Ex vivo editing of human hematopoietic stem cells for erythroid expression of therapeutic proteins

Nat Commun. 2020 Jul 29;11(1):3778. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17552-3.

Abstract

Targeted genome editing has a great therapeutic potential to treat disorders that require protein replacement therapy. To develop a platform independent of specific patient mutations, therapeutic transgenes can be inserted in a safe and highly transcribed locus to maximize protein expression. Here, we describe an ex vivo editing approach to achieve efficient gene targeting in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and robust expression of clinically relevant proteins by the erythroid lineage. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we integrate different transgenes under the transcriptional control of the endogenous α-globin promoter, recapitulating its high and erythroid-specific expression. Erythroblasts derived from targeted HSPCs secrete different therapeutic proteins, which retain enzymatic activity and cross-correct patients' cells. Moreover, modified HSPCs maintain long-term repopulation and multilineage differentiation potential in transplanted mice. Overall, we establish a safe and versatile CRISPR-Cas9-based HSPC platform for different therapeutic applications, including hemophilia and inherited metabolic disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Cell Engineering / methods*
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Gene Editing*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Hemophilia A / therapy
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Diseases / therapy
  • Mice
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Transplantation, Autologous / methods
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • alpha-Globins / genetics
  • alpha-Globins / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-Globins