The ability to knock out specific genes to gain an understanding
of their function is a mainstay of modern research, and the use of technologies to
achieve this goal to study pulmonary biology is no exception. Homologous recombination
in embryonic stem cells, antisense oligonucleotides, sh/siRNA, and CRISPR-mediated
deletions are widely known and used. Most of these methods will perform well in various
model systems and cell lines, with the classic method, homologous recombination in
embryonic stem cells, being highly useful in animals. However, for translational
questions, interspecies and/or cell line differences often require confirmation of
functional findings in primary human cells. Primary human airway cultures are a highly
valued model to study pulmonary biology, and the application of robust gene knockdown
technologies to these cells is a valuable method to foster our knowledge in this field.
Unfortunately, as with other primary cell models, primary airway cells generally remain
persistently defiant to easy genetic manipulation.
Many examples of successful gene manipulation in human airway cells can be found,
including from our own laboratories. However, in practice, although a method might
work
well for one gene in one set of studies, it is not necessarily an indication that
it
will be applicable for a different gene in separate experiments. Furthermore, a method
that seems to work efficiently with cells from one human donor might suddenly not
work
effectively when attempted in cells from another donor. This is true for all types
of
technologies, including the use of 1) viral vectors (lentivirus,
adenovirus, and/or retroviral) to express knockdown components, such as sh/siRNAs,
CRISPR, and/or anti-sense species; 2) standard lipofection methods; and
3) electroporation. An easy-to-use, robust, economical, versatile,
and efficient method to knock down genes in primary human airway cells would represent
an important advance in the field.
As a step forward, the article by Koh and colleagues (pp. 373–381) in this issue of
the Journal (1) describes the
optimization of a method for targeting genes in primary human bronchial epithelial
cells
(HBECs). They used electroporation of the necessary components for CRISPR-mediated
deletion (guide RNA [gRNA] sequences and recombinant Cas9 complexes) in HBECs, which
was
nicely demonstrated using a well-described model of the regulation of MUC5AC (mucin
5AC)
by SPEDF (SAM Pointed Domain Containing ETS Transcription Factor) (2, 3). Knockdown
of
SPEDF is predicted from the literature to dramatically reduce the
upregulation of MUC5AC expression resulting from treatment of HBECs with IL-13, a
central mediator of allergic asthma. Applying a variety of experimental conditions,
the
authors were able to demonstrate near-complete loss of SPEDF in HBEC
cultures using their electroporation method. Targeting of SPDEF with
this technology was accompanied by the expected loss of IL-13–mediated
1) upregulation of MUC5AC and downregulation of MUC5B expression,
2) induction of goblet cell differentiation, and
3) impairment of mucociliary clearance.
Although the science was mostly confirmatory of previous studies regarding
SPDEF-dependent function, the optimized method provides a useful paradigm for other
laboratories to follow. Although the usual caveats with CRISPRs apply (e.g., gRNAs
do
not always work as predicted), Koh and colleagues were able to demonstrate that gRNAs
shown to be efficient in relevant cell line models are also effective in HBECs after
electroporation of the CRISPR/gRNA complexes (1). Prescreening of gRNA sequences is
still recommended. Once a gRNA is
identified, it is synthesized and simply mixed with the recombinant Cas9 to form a
complex in the buffer recommended for electroporation. Varying the timing of the
electroporation and the concentrations of the components altered the efficiency in
predictable ways, suggesting that the degree of gene knockdown could be manipulated
to
the experimenter’s advantage. Hence, the method might be also useful for studies
evaluating the relationship between the degree of gene expression and functional
responses.
Importantly, a similar method has also recently been described by Rapiteanu and
colleagues (4), indicating that this approach
can be robust across laboratories; indeed, we are finding similar usefulness of the
technique in our own laboratories. Nevertheless, the target gene still seems to matter,
and success may remain out of reach for difficult-to-target genes whose functions
are
necessary to maintain the integrity of the HBECs as they differentiate in culture.
The
technique still has some disadvantages, including cost, and time will tell if it becomes
a standard method for studying airway pathophysiology. Nonetheless, the method optimized
by Koh and colleagues (1) significantly
contributes to the growing arsenal of new technologies that will drive the pulmonary
biology field forward.