Protocol for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated induction of KMT2A rearrangements in cell line and umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

STAR Protoc. 2024 Dec 17;6(1):103481. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103481. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

KMT2A rearrangements are associated with a poor clinical outcome in infant, pediatric, and adult acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia. Here, we present a protocol to reconstruct chromosomal translocations with different partner genes of KMT2A in vitro. We describe steps for patient-specific single guide RNA (sgRNA) design, optimized sgRNA in vitro transcription, detailed purification of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from umbilical cord blood (UCB), and CRISPR-Cas9 editing of the test cell line K562 as well as UCB HSPCs. The provided methodology is donor independent.

Keywords: CRISPR; Cancer; Genetics; Stem Cells.