CRISPR/Cas9-Induced (CTG·CAG)n Repeat Instability in the Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Locus: Implications for Therapeutic Genome Editing.
Authors:
van Agtmaal EL, André LM, Willemse M, Cumming SA, van Kessel ID, van den Broek WJ, Gourdon G, Furling D, Mouly V, Monckton DG, Wansink DG, Wieringa B.
In:
Source:
Mol Ther
Publication Date:
(
2017
)
Issue:
25(1)
:
24-43
Research Area:
Cardiovascular
Gene Expression
Platform:
4D-Nucleofector® X-Unit
Experiment
Expression vectors were introduced by nucleofection because this turned out to be the most efficient procedure for DNA delivery into these difficult to transfect cell types. Nucleofection was performed using the Amaxa P5 Primary Cell 4D-Nucleofector Kit (Lonza), according to the manufacturer’s protocol for human skeletal muscle myoblasts. For co-nucleofection of 1 x 106 cells, 10 µg of hCas9 plasmid, 10 µg total of gRNA plasmid, and 2 µg of pMAX EGFP (a reporter for transfection efficiency) were used. After nucleofection of LHCN and DM500 cells and subsequent cell sorting (BD FACS Aria Cell Sorter) for GFP-positive cells 2 days post-nucleofection, cells were diluted to about 200 cells/mL, seeded into 96-well plates (~20 cells per well), and propagated for 11 days.
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by (CTG·CAG)n-repeat expansion within the DMPK gene and thought to be mediated by a toxic RNA gain of function. Current attempts to develop therapy for this disease mainly aim at destroying or blocking abnormal properties of mutant DMPK (CUG)n RNA. Here, we explored a DNA-directed strategy and demonstrate that single clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-cleavage in either its 5\\\' or 3\\\' unique flank promotes uncontrollable deletion of large segments from the expanded trinucleotide repeat, rather than formation of short indels usually seen after double-strand break repair. Complete and precise excision of the repeat tract from normal and large expanded DMPK alleles in myoblasts from unaffected individuals, DM1 patients, and a DM1 mouse model could be achieved at high frequency by dual CRISPR/Cas9-cleavage at either side of the (CTG·CAG)n sequence. Importantly, removal of the repeat appeared to have no detrimental effects on the expression of genes in the DM1 locus. Moreover, myogenic capacity, nucleocytoplasmic distribution, and abnormal RNP-binding behavior of transcripts from the edited DMPK gene were normalized. Dual sgRNA-guided excision of the (CTG·CAG)n tract by CRISPR/Cas9 technology is applicable for developing isogenic cell lines for research and may provide new therapeutic opportunities for patients with DM1.
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