Targeted Genome Replacement via Homology-directed Repair in Non-dividing Cardiomyocytes

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 24;7(1):9363. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09716-x.

Abstract

Although high-throughput sequencing can elucidate the genetic basis of hereditary cardiomyopathy, direct interventions targeting pathological mutations have not been established. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether homology-directed repair (HDR) is effective in non-dividing cardiomyocytes. Here, we demonstrate that HDR-mediated genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is effective in non-dividing cardiomyocytes. Transduction of adeno-associated virus (AAV) containing sgRNA and repair template into cardiomyocytes constitutively expressing Cas9 efficiently introduced a fluorescent protein to the C-terminus of Myl2. Imaging-based sequential evaluation of endogenously tagged protein revealed that HDR occurs in cardiomyocytes, independently of DNA synthesis. We sought to repair a pathological mutation in Tnnt2 in cardiomyocytes of cardiomyopathy model mice. An sgRNA that avoided the mutated exon minimized deleterious effects on Tnnt2 expression, and AAV-mediated HDR achieved precise genome correction at a frequency of ~12.5%. Thus, targeted genome replacement via HDR is effective in non-dividing cardiomyocytes, and represents a potential therapeutic tool for targeting intractable cardiomyopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / genetics
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / metabolism
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / pathology
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Editing*
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Targeting
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Loci
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Recombinational DNA Repair*