Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/5002—Partitioning blood components
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M35/00—Means for application of stress for stimulating the growth of microorganisms or the generation of fermentation or metabolic products; Means for electroporation or cell fusion
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
  • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
  • C12N15/87—Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/483—Physical analysis of biological material
  • G01N33/487—Physical analysis of biological material of liquid biological material
  • G01N33/48707—Physical analysis of biological material of liquid biological material by electrical means
  • G01N33/48721—Investigating individual macromolecules, e.g. by translocation through nanopores
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12Q—MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
  • C12Q1/00—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions

Definitions

• the subject matter described herein relates to gene editing by introducing gene-editing components into a cell by mechanical cell disruption.
• Genome editing technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) and transcription activator- like effector nucleases (TALENs), have shown much potential in their ability to change the genetic code of cells. These technologies could thus enable novel insights in drug discovery and lead to the development of next generation gene therapies.
• Gene editing complexes which include a protein component and a nucleic acid component, e.g., deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and/or ribonucleic acid (RNA) cannot readily cross the cellular membrane. Thus, delivery of such complexes has been a challenge.
• the methods and systems of the invention solve the problem of intracellular delivery of gene editing components and gene editing complexes to target cells.
• the results described herein indicate that delivery of gene editing components, e.g. , protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), by mechanical disruption of cell membranes leads to successful gene editing.
• gene editing components e.g. , protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
• RNA ribonucleic acid
• DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
• the methods provide a robust mechanism to engineer target cells without the use of potentially harmful viral vectors or electric fields.
• the scalability and relative simplicity of the process make it suitable for broad adoption.
• the strategy and methods are suitable for genome engineering applications in research and
• a method for delivering a protein-nucleic acid complex into a cell is carried out by providing a cell in a suspension solution; passing the solution through a microfluidic channel that includes a cell-deforming
• an exemplary protein-nucleic acid complex comprises gene editing components.
• the protein-nucleic acid complex comprises a Cas protein (such as a Cas9 protein) and a guide RNA (gRNA) or donor DNA.
• the protein- nucleic acid complex comprises a TALEN protein, Zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN), mega nuclease, or Cre recombinase.
• the methods and system is generally applicable to cytosolic delivery of complexes, e.g. , a protein - protein complex, small molecule + RNA complex, etc.
• the cell comprises a mammalian cell such as an immune cell (e.g. , T cell) or a stem cell such as a hematopoetic stem cell.
• the microfluidic system may include a plurality of microfluidic channels. Each of the microfluidic channels of the plurality defines a lumen and is configured such that a cell suspended in a buffer can pass through the lumen.
• microfluidic channels include one or more cell-deforming
• the diameter of the constriction is a function of the diameter of the cell.
• the microfluidic system may include a plurality of the microfluidic channels arranged in parallel, e.g. , 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1,000 or more.
• Microfluidic systems having a plurality of parallel microfluidic channels allow for the high-throughput delivery of payloads to cells. Many cells can be passed through each parallel channel one after the other. It will be understood that, depending on context, a reference to a "cell" herein may refer to more than one cell.
• the diameter of the constriction is chosen depending on the dimensions of the cell type to be treated.
• the cell may be primarily compressed by the fluid flow.
• the diameter is less than the diameter of the cell.
• the diameter of the constriction may be substantially or about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 20-99% of the diameter of the cell.
• the constriction is substantially 20- 99% of the diameter of the cell, e.g., a diameter of the constriction is substantially 60% of the diameter of the cell.
• Non- limiting examples of the diameter of the constriction include substantially or about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 2-10 ⁇ , or 10-20 ⁇ . Different lengths of the constriction are also possible. Non-limiting examples of constriction lengths include substantially or about 10, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 10-40, 10-50, 10-60, or 10-100 ⁇ .
• RNA and Cas such as Cas9
• RNA/nucleic acid gene editing composite assemblies include better efficiency and specificity compared to other methods.
• the Cas protein such as a Cas9 protein
• Having the editing components delivered to the cell in complexed form also eliminates/minimizes the risk of the Cas (such as Cas9) complexing with other RNA strands in the cell and cleaving the wrong sites.
• the RNA alone may be detected by intracellular and extracellular Toll-like receptor (TLR) and pattern recognition receptors, prompting an interferon response or other antiviral pathways.
• TLR Toll-like receptor
• the complexed form does not interact with these pathways and can thus avoid undesirable side effects.
• RNA/DNA based system to guide the nuclease as the delivery process is independent of the exact size and composition of the complex and because complex formation of the editing materials occurs and is controlled in vitro under their optimal conditions.
• Implementations of the invention may also provide one or more of the following features.
• Deforming the cell includes deforming the cell for
• substantially or about 1 ⁇ 8 to 10 ms e.g., 10 ⁇ 8, 50 ⁇ 8, 100 ⁇ 8, 500 ⁇ 8, and 750 ⁇ . Incubating occurs for 0.0001 seconds to 20 minutes or more, e.g., substantially or about 1 second, 30 seconds, 90 seconds, 270 seconds, and 900 seconds.
• the pressure and speeds at which a cell is passed through a microfluidic channel may also vary.
• a pressure of substantially or about 10-35psi is used to pass the solution containing a cell through a microfluidic channel.
• the speed may be adjusted for a variety of reasons, including to improve viability of the treated cells while maintaining high payload delivery.
• the cell passes through the microfluidic channel at a speed of substantially or about 300mm/s, 400mm/s, 500mm/s, 600mm/s, 700mm/s, 800mm/s, 900mm/s, 100-300mm/s, 200-700mm/s, 250-400mm/s, 1-lOOOmm/s, lm/s, 2m/s, 3m/s, 4m/s, 5m/s, 6m/s, 7m/s, 8m/s, 9m/s, lOm/s, 0.01-5m/s, 5-10m/s, or 0.01-lOm/s.
• the cell is a plurality of cells, substantially or about 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 90-95, or 80-99% or more of the cells may be viable after passing through the constriction.
• the cells are viable for at least about any of one hour, two hours, three hours, four hours, five hours, six hours, seven hours, eight hours, nine hours, ten hours, twelve hours, eighteen hours, twenty four hours, or forty eight hours after passing through the constriction.
• a device of the invention includes 2, 10, 20, 25, 45, 50, 75, 100 or more channels.
• cells are moved, e.g. , pushed, through the channels or conduits by application of pressure.
• a cell driver can apply the pressure.
• a cell driver can include, for example, a pressure pump, a gas cylinder, a compressor, a vacuum pump, a syringe, a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, a manual syringe, a pipette, a piston, a capillary actor, and gravity.
• the cells may be passed through a constriction in the form of a net.
• the width of the constriction through which the cells traverse is 20-99% of the width or diameter of the cell to be treated in its unconstricted, i.e. , suspended, state. Temperature can affect the uptake of compositions and affect viability.
• a temperature of 0 to 45 °C is used during cell treatment, e.g., 0-25°C.
• the methods are carried out at room temperature (e.g. , 20°C), physiological temperature (e.g. , 39°C), higher than physiological temperature, or reduced temperature (e.g. , 0.1°C), or temperatures between these exemplary temperatures (e.g. , 0.1 to 40°C).
• treatment of unstimulated T cells, B cells and/or monocytes is carried out at temperature of 4-8°C, e.g., on ice.
• dendritic cells, activated T cells, and/or activated B cells are treated using the device at temperatures of 20-25°C, e.g., at typical ambient room temperature.
• controlled injury e.g., perturbations
• the cells are incubated in a delivery solution that contains the complex that one wishes to introduce into the cell.
• Controlled injury may be characterized as small, e.g. , 200 nm in diameter, perturbation in the cell membrane.
• the recovery period for the cells is on the order of a few minutes to close the injury caused by passing through the constriction.
• the delivery period comprises 1-10 minutes or longer, e.g. , 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes or more, with 2-5 minutes being optimal when operated at room temperature.
• stem cells or progenitor cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through a constriction channel does not induce differentiation, but does reliably induce uptake of compositions into the cell.
• iPSCs induced pluripotent stem cells
• gene editing compounds are introduced into such cells without complications associated with the method by which the factor(s) was introduced into the cell.
• the size and duration of temporary perturbations in cell membranes can be modified by adjusting various factors, such as the diameter of cell- deforming constrictions and the speed at which cells pass through the constrictions. Disclosures regarding the size and duration of perturbations provided herein should not be interpreted as limiting. Non-limiting descriptions of perturbations and recovery are provided in Sharei et al., (2014) Integr. Biol., 6, 470-475, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the perturbations of the cell membrane may be characterized by a maximum diameter of substantially or about 1-20, 1-600, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 600 nm.
• the diameter is less than the diameter of the cell.
• the diameter of the constriction may be substantially or about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 20-99% of the diameter of the cell.
• Non- limiting examples of the diameter of the constriction include substantially or about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20 4-10 ⁇ , or 10-20 ⁇ .
• Different lengths of the constriction are also possible.
• Non-limiting examples of constriction lengths include substantially or about 10, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 10-40, 10-50, 10-60, or 10-100 ⁇ .
• Many cells are between 5-20 ⁇ in diameter, e.g. unstimulated T cells are 7-8 ⁇ in diameter.
• the diameter of the constriction portion is 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, or 6.5 ⁇ for processing of single cells.
• the size/diameter of the constricted portion for processing of a human egg is between 60 ⁇ and 80 ⁇ , although larger and smaller constrictions are possible (diameter of a human ovum is approximately 100 ⁇ ).
• embryos e.g. , clusters of 2-3 cells
• the device comprises a constriction having a length of about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 10-30 ⁇ , a width of about 3, 3.5, 4, or 3-4 ⁇ , a depth of about 15, 20, 25, or 15-25 ⁇ , and/or an about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 5- 15 degree angle.
• a constriction having a length of about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 10-30 ⁇ , a width of about 3, 3.5, 4, or 3-4 ⁇ , a depth of about 15, 20, 25, or 15-25 ⁇ , and/or an about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 5- 15 degree angle.
• clusters of cells e.g., 2-5 cell clusters such as an embryo comprising 2-3 cells, are treated to take up target compositions.
• the size of the aperture is adjusted accordingly, i.e., such that the width of the constriction is just below the size of the cluster.
• the width of the channel is 20-99% of the width of the cell cluster.
• Cells or cell clusters are purified/isolated or enriched for the desired cell type.
• Dendritic cells or other cells e.g., immune cells such as macrophages, B cells, T cells, or stem cells such as embryonic stem cells or iPS, used in the methods are purified or enriched.
• cells are isolated or enriched by virtue of their expression of cell surface markers or other identifying characteristics.
• Dendritic cells are identified and isolated by virtue of their expression of the ⁇ - intergrin, CD1 lc or other identifying cell surface markers.
• the term "isolated" means that the cell is substantially free of other cell types or cellular material with which it naturally occurs.
• a sample of cells of a particular tissue type or phenotype is "substantially pure" when it is at least 60% of the cell population.
• the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99% or 100%, of the cell population. Purity is measured by any appropriate standard method, for example, by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
• Payload compositions such as polynucleotides, polypeptides, or other agents (e.g., Cas9 and gRNA) are purified and/or isolated.
• an "isolated” or “purified” nucleic acid molecule, polynucleotide, polypeptide, or protein is substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.
• Purified compounds are at least 60% by weight (dry weight) the compound of interest.
• the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight the compound of interest.
• a purified compound is one that is at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% (w/w) of the desired compound by weight. Purity is measured by any appropriate standard method, for example, by column
• RNA ribonucleic acid
• DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
• Examples of a an isolated or purified nucleic acid molecule include: (a) a DNA which is part of a naturally occurring genomic DNA molecule, but is not flanked by both of the nucleic acid sequences that flank that part of the molecule in the genome of the organism in which it naturally occurs; (b) a nucleic acid incorporated into a vector or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote in a manner, such that the resulting molecule is not identical to any naturally occurring vector or genomic DNA; (c) a separate molecule such as a cDNA, a genomic fragment, a fragment produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or a restriction fragment; and (d) a recombinant nucleotide sequence that is part of a hybrid gene, i.e., a gene encoding a fusion protein.
• Isolated nucleic acid molecules according to the present invention further include molecules produced synthetically, as well as any nucleic acids that have been altered chemically and
• Complexes are prepared from purified modules or components, e.g., purified protein(s) and purified nucleic acids (RNA and/or DNA).
• RNA and/or DNA purified nucleic acids
• the present method is particularly suitable for delivery of sensitive payloads, e.g., protein-RNA/DNA complexes, e.g., complexes that are 40 kDa, 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa, and up to 120, 130, 150, 200, 250, 300 kDa or more.
• the device is made from silicon, metal (e.g., stainless steel), plastic (e.g., polystyrene), ceramics, or any other material suitable for forming one or more appropriately sized channels or conduits.
• the device is formed of materials suitable for etching micron scaled features and includes one or more channels or conduits through which cells pass. Silicon is particularly well suited, because micro patterning methods are well established with this material, thus it is easier to fabricate new devices, change designs, etc. Additionally, the stiffness of silicon can provide advantages over more flexible substrates like
• Polydimethylsiloxane e.g., higher delivery rates.
• the device includes 2, 10, 20, 25, 45, 50 75, 100 or more channels.
• the device is microfabricated by etching the silicon.
• Cells are moved, e.g. , pushed, through the channels or conduits by application of pressure.
• a cell driver can apply the pressure.
• a cell driver can include, for example, a pressure pump, a gas cylinder, a compressor, a vacuum pump, a syringe, a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, a manual syringe, a pipette, a piston, a capillary actor, and gravity.
• the cells may be passed through a constriction in the form of a net.
• the width of the constriction through which the cells traverse is 20-99% of the width or diameter of the cell to be treated in its unconstricted, i.e. , suspended state.
• Various implementations of the invention may also provide one or more of the following clinical and research capabilities. Quantitative delivery of gene- editing complexes or components thereof to cell models for improved screening and dosage studies can be achieved. The method could be deployed as a high throughput method of screening protein activity in the cytosol to help identify protein
• the devices and techniques are useful for intracellular delivery of gene-editing complexes to a specific subset of circulating blood cells (e.g. lymphocytes) or even whole blood; high throughput delivery of complexes or components thereof into cells, especially oocytes and zygotes; targeted cell differentiation by introducing gene-editing (optionally together with genetic material such as donor DNA) to induce cell reprogramming to produce iPS cells; delivery of DNA and/or recombination enzymes into embryonic stem cells for the development of transgenic or mutant stem cell lines; delivery of DNA and/or recombination enzymes into zygotes for the development of transgenic or mutant organisms; dendritic cell (DC) cell activation; iPS cell generation; creating mutations in normal or diseased cells (such as cancer cells) to study the contribution of one or more genes to cellular function and/or disease; and stem cell differentiation.
• Skin cells used in connection with plastic surgery are also modified using the devices and method described herein. Methods of delivering gene-editing
• hematopoietic stem cells for treating genetic and other diseases.
• a subject may receive an autologous, syngeneic, or an allogeneic edited HSC.
• cells of a subject may be ablated before the subject receives a gene-edited cell.
• bone marrow cells of a subject may be ablated with radiation or chemically before the subject receives a gene-edited HSC.
• a gene associated with beta thalassemia or sickle cell anemia is edited using a method or composition disclosed herein.
• Cells processed ex vivo or in vitro, i.e. , outside of the body of a subject, in accordance with the invention are useful for subsequent administration to a subject in need of treatment or diagnosis of a pathology.
• in vivo cell processing is carried out.
• the SHP2 gene is edited/mutated to reduce the activity thereof or knock out or reduce SHP2 expression.
• the T cells become less responsive to immunosuppressive signals and have increased activity toward tumors.
• the T cells may be more responsive to tumor antigens and more effective at treating cancer.
• a nucleic acid component of the complex comprises a deoxynucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA, e.g. , mRNA, gRNA) or other double-stranded or single stranded nucleic acid compounds, respectively.
• RNA deoxynucleic acid
• RNA ribonucleic acid
• the delivery of a gene-editing complex may achieve gene editing faster than if an expression vector encoding components of the gene editing complex (e.g.
• a Cas protein and a gRNA was delivered to the cell.
• the gene may be edited (e.g., mutated or replaced) in the cell 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, or 0.1-4 hours sooner than in a corresponding cell that has received microfluidic or electroporation-mediated delivery of an expression vector that encodes gene editing complex components.
• FIG. 1A and IB are schematic diagrams of a microfluidic system in which cells are exposed to the delivery material (payload) after passing through the constriction;
• FIG. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a microfluidic system in depicting parameters such as channel depth, width, and length.
• FIG. 3A and 3B are a series of flow cytometry plots (FIG. 3A) and a bar graph (FIG. 3B) of the recombination efficiency for K562 reporter cells that had genetic editing material delivered to cell cytoplasm using the microfluidic device illustrated in FIGS. 1-2.
• the reporter used there is a frame-shifted GFP gene in the cell line.
• the Cas9 gRNA complex and a donor oligonucleotide would be delivered.
• the complex would cut near the GFP site and the oligonucleotide would insert itself into the cut site.
• Successful insertion of the oligo would correct the gene and result in GFP expression which is what is seen in this figure.
• a gene would be expected to be turned off in instances where a gene (or depending on the context, a nucleotide or portion thereof) was being deleted in the absence of a donor oligonucleotide.
• FIG. 4 is a series of FACs plots showing ⁇ 2 microglobulin component of MHC class 1 (B2M) expression vs. delivered dextran for four different cell populations obtained using FACS.
• B2M microglobulin component of MHC class 1
• the delivery of the RNP using the 30-4 chip at 90 psi results in a 54.4% reduction in B2M expression as compared to the endocytosis control whereas the 10-4 chip at 90 psi results in a 25.2% reduction in B2M expression.
• B2M expression on the CAS9 control is not significantly different than the endocytosis control.
• the longer constriction chip results in more delivery of the RNP complex and a larger reduction in B2M expression.
• FIG. 5 is a series of FACs plots showing reduced B2M expression in a dose dependent manner determined by FACS as a measure of functional editing with the indicated conditions.
• FIG. 6 shows a FoxP3 genomic sequence running from the first sheet of FIG. 6 to the last sheet of FIG. 6 (SEQ ID NO: 56). Exons belonging to FoxP3 are shown in underlined and highlighted letters. Other exons within this region that do not belong to FoxP3 are shown in non-underlined highlighted letters.
• FIG. 7 shows a FoxP3 translated amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 57). Alternating exons are underlined and non-underlined. Bold with italics indicate a residue overlap splice site.
• FIG. 8 shows a SHP1 genomic sequence running from the first sheet of FIG. 8 to the last sheet of FIG. 8 (SEQ ID NO: 58). Exons belonging to SHP1 are shown in underlined and highlighted letters. Other exons within this region that do not belong to SHP1 are shown in non-underlined highlighted letters.
• FIG. 9 shows a SHP1 translated amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 59). Alternating exons are underlined and non-underlined. Bold with italics indicate a residue overlap splice site.
• FIG. 10 shows a SHP2 genomic sequence running from the first sheet of FIG. 10 to the last sheet of FIG. 10 (SEQ ID NO: 60). Exons belonging to SHP2 are shown in underlined and highlighted letters. SEQ ID NO: 60 is also as follows:
• FIG. 11 shows a SHP2 translated amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 61). Alternating exons are underlined and non-underlined. Bold with italics indicate a residue overlap splice site.
• Protein/nucleic acid complexes or assemblies are difficult to manipulate due to their fragility and requirement for structural integrity (e.g., 3-dimensional conformation.
• Genome editing technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENS), and others, have shown much potential in their ability to change the genetic code of cells. However, their activity is highly dependent on structural and conformational integrity.
• Zinc-finger nucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are examples of a class of gene editing tools. These chimeric nucleases are composed of programmable, sequence-specific DNA-binding modules linked to a nonspecific DNA cleavage domain. ZFNs and TALENs enable a broad range of genetic modifications by inducing DNA double-strand breaks that stimulate error-prone nonhomologous end joining or homology-directed repair at specific genomic locations (Gaj et al., 2013, Trends Biotechnol. 31(7):397-405;
• liposome mediated protein delivery microinjection
• CPP cell-penetrating peptides
• liposome mediated protein delivery uses GFP fused to Cas-9, has also been used (Zuris et al., 2015, Nature Biotechnology 33:73- 80).
• the GFP is capable of complexing with conventional lipofection agents (e.g. lipofectamine) due to charge interactions and appears to mediate a gene editing response.
• lipofection agents e.g. lipofectamine
• the main advantages of the invention relative to this approach are: 1) does not require a fusion protein 2) does not require lipofection agents which can have toxicity, endosome escape problems, and issues/problems translating to primary cells.
• Microinjection mediated complex delivery is characterized by extremely low throughput and can be difficult to implement for most mammalian cell types.
• the latter drawback is highlighted by the fact that the work was done with embryos, i.e., cells that are much larger than a fibroblast or a T cell (cells which are desirable target cells for gene editing endeavors).
• embryos i.e., cells that are much larger than a fibroblast or a T cell (cells which are desirable target cells for gene editing endeavors).
• a CPP-based strategy does not involve a complex.
• One example of such as strategy is described in Ramakrishna et al., 2014, Genome Res. 24(6): 1020- 7.
• CPP mediated delivery of individual components is also associated with drawbacks. Conjugating a CPP to the guide and Cas9 requires extra modification that may inhibit function, limit scalability. CPP mediated delivery is known to go through endocytosis and is inefficient or ineffective in many primary cells (particularly immune cells).
• CCR5 C-C chemokine receptor type 5
• MHC-I major histocompatibility complex class I
• CD1 cluster of differentiation 1
• PD-1 programmed cell death protein 1
• PDL-1 programmed death-ligand 1
• CTL-4 Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte- Associated Protein 4
• IRF interferon-regulatory factor
• TLR protein family TLR protein family, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs): modulate immunity to enhance or dampen effector/antiviral responses
• forkhead box P3 FaxP3
• CD80 cluster of differentiation 80
• CD86 cluster of differentiation 86
• other costimulatory molecules knockout costimulation abilities to promote tolerance
• T cell receptor (TCR), B-cell receptor (BCR) eliminate endogenous TCR or BCR to allow for engineering of T cells and B cells with desired specificity
• oncogenes e.g., Kras, Myc, Tp53
• targeting transcription factors is used to change cell fate, e.g., delete FoxP3 to remove Treg type function.
• Delete nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), t-bet, Eomesodermin (Eomes), etc. to alter T cell differentiation.
• a protein coding sequence for forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) is as follows:
• CTGA SEQ ID NO: 62
• Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase- 1 (SHP1) is also known as tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 6 (PTPN6).
• PTPN6 tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 6
• SHP2 Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase- 1
• PTPN11 tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 11
• Targets include areas of the genome that can have a plasmid or donor DNA inserted into them so that the target cell can express a new gene, e.g. a recombinant TCR, a recombinant BCR, Chimerica Antigen Receptor, fluorescent protein, reprogramming factors.
• a genomic sequence is edited in a coding region. In certain embodiments, a genomic sequence is edited in a non-coding region.
• a genetic region upstream of FoxP3 may be edited.
• a region where a transcriptional repressor of Foxp3 might bind is edited.
• transcriptional start site may be edited.
• aspects of the present invention relate to editing the genomes of a plurality of a subject's cells.
• cells are removed from a subject, receive a gene-editing complex using a method of the present subject matter, and then are reintroduced back into the subject.
• mutant cells may be produced in a process involving delivery of a gene-editing complex as described herein.
• the mutant cells may be heterozygous or homozygous for a mutated allele a gene involved in a disease.
• the mutant cells are null for the gene involved in a disease.
• Cells such as stem cells (e.g. hematopoietic stem cells) from bone marrow, or circulating immune cells in whole blood, may be treated using methods and devices described herein.
• Cells may be genetically modified to reduce the expression of a receptor for a pathogen (such as a viral or bacterial pathogen) or a toxin (such as a microbial pathogen toxin). Since a gene-editing protein complex or components thereof may be directly introduced into target cells without the need for expression, no transgene delivery is necessary. This approach has important advantages over traditional gene-therapy approaches, which suffer from aberrant expression, insertion, and silencing, as well as variable delivery of transgene copy number.
• a gene-editing complex that targets the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) gene is introduced into a blood (such as a CD4+ T cell) or bone marrow cell (such as a hematopoietic stem cell) of a subject who is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• the gene-editing complex may be designed to mutate the CCR5 gene such that cells receiving the gene-editing complex no longer express CCR5 or express CCR5 at a reduced level.
• hematopoietic stem cells expressing a version of CCR5 that binds HIV are removed from the subject, modified to no longer express a version of CCR5 that binds HIV, and then are transplanted into the subject.
• CCR5-expressing CD4+ T cells of the subject receive a gene-editing complex using methods and devices described herein such that the CD4+ T cells no longer express a version of CCR5 that binds HIV.
• the modified CD4+ T cells are then returned into the subject.
• Such treatment of the CD4+ T cell may be performed in whole blood from the subject.
• bone marrow cells or blood cells are modified to no longer express a version of C-X- C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) to which HIV binds.
• CXCR4 C-X- C chemokine receptor type 4
• cells of a subject may be modified to have reduced CCR5 expression to treat or prevent an infection associates with Yersinia pestis (bubonic plague) or Variola major (small pox).
• Subjects, other than humans, containing cells modified by methods and devices disclosed herein are also provided. Such subjects include non-human vertebrate, amphibian, mammalian, and primate subjects. Non-limiting examples include Danio sp., Fugu sp., Xenopus sp., Mus sp., Rattus sp., and others.
• the delivery of pre-formed protein complexes allows for the study of cellular processes without genetic modification of the cells being studied.
• the present subject matter is useful for delivering protein complexes and gene editing complexes to cells, including CRISPR.
• the advantages of delivering protein complexes using the methods and devices described herein include the controlled and temporary introduction of test agents for the study of cell and protein complex function. Since transgene expression and cellular assembly of complex components is not needed, the timing and ratios (protein:RNA) of complex function can be controlled. Additionally, the transient nature of delivery enables the observation of changes due to temporary function, rather than prolonged expression which may result in off-target or secondary effects. From an in vivo homing perspective and a gene expression format, microfluidic delivery has far fewer side effects (10-fold) on treated cells rather than
• microfluidic delivery results in fewer aberrant and non-specific gene expression changes compared to electroporation. Additionally, the structural and functional integrity of microfluidically squeezed cells is preserved compared to electroporation-mediated cargo delivery.
• an increased number of T cells exposed to microfluidic delivery ex vivo (and then introduced into a subject in vivo) home to lymph nodes compared to T cells that have undergone electroporation.
• Cells (e.g., T cells) treated by electroporation and then administered into a subject are more likely to be cleared from the subject compared to cells treated by microfluidic delivery.
• Such clearance is related to altered/aberrant gene expression following electroporation that marks such cells for destruction or clearance by the body.
• Any eukaryotic, e.g., mammalian such as human, cell can be processed using the microfluidic device to alter the cell membrane for introduction of protein/nucleic acid complexes or assemblies into the cytosol of the target cell.
• Exemplary target cells include Lymphocytes/Immune cells: DCs, B cells, T cells, Natural killer cells (NK cells), neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, innate lymphoid cells, monocytes, macrophages, hematopoietic stem cells, common lymphoid progenitor cells; Stem cells: Embryonic, mesenchymal, induced pluripotent; Other primary cells: Fibroblasts, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, neurons, epithelial, epidermal, endothelial, pancreatic islet cells; as well as Cell lines, e.g., cell lines for disease studies: T cell clones, Jurkat cells, HeLa cells, Human Embryonic Kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, U20S cells, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. Prokaryotic cells can also be processed. The dimensions of the constriction of the device are tailored depending on the cell type to be processed.
• NK cells Natural killer cells
• the cell is a prokaryotic cell. In other embodiments, the cell is a eukaryotic cell.
• eukaryotic cells include protozoan, algal, fungi, yeast, plant, animal, vertebrate, invertebrate, arthropod, mammalian, rodent, primate, and human cells.
• the cell may be a cell, e.g. , of a unicellular organism or a multicellular organism.
• the cell may be, e.g. , a primary eukaryotic cell or an immortalized eukaryotic cell.
• the cell is a cancer cell. In certain embodiments, the cell is other than a human cell.
• a composition for treating cancer and/or a method of treating cancer or preparing a composition for treating cancer comprises treating immune cells using the gene- editing methods described herein to reduce the expression/production of immune suppressing signals from tumor cells.
• An example includes reduction or SHP-2 knockout for increasing immune activity towards tumors.
• a cell may be in a mixture of two or more cell types or a plurality of cells may be a mixture of two or more cell types.
• a mixture of cell types may be a co-culture of multiple cell types (such as two or more of those disclosed herein) or a mixture of cell types that naturally occur together, such as in whole blood.
• the cell is a peripheral blood mononuclear cell.
• the cell suspension comprises a purified cell population.
• the cell is a primary cell or a cell line cell.
• the cell is a blood cell.
• the blood cell is an immune cell.
• the immune cell is a lymphocyte.
• the immune cell is a T cell, B cell, natural killer (NK) cell, dendritic cell (DC), Natural killer T (NKT) cell, mast cell, monocyte, macrophage, basophil, eosinophil, or neutrophil.
• the immune cell is an adaptive immune cell such as a T cell and B cell.
• the immune cell is an innate immune cell.
• innate immune cells include innate lymphoid cells (ILCs; ILC1, ILC2, ILC3), basophils, eosinophils, mast cells, NK cells, neutrophils, and monocytes.
• the immune cell is a memory cell.
• the immune cell is a primary human T cell.
• the cell is a mouse, dog, cat, horse, rat, goat, monkey, or rabbit cell.
• the cell is a human cell.
• the cell suspension comprises a cell other than a human cell or a non- mammalian cell.
• the cell is a chicken, frog, insect, or nematode cell.
• any physiologically-compatible or cell-compatible buffer system can be used as a solution to bathe/incubate the cells and process the cells through the device.
• phosphate buffered saline PBS
• Opti-MEM® Roswell Park Memorial Institute
• DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium
• a reduced serum or serum-free media or buffer composition is preferable.
• the buffer or medium is chosen based to maintain and preserve the health or viability of the target cell and/or the effect on gene expression. For example, in some cases the presence of calcium in the buffer is desirable to promote or support mRNA expression.
• Payload compositions include a protein-nucleic acid complex or assembly.
• Exemplary complexes include components or modules of a gene editing system as described above, e.g., nuclease/guide nucleic acid combination or assembly.
• gRNA:Cas9 molar ratio ranges from 1: 100,000 to 100,000: 1, e.g., a preferred range, 1 : 10 to 10: 1, e.g., 1: 1 or 1 :2, 2: 1.
• Complex concentration in the buffer to facilitate delivery typically ranges from lOOmM to InM, e.g., IOUM to ⁇ .
• Complexes can be mixed with cells before going through constriction or afterwards.
• Cas protein such as Cas9 protein
• guide RNA and donor DNA can be delivered to a cell through mechanical deformation using, for example, a microfluidic platform (e.g., as described in U.S. Application Publication No. 20140287509, filed April 17, 2014; PCT International Application No. PCT/US2014/051343 filed August 15, 2014; PCT International Application No. PCT/US2015/060689 filed November 13, 2015; and PCT International Application No. PCT/US2015/058489 filed October 30, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference).
• a microfluidic platform e.g., as described in U.S. Application Publication No. 20140287509, filed April 17, 2014; PCT International Application No. PCT/US2014/051343 filed August 15, 2014; PCT International Application No. PCT/US2015/060689 filed November 13, 2015; and PCT International Application No. PCT/US2015/058489 filed October 30, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference).
• FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example microfluidic system that can be used for the delivery of genome editing protein, RNA, and DNA.
• the microfluidic system 5 includes a channel 10 defining a tubular lumen.
• the microfluidic channel 10 includes a constriction 15 that is preferably configured such that only a single target cell 20 can pass through the constriction 15 at one time.
• the cells 20 pass through the channel 10 suspended in a solution buffer 25 that also includes delivery materials 30, although the delivery materials can be added to the solution buffer 25 after the cells 20 pass through the constriction 15.
• the constriction 15 applies pressure (e.g., mechanical compression) to the cell 20, squeezing the cell 20 (e.g., shown as cell 20i).
• the pressure applied to the cell by the constriction 15 causes perturbations (e.g., holes) in the cell membrane (e.g., cell 2 ⁇ 2).
• the cell membrane recovers over time, and at least a portion of the delivery material 30 preferably remains trapped inside the cell.
• the device comprises a constriction length of about 5 ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ or any length or range of lengths therebetween.
• the constriction length ranges from about 5 ⁇ to about 40 ⁇ , about 5 ⁇ to about 30 ⁇ , about 5 ⁇ to about 20 ⁇ , or about 5 ⁇ to about ⁇ .
• the constriction length ranges from about ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ , about 20 ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ , about 30 ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ , or about 40 ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ .
• the constriction depth ranges from about 2um to about 200um or any depth or range of depths there between.
• the constriction depth ranges from about 2 ⁇ to about 150 ⁇ , about 2 ⁇ to about ⁇ , about 2 ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ , about 2 ⁇ to about 25 ⁇ m, about 2 ⁇ to about 15 ⁇ m, or about 2 ⁇ to about ⁇ .
• the constriction depth ranges from about ⁇ to about 200 ⁇ , about 25 ⁇ to about 200 ⁇ m, about 50 ⁇ to about 200 ⁇ m, about ⁇ to about 200 ⁇ m, or about 150 ⁇ to about 200 ⁇ .
• the angle of the entrance or exit portion of the constriction ranges from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees or any angle or range of angles therebetween.
• the angle is about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 30, about 40, about 50, about 60, about 70, about 80, or about 90 degrees or more.
• the pressure ranges from about 50psi to about 200psi or any pressure or range of pressures there between.
• the pressure ranges from about 50psi to about 150psi, about 50psi to about 125psi, about 50psi to about lOOpsi, or about 50psi to about 75psi.
• the pressure ranges from about 75psi to about 200psi, about lOOpsi to about 200psi, about 125psi to about 200psi, about 150psi to about 200psi, or about 175psi to about 200psi.
• the device comprises a constriction width of between about 2 ⁇ and about ⁇ or any width or range of widths therebetween.
• the constriction width can be any one of about 3 ⁇ , about 4 ⁇ , about 5 ⁇ , about 6 ⁇ , or about 7 ⁇ .
• pressure is approximately lOOpsi, on ice, through a 30 ⁇ length, 4 ⁇ width constriction.
• cells are diluted in media and washed to remove undelivered complexes.
• Cells are then cultured to allow for gene editing to occur (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 12, 24 hours or more (for nonclinical applications, timeframe depends on assay readout, e.g., 24 hours or later).
• gene editing e.g., 1, 2, 5, 12, 24 hours or more (for nonclinical applications, timeframe depends on assay readout, e.g., 24 hours or later).
• the cells could be injected back into patient immediately after device treatment.
• the cells are incubated in vitro for a time (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 12, 24 hours or more) prior to injecting the cells into a patient recipient.
• a time e.g. 1, 2, 5, 12, 24 hours or more
• Temperatures, concentrations, iterations of the molecules vary depending on the target cell type.
• FIG. 3 is a series of flow cytometry plots and a bar graph of the recombination efficiency for K562 reporter cells (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)® CCL-243TM, bone marrow-derived cells derived from patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia; lymphoblast morphology) that had genetic editing material delivered to cell cytoplasm using the microfluidic device illustrated in FIGS. 1-2.
• ATCC American Type Culture Collection
• FIGS. 1-2 At top are flow cytometry plots of K562 reporter cells that had a protein Cas9, site- specific gRNA, and donor oligonucleotide delivered.
• a CRISPR complex is
• TALEN proteins or mRNA, zinc finger nucleases, mega nucleases, Cre recombinase or any other enzyme capable of cleaving DNA can also be delivered to the cytoplasm of a cell by mechanical disruption of the cell membrane.
• An exemplary TALEN genome-editing system, including exemplary TALEN proteins, is described in Ding et al., (2013) Cell Stem Cell, 12, 238-251, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Ding et al., (2013) Cell Stem Cell, 12, 238-251 describes non-limiting examples of generic TALEN amino acid sequences to recognize 15 base pair sequences.
• Non-limiting examples of generic TALEN amino acid sequences are:
• genetic editing material can include TALEN proteins, TALEN mRNA, zinc finger nucleases, mega nucleases, Cre recombinase or any other enzyme capable of cleaving DNA delivered to the cytosol by mechanical disruption of the cell membrane. Delivery of RNA and Cas9 in Complex Form
• the results achieved were surprising in view of numerous factors that could potentially have impeded successful gene editing by microfluidic delivery of the gene complexes.
• the Cas9-gRNA complex may have caused a Toll-like receptor (TLR) mediated or other PRR (pattern recognition receptor) mediated response that would have inhibited gene editing function and/or survival but this potential problem was not observed. Since the complex is not guaranteed to be stable once it enters the cytoplasm, it could have been degraded and rendered nonfunctional, but surprisingly, the delivered complexes were still able to edit.
• TLR Toll-like receptor
• PRR pattern recognition receptor
• the integrity of the gene editing complex was preserved using microfluidic based, cell- squeezing delivery to the cell.
• the complex does not have the same physical/chemical properties as a gRNA alone or protein alone and thus it was uncertain if the delivery process would behave the same in the context of delivering a complex vs. its individual components.
• Complexes are larger and less stable than their constituents. Complexes may fall apart due to, e.g., shear forces. Additionally, complexes may not survive membrane transit or in the cytosol because some other elements may break the complexes up before they are functional or have an opportunity to act on cellular targets. Complexes also have a different charge distribution which may affect the ability of a complex to be delivered. Shape and thus transport properties can also change compared to complex constituents.
• the delivery methods successfully preserved the structural and functional integrity of the complexes.
• Non-limiting examples of Cas proteins include Casl, CaslB, Cas2, Cas3, Cas4, Cas5, Cas6, Cas7, Cas8, Cas9 (also known as Csnl and Csxl2), Cas 10, Csyl, Csy2, Csy3, Csel, Cse2, Cscl, Csc2, Csa5, Csn2, Csm2, Csm3, Csm4, Csm5, Csm6, Cmrl, Cmr3, Cmr4, Cmr5, Cmr6, Csbl, Csb2, Csb3, Csxl7, Csxl4, CsxlO, Csxl6, CsaX, Csx3, Csxl
• the amino acid sequence of S. pyogenes Cas9 protein may be found in the SwissProt database under accession number Q99ZW2.
• the unmodified CRISPR enzyme has DNA cleavage activity, such as Cas9.
• the CRISPR enzyme is Cas9, and may be Cas9 from S. pyogenes or S. pneumoniae.
• the CRISPR enzyme directs cleavage of one or both strands at the location of a target sequence, such as within the target sequence and/or within the complement of the target sequence.
• the CRISPR enzyme directs cleavage of one or both strands within about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, or more base pairs from the first or last nucleotide of a target sequence.
• a vector encodes a CRISPR enzyme that is mutated to with respect to a corresponding wild-type enzyme such that the mutated CRISPR enzyme lacks the ability to cleave one or both strands of a target polynucleotide containing a target sequence.
• D10A aspartate-to-alanine substitution
• pyogenes converts Cas9 from a nuclease that cleaves both strands to a nickase (cleaves a single strand).
• Other examples of mutations that render Cas9 a nickase include, without limitation, H840A, N854A, and N863A.
• nickases may be used for genome editing via homologous recombination.
• Non-limiting examples of Cas9 amino acid and cDNA sequences are provided below.
• the amino acid sequence of a Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 protein may be found in the SwissProt database under accession number Q99ZW2. This amino acid sequence is:
• SEQ ID NO: 1 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence found in the European Nucleotide Archive under accession number AAK33936.2:
• SEQ ID NO: 3 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence found in the European Nucleotide Archive under accession number ABJ66636.1:
• GGS GPPKKKRKV nuclear localization signal
• a Cas9 nickase may be used in combination with guide sequence(s), e.g., two guide sequences, which target respectively sense and antisense strands of the DNA target. This combination allows both strands to be nicked and used to induce non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).
• guide sequence(s) e.g., two guide sequences, which target respectively sense and antisense strands of the DNA target. This combination allows both strands to be nicked and used to induce non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).
• two or more catalytic domains of Cas9 may be mutated to produce a mutated Cas9 substantially lacking all DNA cleavage activity.
• a D10A mutation is combined with one or more of H840A, N854A, or N863A mutations to produce a Cas9 enzyme substantially lacking all DNA cleavage activity (where the amino acid numbering is as in SEQ ID NO: 1).
• a CRISPR enzyme is considered to substantially lack all DNA cleavage activity when the DNA cleavage activity of the mutated enzyme is less than about 25%, 10%, 5%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, or lower with respect to its non-mutated form.
• Other mutations may be useful; where the Cas9 or other CRISPR enzyme is from a species other than S. pyogenes, mutations in corresponding amino acids may be made to achieve similar effects.
• an enzyme coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is codon optimized for expression in particular cells, such as eukaryotic cells.
• the eukaryotic cells may be those of or derived from a particular organism, such as a mammal, including but not limited to human, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, or non-human primate.
• codon optimization refers to a process of modifying a nucleic acid sequence for enhanced expression in the host cells of interest by replacing at least one codon (e.g. about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, or more codons) of the native sequence with codons that are more frequently or most frequently used in the genes of that host cell while maintaining the native amino acid sequence.
• Codon bias differs in codon usage between organisms
• mRNA messenger RNA
• tRNA transfer RNA
• the predominance of selected tRNAs in a cell is generally a reflection of the codons used most frequently in peptide synthesis. Accordingly, genes can be tailored for optimal gene expression in a given organism based on codon
• Codon usage tables are readily available, for example, at the "Codon Usage Database", and these tables can be adapted in a number of ways. See
• codon optimizing a particular sequence for expression in a particular host cell is also available, such as Gene Forge (Aptagen; Jacobus, Pa.), are also available.
• one or more codons e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, or more, or all codons
• one or more codons in a sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme corresponds to the most frequently used codon for a particular amino acid.
• a guide sequence is any polynucleotide sequence having sufficient complementarity with a target polynucleotide sequence to hybridize with the target sequence and direct sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence.
• the degree of complementarity between a guide sequence and its corresponding target sequence when optimally aligned using a suitable alignment algorithm, is about or more than about 50%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97.5%, 99%, or more.
• Optimal alignment may be determined with the use of any suitable algorithm for aligning sequences, non-limiting example of which include the Smith-Waterman algorithm, the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm, algorithms based on the Burrows-Wheeler Transform (e.g. the Burrows Wheeler Aligner), ClustalW, Clustal X, BLAT, Novoalign (Novocraft Technologies, ELAND (Illumina, San Diego, Calif.), SOAP (available at soap.genomics.org.cn), and Maq (available at maq.sourceforge.net).
• a guide sequence is about or more than about 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, or more nucleotides in length.
• any suitable algorithm for aligning sequences include the Smith-Waterman algorithm, the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm, algorithms based on the Burrows-Wheeler Transform (e.g. the Burrows Wheeler Aligner),
• a guide sequence is less than about 75, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 12, or fewer nucleotides in length.
• the ability of a guide sequence to direct sequence- specific binding of a CRISPR complex to a target sequence may be assessed by any suitable assay.
• the components of a CRISPR system sufficient to form a CRISPR complex, including the guide sequence to be tested may be provided to a host cell having the corresponding target sequence, such as by transfection with vectors encoding the components of the CRISPR sequence, followed by an assessment of preferential cleavage within the target sequence, such as by Surveyor assay as described herein.
• cleavage of a target polynucleotide sequence may be evaluated in a test tube by providing the target sequence, components of a CRISPR complex, including the guide sequence to be tested and a control guide sequence different from the test guide sequence, and comparing binding or rate of cleavage at the target sequence between the test and control guide sequence reactions.
• Other assays are possible, and will occur to those skilled in the art.
• a guide sequence may be selected to target any target sequence.
• the target sequence is a sequence within a genome of a cell.
• Exemplary target sequences include those that are unique in the target genome.
• a unique target sequence in a genome may include a Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNXGG
• NNNNNNNNNNNNNNXGG (N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be a deoxynucleotide) has a single occurrence in the genome.
• a unique target sequence in a genome may include an S. pyogenes Cas9 target site of the form
• a unique target sequence in a genome may include a Cas9 target site of the form
• NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 8) (N is A, G, T, or C; X can be a deoxynucleotide; and W is A or T) has a single occurrence in the genome.
• a unique target sequence in a genome may include an S. thermophilus CRISPR1 Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 9) where NNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 10) (N is A, G, T, or C; X can be a deoxynucleotide; and W is A or T) has a single occurrence in the genome.
• S. thermophilus CRISPR1 Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 9) where NNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 10) (N is A, G,
• a unique target sequence in a genome may include a Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNXGGXG where NNNNNNNNNNXGGXG (N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be a deoxynucleotide) has a single occurrence in the genome.
• a unique target sequence in a genome may include an S. pyogenes Cas9 target site of the form
• N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be a deoxynucleotide
• a guide sequence is selected to reduce the degree of secondary structure within the guide sequence.
• Secondary structure may be determined by any suitable polynucleotide folding algorithm. Some programs are based on calculating the minimal Gibbs free energy. An example of one such algorithm is mFold, as described by Zuker and Stiegler (Nucleic Acids Res. 9 (1981), 133-148). Another example folding algorithm is the online webserver RNAfold, developed at Institute for Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Vienna, using the centroid structure prediction algorithm (see e.g. A. R. Gruber et al., 2008, Cell 106(1): 23-24; and PA Carr and GM Church, 2009, Nature Biotechnology 27(12): 1151-62). Further algorithms may be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 61/836,080;
• aspects of the present subject matter relate to delivery of CRISPR/ CRISPR/CRISPR from Prevotella and Francisella 1 (Cpf 1) gene editing complexes or components thereof (e.g. , CPf 1 proteins).
• Cpf 1 Prevotella and Francisella 1
• Examples of human codon optimized Cpf 1 -family proteins are provided below.
• Cpfl-family protein sequences and aspects of CRISPR/Cpfl gene-editing, are described in Zetsche et al., Cell 163, 759- 771, October 22, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• SEQ ID NO: 11 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK SEQ ID NO: 12
• GS glycine-serine linker
• HA Human influenza hemagglutinin
• SEQ ID NO: 11 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence: [00117] ATGAGCATCTACCAGGAGTTCGTCAACAAGTATTCACTG AGTAAGACACTGCGGTTCGAGCTGATCCCACAGGGCAAGACACTGGAGA ACATCAAGGCCCGAGGCCTGATTCTGGACGATGAGAAGCGGGCAAAAGA CTATAAGAAAGCCAAGCAGATCATTGATAAATACCACCAGTTCTTTATCG AGGAAATTCTGAGCTCCGTGTGCATCAGTGAGGATCTGCTGCAGAATTAC TCAGACGTGTACTTCAAGCTGAAGAAGAGCGACGATGACAACCTGCAGAA GGACTTCAAGTCCGCCAAGGACACCATCAAGAAACAGATTAGCGAGTACA TCAAGGACTCCGAAAAGTTTAAAAATCTGTTCAACCAGAATCTGATCGAT GCTAAGAAAGGCCAGGAGTCCGACCTGATCCTGATCGAT GCTAAGAAAGGCCAGGAGTCCGACCTGATCCTGATCGAT
• Lachnospiraceae bacterium MC2017 (Lb3Cpfl; pY005), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 15 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 15 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus (BpCpfl; pY006), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 17 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 17 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• SEQ ID NO: 19 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYA YPYDVPDYA YPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 19 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• SEQ ID NO: 21 includes a nuclear localization signal
• SEQ ID NO: 21 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• SEQ ID NO: 23 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 23 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Acidaminococcus sp. BV3L6 (AsCpfl; YOlO), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 25 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 25 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Lachnospiraceae bacterium MA2020 (Lb2Cpf 1 ; pYOl 1), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 27 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 27 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Candidatus Methanoplasma termitum (CMtCpfl ; pY012), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 29 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YP YDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 29 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Eubacterium eligens (EeCpfl; pY013), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 31 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPD YAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 31 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Moraxella bovoculi 237 (MbCpf 1 ; pY014), including NLS and HA tag:
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 33 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Leptospira inadai (LiCpfl; pY015), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 35 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 35 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• SEQ ID NO: 37 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 37 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence: [00177] ATGAGCAAGCTGGAGAAGTTTACAAACTGCTACTCCCTG TCTAAGACCCTGAGGTTCAAGGCCATCCCTGTGGGCAAGACCCAGGAGAA CATCGACAATAAGCGGCTGCTGGTGGAGGACGAGAAGAGAGCCGAGGAT TATAAGGGCGTGAAGAAGCTGCTGGATCGCTACTATCTGTCTTTTATCAAC GACGTGCTGCACAGCATCAAGCTGAAGAATCTGAACAATTACATCAGCCT GTTCCGGAAGAAAACCAGAACCGAGAAGGAATAAGGAGCTGGAGAAC CTGGAGATCAATCTGCGGAAGGATCGCCAAGGCCTTCAAGGGCAACG AGGGCTACAAGTCCCTGTTTAAGAAGGATATCATCGAGACAATCCTGCCA GAGTTCCTGGACGATAAGGACGATCGCCCTGGTGAACAGCTTCAATGG CTTTACCACAGCCTTCACCGGCTGGCTGGCTGGCT
• Porphyromonas crevioricanis (PcCpfl; pY017), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 39 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 39 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• Prevotella disiens (PdCpf 1 ; pYOl 8), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 41 includes a nuclear localization signal
• KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), followed by a glycine-serine linker (GS), followed by a HA tag (YPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYAYPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO: 13).
• SEQ ID NO: 41 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• ATGGAGAACTATCAGGAGTTCACCAACCTGTTTCAGCTG AATAAGACACTGAGATTCGAGCTGAAGCCCATCGGCAAGACCTGCGAGCT GCTGGAGGAGGGCAAGATCTTCGCCAGCGGCTCCTTTCTGGAGAAGGACA AGGTGAGGGCCGATAACGTGAGCTACGTGAAGAAGGATCGACAAGAA GCACAAGATCTTTATCGAGGAGACACTGAGCTCCTTCTCTATCAGCAACG
• Porphyromonas macacae (PmCpfl ; pY09), including NLS and HA tag:
• SEQ ID NO: 43 includes a nuclear localization signal
• SEQ ID NO: 43 may be encoded by the following nucleotide sequence:
• sequences shown above include a sequence such as a nuclear localization signal and/or a tag sequence (such as a HA tags).
• a different nuclear localization signal may be present.
• no nuclear localization signal is used.
• no tag e.g., no HA tag is used.
• the protein may include a nuclear localization signal.
• the protein e.g., a Cas protein
• NLS nuclear localization signal
• Such signals are known in the art, and non- limiting examples are described in Kalderon et al., (1984) Cell 39 (3 Pt 2): 499-509; Makkerh et al., (1996) Curr Biol. 6 (8): 1025-7; and Dingwall et al., (1991) Trends in Biochemical Sciences 16 (12): 478-81, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
• nuclear localization signals include GGS GPPKKKRKV (SEQ ID NO: 5), KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 12), PKKKRKV (SEQ ID NO: 45), KR[PAATKKAGQA]KKKK (SEQ ID NO: 46), KR[XXXXXXXX]KKKK (SEQ ID NO: 47), KKXK (SEQ ID NO: 48), KRXK (SEQ ID NO: 49), KKXR (SEQ ID NO: 50), KRXR (SEQ ID NO: 51),
• phrases such as "at least one of or "one or more of may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features.
• the term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features.
• the phrases “at least one of A and ⁇ ;” “one or more of A and ⁇ ;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together.”
• a similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.
• phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.”
• use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.
• plasma membrane and “cell membrane” are used interchangeably herein, and refer to the semipermeable membrane that separates the interior of a cell from the environment outside the cell.
• an "expression vector” is a DNA or RNA vector that is capable of effecting expression of one or more polynucleotides.
• the expression vector is also capable of replicating within the host cell.
• Expression vectors can be either prokaryotic or eukaryotic, and are typically plasmids.
• Expression vectors of the present invention include any vectors that function (i.e., direct gene expression) in host cells of the present invention, including in one of the prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells described herein, e.g. , protozoan, algal, fungi, yeast, plant, animal, vertebrate, invertebrate, arthropod, mammalian, rodent, primate, or human cells.
• Expression vectors of the present invention contain regulatory sequences such as transcription control sequences, translation control sequences, origins of replication, and other regulatory sequences that are compatible with the host cell and that control the expression of a polynucleotide.
• expression vectors of the present invention include transcription control sequences.
• Transcription control sequences are sequences which control the initiation, elongation, and termination of transcription.
• Particularly important transcription control sequences are those which control transcription initiation such as promoter, enhancer, operator and repressor sequences.
• Suitable transcription control sequences include any transcription control sequence that can function in at least one of the cells of the present invention. A variety of such transcription control sequences are known to those skilled in the art.
• the methods do not comprise the use of viral vectors such as adenoviruses to deliver nucleic acid molecules or constructs.
• references to cell “squeeze” “squeezing” “deformation” and the like refer to a process used to deliver macromolecules directly into the cytosol of cells with minimal cytotoxicity.
• the principle underlying this approach is temporary membrane disruption by rapid mechanical deformation, or squeezing, of the target cell, which permits the uptake by diffusion of macromolecules in the fluid medium and is followed by cell membrane repair (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0287509, published September 25, 2014; PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/058489, filed October 30, 2015; and PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/2015/060689, filed November 13, 2015, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference).
• gRNA refers to a CRISPR-Cas system guide
• protein complex refers to a composite unit arising from the specific binding of a protein with a binding partner, wherein said binding partner can be one or more proteins, one or more nucleic acids, or a combination of one or more proteins and one or more nucleic acids, and the like, to form said protein complex.
• Protein complexes may be protein-protein complexes, protein-nucleic acid complexes, and the like.
• a protein complex may comprise protein-protein interactions, e.g. interactions between different proteins, or dimers, trimers, tetramers or higher oligomers of the same protein.
• Interactions between subunits of protein complexes are usually non-binding interactions, such as those interactions caused by hydrogen bridges, pi electron systems such as (optionally conjugated) C— C double bonds or aromatic rings, e.g. phenyl, and heteroaromatic rings, e.g.
• pyrrole imidazole, indole, pyrimidine or purine rings
• interactions between metal atoms and oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms but may also be weak, and in particular reversible, covalent binding interactions, e.g. sulfur-sulfur bridges.
• a "protein-protein complex” means a composite unit that is a combination of two or more proteins formed by interaction between the proteins.
• a “protein complex” is formed by the binding of two or more proteins together through specific non-covalent binding affinities.
• covalent bonds may also be present between the interacting partners.
• the two interacting partners can be covalently crosslinked so that the protein complex becomes more stable.
• a "protein-nucleic acid complex” means a composite unit that is a combination of at least one protein and at least one nucleic acid formed by interactions that include an interaction between a protein and a nucleic acid.
• a “protein-nucleic acid complex” is formed by the binding of a protein and a nucleic acid through non-covalent binding affinities.
• a gene-editing complex is a protein- nucleic acid complex, such as a RNP.
• RNP protein- nucleic acid complex
• a non-limiting example of an RNP is a CRISPR-Cas RNP comprising a Cas protein and a gRNA.
• Methods and devices described herein deliver an intact and functional gene-editing complex into cells.
• the components of the gene-editing complex do not disassociate during delivery and remain functional after delivery into the cell.
• Various assays are available to determine whether an intact and functional gene-editing complex has been delivered to a cell.
• the detection of gene editing by the gene-editing complex may be used to indicate that an intact and functional gene-editing complex was delivered into a cell.
• cells to which the gene-editing complex has been delivered may be lysed using non-denaturing conditions (such as a non-denaturing buffer or a French press), and the lysate may be analyzed using a non-denaturing gel to determine whether the gene-editing complex was intact within the cells.
• the cells may be lysed using non-denaturing conditions and then immunoprecipitation may be used to isolate the gene-editing complex from the lysate (i.e., to verify that one component of the complex can be co-isolated with another using
• the isolated gene-editing complex can be assayed before or after delivery to a cell using a non-denaturing gel or a denaturing assay (such as sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) to determine whether the gene-editing complex was present in a pre-delivery/pre-cell squeeze buffer as well as whether the complex is present after microfluidic/squeeze processing and found intact and/or functional in the treated cells.
• a non-denaturing gel or a denaturing assay such as sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
• a band on a non-denaturing gel of about 145, 150, 155, or 145-160 kDa may indicate that the RNP was delivered as a complete and functional gene-editing complex into the cell.
• device dimensions are denoted by a series of numbers indicating length, width, and optionally number of constrictions (e.g., 30 ⁇ - 6mx5 denotes a device with a 30 ⁇ length, 6 ⁇ width, and 5 constrictions).
• aspects of the present subject matter provide a method for delivering a protein and a nucleic acid into a cell, the method comprising: providing a cell in a solution; passing the solution through a microfluidic channel that includes a cell-deforming constriction; passing the cell through the constriction such that a pressure is applied to the cell causing perturbations of the cell large enough for the protein and the nucleic acid to pass through; and contacting the cell with the protein and the nucleic acid before, during, and/or after the cell passes through the constriction.
• said solution comprises the protein and the nucleic acid before, during, and/or after the cell passes through the constriction.
• the protein and the nucleic acid form a protein-nucleic acid complex.
• the protein and the nucleic acid are the components of the protein-nucleic acid complex but are not complexed when delivered to the cell.
• the protein and the nucleic acid form a protein-nucleic acid complex after delivery into the cell.
• the protein and the nucleic acid form a protein-nucleic acid complex before delivery into the cell.
• the protein and the nucleic acid comprise gene editing components.
• said protein-nucleic acid complex comprises a ribonucleoprotein (RNP).
• RNP ribonucleoprotein
• the protein is a Cas protein or a Cpf 1 protein
• the nucleic acid is a single guide RNA (sgRNA) or a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and a trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA).
• the complex is a RNP comprising a Cas protein or a Cpf 1 protein and a sgRNA, wherein the Cas protein or the Cpf 1 protein and the sgRNA were complexed using about a 0.5, 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 molar excess of the Cas protein or Cpf 1 protein.
• the Cas protein comprises a Cas9 protein.
• said protein-nucleic acid complex comprises a first RNP and a second RNP.
• the first RNP and the second RNP are both nickases.
• the first RNP nicks a target sequence different from the target sequence of the second RNP.
• said protein-nucleic acid complex comprises a TALEN protein, Zinc finger nuclease, mega nuclease, or Cre recombinase.
• the nucleic acid comprises an mRNA encoding a TALEN protein, a Zinc finger nuclease, a mega nuclease, or a Cre recombinase
• said protein-nucleic acid complex comprises (a) a nucleic acid molecule that is complexed with a protein via electrostatic attraction; (b) a nucleic acid molecule wrapped around a protein; (c) DNA and a histone; (d) a ribonucleoprotein (RNP); (e) a ribosome, an enzyme telomerase, a vault ribonucleoprotein, RNase P, hnRNP, or a small nuclear RNP (snRNP); or (f) a chromosome comprising a protein.
• the solution further comprises donor DNA.
• the solution further comprises donor DNA before, during, and/or after the cell passes through the constriction.
• said cell comprises a mammalian cell.
• said cell comprises a human cell.
• the diameter of the constriction is selected to induce temporary perturbations of the cell membrane large enough for the protein and the nucleic acid to pass through.
• a diameter of the constriction is about 20- 99% of the diameter of the cell.
• a diameter of the constriction is about 60% of the diameter of the cell.
• the microfluidic channel is one of a plurality of parallel microfluidic channels in the microfluidic system.
• the plurality of parallel microfluidic channels comprises at least about 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 500, 1,000, or 2-1,000 microfluidic channels.
• the cell is a plurality of cells, and each cell is passed through one of a plurality of parallel microfluidic channels, and wherein each microfluidic channel of the plurality of parallel microfluidic channels includes a cell-deforming constriction.
• the diameter of the constriction is about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 2-10 ⁇ , or 10-20 ⁇ ;
• the length of the constriction is about 10, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 10-40, 10-50, 10-60, or 10- ⁇ ;
• a pressure of about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or 10-100 psi is used to pass the solution through the microfluidic channel;
• the cell passes through the microfluidic channel at a speed of about 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 100- 300, 200-700, 250-400, 100-lOOOmm/s, 1-lOOOmm/s, lm/s, 2m/s, 3m/s, 4m/s, 5m/s, 6m/s, 7m/s, 8m/s, 9m/s, lOm/s, 0.01-5m/s,
• the expression of a target gene in the cell is reduced by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99% or more; or (b) the cell is a plurality of cells and the expression of a target gene in the plurality of cells is reduced by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99% or more, after the protein and the nucleic acid are delivered to the cell.
• the expression of a target gene in the cell is reduced by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99% or more; or (b) the cell is a plurality of cells and the expression of a target gene in the plurality of cells is reduced by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99% or more, about 1, 2, 5, 12, 24, 1-12, 6-12, 6- 18, 12-24, or 1-24 hours after the protein and the nucleic acid are delivered to the cell.
• the expression of a target gene in the cell is increased by at least about 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250, 500% or more; or (b) the cell is a plurality of cells and the expression of a target gene in the plurality of cells is increased by at least about 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250, 500% or more, after the protein and the nucleic acid are delivered to the cell.
• the expression of a target gene in the cell is increased by at least about 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250, 500% or more; or (b) the cell is a plurality of cells and the expression of a target gene in the plurality of cells is increased by at least about 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250, 500% or more, about 1, 2, 5, 12, 24, 1-12, 6-12, 6-18, 12-24, or 1-24 hours after the protein and the nucleic acid are delivered to the cell.
• aspects of the present subject matter provide a device for delivering a protein-nucleic acid complex to a cell, comprising at least one microfluidic channel, wherein said channel comprises a constriction length of about 30 ⁇ and a constriction width of about 4 ⁇ .
• Example 1 Editing of the B2M locus in primary human T cells using CellSqueeze (SQZ) to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing complex
• microglobulin component of MHC class 1 B2M.
• Fresh PBMCs were isolated from human blood using a standard Ficoll gradient. Next, T cells were negatively selected (Human T cell enrichment kit (StemCell Technologies)) counted, washed and resuspended at 10-20 xlO 6 cells/mL in OptiMEM for delivery. Ten ⁇ g of recombinant CAS9 (PNA Bio) was pre-complexed with a 2.5 molar excess of unmodified gRNA (PNA Bio) designed to specifically target the B2M locus. Recombinant CAS9 is reconstituted to a solution with a final concentration of 20mM Hepes, 150mM KC1, 1% sucrose.
• gRNA is added directly to the CAS9 solution and incubated on ice for 20 minutes to form the complex.
• the complex is added directly to resuspended cells.
• RNP complexes were incubated on ice 20 minutes prior to SQZ-mediated delivery.
• the RNP (2.2uM) was co-delivered with a 3kD-Cascade Blue Dextran (0.15mg/mL) used as a proxy for delivery efficiency.
• Two different chips, 10-4 and 30-4 were used to deliver the complex at a pressures of 60 and 90 psi.
• the chips have constrictions of the same width (4 microns) but have two different constriction lengths (30 vs. 10 microns).
• a FACS based readout was used to determine B2M protein levels. Reduced B2M expression was used as a measure of functional editing. Two controls were used; 1) T cells incubated with the RNP complex at room temperature for the same time as the delivery process using the Cell Squeeze process (endocytosis control; "endo control”), and 2) T cells squeezed with Cas9 protein but no gRNA. Plots of B2M expression vs. delivered dextran are shown (FIG. 4) for the four different cell populations. B2M expression on the Cas9 control was not significantly different than the endocytosis control.
• the delivery of the RNP using the 30-4 chip at 90 psi resulted in a 54.4% reduction in B2M expression as compared to the endo control whereas the 10-4 chip at 90 psi resulted in a 25.2% reduction in B2M expression.
• the longer constriction chip resulted in more delivery of the RNP complex and a larger reduction in B2M expression.
• RNP complex was delivered to unstimulated human T cells using the 30-4 chip and at two different RNP amounts: 1) the standard IX RNP complex (lOug Cas9, 2.5 molar excess of gRNA) and, 2) 0.1X the standard RNP complex amount.
• a FACS based readout was used to determine B2M protein levels. Reduced B2M expression was used as a measure of functional editing. Plots of B2M expression vs. delivered dextran are shown below for the four different cell populations.
• B2M expression on the Cas9 control (Cas9 protein with no gRNA) is not significantly different than the endocytosis control.
• the lower amount of the RNP complex (0.1XRNP) resulted in a 20.7% reduction of B2M positive cells as compared to the 55.4% reduction in B2M positive cells at the higher amount of RNP complex (IX RNP complex (lOug CAS9, 2.5 molar excess of gRNA)).
• IX RNP complex laOug CAS9, 2.5 molar excess of gRNA
• Cited references are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent that any of the incorporated material is inconsistent with the present disclosure, the present disclosure shall control. Furthermore, to the extent necessary, material incorporated by reference herein should be disregarded if necessary to preserve the validity of the claims. [00253] Further, while the description above refers to the invention, the description may include more than one invention.

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