This work was funded in part by the Kahn Neurotechnology Development Award (to O.C.) and the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH/NINDS) (R01 NS085011 to O.C.).

Duke University filed a provisional patent application related to this study.

LVs have begun to emerge as the vehicle of choice for epigenome editing, especially in the context of genetic diseases, mainly due to their ability to (i) accommodate large DNA payloads and (ii) efficiently transduce a wide range of dividing and nondividing cells. The large packaging efficacy of the LVs is especially beneficial for the applications involving packaging of the CRISPR/dCas9 systems which are oversized. From this perspective, LVs represent the platform-of-choice for the delivery of all-in-one CRISPR/Cas9 sys...

Multiple epigenome-editing platforms have been recently developed to target any DNA sequences in the regions that control gene expression1,2. The created epigenome-editing tools are designed to (i) regulate transcription, (ii) alter posttranslational histone modifications, (iii) modify DNA methylation, and (iv) modulate regulatory element interactions. The approach to anchor the transcription/chromatin modifiers to a deactivated (dead) Cas9 (dCas9) raised from previously developed epigenome-editing platforms, such as zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) and transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), harboring a potent transcriptional effector domain (ED) fused to the designed DNA-binding domain (DBD)3. The outcomes of the desired phenotype such as activation or repression is defined by the effector molecule anchored to the endogenous loci (Figure 1). To create programmable transcriptional activators, dCas9/gRNA modules are linked to VP164,5,6 (Figure 1A), a viral activation domain that recruits Pol II and the general transcription machinery. The modification of this system has included VP64, a tetramer of VP16 domains, providing an even more robust activation rate5,6. The system has been successfully employed to activate coding and noncoding regions by targeting promoters and regulatory elements. Importantly, even though VP64 molecules do not directly modify the chromatin structure in the target region, it recruits chromatin modifiers which bind results in deposition of the active (euchromatin) marks, including as H3/H4 acetylation and H3-K4 di/tri-methylation5,6. In addition to VP64, the p65 subunit of the human NF-&#954;B complex has been tethered to the dCas9/gRNA module7. Interestingly, the tethering of these effectors to the regions upstream of transcription start sites (TSSs) and within promoters results in a strong gene induction. Nevertheless, VP64 and p65 effectors can also exert the activatory effects while being linked to the regions located downstream of TSSs and at distal enhancers7,8. To elicit a more robust transcriptional response, multiple dCas9-VP64 or dCas9-p65 fusions need to be recruited to a single target locus9,10. As such, the recent development of next-generation activators, which recruit multiple effector domains by a single dCas9-gRNA complex, such as SunTag, has resulted in a stronger activation capability comparing to dCas9-VP64 fusion counterparts11,12. An improved transcriptional activation has been obtained through the fusion of VP64, p65, and Rta (VPR), a transactivation domain from gamma-herpesviruses, to the C-terminus of dCas913 (Figure 1A). Similar CRISPR/dCas9 systems have been developed for target-specific repression (Figure 1B).
Endogenous gene repression can be achieved with engineered repressor fusions through a variety of mechanisms (Figure 1B). It has been demonstrated that CRISPR/dCas9 systems, linked to the repressor DBD (even without an effector domain/s), can efficiently silence gene expression while tethered to a promoter or upstream/downstream-TSS regions3,6,14. The effects on transcription is caused by the steric interference of transcription factor binding and RNA polymerase processing. Nevertheless, more comprehensive approaches are needed, as gene repression by steric hindrance alone is often not sufficient for robust silencing. The recent development of the next generation of silencers based on CRISPR/dCas9 systems carrying transcriptional repressor domains (TRDs), histone modifiers (H3-K9 di-/tri-methylation, H3-K27 di-/tri-methylation; H3-K36 di-/tri-methylation, H3/H4 deacetylation), and DNA (CpG) methylation led to the construction of epigenetic tools allowing more robust silencing effects4,5,15,16,17,18,19,20. It has been demonstrated that the recruitment of these epigenetic modifiers to the DNA may lead to the formation of more closed and condensed chromatin, which typically generate a more potent silencing outcome21,22. The most commonly silencing domain used with DBDs is the Kr&#252;ppel-associated box (KRAB)4,5. The recruitment of the factor has been demonstrated to correspond with chromatin changes; nevertheless, the mechanisms of these modifications are yet to be elucidated16,17,18. Recently, it has been shown that the localization of KRAB to DNA can promote the assembly of the histone methyltransferase SETDB1 and the histone deacetylation (HDAC) NuRD complexes, suggesting the possibility that these interactions mediate the formation of chromatin condensation and transcriptional silencing3,13. As an alternative approach, effector domains can be fused to DBDs to create a custom epigenetic silencing protein. This system directly catalyzes repressive DNA marks or histone modifications.
Recently, the use of synthetic CRISPR/dCas9 systems tethered to the DNMT3A enzyme has been repurposed for transcriptional deactivation. DNMT3A catalyzes DNA methylation that exerts transcriptional repression throughout the formation of heterochromatin on endogenous gene promoters and other regulatory regions (Figure 1B)18,20. McDonald et al.18 and Vojta et al.20 were the first authors to report that DNA methylation can be used for epigenome-gene silencing or repression, demonstrating that the plasmid-delivered dCas9-DNMT3A fusion system can potently enhance cytosine methylation around the TSS18,20. McDonald and coworkers demonstrated that the employment of the strategy may result in a significant reduction (about 40%) in a tumor-suppressor gene, CDKN2A mRNA levels18. Similarly, targeting the unmethylated promoter region of the BACH or IL6ST genes shows increased CpG methylation that has been correlated with a twofold reduction in the gene expression20. Our lab has recently repurposed the use of DNA methylation for attenuating the pathological outcomes of SNCA overexpression (Figure 2)23. The strategy is based on selective enhancement in DNA methylation within the SNCA intron 1 region, as it was previously reported to be hypomethylated in PD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) brains24,25,26. This hypomethylation has been linked to SNCA overexpression, thus offering an attractive target for therapeutic intervention24,27,28. We recently showed a low level of DNA methylation in the SNCA intron 1 region in hiPSC-derived dopaminergic NPCs obtained from a PD patient with the SNCA triplication23. The advantage of this experimental model is that the NPCs can be robustly propagated in culture or further differentiated into mature neurons, enabling an efficient screening to identify genetic factors that mediate cellular phenotypes, including oxidative stress and apoptosis29. Furthermore, this model system enables scientists to recapitulate the developmental events that occurred prior to symptom onset in patients. In addition, hiPSC-derived NPCs represent a great tool to test the cellular and molecular pathways associated with gene expression. Importantly, hiPSC-derived NPCs combined with state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas9-epigenome technology can greatly facilitate the development of &#8220;next-generation drugs&#8221; for many neurodegenerative diseases.
To reduce pathological levels of SNCA expression, we recently developed a lentivirus-based system carrying a dCas9-DNMT3A fusion protein and gRNA to specifically target CpG methylation within the SNCA intron 1 (Figure 2A)23. This protocol will describe lentiviral vector (LV) design and production in detail. LVs represent an effective means of delivering CRISPR/dCas9 components for several reasons, namely (i) their capacity to carry bulky DNA inserts, (ii) a high efficiency of transducing a broad range of cells, including both dividing and nondividing cells30, and (iii) their ability to induce minimal cytotoxic and immunogenic responses. Recently, we applied the LV system to hiPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons from a patient with the triplication of the SNCA locus and demonstrated the therapeutic potential of LVs for the delivery of epigenome-editing methylation tools23 (Figure 2B). Indeed, an LV-gRNA/dCas9-DNMT3A system causes a significant increase in DNA methylation at the SNCA intron 1 region. This increase corresponds with the reduction in the levels of SNCA mRNA and protein23. Moreover, SNCA downregulation rescues PD-related phenotypes in the SNCA triplication/hiPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons (e.g., mitochondrial ROS production and cell viability)23. Importantly, we demonstrated that the reduction in SNCA expression by the LV-gRNA-dCas9-DMNT3A system is capable of reversing the phenotypes which are characteristic for hiPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons from a PD patient who carried the SNCA triplication, such as mitochondrial ROS production and cell viability23. The goal of this protocol is 1) to outline the protocol of production and concentration of an optimized LV platform for generating high-tittered viral preparations and 2) to describe the differentiation of hiPSCs into NPCs patterned to become mature dopaminergic neurons31,32 and the characterization of the methylation levels of the targeted region within SNCA intron 1.
Lentiviral platforms have a major advantage over the most popular vector platform, namely adeno-associated vectors (AAVs), which is the former&#8217;s ability to accommodate larger genetic inserts33,34. AAVs can be generated at significantly higher yields but possess a low packaging capacity (&#60;4.8 kb), compromising their use for delivering all-in-one CRISPR/Cas9 systems. Thus, it seems that the LVs would be the platform-of-choice in the applications involved in the delivery of CRISPR/dCas9 tools. Therefore, the protocol outlined here will be a valuable tool for researchers desiring to effectively deliver epigenome-editing components to the cells and organs. The protocol further outlines the strategy to increase the production and expression capabilities of the vectors via a modification in cis of the elements within the vector expression cassette30,35. The strategy is based on the novel system developed and studied in our lab and highlights its ability to produce viral particles in the range of 1010 viral units (VU)/mL30,35.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Optima XPN-80 Ultracentrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>A99839</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.22 &#956;M filter unit, 1L</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430513</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.45-&#956;m filter unit, 500mL</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430773</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100mm TC-Treated Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430167</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL conical centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430791</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>150 mm TC-Treated Cell Culture dishes with 20 mm Grid</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50mL conical centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430291</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-well plates</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3516</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aggrewell 800</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>34811</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Allegra 25R tabletop centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>369434</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD FACS</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>338960</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Conical bottom ultracentrifugation tubes</td>
			<td>Seton Scientific</td>
			<td>5067</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Conical tube adapters</td>
			<td>Seton Scientific</td>
			<td>PN 4230</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eppendorf Cell Imaging Slides</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>30742060</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High-binding 96-well plates</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3366</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted fluorescence microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>DM IRB2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit (50)</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>27104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reversible Strainer</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>27215</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SW32Ti rotor</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>369650</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VWR&#174; Disposable Serological Pipets, Glass, Nonpyrogenic</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>93000-694</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VWR&#174; Vacuum Filtration Systems</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89220-694</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>xMark&#8482; Microplate Absorbance plate reader</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1681150</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell culture reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK 293T) cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-3216</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Accutase</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>7920</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Adherence Rinsing Solution</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>7010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-FOXA2 Antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>Ab60721</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Nestin Antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>Ab18102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-antimycotic solution, 100X</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A5955-100ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B-27 Supplement (50X), minus vitamin A</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12587010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BES</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>B9879 - BES</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Albumin Fraction V (7.5% solution)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15260037</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CHIR99021</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>72052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning Matrigel hESC-Qualified Matrix</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>08-774-552</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cosmic Calf Serum</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30087.04</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM-F12</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>12-719</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM, high glucose media</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11965</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNeasy Blood &#38; Tissue Kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>69504</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EpiTect PCR Control DNA Set</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>596945</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EZ DNA Methylation Kit</td>
			<td>Zymo Research</td>
			<td>D5001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gelatin</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>G1800-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamicin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15750078</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentle Cell Dissociation Reagent</td>
			<td>stemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>7174</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMAX</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>35050061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human Recombinant bFGF</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>78003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human Recombinant&#160;EGF</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>78006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human Recombinant Shh (C24II)</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>78065</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids Solution (100X)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11140050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mTeSR1</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>85850</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-2 Supplement (100X)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>17502001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neurobasal Medium</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>21103049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-Essential Amino Acid (NEAA)</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30087.04</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PyroMark PCR Kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>978703</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI 1640 media</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11875-085</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SB431542</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>72232</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium pyruvate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>S8636-100ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STEMdiff&#160;Neural Induction Medium</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>5835</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STEMdiff Neural Progenitor Freezing Medium</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>5838</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TaqMan Assay FOXA2</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Hs00232764</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TaqMan Assay GAPDH</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Hs99999905</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TaqMan Assay Nestin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Hs04187831</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TaqMan Assay OCT4</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Hs04260367</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TaqMan Assay PPIA</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Hs99999904</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA 0.05%</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25300054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Y27632</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>72302</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>p24 ELISA reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Monoclonal anti-p24 antibody</td>
			<td>NIH AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program</td>
			<td>3537</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat anti-rabbit horseradish peroxidase IgG</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>12-348</td>
			<td>Working concentration 1:1500</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat serum, Sterile, 10mL</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G9023</td>
			<td>Working concentration 1:1000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HIV-1 standards</td>
			<td>NIH AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program</td>
			<td>SP968F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Normal mouse serum, Sterile, 500mL</td>
			<td>Equitech-Bio</td>
			<td>SM30-0500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polyclonal rabbit anti-p24 antibody</td>
			<td>NIH AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program</td>
			<td>SP451T</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TMB peroxidase substrate</td>
			<td>KPL</td>
			<td>5120-0076</td>
			<td>Working concentration 1:10,000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasmids</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pMD2.G</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12253</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pRSV-Rev</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>52961</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>psPAX2</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12259</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Restriction enzymes</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BsmBI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0580S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BsrGI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0575S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EcoRV</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0195S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KpnI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0142S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PacI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0547S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SphI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0182S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

lentiviral vector platform for the efficient delivery of epigenome-editing tools into human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived disease models

The use of hiPSC-derived cells represents a valuable approach to study human neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for the differentiation of hiPSCs derived from a patient with the triplication of the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA) locus into Parkinson&#8217;s disease (PD)-relevant dopaminergic neuronal populations. Accumulating evidence has shown that high levels of SNCA are causative for the development of PD. Recognizing the unmet need to establish novel therapeutic approaches for PD, especially those targeting the regulation of SNCA expression, we recently developed a CRISPR/dCas9-DNA-methylation-based system to epigenetically modulate SNCA transcription by enriching methylation levels at the SNCA intron 1 regulatory region. To deliver the system, consisting of a dead (deactivated) version of Cas9 (dCas9) fused with the catalytic domain of the DNA methyltransferase enzyme 3A (DNMT3A), a lentiviral vector is used. This system is applied to cells with the triplication of the SNCA locus and reduces the SNCA-mRNA and protein levels by about 30% through the targeted DNA methylation of SNCA intron 1. The fine-tuned downregulation of the SNCA levels rescues disease-related cellular phenotypes. In the current protocol, we aim to describe a step-by-step procedure for differentiating hiPSCs into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and the establishment and validation of pyrosequencing assays for the evaluation of the methylation profile in the SNCA intron 1. To outline in more detail the lentivirus-CRISPR/dCas9 system used in these experiments, this protocol describes how to produce, purify, and concentrate lentiviral vectors and to highlight their suitability for epigenome- and genome-editing applications using hiPSCs and NPCs. The protocol is easily adaptable and can be used to produce high titer lentiviruses for in vitro and in vivo applications.

Validation of the production titers of the LV-dCas9-DNMT3A-GFP/Puro vectors compared to the naive GFP counterpart
We performed p24gag ELISA to compare between physical titers of LV-dCas9-DNMT3A-GFP/Puro with the naive GFP/Puro counterparts. Representative results, presented in Figure 5A, demonstrate that physical yields of the vectors, generated using the protocol herein ...

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Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models

Targeted DNA epigenome editing represents a powerful therapeutic approach. This protocol describes the production, purification, and concentration of all-in-one lentiviral vectors harboring the CRISPR-dCas9-DNMT3A transgene for epigenome-editing applications in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons.

The use of hiPSC-derived cells represents a valuable approach to study human neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for the ...

lentiviral-vector-platform-for-efficient-delivery-epigenome-editing

Research

JoVE Journal

Genetics

9.4K Views.  Duke University Medical Center. Targeted DNA epigenome editing represents a powerful therapeutic approach. This protocol describes the production, purification, and concentration of all-in-one lentiviral vectors harboring the CRISPR-dCas9-DNMT3A transgene for epigenome-editing applications in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons.

Video: Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models

Systemic Delivery of MicroRNA Using Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Serotype 9 to Treat Neuromuscular Diseases in Rodents

RNA interference via the endogenous miRNA pathway regulates gene expression by controlling protein synthesis through post-transcriptional gene silencing. In recent years, miRNA-mediated gene regulation has shown potential for treatment of neurological disorders caused by a toxic gain of function mechanism. However, efficient delivery to target tissues has limited its application. Here we used a transgenic mouse model for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a neuromuscular disease caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR), to test gene silencing by a newly identified AR-targeting miRNA, miR-298. We overexpressed miR-298 using a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotype 9 vector to facilitate transduction of non-dividing cells. A single tail-vein injection in SBMA mice induced sustained and widespread overexpression of miR-298 in skeletal muscle and motor neurons and resulted in amelioration of the neuromuscular phenotype in the mice.

Here we describe the delivery of microRNA using a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 in a mouse model of a neuromuscular disease. A single peripheral administration in mice resulted in sustained miRNA overexpression in muscle and motor neurons, providing an opportunity to study miRNA function and therapeutic potential in vivo.

RNA interference via the endogenous miRNA pathway regulates gene expression by controlling protein synthesis through post-transcriptional gene silencing. ...

An Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Efficient Detection of Copy Number Variations in Fast Neutron-induced Medicago truncatula Mutants

Mutants are invaluable genetic resources for gene function studies. To generate mutant collections, three types of mutagens can be utilized, including biological such as T-DNA or transposon, chemical such as ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), or physical such as ionization radiation. The type of mutation observed varies depending on the mutagen used. For ionization radiation induced mutants, mutations include deletion, duplication, or rearrangement. While T-DNA or transposon-based mutagenesis is limited to species that are susceptible to transformation, chemical or physical mutagenesis can be applied to a broad range of species. However, the characterization of mutations derived from chemical or physical mutagenesis traditionally relies on a map-based cloning approach, which is labor intensive and time consuming. Here, we show that a high-density genome array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) platform can be applied to efficiently detect and characterize copy number variations (CNVs) in mutants derived from fast neutron bombardment (FNB) mutagenesis in Medicago truncatula, a legume species. Whole genome sequence analysis shows that there are more than 50,000 genes or gene models in M. truncatula. At present, FNB-induced mutants in M. truncatula are derived from more than 150,000 M1 lines, representing invaluable genetic resources for functional studies of genes in the genome. The aCGH platform described here is an efficient tool for characterizing FNB-induced mutants in M. truncatula.

An Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Platform for Efficient Detection of Copy Number Variations in Fast Neutron-induced Medicago truncatula Mutants

This protocol provides experimental steps and information about reagents, equipment, and analysis tools for researchers who are interested in carrying out whole genome array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of copy number variations in plants.

Mutants are invaluable genetic resources for gene function studies. To generate mutant collections, three types of mutagens can be utilized, including ...

A Protocol for the Production of Integrase-deficient Lentiviral Vectors for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Gene Knockout in Dividing Cells

Lentiviral vectors are an ideal choice for delivering gene-editing components to cells due to their capacity for stably transducing a broad range of cells and mediating high levels of gene expression. However, their ability to integrate into the host cell genome enhances the risk of insertional mutagenicity and thus raises safety concerns and limits their usage in clinical settings. Further, the persistent expression of gene-editing components delivered by these integration-competent lentiviral vectors (ICLVs) increases the probability of promiscuous gene targeting. As an alternative, a new generation of integrase-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) has been developed that addresses many of these concerns. Here the production protocol of a new and improved IDLV platform for CRISPR-mediated gene editing and list the steps involved in the purification and concentration of such vectors is described and their transduction and gene-editing efficiency using HEK-293T cells was demonstrated. This protocol is easily scalable and can be used to generate high titer IDLVs that are capable of transducing cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, this protocol can be easily adapted for the production of ICLVs.

We describe the production strategy of integrase-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) as vehicles for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 to cells. With an ability to mediate quick and robust gene editing in cells, IDLVs present a safer and equally effective vector platform for gene delivery compared to integrase-competent vectors.

Lentiviral vectors are an ideal choice for delivering gene-editing components to cells due to their capacity for stably transducing a broad range of cells ...

Embryo Microinjection and Transplantation Technique for Nasonia vitripennis Genome Manipulation

The jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis has emerged as an effective model system for the study of processes including sex determination, haplo-diploid sex determination, venom synthesis, and host-symbiont interactions, among others. A major limitation of working with this organism is the lack of effective protocols to perform directed genome modifications. An important part of genome modification is delivery of editing reagents, including CRISPR/Cas9 molecules, into embryos through microinjection. While microinjection is well established in many model organisms, this technique is particularly challenging to perform in N. vitripennis primarily due to its small embryo size, and the fact that embryonic development occurs entirely within a parasitized blowfly pupa. The following procedure overcomes these significant challenges while demonstrating a streamlined, visual procedure for effectively removing wasp embryos from parasitized host pupae, microinjecting them, and carefully transplanting them back into the host for continuation and completion of development. This protocol will strongly enhance the capability of research groups to perform advanced genome modifications in this organism.

Embryo Microinjection and Transplantation Technique for Nasonia vitripennis Genome Manipulation

Microinjection of Nasonia vitripennis embryos is an essential method for generating heritable genome modifications. Described here is a detailed procedure for microinjection and transplantation of Nasonia vitripennis embryos, which will greatly facilitate future genome manipulation in this organism.

The jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis has emerged as an effective model system for the study of processes including sex determination, haplo-diploid sex ...

Highly Efficient Gene Disruption of Murine and Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells by CRISPR/Cas9

Advances in the hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) field have been aided by methods to genetically engineer primary progenitor cells as well as animal models. Complete gene ablation in HSCs required the generation of knockout mice from which HSCs could be isolated, and gene ablation in primary human HSCs was not possible. Viral transduction could be used for knock-down approaches, but these suffered from variable efficacy. In general, genetic manipulation of human and mouse hematopoietic cells was hampered by low efficiencies and extensive time and cost commitments. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 has dramatically expanded the ability to engineer the DNA of mammalian cells. However, the application of CRISPR/Cas9 to hematopoietic cells has been challenging, mainly due to their low transfection efficiencies, the toxicity of plasmid-based approaches and the slow turnaround time of virus-based protocols.
A rapid method to perform CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in murine and human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with knockout efficiencies of up to 90% is provided in this article. This approach utilizes a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery strategy with a streamlined three-day workflow. The use of Cas9-sgRNA RNP allows for a hit-and-run approach, introducing no exogenous DNA sequences in the genome of edited cells and reducing off-target effects. The RNP-based method is fast and straightforward: it does not require cloning of sgRNAs, virus preparation or specific sgRNA chemical modification. With this protocol, scientists should be able to successfully generate knockouts of a gene of interest in primary hematopoietic cells within a week, including downtimes for oligonucleotide synthesis. This approach will allow a much broader group of users to adapt this protocol for their needs.

A protocol for fast CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption in mouse and human primary hematopoietic cells is described in this article. Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoproteins are introduced via electroporation with sgRNAs generated through in vitro transcription and commercial Cas9. High editing efficiencies are achieved with limited time and financial cost.

Advances in the hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) field have been aided by methods to genetically engineer primary progenitor cells as well as animal models. ...

Lentiviral Mediated Production of Transgenic Mice: A Simple and Highly Efficient Method for Direct Study of Founders

For almost 40 years, pronuclear DNA injection represents the standard method to generate transgenic mice with random integration of transgenes. Such a routine procedure is widely utilized throughout the world and its main limitation resides in the poor efficacy of transgene integration, resulting in a low yield of founder animals. Only few percent of animals born after implantation of injected fertilized oocytes have integrated the transgene. In contrast, lentiviral vectors are powerful tools for integrative gene transfer and their use to transduce fertilized oocytes allows highly efficient production of founder transgenic mice with an average yield above 70%. Furthermore, any mouse strain can be used to produce transgenic animal and the penetrance of transgene expression is extremely high, above 80% with lentiviral mediated transgenesis compared to DNA microinjection. The size of the DNA fragment that can be cargo by the lentiviral vector is restricted to 10 kb and represents the major limitation of this method. Using a simple and easy to perform injection procedure beneath the zona pellucida of fertilized oocytes, more than 50 founder animals can be produced in a single session of microinjection. Such a method is highly adapted to perform, directly in founder animals, rapid gain and loss of function studies or to screen genomic DNA regions for their ability to control and regulate gene expression in vivo.

Here, we present a protocol to promote transgene integration and production of founder transgenic mice with high efficacy by a simple injection of a lentiviral vector in the perivitelline space of a fertilized oocyte.

For almost 40 years, pronuclear DNA injection represents the standard method to generate transgenic mice with random integration of transgenes. Such a ...

Isolation, Characterization and MicroRNA-based Genetic Modification of Human Dental Follicle Stem Cells

To date, several stem cell types at different developmental stages are in the focus for the treatment of degenerative diseases. Yet, certain aspects, such as initial massive cell death and low therapeutic effects, impaired their broad clinical translation. Genetic engineering of stem cells prior to transplantation emerged as a promising method to optimize therapeutic stem cell effects. However, safe and efficient gene delivery systems are still lacking. Therefore, the development of suitable methods may provide an approach to resolve current challenges in stem cell-based therapies.
The present protocol describes the extraction and characterization of human dental follicle stem cells (hDFSCs) as well as their non-viral genetic modification. The postnatal dental follicle unveiled as a promising and easily accessible source for harvesting adult multipotent stem cells possessing high proliferation potential. The described isolation procedure presents a simple and reliable method to harvest hDFSCs from impacted wisdom teeth. Also this protocol comprises methods to define stem cell characteristics of isolated cells. For genetic engineering of hDFSCs, an optimized cationic lipid-based transfection strategy is presented enabling highly efficient microRNA introduction without causing cytotoxic effects. MicroRNAs are suitable candidates for transient cell manipulation, as these small translational regulators control the fate and behavior of stem cells without the hazard of stable genome integration. Thus, this protocol represents a safe and efficient procedure for engineering of hDFSCs that may become important for optimizing their therapeutic efficacy.

This protocol describes the transient genetic engineering of dental stem cells extracted from the human dental follicle. The applied non-viral modification strategy may become a basis for the improvement of therapeutic stem cell products.

To date, several stem cell types at different developmental stages are in the focus for the treatment of degenerative diseases. Yet, certain aspects, such ...

Endogenous Protein Tagging in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using CRISPR/Cas9

A protocol is presented for generating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that express endogenous proteins fused to in-frame&#160;N- or C-terminal fluorescent tags. The prokaryotic CRISPR/Cas9 system (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9) may be used to introduce large exogenous sequences into genomic loci via homology directed repair (HDR). To achieve the desired knock-in, this protocol employs the ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based approach where wild type Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 protein, synthetic 2-part guide RNA (gRNA), and a donor template plasmid are delivered to the cells via electroporation. Putatively edited cells expressing the fluorescently tagged proteins are enriched by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Clonal lines are then generated and can be analyzed for precise editing outcomes. By introducing the fluorescent tag at the genomic locus of the gene of interest, the resulting subcellular localization and dynamics of the fusion protein can be studied under endogenous regulatory control, a key improvement over conventional overexpression systems. The use of hiPSCs as a model system for gene tagging provides the opportunity to study the tagged proteins in diploid, nontransformed cells. Since hiPSCs can be differentiated into multiple cell types, this approach provides the opportunity to create and study tagged proteins in a variety of isogenic cellular contexts.

Described here is a protocol for tagging endogenously expressed proteins with fluorescent tags in human induced pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9. Putatively edited cells are enriched by fluorescence activated cell sorting and clonal cell lines are generated.

A protocol is presented for generating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that express endogenous proteins fused to in-frame&#160;N- or ...

Lentiviral Mediated Gene Silencing in Human Pseudoislet Prepared in Low Attachment Plates

Various genetic tools are available to modulate genes in pancreatic islets of rodents to dissect function of islet genes for diabetes research. However, the data obtained from rodent islets are often not fully reproduced in or applicable to human islets due to well-known differences in islet structure and function between the species. Currently, techniques that are available to manipulate gene expression of human islets are very limited. Introduction of transgene into intact islets by adenovirus, plasmid, and oligonucleotides often suffers from low efficiency and high toxicity. Low efficiency is especially problematic in gene downregulation studies in intact islets, which require high efficiency. It has been known that enzymatically-dispersed islet cells reaggregate in culture forming spheroids termed pseudoislets. Size-controlled reaggregation of human islet cells creates pseudoislets that maintain dynamic first phase insulin secretion after prolonged culture and provide a window to efficiently introduce lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) with low toxicity. Here, a detailed protocol for the creation of human pseudoislets after lentiviral transduction using two commercially available multiwell plates is described. The protocol can be easily performed and allows for efficient downregulation of genes and assessment of dynamism of insulin secretion using human islet cells. Thus, human pseudoislets with lentiviral mediated gene modulation provide a powerful and versatile model to assess gene function within human islet cells.

A protocol to create gene modified human pseudoislets from dispersed human islet cells that are transduced by lentivirus carrying short hairpin RNA (shRNA) is presented. This protocol utilizes readily available enzyme and culture vessels, can be performed easily, and produces genetically modified human pseudoislets suitable for functional and morphological studies.

Various genetic tools are available to modulate genes in pancreatic islets of rodents to dissect function of islet genes for diabetes research. However, ...

Generation of Defined Genomic Modifications Using CRISPR-CAS9 in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human pluripotent stem cells offer a powerful system to study gene function and model specific mutations relevant to disease. The generation of precise heterozygous genetic modifications is challenging due to CRISPR-CAS9 mediated indel formation in the second allele. Here, we demonstrate a protocol to help overcome this difficulty by using two repair templates in which only one expresses the desired sequence change, while both templates contain silent mutations to prevent re-cutting and indel formation. This methodology is most advantageous for gene editing coding regions of DNA to generate isogenic control and mutant human stem cell lines for studying human disease and biology. In addition, optimization of transfection and screening methodologies have been performed to reduce labor and cost of a gene editing experiment. Overall, this protocol is widely applicable to many genome editing projects utilizing the human pluripotent stem cell model.

This protocol provides a method to facilitate the generation of defined heterozygous or homozygous nucleotide changes using CRISPR-CAS9 in human pluripotent stem cells.

Human pluripotent stem cells offer a powerful system to study gene function and model specific mutations relevant to disease. The generation of precise ...