Dataset Information

CRISPR Epigenome Editing of AKAP150 in DRG Neurons Abolishes Degenerative IVD-Induced Neuronal Activation.

ABSTRACT: Back pain is a major contributor to disability and has significant socioeconomic impacts worldwide. The degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) has been hypothesized to contribute to back pain, but a better understanding of the interactions between the degenerative IVD and nociceptive neurons innervating the disc and treatment strategies that directly target these interactions is needed to improve our understanding and treatment of back pain. We investigated degenerative IVD-induced changes to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron activity and utilized CRISPR epigenome editing as a neuromodulation strategy. By exposing DRG neurons to degenerative IVD-conditioned media under both normal and pathological IVD pH levels, we demonstrate that degenerative IVDs trigger interleukin (IL)-6-induced increases in neuron activity to thermal stimuli, which is directly mediated by AKAP and enhanced by acidic pH. Utilizing this novel information on AKAP-mediated increases in nociceptive neuron activity, we developed lentiviral CRISPR epigenome editing vectors that modulate endogenous expression of AKAP150 by targeted promoter histone methylation. When delivered to DRG neurons, these epigenome-modifying vectors abolished degenerative IVD-induced DRG-elevated neuron activity while preserving non-pathologic neuron activity. This work elucidates the potential for CRISPR epigenome editing as a targeted gene-based pain neuromodulation strategy.

SUBMITTER: Stover JD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5589089 | biostudies-other | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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CRISPR Epigenome Editing of AKAP150 in DRG Neurons Abolishes Degenerative IVD-Induced Neuronal Activation.

Stover Joshua D JD Farhang Niloofar N Berrett Kristofer C KC Gertz Jason J Lawrence Brandon B Bowles Robby D RD

Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy 20170701 9

Back pain is a major contributor to disability and has significant socioeconomic impacts worldwide. The degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) has been hypothesized to contribute to back pain, but a better understanding of the interactions between the degenerative IVD and nociceptive neurons innervating the disc and treatment strategies that directly target these interactions is needed to improve our understanding and treatment of back pain. We investigated degenerative IVD-induced changes to do ...[more]

PMID: 28676344

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Project description:Abstract Background Low back pain is a major contributor to disability worldwide and generates a tremendous socioeconomic impact. The degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) has been hypothesized to contribute to discogenic pain by sensitizing nociceptive neurons innervating the disc to stimuli that is nonpainful in healthy patients. Previously, we demonstrated the ability of degenerative IVDs to sensitize neurons to mechanical stimuli; however, elucidation of degenerative IVDs discogenic pain mechanisms is required to develop therapeutic strategies that directly target these mechanisms. Aims In this study, we utilized CRISPR epigenome editing of nociceptive neurons to identify mechanisms of degenerative IVD‐induced changes to mechanical nociception and demonstrated the ability of multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing of nociceptive neurons to modulate inflammation‐induced mechanical nociception. Methods and Results Utilizing an in vitro model, we demonstrated degenerative IVD‐produced IL‐6‐induced increases in nociceptive neuron activity in response to mechanical stimuli, mediated by TRPA1, ASIC3, and Piezo2 ion channel activity. Once these ion channels were identified as mediators of degenerative IVD‐induced mechanical nociception, we developed singleplex and multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing vectors that modulate endogenous expression of TRPA1, ASIC3, and Piezo2 via targeted gene promoter histone methylation. When delivered to nociceptive neurons, the multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing vectors abolished degenerative IVD‐induced mechanical nociception while preserving nonpathologic neuron activity. Conclusion This work demonstrates the potential of multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing as a highly targeted gene‐based neuromodulation strategy for the treatment of discogenic pain, specifically; and, for the treatment of inflammatory chronic pain conditions, more broadly. Multiplex CRISPR epigenome editing of ion channel expression in nociceptive neurons abolished degenerative IVD‐induced mechanical nociception in an in vitro model of discogenic back pain. These results demonstrate multiplex epigenome editing of nociceptive neurons as a potential neuromodulation strategy for discogenic back pain and other chronic pain conditions.

Project description:RationaleDSP (desmoplakin), the most abundant component of desmosomes, which maintain the mechanical integrity of epithelium, is a genome-wide association study-identified genetic risk locus in human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Subjects with IPF express a significantly higher level of DSP than control subjects.ObjectivesDetermine potential mechanisms by which DSP is regulated in lung fibrosis.MethodsMatrigel-coated soft and stiff polyacrylamide gels were made to simulate the stiffness of normal and fibrotic lungs. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were used to evaluate transcription factor binding to the DSP promoter. Targeted DNA methylation was achieved by CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/dCas9 (deactivated CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease)-mediated Dnmt3A (DNA methyltransferase 3A) expression under the guidance of sequence-specific single guide RNAs.Measurements and main resultsStiff matrix promotes DSP gene expression in both human and rodent lung epithelial cells as compared with soft matrix. A conserved region in the proximal DSP promoter is hypermethylated under soft matrix conditions and becomes hypomethylated/demethylated under stiff matrix conditions. Demethylation of this conserved DSP promoter region is associated with transactivation of transcription factor EGR1 (early growth response protein 1), resulting in EGR1-dependent DSP overexpression. Targeted DNA methylation by CRISPR/dCas9/Dnmt3A-mediated epigenome editing blocks EGR1 binding to the DSP promoter and inhibits stiff matrix-induced DSP overexpression.ConclusionsDSP is a matrix stiffness-regulated mechanosensitive gene. CRISPR/dCas9-Dnmt3A-mediated epigenome editing reverses DSP overexpression by reestablishment of the epigenetic control of DSP under the mechanically homeostatic environment. It provides a useful tool for investigations of the functional role of DSP in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis.

Dataset Information

CRISPR Epigenome Editing of AKAP150 in DRG Neurons Abolishes Degenerative IVD-Induced Neuronal Activation.

Publications

CRISPR Epigenome Editing of AKAP150 in DRG Neurons Abolishes Degenerative IVD-Induced Neuronal Activation.

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