Base editing of haematopoietic stem cells rescues sickle cell disease in mice.

ABSTRACT: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a mutation in the β-globin gene HBB¹. We used a custom adenine base editor (ABE8e-NRCH)^2,3 to convert the SCD allele (HBB^S) into Makassar β-globin (HBB^G), a non-pathogenic variant^4,5. Ex vivo delivery of mRNA encoding the base editor with a targeting guide RNA into haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from patients with SCD resulted in 80% conversion of HBB^S to HBB^G. Sixteen weeks after transplantation of edited human HSPCs into immunodeficient mice, the frequency of HBB^G was 68% and hypoxia-induced sickling of bone marrow reticulocytes had decreased fivefold, indicating durable gene editing. To assess the physiological effects of HBB^S base editing, we delivered ABE8e-NRCH and guide RNA into HSPCs from a humanized SCD mouse⁶ and then transplanted these cells into irradiated mice. After sixteen weeks, Makassar β-globin represented 79% of β-globin protein in blood, and hypoxia-induced sickling was reduced threefold. Mice that received base-edited HSPCs showed near-normal haematological parameters and reduced splenic pathology compared to mice that received unedited cells. Secondary transplantation of edited bone marrow confirmed that the gene editing was durable in long-term haematopoietic stem cells and showed that HBB^S-to-HBB^G editing of 20% or more is sufficient for phenotypic rescue. Base editing of human HSPCs avoided the p53 activation and larger deletions that have been observed following Cas9 nuclease treatment. These findings point towards a one-time autologous treatment for SCD that eliminates pathogenic HBB^S, generates benign HBB^G, and minimizes the undesired consequences of double-strand DNA breaks.

SUBMITTER: Newby GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8266759 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature