A transchromosomic rat model with human chromosome 21 shows robust Down syndrome features.

Progress in earlier detection and clinical management has increased life expectancy and quality of life in people with Down syndrome (DS). However, no drug has been approved to help individuals with DS live independently and fully. Although rat models could support more robust physiological, behavioral, and toxicology analysis than mouse models during preclinical validation, no DS rat model is available as a result of technical challenges. We developed a transchromosomic rat model of DS, TcHSA21rat, which contains a freely segregating, EGFP-inserted, human chromosome 21 (HSA21) with >93% of its protein-coding genes. RNA-seq of neonatal forebrains demonstrates that TcHSA21rat expresses HSA21 genes and has an imbalance in global gene expression. Using EGFP as a marker for trisomic cells, flow cytometry analyses of peripheral blood cells from 361 adult TcHSA21rat animals show that 81% of animals retain HSA21 in >80% of cells, the criterion for a "Down syndrome karyotype" in people. TcHSA21rat exhibits learning and memory deficits and shows increased anxiety and hyperactivity. TcHSA21rat recapitulates well-characterized DS brain morphology, including smaller brain volume and reduced cerebellar size. In addition, the rat model shows reduced cerebellar foliation, which is not observed in DS mouse models. Moreover, TcHSA21rat exhibits anomalies in craniofacial morphology, heart development, husbandry, and stature. TcHSA21rat is a robust DS animal model that can facilitate DS basic research and provide a unique tool for preclinical validation to accelerate DS drug development.

Retargeting of microcell fusion towards recipient cell-oriented transfer of human artificial chromosome.

BACKGROUND: Human artificial chromosome (HAC) vectors have some unique characteristics as compared with conventional vectors, carrying large transgenes without size limitation, showing persistent expression of transgenes, and existing independently from host genome in cells. With these features, HACs are expected to be promising vectors for modifications of a variety of cell types. However, the method of introduction of HACs into target cells is confined to microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT), which is less efficient than other methods of vector introduction. Application of Measles Virus (MV) fusogenic proteins to MMCT instead of polyethylene glycol (PEG) has partly solved this drawback, whereas the tropism of MV fusogenic proteins is restricted to human CD46- or SLAM-positive cells. RESULTS: Here, we show that retargeting of microcell fusion by adding anti-Transferrin receptor (TfR) single chain antibodies (scFvs) to the extracellular C-terminus of the MV-H protein improves the efficiency of MV-MMCT to human fibroblasts which originally barely express both native MV receptors, and are therefore resistant to MV-MMCT. Efficacy of chimeric fusogenic proteins was evaluated by the evidence that the HAC, tagged with a drug-resistant gene and an EGFP gene, was transferred from CHO donor cells into human fibroblasts. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that no perturbation of either the HAC status or the functions of transgenes was observed on account of retargeted MV-MMCT when another HAC carrying four reprogramming factors (iHAC) was transferred into human fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Retargeted MV-MMCT using chimeric H protein with scFvs succeeded in extending the cell spectrum for gene transfer via HAC vectors. Therefore, this technology could facilitate the systematic cell engineering by HACs.

Pathological Comparison of TDP-43 Between Motor Neurons and Interneurons Expressed by a Tetracycline Repressor System on the Mouse Artificial Chromosome.

Background: Cytoplasmic mislocalization of TAR-DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a major hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-43 aggregation is detected in the cortical and spinal motor neurons in most ALS cases; however, pathological mechanism of this mislocalized TDP-43 remains unknown. Methods: We generated a tetracycline-inducible TDP-43 A315T system on a mouse artificial chromosome (MAC) vector to avoid transgene-insertional mutagenesis, established a mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line holding this MAC vector system, and investigated whether overexpressed exogenous TDP-43 A315T was mislocalized in the cytoplasm of the ES cell-derived neurons and triggered the neurotoxic effects on these cells. Results: Inducible TDP-43 A315T system was successfully loaded onto the MAC and introduced into the mouse ES cells. These ES cells could differentiate into motor neurons and interneurons. Overexpression of TDP-43 A315T by addition of doxycycline in both neurons resulted in mislocalization to cytoplasm. Mislocalized TDP-43 caused cell death of motor neurons, but not interneurons. Conclusion: Vulnerability to cytoplasmic mislocalized TDP-43 is selective on neuronal types, whereas mislocalization of overexpressed TDP-43 occurs in even insusceptible neurons. This inducible gene expression system using MAC remains useful for providing critical insights into appearance of TDP-43 pathology.

Neocortical neuronal production and maturation defects in the TcMAC21 mouse model of Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) results from trisomy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21), and DS research has been conducted by the use of mouse models. We previously generated a humanized mouse model of DS, TcMAC21, which carries the long arm of HSA21. These mice exhibit learning and memory deficits, and may reproduce neurodevelopmental alterations observed in humans with DS. Here, we performed histologic studies of the TcMAC21 forebrain from embryonic to adult stages. The TcMAC21 neocortex showed reduced proliferation of neural progenitors and delayed neurogenesis. These abnormalities were associated with a smaller number of projection neurons and interneurons. Further, (phospho-)proteomic analysis of adult TcMAC21 cortex revealed alterations in the phosphorylation levels of a series of synaptic proteins. The TcMAC21 mouse model shows similar brain development abnormalities as DS, and will be a valuable model to investigate prenatal and postnatal causes of intellectual disability in humans with DS.

A new chromosome 14-based human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector system for efficient transgene expression in human primary cells.

The use of non-integrating human artificial chromosomes (HACs) in gene therapy possibly allows for safe and reliable genetic modification of human cells without insertional mutagenesis and/or unexpected oncogene activations. Although we previously demonstrated that the HAC provides long-term therapeutic erythropoietin (EPO) production in normal human primary fibroblasts (hPFs), the expression level of EPO was too low to provide medical benefits for human therapy. Thus, the next challenge for the application of this system in therapeutic purposes is to improve the transgene expression on HACs. Here, we newly constructed chromosome 14-based HACs and examined the effects of the telomere and promoter regions on the expression level of the tansgene in hPFs. We showed that the use of natural telomere/sub-telomere and enhancers within the 5' untranslated region of the human ubiquitin C gene greatly increased (over 1000-fold) the EPO production in hPFs. Furthermore, we demonstrated the reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts by HAC-mediated introduction of four transcription factors, and established induced pluripotent stem cells with no trace of the HACs carrying multiple expression cassettes with large genome fragments. These results indicate that this HAC system could allow us to manipulate multiple transgenes efficiently in human primary cells, providing a promising tool not only for gene therapy but also for investigating genome functions in drug discoveries.

Integration-free and stable expression of FVIII using a human artificial chromosome.

Human artificial chromosome (HAC) has several advantages as a gene therapy vector, including stable episomal maintenance that avoids insertional mutations and the ability to carry large gene inserts. To examine the copy number effect on the gene expression levels and its stability for a long-term culture for a future application in gene therapy, we constructed a HAC vector carrying the human factor VIII (FVIII) complementary DNA, FVIII-HAC in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. One and more copies of FVIII gene on the HAC were expressed in the copy-number-dependent manner in the CHO cells. The HAC with 16 copies of FVIII, FVIII (16)-HAC, was transferred from CHO hybrids into a human immortalized mesenchymal stem cell using microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. The expression levels of HAC-derived FVIII transgene products were compared with transfected FVIII plasmids. The former showed expression levels consistent with those of the original clones, even after 50 population doublings, whereas the latter showed a remarkable decrease in expression despite unvarying DNA content, indicating that the gene on the HAC is resistant to gene silencing. These results suggest that the HAC-mediated therapeutic gene-expression system may be a powerful tool for stable expression of transgenes, and possibly for industrial production of gene products.

Complete genetic correction of ips cells from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Human artificial chromosome (HAC) has several advantages as a gene therapy vector, including stable episomal maintenance that avoids insertional mutations and the ability to carry large gene inserts including the regulatory elements. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have great potential for gene therapy, as such cells can be generated from the individual's own tissues, and when reintroduced can contribute to the specialized function of any tissue. As a proof of concept, we show herein the complete correction of a genetic deficiency in iPS cells derived from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) model (mdx) mice and a human DMD patient using a HAC with a complete genomic dystrophin sequence (DYS-HAC). Deletion or mutation of dystrophin in iPS cells was corrected by transferring the DYS-HAC via microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT). DMD patient- and mdx-specific iPS cells with the DYS-HAC gave rise to differentiation of three germ layers in the teratoma, and human dystrophin expression was detected in muscle-like tissues. Furthermore, chimeric mice from mdx-iPS (DYS-HAC) cells were produced and DYS-HAC was detected in all tissues examined, with tissue-specific expression of dystrophin. Therefore, the combination of patient-specific iPS cells and HAC-containing defective genes represents a powerful tool for gene and cell therapies.

Engineering of human induced pluripotent stem cells via human artificial chromosome vectors for cell therapy and disease modeling.

Genetic engineering of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) holds great promise for gene and cell therapy as well as drug discovery. However, there are potential concerns regarding the safety and control of gene expression using conventional vectors such as viruses and plasmids. Although human artificial chromosome (HAC) vectors have several advantages as a gene delivery vector, including stable episomal maintenance and the ability to carry large gene inserts, the full potential of HAC transfer into iPSCs still needs to be explored. Here, we provide evidence of a HAC transfer into human iPSCs by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer via measles virus envelope proteins for various applications, including gene and cell therapy, establishment of versatile human iPSCs capable of gene loading and differentiation into T cells, and disease modeling for aneuploidy syndrome. Thus, engineering of human iPSCs via desired HAC vectors is expected to be widely applied in biomedical research.

Telomerase-mediated life-span extension of human primary fibroblasts by human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector.

Telomerase-mediated life-span extension enables the expansion of normal cells without malignant transformation, and thus has been thought to be useful in cell therapies. Currently, integrating vectors including the retrovirus are used for human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-mediated expansion of normal cells; however, the use of these vectors potentially causes unexpected insertional mutagenesis and/or activation of oncogenes. Here, we established normal human fibroblast (hPF) clones retaining non-integrating human artificial chromosome (HAC) vectors harboring the hTERT expression cassette. In hTERT-HAC/hPF clones, we observed the telomerase activity and the suppression of senescent-associated SA-beta-galactosidase activity. Furthermore, the hTERT-HAC/hPF clones continued growing beyond 120days after cloning, whereas the hPF clones retaining the silent hTERT-HAC senesced within 70days. Thus, hTERT-HAC-mediated episomal expression of hTERT allows the extension of the life-span of human primary cells, implying that gene delivery by non-integrating HAC vectors can be used to control cellular proliferative capacity of primary cultured cells.

Development of a Safeguard System Using an Episomal Mammalian Artificial Chromosome for Gene and Cell Therapy.

The development of a safeguard system to remove tumorigenic cells would allow safer clinical applications of stem cells for the treatment of patients with an intractable disease including genetic disorders. Such safeguard systems should not disrupt the host genome and should have long-term stability. Here, we attempted to develop a tumor-suppressing mammalian artificial chromosome containing a safeguard system that uses the immune rejection system against allogeneic tissue from the host. For proof-of-concept of the safeguard system, B16F10 mouse melanoma cells expressing the introduced H2-K(d) major histocompatibility complex (MHC class I)-allogenic haplotype were transplanted into recipient C57BL/6J mice expressing MHC H2-K(b). Subcutaneous implantation of B16F10 cells into C57BL/6J mice resulted in high tumorigenicity. The volume of tumors derived from B16F10 cells expressing allogenic MHC H2-K(d) was decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Suppression of MHC H2-K(d)-expressing tumors in C57BL/6J mice was enhanced by immunization with MHC H2-K(d)-expressing splenocytes (P < 0.01). These results suggest that the safeguard system is capable of suppressing tumor formation by the transplanted cells.

Use of real-time RT-PCR for the detection of allelic expression of an imprinted gene.

Measurement of the relative amounts of transcripts from two alleles is important in the study of imprinted genes, since quantitative differences that vary among tissues or individuals, and subtle differences in the ratio of allelic expression can have pathobiological significance. Discrimination of alleles is commonly based on PCR, followed by restriction endonuclease digestion to recognize a polymorphic site. However, the use of restriction enzymes misses most of the available single nucleotide polymorphisms. Practically, it requires substantial post-PCR analyses including the restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis, all of which increase turn around time. Taking advantage of our previous study identifying lung adenocarcinomas displaying biallelic expression of the imprinted gene MEST, we investigated the validity of a method of allelic discrimination in a real-time PCR assay using allele-specific probes. Allelic expression of the MEST gene in the range of 4-fold differences was detected. This new method should enhance our ability to rapidly and accurately assess allelic expression of imprinted genes in a number of samples.

The transfer of human artificial chromosomes via cryopreserved microcells.

Microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT) technology enables a single and intact mammalian chromosome or megabase-sized chromosome fragments to be transferred from donor to recipient cells. The conventional MMCT method is performed immediately after the purification of microcells. The timing of the isolation of microcells and the preparation of recipient cells is very important. Thus, ready-made microcells can improve and simplify the process of MMCT. Here, we established a cryopreservation method to store microcells at -80 °C, and compared these cells with conventionally- (immediately-) prepared cells with respect to the efficiency of MMCT and the stability of a human artificial chromosome (HAC) transferred to human HT1080 cells. The HAC transfer in microcell hybrids was confirmed by FISH analysis. There was no significant difference between the two methods regarding chromosome transfer efficiency and the retention rate of HAC. Thus, cryopreservation of ready-to-use microcells provides an improved and simplified protocol for MMCT.

Prognostic significance of sirtuin 2 protein nuclear localization in glioma: an immunohistochemical study.

The sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) protein is a member of the sirtuin family and homologous to Sir2 (silent information regulator 2) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To assess the pathobiological significance of SIRT2 protein expression and/or subcellular localization in human glioma, we examined SIRT2 protein expression in human gliomas using a polyclonal anti-SIRT2 antibody and immunohistochemistry. In this study, samples from 23 patients with glioblastoma (GB, grade IV), 8 patients with diffuse astrocytoma (DA, grade II) and 5 healthy individuals were examined. We established a SIRT2 labeling index (SIRT2-LI) that represents the percentage of cells with SIRT2 localized to the nucleus. The mean SIRT2-LI was 65.8±18.6 in GB samples, 41.2±22.8 in DA samples, and 28.6±12.3 in normal control samples. The SIRT2-LI of GB samples was significantly higher than that of normal control samples (P<0.01, Mann-Whitney's U-test) and that of DA samples (P<0.05). Moreover, the SIRT2-LI was positively correlated with malignant progression. Specifically, samples from patients with GB were divided into two groups, low SIRT2-LI (<60%) and high SIRT2-LI (≥60%), and the patients with low SIRT2-LI samples survived significantly longer than patients with high SIRT2-LI samples (P<0.05, Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test). In conclusion, SIRT2-LI was indicative of glioma malignancy, and it may be predictive of GB patient survival.

Integration-free iPS cells engineered using human artificial chromosome vectors.

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) have unique characteristics as gene-delivery vectors, including episomal transmission and transfer of multiple, large transgenes. Here, we demonstrate the advantages of HAC vectors for reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Two HAC vectors (iHAC1 and iHAC2) were constructed. Both carried four reprogramming factors, and iHAC2 also encoded a p53-knockdown cassette. iHAC1 partially reprogrammed MEFs, and iHAC2 efficiently reprogrammed MEFs. Global gene expression patterns showed that the iHACs, unlike other vectors, generated relatively uniform iPS cells. Under non-selecting conditions, we established iHAC-free iPS cells by isolating cells that spontaneously lost iHAC2. Analyses of pluripotent markers, teratomas and chimeras confirmed that these iHAC-free iPS cells were pluripotent. Moreover, iHAC-free iPS cells with a re-introduced HAC encoding Herpes Simplex virus thymidine kinase were eliminated by ganciclovir treatment, indicating that the HAC safeguard system functioned in iPS cells. Thus, the HAC vector could generate uniform, integration-free iPS cells with a built-in safeguard system.

A gene delivery system with a human artificial chromosome vector based on migration of mesenchymal stem cells towards human glioblastoma HTB14 cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been expected to become useful gene delivery vehicles against human malignant gliomas when coupled with an appropriate vector system, because they migrate towards the lesion. Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) are non-integrating vectors with several advantages for gene therapy, namely, no limitations on the size and number of genes that can be inserted. We investigated the migration of human immortalized MSCs bearing a HAC vector containing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (HAC-tk-hiMSCs) towards malignant gliomas in vivo. Red fluorescence protein-labeled human glioblastoma HTB14 cells were implanted into a subcortical region in nude mice. Four days later, green fluorescence protein-labeled HAC-tk-hiMSCs were injected into a contralateral subcortical region (the HTB14/HAC-tk-hiMSC injection model). Tropism to the glioma mass and the route of migration were visualized by fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. HAC-tk-hiMSCs began to migrate toward the HTB14 glioma area via the corpus callosum on day 4, and gathered around the HTB14 glioma mass on day 7. To test whether the delivered gene could effectively treat glioblastoma in vivo, HTB14/HAC-tk-hiMSC injected mice were treated with ganciclovir (GCV) or PBS. The HTB14 glioma mass was significantly reduced by GCV treatment in mice injected with HAC-tk-hiMSCs. It was confirmed that gene delivery by our HAC-hiMSC system was effective after migration of MSCs to the glioma mass in vivo. Therefore, MSCs containing HACs carrying an anticancer gene or genes may provide a new tool for the treatment of malignant gliomas and possibly of other tumor types.

SIRT2 downregulation confers resistance to microtubule inhibitors by prolonging chronic mitotic arrest.

We previously identified SIRT2, a deacetylase for tubulin and histone H4, as a protein downregulated in gliomas, and reported that exogenously-expressed SIRT2 arrests the cell cycle prior to entry into mitosis to prevent chromosomal instability in response to microtubule inhibitors (MTIs) such as nocodazole, characteristics previously reported for the CHFR protein. We herein investigated the effects of SIRT2 downregulation on sensitivity to MTIs using HCT116 cells, a mitotic checkpoint-proficient near-diploid cancer cell line used for studying checkpoints. We found that SIRT2 downregulation confers resistance to MTIs as well as that of BubR1, a well-characterized mitotic checkpoint protein, though by a different mechanism. While BubR1 suppression abolished spindle checkpoint functions, which is a requirement for cell death after release from the spindle checkpoint, SIRT2 downregulation prolonged chronic mitotic arrest from sustained activation of the mitotic checkpoint and consequently prevented a shift to secondary outcomes, including cell death, after release from chronic mitotic arrest. Consistent with this notion, BubR1 downregulation was dominant over SIRT2 knockdown in regard to mitotic regulation in the presence of nocodazole. These results suggest that SIRT2 functions to release chronic mitotic arrest in cells treated with MTIs, leading to other outcomes. We also found that SIRT2 downregulation caused centrosome fragmentation in response to nocodazole prior to the alteration in spindle checkpoint function, implying not only a novel function of SIRT2 for centrosome maintenance upon exposure to mitotic stress caused by MTIs, but also the existence of a centrosome-mediated signaling pathway to sustain the spindle checkpoint. Therefore, this study highlights a novel pathway leading to resistance to MTIs, in which SIRT2 downregulation participates.

The molecular biology of mammalian SIRT proteins: SIRT2 in cell cycle regulation.

Sir2, an NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase, extends the lifespan in diverse species from yeast to flies. Mammals have seven homologs of Sir2, SIRT1-7, which affect aging and metabolism and which are potential targets for pharmacologic intervention. We identified SIRT2, which preferentially deacetylates tubulin and histone H4, as a downregulated protein in gliomas due to its epigenetic aberration. We herein discuss the role of SIRT2 in the mitotic checkpoint function and show that it may be as a potential target of anti-cancer drugs.

A comparison study in the proteomic signatures of multipotent germline stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and germline stem cells.

Germline stem (GS) cells can only differentiate into germline cells, while multipotent germ stem (mGS) cells, like embryonic stem (ES) cells, can differentiate into various somatic cells and tissues. The proteomic profiles in GS and mGS cells were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Ten down-regulated and 16 up-regulated proteins were differentially expressed in mGS cells in comparison to GS cells, and these proteomic characteristics were very much similar to those in ES cells indicating that multipotency of mGS and ES cells is based on a common molecular event(s). Protein identification by mass spectrometry revealed that these proteins were functionally involved in cell signaling, transcription factors, metabolism, and protein folding. The identified proteins in the present study may thus reveal its biological characteristics and functional property in self-renewal and multipotency.

Heat-regulated production and secretion of insulin from a human artificial chromosome vector.

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) behave as independent minichromosomes and are potentially useful as a way to achieve safe, long-term expression of a transgene. In this study, we sought to elucidate the potential of HAC vectors carrying the human proinsulin transgene for gene therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) using non-beta-cells as a host for the vector. To facilitate the production of mature insulin in non-beta-cells and to safely regulate the level of transgene expression, we introduced furin-cleavable sites into the proinsulin coding region and utilized the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) promoter. We used Cre-loxP-mediated recombination to introduce the gene cassettes onto 21DeltapqHAC, a HAC vector whose structure is completely defined, present in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells. We observed long-term expression and stable retention of the transgene without aberrant translocation of the HAC constructs. As expected, the Hsp70 promoter allowed us to regulate gene expression with temperature, and the production and secretion of intermediates of mature insulin were made possible by the furin-cleavable sites we had introduced into proinsulin. This study can be an initial step on the application of HAC vectors on the gene delivery to non-beta-cells, which might provide a direction for future treatment for diabetes.

Proteomic identification of differentially-expressed genes in human gastric carcinomas.

Although genetic alterations in proto-oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes, cell cycle regulators, and cell growth factors have been implicated in the process of human gastric carcinogenesis, the principle carcinogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used a proteomic approach to search for genes that may be involved in gastric carcinogenesis and that might serve as diagnostic markers. We identified nine proteins with increased expression and 13 proteins with decreased expression in gastric carcinomas. The two most notable groups included proteins involved in mitotic checkpoint (MAD1L1 and EB1) and mitochondrial functions (CLPP, COX5A, and ECH1). This suggested that there are links between dysfunctions in these processes and gastric carcinogenesis. We also observed the differential expression of HSP27 and CYR61 proteins in gastric carcinoma, whose expression is known to be altered in other types of tumors. Furthermore, the study identified proteins whose function in gastric carcinomas was previously unsuspected and that may serve as new molecular markers for gastric carcinomas. Importantly, immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that the levels of expression of MAD1L1, HSP27, and CYR61 were altered in gastric carcinoma tissues. Therefore, our study suggested not only that the proteins identified in this study can be useful diagnostic markers but also that a proteomics-based approach is useful for developing a more complete picture of the pathogenesis and function of gastric carcinomas.