Robust Genome Engineering in Primary Human T Cells using CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins

Tech ID: 24858 / UC Case 2015-118-0

Invention Novelty

This invention enables highly effective experimental and therapeutic genomic engineering of primary human T cells and other hematopoietic cells with CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) technology.  

Value Proposition

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing provides an exceptional opportunity to engineer human T cells for research and therapeutic purposes, including cell-based therapies for cancer, viral infections and autoimmune diseases. However, therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas9 have been limited until now by inefficient DNA editing and inability to perform targeted DNA sequence replacement in human T cells. This invention augments the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in human T cells and raises the prospect of the therapeutic application of gene correction in T cells for treatment of myriad human diseases. Additional advantages of this invention include: 

  • First CRISPR-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) in human immune cells could allow therapeutic editing of disease mutations in patient cells and introduction of specific sequences into TCR and CAR-transduced T cells.
  • Strict temporal control over genome editing with Cas9 RNPs could increase the CRISPR safety profile for therapeutic applications.     

Technology Description

UCSF researchers have developed a powerful Cas9 RNP-based technology that uses purified Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNP) for successful and efficient genome editing in primary human CD4+ T cells. Cas9 protein pre-complexed with a single guide RNA (sgRNA) is introduced as an RNP into human T cells by transient electroporation. The active complexes enabled the first successful Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) in primary human T cells. Cas9 RNPs have allowed generation of ‘knock-in’ primary human T cells with targeted genetic replacement of specific nucleotides, which was previously unattainable.

Application

1) Unprecedented flexibility to ‘knock-out’ and ‘knock-in’ specific genetic elements in engineered T cells for cancer immunotherapy

2) New opportunity for therapeutic gene correction for primary immune deficiencies, treatment of infections and autoimmune diseases

3) Diverse research applications examining the function of coding and non-coding genetic variation in human immune regulation

 

Stage of Development

Proof of principle

Related Materials

  • Not available at this time

Data Availability

In vitro human data

Patent Status

Country Type Number Dated Case
New Zealand Issued Patent 733807 09/03/2024 2015-118
Rep Of Korea Issued Patent 10-2605464 11/20/2023 2015-118
Singapore Issued Patent 11201706059S 12/20/2022 2015-118
Japan Issued Patent 7114117 07/29/2022 2015-118
Australia Issued Patent 2016211161 07/14/2022 2015-118
Hong Kong Issued Patent HK1248755 01/28/2022 2015-118
China Issued Patent ZL201680016762.8 10/15/2021 2015-118
Germany Issued Patent 602016058406.9 05/26/2021 2015-118
Spain Issued Patent 3250693 05/26/2021 2015-118
France Issued Patent 3250693 05/26/2021 2015-118
United Kingdom Issued Patent 3250693 05/26/2021 2015-118
Italy Issued Patent 502021000066404 05/26/2021 2015-118
Japan Issued Patent 6886404 05/18/2021 2015-118
Israel Issued Patent 253498 12/01/2020 2015-118
European Patent Office Published Application 3929296 12/29/2021 2015-118
United States Of America Published Application 20190388469 12/26/2019 2015-118
Canada Published Application 2015-118
 

Additional Patents Pending

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Inventors

  • Bluestone, Jeffrey A.
  • Doudna, Jennifer A.
  • Lin, Steven
  • Marson, Alexander
  • Schumann, Kathrin

Other Information

Keywords

CRISPR/Cas9, Primary human T cells, Genome engineering, Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP), Gene correction/replacement, Homology-directed repair (HDR)

Categorized As