Hereditární angioedém je vrozené onemocnění charakterizované opakujícími se atakami bolestivých, nesvědivých otoků v dermis a v submukóze, významně snižující kvalitu života. Onemocnění nejčastěji vzniká v důsledku nedostatku C1 inhibitoru či jeho funkčního defektu. Léčbu lze rozdělit na léčbu akutních atak a na profylaxi: krátkodobou (před invazivním výkonem) či dlouhodobou (s cílem dosažení plné kontroly onemocnění a normalizace kvality života nemocných). V posledním desetiletí došlo k významnému rozšíření spektra terapeutických možností, zejména dlouhodobé profylaxe. Prakticky rovnocenně lze v klinické praxi použít Lanadelumab, koncentrát C1 inhibitoru určený s podkožnímu podání, či perorální malou molekulu berotralstat, a tím předcházet vzniku akutních atak. V letošním roce byla dále registrována monoklonální protilátka proti faktoru XII. Ve fázi preklinických a klinických zkoušení se nacházejí další slibné možnosti: cílené malé molekuly (podání profylaktické i on demand), monoklonální protilátky, Léčba na bázi RNA interference, genová terapie a editace.
Hereditary angioedema is an inherited disease characterized by recurrent attacks of painful, non-itchy swelling in the dermis and submucosa, significantly reducing the quality of life. The disease is predominantly caused by a deficiency of C1 inhibitor or its functional defect. Treatment can be divided into treatment of acute attacks and prophylaxis: short-term (before invasive procedures) or long-term (with the aim of achieving full control of the disease and normalizing patients’ quality of life). In the last decade, the spectrum of therapeutic options has significantly expanded, especially long-term prophylaxis. Lanadelumab, a concentrate of serum C1 inhibitor for subcutaneous administration, or orally used the small molecule berotralstat can be used almost equally in clinical practice preventing acute attacks. This year, a monoclonal antibody against factor XII was also registered. Other promising approaches have been in the preclinical and clinical testing phase: targeted small molecules (prophylactic and on demand), monoclonal antibodies, RNA-based therapeutics, gene therapy and editing.
BACKGROUND: Through the agnostic screening of patients with uncharacterised disease phenotypes for an upregulation of type I interferon (IFN) signalling, we identified a cohort of individuals heterozygous for mutations in PTPN1, encoding the protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). We aimed to describe the clinical phenotype and molecular and cellular pathology of this new disease. METHODS: In this case series, we identified patients and collected clinical and neuroradiological data through collaboration with paediatric neurology and clinical genetics colleagues across Europe (Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and the UK) and Israel. Variants in PTPN1 were identified by exome and directed Sanger sequencing. The expression of IFN-stimulated genes was determined by quantitative (q) PCR or NanoString technology. Experiments to assess RNA and protein expression and to investigate type 1 IFN signalling were undertaken in patient fibroblasts, hTERT-immortalised BJ-5ta fibroblasts, and RPE-1 cells using CRISPR-Cas9 editing and standard cell biology techniques. FINDINGS: Between Dec 20, 2013, and Jan 11, 2023, we identified 12 patients from 11 families who were heterozygous for mutations in PTPN1. We found ten novel or very rare variants in PTPN1 (frequency on gnomAD version 4.1.0 of <1·25 × 10:sup>-6). Six variants were predicted as STOP mutations, two involved canonical splice-site nucleotides, and two were missense substitutions. In three patients, the variant occurred de novo, whereas in nine affected individuals, the variant was inherited from an asymptomatic parent. The clinical phenotype was characterised by the subacute onset (age range 1-8 years) of loss of motor and language skills in the absence of seizures after initially normal development, leading to spastic dystonia and bulbar involvement. Neuroimaging variably demonstrated cerebral atrophy (sometimes unilateral initially) or high T2 white matter signal. Neopterin in CSF was elevated in all ten patients who were tested, and all probands demonstrated an upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes in whole blood. Although clinical stabilisation and neuroradiological improvement was seen in both treated and untreated patients, in six of eight treated patients, high-dose corticosteroids were judged clinically to result in an improvement in neurological status. Of the four asymptomatic parents tested, IFN signalling in blood was normal (three patients) or minimally elevated (one patient). Analysis of patient blood and fibroblasts showed that tested PTPN1 variants led to reduced levels of PTPN1 mRNA and PTP1B protein, and in-vitro assays demonstrated that loss of PTP1B function was associated with impaired negative regulation of type 1 IFN signalling. INTERPRETATION: PTPN1 haploinsufficiency causes a type 1 IFN-driven autoinflammatory encephalopathy. Notably, some patients demonstrated stabilisation, and even recovery, of neurological function in the absence of treatment, whereas in others, the disease appeared to be responsive to immune suppression. Prospective studies are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of specific immune suppression approaches in this disease population. FUNDING: The UK Medical Research Council, the European Research Council, and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche.
- MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Haploinsufficiency * genetics MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Mutation genetics MeSH
- Brain Diseases genetics MeSH
- Neuroinflammatory Diseases genetics MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 * genetics MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The RNA editing enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is essential for correct functioning of innate immune responses. The ADAR1p110 isoform is mainly nuclear and ADAR1p150, which is interferon (IFN) inducible, is predominately cytoplasmic. Using three different methods - co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) of endogenous ADAR1, Strep-tag co-IP and BioID with individual ADAR1 isoforms - a comprehensive interactome was generated during both homeostasis and the IFN response. Both known and novel interactors as well as editing regulators were identified. Nuclear proteins were detected as stable interactors with both ADAR1 isoforms. In contrast, BioID identified distinct protein networks for each ADAR1 isoform, with nuclear components observed with ADAR1p110 and components of cytoplasmic cellular condensates with ADAR1p150. RNase A digestion distinguished between distal and proximal interactors, as did a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding mutant of ADAR1 which demonstrated the importance of dsRNA binding for ADAR1 interactions. IFN treatment did not affect the core ADAR1 interactomes but resulted in novel interactions, the majority of which are proximal interactions retained after RNase A treatment. Short treatment with high molecular weight poly(I:C) during the IFN response resulted in dsRNA-binding-dependent changes in the proximal protein network of ADAR1p110 and association of the ADAR1p150 proximal protein network with some components of antiviral stress granules.
- MeSH
- Adenosine Deaminase * metabolism genetics MeSH
- Cell Nucleus * metabolism MeSH
- Cytoplasm * metabolism MeSH
- RNA, Double-Stranded metabolism genetics MeSH
- RNA Editing MeSH
- HEK293 Cells MeSH
- HeLa Cells MeSH
- Interferons metabolism genetics MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Protein Interaction Maps MeSH
- Poly I-C pharmacology MeSH
- Protein Isoforms * metabolism genetics MeSH
- RNA-Binding Proteins * metabolism genetics MeSH
- Protein Binding MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is the principal enzyme for the adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing that prevents the aberrant activation of cytosolic nucleic acid sensors by endogenous double stranded RNAs and the activation of interferon-stimulated genes. In mice, the conditional neural crest deletion of Adar1 reduces the survival of melanocytes and alters the differentiation of Schwann cells that fail to myelinate nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system. These myelination defects are partially rescued upon the concomitant removal of the Mda5 antiviral dsRNA sensor in vitro, suggesting implication of the Mda5/Mavs pathway and downstream effectors in the genesis of Adar1 mutant phenotypes. By analyzing RNA-Seq data from the sciatic nerves of mouse pups after conditional neural crest deletion of Adar1 (Adar1cKO), we here identified the transcription factors deregulated in Adar1cKO mutants compared to the controls. Through Adar1;Mavs and Adar1cKO;Egr1 double-mutant mouse rescue analyses, we then highlighted that the aberrant activation of the Mavs adapter protein and overexpression of the early growth response 1 (EGR1) transcription factor contribute to the Adar1 deletion associated defects in Schwann cell development in vivo. In silico and in vitro gene regulation studies additionally suggested that EGR1 might mediate this inhibitory effect through the aberrant regulation of EGR2-regulated myelin genes. We thus demonstrate the role of the Mda5/Mavs pathway, but also that of the Schwann cell transcription factors in Adar1-associated peripheral myelination defects.
- MeSH
- Adenosine Deaminase * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Cell Differentiation * genetics MeSH
- Neural Crest * metabolism MeSH
- Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1 genetics metabolism MeSH
- Myelin Sheath metabolism MeSH
- Mice, Knockout * MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Schwann Cells * metabolism pathology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Standardy molekulárně-patologického testování se s pátým vydáním WHO klasifikace nádorů centrálního nervového systému razantně mění. Významnou změnou je zapojení molekulárně genetického testování a využívání komplexního přístupu v diagnostice. Některé typy nádorů pro své správné zařazení vyžadují vyšetření molekulárního profilu. Nejčastěji jde o vyšetření jednonukleotidových mutací, delecí a kodelecí, fúzí, případně metylací. Molekulární metody rozšiřují diagnostické spektrum založené na histopatologickém a imunohistochemickém zhodnocení. Využívají se molekulární metody, jako je PCR, Sangerovo sekvenování, I‐FISH, MLPA a/nebo NGS. Zcela zásadní je pro diagnostiku úzká spolupráce vyšetřujícího neuropatologa, molekulárního genetika a neuroonkologa, bez níž může dojít nesprávně užitými postupy k významnému poškození pacienta.
The standards of molecular-pathological testing are transforming with the fifth edition of the WHO classification of central nervous system tumors. A significant change involves incorporating molecular genetic testing and adopting a comprehensive diagnostic approach. Certain tumors require examining the molecular profile for accurate classification, typically analyzing single nucleotide variants, deletions, codeletions, fusions, or methylation. Molecular methods extend the diagnostic spectrum beyond histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments, using techniques like PCR, Sanger sequencing, I-FISH, MLPA, and/or NGS. Collaboration among neuropathologists, molecular geneticists, and neurooncologists is crucial for accurate diagnosis and preventing potential harm to patients.
- MeSH
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques methods MeSH
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence MeSH
- Immunohistochemistry MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- DNA Methylation MeSH
- Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Mutation genetics MeSH
- Central Nervous System Neoplasms * diagnosis genetics pathology MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
In recent years, numerous evidence has been accumulated about the extent of A-to-I editing in human RNAs and the key role ADAR1 plays in the cellular editing machinery. It has been shown that A-to-I editing occurrence and frequency are tissue-specific and essential for some tissue development, such as the liver. To study the effect of ADAR1 function in hepatocytes, we have created Huh7.5 ADAR1 KO cell lines. Upon IFN treatment, the Huh7.5 ADAR1 KO cells show rapid arrest of growth and translation, from which they do not recover. We analyzed translatome changes by using a method based on sequencing of separate polysome profile RNA fractions. We found significant changes in the transcriptome and translatome of the Huh7.5 ADAR1 KO cells. The most prominent changes include negatively affected transcription by RNA polymerase III and the deregulation of snoRNA and Y RNA levels. Furthermore, we observed that ADAR1 KO polysomes are enriched in mRNAs coding for proteins pivotal in a wide range of biological processes such as RNA localization and RNA processing, whereas the unbound fraction is enriched mainly in mRNAs coding for ribosomal proteins and translational factors. This indicates that ADAR1 plays a more relevant role in small RNA metabolism and ribosome biogenesis.
- MeSH
- Adenosine Deaminase * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- RNA Editing * MeSH
- Gene Knockout Techniques MeSH
- Hepatocytes * metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- RNA, Messenger genetics metabolism MeSH
- Polyribosomes metabolism genetics MeSH
- RNA-Binding Proteins * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Protein Biosynthesis MeSH
- Transcriptome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Adar null mutant mouse embryos die with aberrant double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-driven interferon induction, and Adar Mavs double mutants, in which interferon induction is prevented, die soon after birth. Protein kinase R (Pkr) is aberrantly activated in Adar Mavs mouse pup intestines before death, intestinal crypt cells die, and intestinal villi are lost. Adar Mavs Eifak2 (Pkr) triple mutant mice rescue all defects and have long-term survival. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) and PKR co-immunoprecipitate from cells, suggesting PKR inhibition by direct interaction. AlphaFold studies on an inhibitory PKR dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD)-kinase domain interaction before dsRNA binding and on an inhibitory ADAR1 dsRBD3-PKR kinase domain interaction on dsRNA provide a testable model of the inhibition. Wild-type or editing-inactive human ADAR1 expressed in A549 cells inhibits activation of endogenous PKR. ADAR1 dsRNA binding is required for, but is not sufficient for, PKR inhibition. Mutating the ADAR1 dsRBD3-PKR contact prevents co-immunoprecipitation, ADAR1 inhibition of PKR activity, and co-localization of ADAR1 and PKR in cells.
- MeSH
- Adenosine Deaminase * metabolism genetics MeSH
- Enzyme Activation MeSH
- A549 Cells MeSH
- RNA, Double-Stranded * metabolism MeSH
- eIF-2 Kinase * metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Protein Domains MeSH
- RNA-Binding Proteins * metabolism genetics MeSH
- Protein Binding MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
CRISPR/Cas technology is a powerful tool for genome engineering in Aspergillus oryzae as an industrially important filamentous fungus. Previous study has reported the application of the CRISPR/Cpf1 system based on the Cpf1 (LbCpf1) from Lachnospiraceae bacterium in A. oryzae. However, multiplex gene editing have not been investigated using this system. Here, we presented a new CRISPR/Cpf1 multiplex gene editing system in A. oryzae, which contains the Cpf1 nuclease (FnCpf1) from Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida U112 and CRISPR-RNA expression cassette. The crRNA cassette consisted of direct repeats and guide sequences driven by the A. oryzae U6 promoter and U6 terminator. Using the constructed FnCpf1 gene editing system, the wA and pyrG genes were mutated successfully. Furthermore, simultaneous editing of wA and pyrG genes in A. oryzae was performed using two guide sequences targeting these gene loci in a single crRNA array. This promising CRISPR/Cpf1 genome-editing system provides a powerful tool for genetically engineering A. oryzae.
- MeSH
- Aspergillus oryzae * genetics MeSH
- Gene Editing MeSH
- Francisella * MeSH
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Gene therapy is a focus of interest in both human and veterinary medicine, especially in recent years due to the potential applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Another relatively new approach is that of epigenetic therapy, which involves an intervention based on epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and post-transcription modifications of distinct RNAs. The epigenome results from enzymatic reactions, which regulate gene expression without altering DNA sequences. In contrast to conventional CRISP/Cas9 techniques, the recently established methodology of epigenetic editing mediated by the CRISPR/dCas9 system is designed to target specific genes without causing DNA breaks. Both natural epigenetic processes and epigenetic editing regulate gene expression and thereby contribute to maintaining the balance between physiological functions and pathophysiological states. From this perspective, knowledge of specific epigenetic marks has immense potential in both human and veterinary medicine. For instance, the use of epigenetic drugs (chemical compounds with therapeutic potential affecting the epigenome) seems to be promising for the treatment of cancer, metabolic, and infectious diseases. Also, there is evidence that an epigenetic diet (nutrition-like factors affecting epigenome) should be considered as part of a healthy lifestyle and could contribute to the prevention of pathophysiological processes. In summary, epigenetic-based approaches in human and veterinary medicine have increasing significance in targeting aberrant gene expression associated with various diseases. In this case, CRISPR/dCas9, epigenetic targeting, and some epigenetic nutrition factors could contribute to reversing an abnormal epigenetic landscape to a healthy physiological state.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
The canonical stop codons of the nuclear genome of the trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia nonstop are recoded. Here, we investigated the effect of this recoding on the mitochondrial genome and gene expression. Trypanosomatids possess a single mitochondrion and protein-coding transcripts of this genome require RNA editing in order to generate open reading frames of many transcripts encoded as 'cryptogenes'. Small RNAs that can number in the hundreds direct editing and produce a mitochondrial transcriptome of unusual complexity. We find B. nonstop to have a typical trypanosomatid mitochondrial genetic code, which presumably requires the mitochondrion to disable utilization of the two nucleus-encoded suppressor tRNAs, which appear to be imported into the organelle. Alterations of the protein factors responsible for mRNA editing were also documented, but they have likely originated from sources other than B. nonstop nuclear genome recoding. The population of guide RNAs directing editing is minimal, yet virtually all genes for the plethora of known editing factors are still present. Most intriguingly, despite lacking complex I cryptogene guide RNAs, these cryptogene transcripts are stochastically edited to high levels.
- MeSH
- Cell Nucleus * genetics metabolism MeSH
- RNA Editing * MeSH
- Genetic Code MeSH
- Genome, Mitochondrial * MeSH
- RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida genetics metabolism MeSH
- Codon genetics MeSH
- RNA, Messenger genetics metabolism MeSH
- Mitochondria genetics metabolism MeSH
- Open Reading Frames genetics MeSH
- Protozoan Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- RNA, Transfer * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Codon, Terminator genetics MeSH
- Trypanosomatina genetics metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
