GENE EDITING FOR FOXP3 IN HUMAN HSC

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Grant Award Details

Grant Type:
Quest – Discovery Stage Research Projects
Grant Number:
DISC2-09526
Investigator(s):
Name:
Dr. Rosa Bacchetta
Institution:
Stanford University
Type:
PI

Disease Focus:
Blood Disorders, Immune Disease, IPEX Syndrome
Human Stem Cell Use:
Adult or Tissue Stem Cell
Award Value:
$984,228
Status:
Closed

Progress Reports

Reporting Period:
Year 3/NCE

Grant Application Details

Application Title:

GENE EDITING FOR FOXP3 IN HUMAN HSC

Public Abstract:
Research Objective

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated FOXP3 gene editing in patient-derived hematopoietic stem cells as a cure for IPEX syndrome

Impact

FOXP3 mutation in IPEX syndrome leads to immune system dysregulation. Allogeneic HSCT, the only available treatment, has very poor outcomes including GvHD and low immune reconstitution.

Major Proposed Activities

  • Demonstrate specificity of targeted insertion of FOXP3 cDNA – ΔNGFR cassette in HD HSCs as assessed by deltaNGFr expression and correct genome integration of the expression cassette.
  • Demonstrate that edited HD HSCs maintain their proliferative and differentiation potential in vitro using liquid culture, colony forming cell (CFC) and T cell differentiation assay.
  • Reconstitution of immunodeficient (NSG) mice using gene edited human healthy donor HSCs and demonstration of Teff and Treg in vivo development.
  • Obtain successful gene editing in IPEX patient HSCs and hu-mouse reconstitution with FOXP3 gene edited HSCs.
  • Demonstrate in vivo efficacy by amelioration of IPEX-like phenotypes in hu-mice engrafted with gene edited IPEX HSCs, as compared to those injected with not edited.
  • not included
Statement of Benefit to California:
FOXP3 mutation causes dysregulation of Treg and Teff cells leading to immune dysregulation and IPEX syndrome. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we will insert a wild type copy of the FOXP3 gene into patient-derived HSCs, enabling pre-clinical proof of concept data for clinical trials that could reduce IPEX patient pathologies. This work will the first-in-man demonstration of the curative potential of edited HSCs and will help maintain California’s lead position in Stem Cell research and cure.

Publications