Investigation of the functional role of human Interleukin-8 gene haplotypes by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing

Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 8:6:31180. doi: 10.1038/srep31180.

Abstract

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene polymorphisms have been considered as susceptibility factors in periodontal disease. However, the functional roles of IL-8 gene haplotypes have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to engineer the IL-8 gene, and tested the functionality of different haplotypes. Two sgRNAs vectors targeting the IL-8 gene and the naked homologous repair DNA carrying different haplotypes were used to successfully generate HEK293T cells carrying the AT genotype at the first SNP - rs4073 (alias -251), TT genotype at the second SNP - rs2227307 (alias +396), TC or CC genotypes at the third SNP - rs2227306 (alias +781) at the IL-8 locus. When stimulated with Poly I:C, ATC/TTC haplotype, cells significantly up-regulated the IL-8 at both transcriptional and translational levels. To test whether ATC/TTC haplotype is functional, we used a trans-well assay to measure the transmigration of primary neutrophils incubated with supernatants from the Poly I:C stimulation experiment. ATC/TTC haplotype cells significantly increased transmigration of neutrophils confirming the functional role for this IL-8 haplotype. Taken together, our data provides evidence that carriage of the ATC/TTC haplotype in itself may increase the influx of neutrophils in inflammatory lesions and influence disease susceptibility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Gene Editing*
  • Genome, Human*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics*

Substances

  • CXCL8 protein, human
  • Interleukin-8
  • Poly I-C