In Vitro CRISPR/Cas9-Directed Gene Editing to Model LRRK2 G2019S Parkinson's Disease in Common Marmosets

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 26;10(1):3447. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-60273-2.

Abstract

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S is a relatively common mutation, associated with 1-3% of Parkinson's disease (PD) cases worldwide. G2019S is hypothesized to increase LRRK2 kinase activity. Dopaminergic neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of PD patients carrying LRRK2 G2019S are reported to have several phenotypes compared to wild type controls, including increased activated caspase-3 and reactive oxygen species (ROS), autophagy dysfunction, and simplification of neurites. The common marmoset is envisioned as a candidate nonhuman primate species for comprehensive modeling of genetic mutations. Here, we report our successful use of CRISPR/Cas9 with repair template-mediated homology directed repair to introduce the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, as well as a truncation of the LRRK2 kinase domain, into marmoset embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. We found that, similar to humans, marmoset LRRK2 G2019S resulted in elevated kinase activity. Phenotypic evaluation after dopaminergic differentiation demonstrated LRRK2 G2019S-mediated increased intracellular ROS, decreased neuronal viability, and reduced neurite complexity. Importantly, these phenotypes were not observed in clones with LRRK2 truncation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of inducing monogenic mutations in common marmosets and support the use of this species for generating a novel genetic-based model of PD that expresses physiological levels of LRRK2 G2019S.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics*
  • Callithrix
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / cytology
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2 / chemistry
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2 / genetics*
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2 / metabolism
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neurites / physiology
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2