Engineering monocyte/macrophage-specific glucocerebrosidase expression in human hematopoietic stem cells using genome editing

Nat Commun. 2020 Jul 3;11(1):3327. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17148-x.

Abstract

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by insufficient glucocerebrosidase activity. Its hallmark manifestations are attributed to infiltration and inflammation by macrophages. Current therapies for Gaucher disease include life-long intravenous administration of recombinant glucocerebrosidase and orally-available glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors. An alternative approach is to engineer the patient's own hematopoietic system to restore glucocerebrosidase expression, thereby replacing the affected cells, and constituting a potential one-time therapy for this disease. Here, we report an efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based approach that targets glucocerebrosidase expression cassettes with a monocyte/macrophage-specific element to the CCR5 safe-harbor locus in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The targeted cells generate glucocerebrosidase-expressing macrophages and maintain long-term repopulation and multi-lineage differentiation potential with serial transplantation. The combination of a safe-harbor and a lineage-specific promoter establishes a universal correction strategy and circumvents potential toxicity of ectopic glucocerebrosidase in the stem cells. Furthermore, it constitutes an adaptable platform for other lysosomal enzyme deficiencies.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gaucher Disease / genetics
  • Gaucher Disease / therapy
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Glucosylceramidase / genetics
  • Glucosylceramidase / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / enzymology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / enzymology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Metabolic Engineering
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Monocytes / enzymology*
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Glucosylceramidase