future perspectives. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing aids in identifying novel coding and non-coding transcriptional regulators of the hallmarks of GBM particularly in vitro, while work using in vivo systems requires further investigation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyu Sun ◽  
Jianchu Wang ◽  
Donghui Zheng ◽  
Xiaorong Hu

Abstract Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is one of the most versatile and efficient gene editing technologies, which is derived from adaptive immune strategies for bacteria and archaea. With the remarkable development of programmable nuclease-based genome engineering these years, CRISPR-Cas9 system has developed quickly in recent 5 years and has been widely applied in countless areas, including genome editing, gene function investigation and gene therapy both in vitro and in vivo. In this paper, we briefly introduce the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 tool in genome editing. More importantly, we review the recent therapeutic application of CRISPR-Cas9 in various diseases, including hematologic diseases, infectious diseases and malignant tumor. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and consider thoughtfully what advances are required in order to further develop the therapeutic application of CRISPR-Cas9 in the future.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Oldrini ◽  
Álvaro Curiel-García ◽  
Carolina Marques ◽  
Veronica Matia ◽  
Özge Uluçkan ◽  
...  

AbstractIt has been gradually established that the vast majority of human tumors are extraordinarily heterogeneous at a genetic level. To accurately recapitulate this complexity, it is now evident that in vivo animal models of cancers will require to recreate not just a handful of simple genetic alterations, but possibly dozens and increasingly intricate. Here, we have combined the RCAS/TVA system with the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools for precise modeling of human tumors. We show that somatic deletion in neural stem cells (NSCs) of a variety of known tumor suppressor genes (Trp53, Cdkn2a and Pten), in combination with the expression of an oncogene driver, leads to high-grade glioma formation. Moreover, by simultaneous delivery of pairs of guide RNAs (gRNAs) we generated different gene fusions, either by chromosomal deletion (Bcan-Ntrk1) or by chromosomal translocation (Myb-Qk), and we show that they have transforming potential in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, using homology-directed-repair (HDR), we also produced tumors carrying the Braf V600E mutation, frequently identified in a variety of subtypes of gliomas. In summary, we have developed an extremely powerful and versatile mouse model for in vivo somatic genome editing, that will elicit the generation of more accurate cancer models particularly appropriate for pre-clinical testing.


J ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-127
Author(s):  
Pengxiang Zhu ◽  
Masahiro Sakanaka

Red ginseng, as an effective herbal medicine, has been traditionally and empirically used for the treatment of neuronal diseases. Many studies suggest that red ginseng and its ingredients protect the brain and spinal cord from neural injuries such as ischemia, trauma, and neurodegeneration. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of red ginseng and its ingredients. Ginsenoside Rb1 and other ginsenosides are regarded as the active ingredients of red ginseng; the anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative actions of ginsenosides, together with a series of bioactive molecules relevant to the above actions, appear to account for the neuroprotective effects in vivo and/or in vitro. Moreover, in this review, the possibility is raised that more effective or stable neuroprotective derivatives based on the chemical structures of ginsenosides could be developed. Although further studies, including clinical trials, are necessary to confirm the pharmacological properties of red ginseng and its ingredients, red ginseng and its ingredients could be promising candidate drugs for the treatment of neural injuries.


Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 297
Author(s):  
Franjo Banović ◽  
Horst Schroten ◽  
Christian Schwerk

Although it rarely induces disease in humans, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is important due to the frequency of serious pathological conditions—such as sepsis and meningitis—it causes in those few people that do get infected. Virulence factors (VF) of Lm—especially those involved in the passage through multiple cellular barriers of the body, including internalin (Inl) family members and listeriolysin O (LLO)—have been investigated both in vitro and in vivo, but the majority of work was focused on the mechanisms utilized during penetration of the gut and fetoplacental barriers. The role of listerial VF during entry into other organs remain as only partially solved puzzles. Here, we review the current knowledge on the entry of Lm into one of its more significant destinations, the brain, with a specific focus on the role of various VF in cellular adhesion and invasion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Joanna Agnieszka Komorowska-Müller ◽  
Anne-Caroline Schmöle

Microglia are key to maintaining the homeostasis of the brain. These immune cells of the brain can be our biggest ally in fighting infections, but can worsen pathology or hinder recovery when uncontrolled. Thus, understanding how microglia contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and how their activity can be controlled is of great importance. It is known that activation of endocannabinoid system, and especially the cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R), decreases inflammation. Alongside its non-psychoactive effect, it makes the CB2R receptor a perfect target for treating diseases accompanied by neuroinflammation including neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact mechanisms by which CB2R regulates microglial activity are not yet understood. Here, we review the current knowledge on the roles of microglial CB2R from in vitro and in vivo studies. We look into CB2R function under physiological and pathological conditions and focus on four different disease models representing chronic and acute inflammation. We highlight open questions and controversies and provide an update on the latest discoveries that were enabled by the development of novel technologies. Also, we discuss the recent findings on the role of microglia CB2R in cognition and its role in neuron–microglia communication.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoting Weng ◽  
Xingyu Li ◽  
Yitian Zhao ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Mengmeng Shi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background At present, genome editing at specific sites in vivo is affected by many factors, including the choice of vector, the efficiency of editing proteins and the influence of the internal environment. These factors make gene editing ineffective and even have adverse effects. Methods Here, we report a single rAAV containing SaCas9 and guide RNAs under the control of subtle EF1a and tRNA promoters. The capacity of rAAV was compressed, and we inserted the sequence of the green fluorescent protein eGFP into rAAV. The efficiency of rAAV gene editing in vivo and in vitro was analyzed by time point and virus titer. In addition, we used the rAAV9-SaCas9 system to knock out the myostatin gene in the thigh muscles of muscle-atrophic mice. Results We demonstrated that the gene editing elements regulated by the rAAV-SaCas9 system can be expressed. By increasing the amount of rAAV and the reaction time, the editing efficiency of myostatin and the expression level of eGFP protein can be improved in vitro and vivo. Furthermore, We demonstrated that muscle cells were improved by knockout partial myostatin gene in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. Conclusions The rAAV-SaCas9 system can be expressed in a stable and long-term manner. The system has substantial therapeutic potential in treating muscular atrophy.


Author(s):  
Beverly E. Maleeff ◽  
Timothy K. Hart ◽  
Stephen J. Wood ◽  
Ronald Wetzel

Alzheimer's disease is characterized post-mortem in part by abnormal extracellular neuritic plaques found in brain tissue. There appears to be a correlation between the severity of Alzheimer's dementia in vivo and the number of plaques found in particular areas of the brain. These plaques are known to be the deposition sites of fibrils of the protein β-amyloid. It is thought that if the assembly of these plaques could be inhibited, the severity of the disease would be decreased. The peptide fragment Aβ, a precursor of the p-amyloid protein, has a 40 amino acid sequence, and has been shown to be toxic to neuronal cells in culture after an aging process of several days. This toxicity corresponds to the kinetics of in vitro amyloid fibril formation. In this study, we report the biochemical and ultrastructural effects of pH and the inhibitory agent hexadecyl-N-methylpiperidinium (HMP) bromide, one of a class of ionic micellar detergents known to be capable of solubilizing hydrophobic peptides, on the in vitro assembly of the peptide fragment Aβ.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-171
Author(s):  
Feng Xue ◽  
Tingting Chen

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common malignancy of central nervous system. Herein we have evaluated the effect of L-tetrahydropalmatine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, on the tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro using C6 glioblastoma multiforme cells and BALB/c mice injected subcutaneously with C6/luc2 cells. The results of these studies show that L-tetrahydropalmatine exhibited cytotoxic effect on C6 glioblastoma multiforme cells, suppressed nuclear factor-kappa B activity, suppressed the levels of tumor-linked proteins such as matrix metalloproteinase-2/9, Cyclin-D1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein via ERK/nuclear factor-kappa B cascade. Further, L-tetrahydropalmatine inhibited the cell migration and invasion properties of C6 cells, and also suppressed the tumor weight and volume in mice. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissues suggested that L-tetrahydropalmatine inhibited the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase/nuclear factor-kappa B cascade and suppressed the levels of Cyclin-D1; matrix metalloproteinase-2/9; X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein; and vascular endothelial growth factor, and also the progression and growth of glioblastoma multiforme in mice. In summary, L-tetrahydropalmatine inhibits the ERK/nuclear factor-kappa B cascade, decreases the tumor volume, and inhibits the proteins responsible for tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-245
Author(s):  
Gang Wang ◽  
Junjie Wang ◽  
Rui Guan

Background: Owing to the rich anticancer properties of flavonoids, there is a need for their incorporation into drug delivery vehicles like nanomicelles for safe delivery of the drug into the brain tumor microenvironment. Objective: This study, therefore, aimed to prepare the phospholipid-based Labrasol/Pluronic F68 modified nano micelles loaded with flavonoids (Nano-flavonoids) for the delivery of the drug to the target brain tumor. Methods: Myricetin, quercetin and fisetin were selected as the initial drugs to evaluate the biodistribution and acute toxicity of the drug delivery vehicles in rats with implanted C6 glioma tumors after oral administration, while the uptake, retention, release in human intestinal Caco-2 cells and the effect on the brain endothelial barrier were investigated in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HBMECs). Results: The results demonstrated that nano-flavonoids loaded with myricetin showed more evenly distributed targeting tissues and enhanced anti-tumor efficiency in vivo without significant cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells and alteration in the Trans Epithelial Electric Resistance (TEER). There was no pathological evidence of renal, hepatic or other organs dysfunction after the administration of nanoflavonoids, which showed no significant influence on cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, Labrasol/F68-NMs loaded with MYR and quercetin could enhance antiglioma effect in vitro and in vivo, which may be better tools for medical therapy, while the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nano-flavonoids may ensure optimal therapeutic benefits.


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