Targeted gene correction of human hematopoietic stem cells for the treatment of Wiskott - Aldrich Syndrome

Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 12;11(1):4034. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17626-2.

Abstract

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked primary immunodeficiency with severe platelet abnormalities and complex immunodeficiency. Although clinical gene therapy approaches using lentiviral vectors have produced encouraging results, full immune and platelet reconstitution is not always achieved. Here we show that a CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing strategy allows the precise correction of WAS mutations in up to 60% of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), without impairing cell viability and differentiation potential. Delivery of the editing reagents to WAS HSPCs led to full rescue of WASp expression and correction of functional defects in myeloid and lymphoid cells. Primary and secondary transplantation of corrected WAS HSPCs into immunodeficient mice showed persistence of edited cells for up to 26 weeks and efficient targeting of long-term repopulating stem cells. Finally, no major genotoxicity was associated with the gene editing process, paving the way for an alternative, yet highly efficient and safe therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Cell Lineage
  • Codon / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Editing*
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / genetics*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / pathology
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / therapy*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Codon
  • WAS protein, human
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein