Project description:A-T to G-C base editing efficiency at targeted gene sites in HEK293T cells using the dCas12f-ABE design or the Cas12f-ABE design. Found that the total A-T to G-C conversion efficiency of Circular gRNAs exhibited about two-fold increase compared with U6 gRNAs. We further analyzed the pattern for A-T to G-C conversion on the target site, and observed that the most efficient base editing occurred in a narrow window A3 (3bp downstream of the PAM) similar to U6 gRNAs. In summary, Circular gRNAs with dCas12f-ABE design could enhance A-T to G-C base editing efficiency in a narrow window.
Project description:Donated human MII oocytes and zygotes were injected with ABE mRNA or RNP, or Cas9 RNP targeting indicated genes. The purpose of the experiment is to study DNA repair after base editing in preimplantation human embryos. Key findings are a lack of chromosomal aneuploidies in base editing samples, contrasting with the outcomes after Cas9 cleavage at the same sites. Off target base editing is highly gRNA dependent. Base editing is efficient, and lacks the genotoxicity of Cas9.
Project description:Base editing introduces precise single-nucleotide edits in genomic DNA and has the potential to treat genetic diseases such as the blistering skin disease recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), which is characterized by mutations in the COL7A1 gene and type VII collagen (C7) deficiency. Adenine base editors (ABEs) convert A-T base pairs to G-C base pairs without requiring double-stranded DNA breaks or donor DNA templates. Here, we use ABE8e, a recently evolved ABE, to correct primary RDEB fibroblasts harboring the recurrent RDEB nonsense mutation c.5047 C>T (p.Arg1683Ter) in exon 54 of COL7A1 and use a next generation sequencing workflow to interrogate post-treatment outcomes. Electroporation of ABE8e mRNA into a bulk population of RDEB patient fibroblasts resulted in remarkably efficient (94.6%) correction of the pathogenic allele, restoring COL7A1 mRNA and expression of C7 protein in western blots and in 3D skin constructs. Unbiased off-target DNA and RNA editing analysis did not detect off-target editing in treated patient-derived fibroblasts. Taken together, we have established a highly efficient pipeline for gene correction in primary fibroblasts with a favorable safety profile. This work lays a foundation for developing therapies for RDEB patients using ex vivo or in vivo base editing strategies.
Project description:The majority of known pathogenic point mutations in the human genome are C•G to T•A substitutions. Adenine base editors (ABEs), comprised of nuclease-impaired Cas9 fused to adenine deaminases, enable direct repair of these mutations, making them promising tools for precision in vivo genome editing therapies. However, prior to application in patients, thorough safety and efficacy studies in relevant model organisms are needed. Here, we apply adenine base editing in vivo in the liver of mice and cynomolgus macaques to install a splice site mutation in PCSK9 and reduce blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Intravenous delivery of ABE-encoding mRNA and a locus-specific single guide (sg)RNA utilizing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology induce up to 67% editing in the liver of mice and up to 34% editing in the liver of macaques, leading to a reduction of plasma PCSK9 and LDL levels. We observed rapid clearance of ABE mRNA after LNP-mediated delivery, and neither sgRNA-dependent nor sgRNA-independent off-target mutations are detected in genomic DNA. Together, our findings support safety and feasibility of adenine base editing to treat patients with monogenetic liver diseases.
Project description:The majority of known pathogenic point mutations in the human genome are C•G to T•A substitutions. Adenine base editors (ABEs), comprised of nuclease-impaired Cas9 fused to adenine deaminases, enable direct repair of these mutations, making them promising tools for precision in vivo genome editing therapies. However, prior to application in patients, thorough safety and efficacy studies in relevant model organisms are needed. Here, we apply adenine base editing in vivo in the liver of mice and cynomolgus macaques to install a splice site mutation in PCSK9 and reduce blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Intravenous delivery of ABE-encoding mRNA and a locus-specific single guide (sg)RNA utilizing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology induce up to 67% editing in the liver of mice and up to 34% editing in the liver of macaques, leading to a reduction of plasma PCSK9 and LDL levels. We observed rapid clearance of ABE mRNA after LNP-mediated delivery, and neither sgRNA-dependent nor sgRNA-independent off-target mutations are detected in genomic DNA. Together, our findings support safety and feasibility of adenine base editing to treat patients with monogenetic liver diseases.
Project description:Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a severe cardiac disorder characterized by impaired ventricular filling and diastolic dysfunction, with mutations in sarcomeric proteins representing major causative factors. Mutations of TNNI3 gene (e.g. p.R192H) constitute major genetic causes of RCM, particularly affecting pediatric patients and being associated with poor prognosis. Here, we demonstrate that adenine base editor (ABE) is able effectively correct RCM-causing mutation and alleviate RCM in a murine model. We first developed a novel murine model harboring the Tnni3R193H mutation that recapitulates the hallmark features of human RCM. Importantly, targeted delivery of ABE via adeno-associated virus (AAV) achieved efficient and precise correction of the Tnni3R193H mutation in adult RCM mice, leading to significant improvement of cardiac functions. Our findings establish base editing as a therapeutic strategy for RCM and highlight its broader potential for treating genetic cardiomyopathies in clinical settings.
Project description:CDKL5 (Cyclin-dependent kinase like 5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare monogenic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic mutations in the CDKL5 gene, with approximately 50% of reported variants being point mutations. Base editing presents a promising therapeutic strategy to correct such mutations, restore endogenous CDKL5 expression, and pave the way for novel treatments for CDD. To assess the therapeutic potential of base editing for CDD, we applied adenine base editing (ABE) to correct a CDKL5-R550* (c.1648C>T) mutation in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a CDD patient. Isogenic control, CDKL5-R550* mutant, and ABE-corrected iPSCs were differentiated into neurons and the restoration of CDKL5-related and functional recovery were assessed. In this study, we demonstrated that ABE successfully restored CDKL5 protein levels and CDKL5-dependent signalling pathways in edited iPSC-differentiated neurons to levels comparable to the isogenic control. Morphological deficits, and genes expression were normalized in the ABE-corrected neurons. This study provides evidence that ABE can precisely correct pathogenic mutation and functionally rescue some CDD-associated neuronal phenotypes in patient-derived cells, supporting its potential as a valuable gene therapy for CDD. Moreover, these findings underscore the broader applicability of base editing for treating other monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders caused by point mutations.
Project description:The most common form of genetic heart disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is caused by mutations in cardiac sarcomeric genes and leads to abnormal heart muscle thickening. Complications of HCM include heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. The dominant-negative c.1208 G>A (p.R403Q) mutation in b-myosin (MYH7) is a common and well-studied mutation that leads to increased cardiac contractility and HCM onset. Here we identify an adenine base editor (ABE) and single-guide RNA system that can efficiently correct this human pathogenic mutation with minimal off-target and bystander editing. We show that delivery of base editing components rescues pathological manifestations of HCM in iPSC-cardiomyocytes derived from HCM patients and in a humanized mouse model of HCM. Our findings demonstrate the use of base editing to treat inherited cardiac diseases and prompt the further development of ABE-based therapies to correct a variety of monogenic mutations causing cardiac disease.