scholarly journals Knock-Out of Retrovirus Receptor Gene Tva in the Chicken Confers Resistance to Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroups A and K and Affects Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)-Dependent Level of Methylmalonic Acid

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2504
Author(s):  
Anna Koslová ◽  
Pavel Trefil ◽  
Jitka Mucksová ◽  
Veronika Krchlíková ◽  
Jiří Plachý ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Avian Leukosis Virus ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Knock Out

The chicken Tva cell surface protein, a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, has been identified as an entry receptor for avian leukosis virus of classic subgroup A and newly emerging subgroup K. Because both viruses represent an important concern for the poultry industry, we introduced a frame-shifting deletion into the chicken tva locus with the aim of knocking-out Tva expression and creating a virus-resistant chicken line. The tva knock-out was prepared by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in chicken primordial germ cells and orthotopic transplantation of edited cells into the testes of sterilized recipient roosters. The resulting tva −/− chickens tested fully resistant to avian leukosis virus subgroups A and K, both in in vitro and in vivo assays, in contrast to their susceptible tva +/+ and tva +/− siblings. We also found a specific disorder of the cobalamin/vitamin B12 metabolism in the tva knock-out chickens, which is in accordance with the recently recognized physiological function of Tva as a receptor for cobalamin in complex with transcobalamin transporter. Last but not least, we bring a new example of the de novo resistance created by CRISPR/Cas9 editing of pathogen dependence genes in farm animals and, furthermore, a new example of gene editing in chicken.

scholarly journals Nonviral gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 delivery by membrane-disruptive and endosomolytic helical polypeptide

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (19) ◽  
pp. 4903-4908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Xia Wang ◽  
Ziyuan Song ◽  
Yeh-Hsing Lao ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
Jing Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Editing ◽  
Transfection Efficiency ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Safe Delivery ◽  
Pegylated Nanoparticles

Effective and safe delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing elements remains a challenge. Here we report the development of PEGylated nanoparticles (named P-HNPs) based on the cationic α-helical polypeptide poly(γ-4-((2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)aminomethyl)benzyl-l-glutamate) for the delivery of Cas9 expression plasmid and sgRNA to various cell types and gene-editing scenarios. The cell-penetrating α-helical polypeptide enhanced cellular uptake and promoted escape of pCas9 and/or sgRNA from the endosome and transport into the nucleus. The colloidally stable P-HNPs achieved a Cas9 transfection efficiency up to 60% and sgRNA uptake efficiency of 67.4%, representing an improvement over existing polycation-based gene delivery systems. After performing single or multiplex gene editing with an efficiency up to 47.3% in vitro, we demonstrated that P-HNPs delivering Cas9 plasmid/sgRNA targeting the polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) gene achieved 35% gene deletion in HeLa tumor tissue to reduce the Plk1 protein level by 66.7%, thereby suppressing the tumor growth by >71% and prolonging the animal survival rate to 60% within 60 days. Capable of delivering Cas9 plasmids to various cell types to achieve multiplex gene knock-out, gene knock-in, and gene activation in vitro and in vivo, the P-HNP system offers a versatile gene-editing platform for biological research and therapeutic applications.

scholarly journals A novel peroxisome proliferator response element modulates hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor gene transcription in response to PPARδ activation

2015 ◽  
Vol 472 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram R. Shende ◽  
Amar Bahadur Singh ◽  
Jingwen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Ldl Receptor ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Density Lipoprotein Receptor ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Response Element

PPARδ activation beneficially regulates lipid metabolism. We have now identified a novel function of PPARδ that increases LDL receptor gene transcription in hepatic cells in vitro and in vivo through direct binding to a PPRE motif on LDLR promoter.

scholarly journals Μελέτη του ρόλου των συστατικών του μεταβολικού μονοπατιού της HDL στην παθογένεια της οστεοπόρωσης και της οστεοαρθρίτιδας

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ελένη Καλυβιώτη
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Knock Out

Εισαγωγή: Πρόσφατα δεδομένα υποδεικνύουν ότι διαταραχές στον λιπιδικό μεταβολισμό επηρεάζουν τη λειτουργία των κυττάρων του οστού με αποτέλεσμα την ανάπτυξη εκφυλιστικών και μεταβολικών νόσων, όπως η οστεοπόρωση (ΟΠ). Η ΟΠ αποτελεί μια κοινή μεταβολική διαταραχή, η οποία χαρακτηρίζεται από μειωμένη οστική μάζα και σταδιακή επιδείνωση της μικροαρχιτεκτονικής δομής του οστίτη ιστού. Επακολούθως, οι ασθενείς που πάσχουν από τη νόσο διατρέχουν αυξημένο κίνδυνο καταγμάτων. Τα τελευταία χρόνια αρκετές μελέτες ανέδειξαν την ύπαρξη μιας ισχυρής σύνδεσης μεταξύ του οστικού και λιπιδικού μεταβολισμού. Επιπλέον, τόσο η ομάδα μας όσο και άλλοι ερευνητές έχουν δείξει ότι διαταραχές στο μεταβολισμό της υψηλής πυκνότητας λιποπρωτεΐνης (High Density Lipoprotein-HDL) ενέχονται στην εμφάνιση μεταβολικών νοσημάτων, όπως είναι η Οστεοαρθρίτιδα (ΟΑ). Γνωρίζοντας τον πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο της HDL στον μεταβολισμό των λιπιδίων στο πλάσμα και στους ιστούς και οδηγούμενοι από τα ευρήματα της δικής μας ομάδας αλλά και άλλων ερευνητών, στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, μελετήσαμε το ρόλο της απολιποπρωτεΐνης Α1 (APOA1), βασικού συστατικού του μονοπατιού βιοσύνθεσης της HDL, στη ρύθμιση της λειτουργίας των κυττάρων του οστού και στην παθογένεια της οστεοπόρωσης, σε πειραματικά μοντέλα ποντικών.Μεθοδολογία: Για τον λόγο αυτό, χρησιμοποιήσαμε μοντέλα ποντικών με έλλειψη του γονιδίου της ApoA1 (ApoΑ1-/-) και αγρίου τύπου (C57BL/6) (ομάδα ελέγχου). Δύο και επτά ημέρες προ της ευθανασίας πραγματοποιήθηκε ενδοπεριτοναϊκή ένεση καλσεΐνης. Πριν την ευθανασία λήφθηκε πλάσμα αίματος και ακολούθως τα ζώα θυσιάστηκαν. Από τα πειραματόζωα απομονώθηκαν χειρουργικά το μηριαίο οστό και οι οσφυϊκοί σπόνδυλοι, τα οποία χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για ιστολογικές, ιστομορφομετρικές, εμβιομηχανικές και in vitro αναλύσεις. Με τη χρήση microCT scanner εκτιμήθηκε η ποιότητα και η ποσότητα του σπογγώδους και του φλοιώδους οστού (στατική ιστομορφομετρία). Με τη χρώση TRAP και τη χρώση καλσεΐνης (δυναμική ιστομορφομετρία) ελέγχθηκε η οστική αποδόμηση και ο ρυθμός σύνθεσης νεοσχηματιζόμενου οστού, αντίστοιχα. Με τη χρήση φασματοσκοπίας Raman, αξιολογήθηκε η κατάσταση του δικτύου κολλαγόνου των μηριαίων οστών, ενώ αναλύθηκαν και οι εμβιομηχανικές ιδιότητες του οστού (αντοχή σε θραύση, ελαστικότητα κλπ) με τη χρήση του 3-point bending, στις δύο ομάδες πειραματόζωων. Επιπλέον, μεσεγχυματικά κύτταρα (MSC) του μυελού των οστών απομονώθηκαν από το μηριαίο οστό των πειραματόζωων και καλλιεργήθηκαν με σκοπό την εκτίμηση της έκφρασης, τόσο σε επίπεδο πρωτεΐνης όσο και σε επίπεδο mRNA, μορίων που εμπλέκονται στην οστεοβλαστική (RUNX2, OSX, COL1A1) και στην οστεοκλαστική λειτουργία (OPG, RANKL, OPG/RANKL, RANK, TRAP, cathepsin Κ) καθώς και στην λιπογένεση (PPARγ, CEBPA). Επίσης, μελετήθηκε η έκφραση των γονιδίων που εμπλέκονται στο μεταβολικό μονοπάτι της χοληστερόλης (ApoA2, Ggps, Hmgcr, Hdlbp, Fdps1, Cpt1a, Scarb1), αλλά και των γονιδίων που σχετίζονται με τη διατήρηση και την κινητοποίηση των μεσεγχυματικών κυττάρων (Ptprc, Sca-1, Cxcl12, Cxcr4, Anxa2). Για την εκτίμηση των επιπέδων έκφρασης των πρωτεϊνών, χρησιμοποιήσαμε τις μοριακές τεχνικές Western Blot και κυτταρομετρία ροής ενώ για την αξιολόγηση των επιπέδων έκφρασης του mRNA χρησιμοποιήσαμε τη real time RT-PCR. Αποτελέσματα: Η ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων έδειξε στατιστικά σημαντική μείωση της οστικής μάζας στα ΑpoΑ1-/- συγκριτικά με τα ποντίκια αγρίου τύπου. Η έκφρασης της ACTH ήταν όμοια και στις δυο ομάδες ζώων, ενώ τα επίπεδα mRNA του Scarb1 ήταν σημαντικά αυξημένα στα ΑpoΑ1-/- ποντίκια. Τα αποτελέσματα της στατικής και δυναμικής ιστομορφομετρίας έδειξαν ότι η μειωμένη οστική μάζα στα ΑpoΑ1-/- ποντίκια αντικατοπτρίζει τη μειωμένη οστική σύνθεση. Η ανάλυση της βιοχημικής σύνθεσης και των εμβιομηχανικών ιδιοτήτων των μηριαίων οστών, έδειξε ότι αυτές οι παράμετροι ήταν διαταραγμένες στα ΑpoΑ1-/- συγκριτικά με τα αγρίου τύπου ποντίκια. Επιπρόσθετα, η επαγωγή διαφοροποίησης των MSC, κάτω από τις ίδιες συνθήκες, από τα ΑpoΑ1-/- ποντίκια φαίνεται να εμφανίζει μειωμένη παραγωγή οστεοβλαστών και αυξημένη παραγωγή λιποβλαστών σε αντίθεση με τα MSC από αγρίου τύπου ποντίκια. Αυτό φανερώνει την ύπαρξη μιας μετατόπισης στην ισορροπία της διαδικασίας διαφοροποίησης των MSC, η οποία ευνοεί την λιπογένεση. Η παρατήρηση αυτή έρχεται σε συμφωνία με την αρχική ιστολογική παρατήρηση της ύπαρξης αυξημένων λιποκυττάρων στο μυελό των οστών των ΑpoΑ1-/- ποντικιών σε σχέση με τα ποντίκια ελέγχου. Αντίθετα με τα ευρήματα για τη δυσλειτουργία των οστεοβλαστών, η οστεοκλαστική διαφοροποίηση in vitro και η μέτρηση της οστεοκλαστικής επιφάνειας in vivo εμφανίζονται ανεπηρέαστες. Επιπρόσθετα, σε ολικά κύτταρα του μυελού των οστών, σε συμφωνία με τα αυξημένα λιποκύτταρα και τα δεσμευμένα προς λιποβλάστες αρχέγονα MSC, τα επίπεδα έκφρασης του PPARγ είναι στατιστικώς σημαντικά αυξημένα στα ΑpoΑ1-/- ποντίκια. Ακόμα, στο μυελό των οστών στα apoΑ1-/- ποντίκια η έκφραση της κυτταροκίνης CXCL12 είναι μειωμένη, ενώ του CXCR4 αυξημένη, στοιχεία που συμφωνούν με μειωμένη σηματοδότηση στο μονοπάτι που εμπλέκεται στη διατήρηση των MSC (homing) και την οστεοβλαστική διαφοροποίηση. Επιπλέον, στα ApoΑ1-/- ποντίκια παρατηρείται σημαντική μείωση στους παράγοντες που σχετίζονται με τη διαφοροποίηση και λειτουργία των οστεοβλαστών, όπως είναι ο RUNX2, ο OSX και ο COL1A1. Ενώ, επίσης τα knock out ποντίκια εμφανίζουν αυξημένη έκφραση του παράγοντα CEPBa, υποδηλώνοντας την ύπαρξη πολύπλοκων αλλαγών στην ανάπτυξη και διαφοροποίηση που απαιτούν περαιτέρω διερεύνηση.Συμπεράσματα: Η έλλειψη της APOA1 οδηγεί σε ελάττωση της οστικής μάζας, κυρίως λόγω μειωμένης λειτουργίας των οστεοβλαστών. Επιπλέον, η έλλειψη της APOA1 οδηγεί σε αύξηση της λιπογένεσης και μείωση της οστεοβλαστογένεσης, η οποία με τη σειρά της οδηγεί σε ελαττωματική σύνθεση οστού, ενώ παράλληλα η δράση των οστεοκλαστών παραμένει ανεπηρέαστη. Τα αποτελέσματα μας, για πρώτη φορά, αναδεικνύουν ότι η APOA1 ρυθμίζει τη λειτουργία των οστεοβλαστών και των λιποβλαστών και αυξάνει την πιθανότητα ότι η APOA1 μπορεί να δράσει ως πιθανός θεραπευτικός στόχος για τη θεραπεία της οστεοπόρωσης και άλλων μεταβολικών νοσημάτων.

scholarly journals The FusX TALE Base Editor (FusXTBE) for rapid mitochondrial DNA programming of human cells in vitro and zebrafish disease models in vivo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankit Sabharwal ◽  
Bibekananda Kar ◽  
Santiago Restrepo Castillo ◽  
Shannon R Holmberg ◽  
Benjamin Luke Kendall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Editing ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Test System ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Base Editing ◽  
Comparable Activity

Functional analyses of mitochondria have been hampered by few effective approaches to manipulate mtDNA and a lack of existing animal models. Recently a TALE-derived base editor was shown to induce C-to-T (or G-to-A) sequence changes in mtDNA. We report here the FusX TALE Base Editor (FusXTBE) to facilitate broad-based access to TALE mitochondrial base editing technology. TALE Writer is a de novo in silico design tool to map potential mtDNA base editing sites. FusXTBE was demonstrated to function with comparable activity to the initial base editor in human cells in vitro. Zebrafish embryos were used as a pioneering in vivo test system, with FusXTBE inducing 90+% editing efficiency in mtDNA loci, the first example of majority mtDNA heteroplasmy induction in any system. Gene editing specificity as precise as a single nucleotide was observed in vivo for a protein-coding gene. Non-destructive genotyping enables single animal mtDNA analyses for downstream biological functional genomics applications. FusXTBE is a new gene editing toolkit for exploring important questions in mitochondrial biology and genetics.

scholarly journals Remnant lipoproteins inhibit malaria sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes.

1996 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 945-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sinnis ◽  
T E Willnow ◽  
M R Briones ◽  
J Herz ◽  
V Nussenzweig
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Ldl Receptor ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Its Region ◽  
Hepatic Uptake ◽  
Normal Diet ◽  
Remnant Lipoproteins

Remnants of lipoproteins, intestinal chylomicrons, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), are rapidly cleared from plasma and enter hepatocytes. It has been suggested that remnant lipoproteins are initially captured in the space of Disse by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), and that their subsequent internalization into hepatocytes is mediated by members of the LDL-receptor gene family. Similarly to lipoprotein remnants, malaria sporozoites are removed from the blood circulation by the liver within minutes after injection by Anopheles mosquitoes. The sporozoite's surface is covered by the circumsporozoite protein (CS), and its region II-plus has been implicated in the binding of the parasites to glycosaminoglycan chains of hepatocyte HSPGs. Lactoferrin, a protein with antibacterial properties found in breast milk and neutrophil granules, is also rapidly cleared from the circulation by hepatocytes, and can inhibit the hepatic uptake of lipoprotein remnants. Here we provide evidence that sporozoites, lactoferrin, and remnant lipoproteins are cleared from the blood by similar mechanisms. CS, lactoferrin, and remnant lipoproteins compete in vitro and in vivo for binding sites on liver cells. The relevance of this binding event for sporozoite infectivity is highlighted by our demonstration that apoliprotein E-enriched beta-VLDI and lactoferrin inhibit sporozoite invasion of HepG2 cells. In addition, malaria sporozoites are less infective in LDL-receptor knockout (LDLR -/-) mice maintained on a high fat diet, as compared with littermates maintained on a normal diet. We conclude that the clearance of lipoprotein remnants and sporozoites from the blood is mediated by the same set of highly sulfated HSPGs on the hepatocyte plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Precise CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the NHE1 gene renders chickens resistant to the J subgroup of avian leukosis virus

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 2108-2112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Koslová ◽  
Pavel Trefil ◽  
Jitka Mucksová ◽  
Markéta Reinišová ◽  
Jiří Plachý ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Avian Leukosis Virus ◽  
Tryptophan Residue ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
Important Food Source

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is an important concern for the poultry industry. Replication of ALV-J depends on a functional cellular receptor, the chicken Na+/H+ exchanger type 1 (chNHE1). Tryptophan residue number 38 of chNHE1 (W38) in the extracellular portion of this molecule is a critical amino acid for virus entry. We describe a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of W38 in chicken primordial germ cells and the successful production of the gene-edited birds. The resistance to ALV-J was examined both in vitro and in vivo, and the ΔW38 homozygous chickens tested ALV-J–resistant, in contrast to ΔW38 heterozygotes and wild-type birds, which were ALV-J–susceptible. Deletion of W38 did not manifest any visible side effect. Our data clearly demonstrate the antiviral resistance conferred by precise CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in the chicken. Furthermore, our highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in primordial germ cells represents a substantial addition to genotechnology in the chicken, an important food source and research model.

scholarly journals Naturally Occurring Frameshift Mutations in thetvbReceptor Gene Are Responsible for Decreased Susceptibility of Chicken to Infection with Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroups B, D, and E

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinjian Li ◽  
Weiguo Chen ◽  
Huanmin Zhang ◽  
Aijun Li ◽  
Dingming Shu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stop Codon ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Premature Stop Codon ◽  
Avian Leukosis Virus ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Poultry Industry ◽  
Virus Eradication ◽  
Frameshift Mutations

ABSTRACTThe group of highly related avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) in chickens are thought to have evolved from a common retroviral ancestor into six subgroups, A to E and J. These ALV subgroups use diverse cellular proteins encoded by four genetic loci in chickens as receptors to gain entry into host cells. Hosts exposed to ALVs might be under selective pressure to develop resistance to ALV infection. Indeed, resistance alleles have previously been identified in all four receptor loci in chickens. Thetvbgene encodes a receptor, which determines the susceptibility of host cells to ALV subgroup B (ALV-B), ALV-D, and ALV-E. Here we describe the identification of two novel alleles of thetvbreceptor gene, which possess independent insertions each within exon 4. The insertions resulted in frameshift mutations that reveal a premature stop codon that causes nonsense-mediated decay of the mutant mRNA and the production of truncated Tvb protein. As a result, we observed that the frameshift mutations in thetvbgene significantly lower the binding affinity of the truncated Tvb receptors for the ALV-B, ALV-D, and ALV-E envelope glycoproteins and significantly reduce susceptibility to infection by ALV-B, ALV-D and ALV-Ein vitroandin vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that frameshift mutation can be a molecular mechanism of reducing susceptibility to ALV and enhance our understanding of virus-host coevolution.IMPORTANCEAvian leukosis virus (ALV) once caused devastating economic loss to the U.S. poultry industry prior the current eradication schemes in place, and it continues to cause severe calamity to the poultry industry in China and Southeast Asia, where deployment of a complete eradication scheme remains a challenge. Thetvbgene encodes the cellular receptor necessary for subgroup B, D, and E ALV infection. Twotvballelic variants that resulted from frameshift mutations have been identified in this study, which have been shown to have significantly reduced functionality in mediating subgroup B, D, and E ALV infection. Unlike the control of herpesvirus-induced diseases by vaccination, the control of avian leukosis in chickens has relied totally on virus eradication measures and host genetic resistance. This finding enriches the allelic pool of thetvbgene and expands the potential for genetic improvement of ALV resistance in varied chicken populations by selection.

scholarly journals A Newly Built rAAV-SaCas9 Genome Editing System Enables Muscle-Directed Gene Editing to Improve Muscular Atrophy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoting Weng ◽  
Xingyu Li ◽  
Yitian Zhao ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Mengmeng Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Virus Titer ◽  
Myostatin Gene ◽  
Knock Out

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.

scholarly journals Modelling Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia Type II through Gene Editing in Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
Mercedes Dessy-Rodriguez ◽  
Sara Fañanas-Baquero ◽  
Veronica Venturi ◽  
Salvador Payán-Pernía ◽  
Cristian Tornador ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Editing ◽  
Erythroid Differentiation ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Multinucleated Cells ◽  
Cda Ii

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDAs) are a group of inherited anemias that affect the development of the erythoid lineage. They are characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis with distinct morphologic abnormalities of erythroblasts, a degree of hemolysis, and secondary hemochromatosis. Patients usually present with congenital anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, and an absolute reticulocyte count inadequate for the degree of anemia. CDA type II (CDAII) is the most frequent type. CDAII patients show anemia of variable degrees, and 20% are transfusion dependent. The most specific finding of CDAII marrow is the presence of more than 10% mature binucleated erythroblasts with two nuclei at the same erythroid maturation stage. Treatment of CDAII patients may involve blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy and splenectomy. The only described definitive therapy is allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, which implies additional side effects for these patients. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are needed. CDA II is caused by mutations in the SEC23B gene. SEC23B is part of coat protein complex II (COPII). COPII is involved in protein processing and Golgi-reticulum trafficking. However, how mutations in SEC23B cause CDA II is not known yet. Therefore, studying the role of SEC23B in the erythropoiesis will help to elucidate the underlying mechanism of CDA II and to develop new therapeutic approaches for the disease. We have developed a CDA II model in human cells through the introduction of genomic mutations in the gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system. Different single guides RNAs (sgRNA) targeting the start of the coding sequence of human SEC23B gene were designed and tested in human erythroleukemia K562 cell line and in healthy human cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitors (hCB-CD34+). The gene editing outcome at SEC23B gene was assessed at: i) genomic level through Sanger sequencing, Inference of CRISPR Edits (ICE) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). ii) Protein level through Western-blot analysis. iii) Functional level through morphological analysis and erythroid differentiation either in vitro or in vivo in human hematopoietic chimeras in NOD.Cg-KitW-41JTyr+PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/ThomJ (NBSGW) mice. K562 cells were nucleofected with three different sgRNAs, as ribonucleoprotein (RNP), independently or in combination. Afterwards, seventy five K562 clones were established from the cells nucleofected with the most efficient sgRNA or with the combination of the three sgRNAs. Forty per cent of them showed a high efficiency of knock-out (higher than 50% of alleles). Eight SEC23BKO clones were selected for further analysis. All of those eight clones showed a reduction in SEC23B protein and six of them had a lower proliferation than control cells and morphological abnormalities, such as presence of bi/multinucleated cells. Moreover, when CB-CD34+ cells were nucleofected with the most efficient sgRNA or with the combination of the three sgRNAs, up to 80% of knock-out efficiency and close to 90% reduction of SEC23B protein were obtained. Interestingly, when those gene edited hematopoietic progenitors were differentiated in vitro to erythroid cells, their terminal differentiation was hampered, with a reduce percentage of enucleated cells and the presence of high number of bi/multinucleated cells. Similarly, the in vivo erythroid differentiation of these gene edited progenitors two months after HSPC transplant into NBSGW mice showed again an impairment of terminal erythroid differentiation with an increment in the percentage of erythroid bi/multinucleated cells without altering other human hematopoietic lineages. In summary, CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used to model CDA II in a human cell line and in human hematopoietic progenitors through the knock-out of SEC23B gene. Our system reproduced the most relevant feature characteristic of CDA II pathology. This gene editing based CDA II model will allow the study of how mutations in SEC23B cause CDA II and the development of new therapeutic strategies to cure this disease. Disclosures Tornador: Bloodgenetics: Current Employment. Sanchez:Bloodgenetics: Current Employment. Segovia:Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Other: Consultant for Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and has licensed medicinal products and receives research funding and equity from the Company., Patents & Royalties, Research Funding.

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