Grant Award Details
- To conduct a well-prepared pre-IND meeting with the FDA to discuss the development of autologous CRISPR/Cas9-edited MPO knockout CD34+ cells for treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients.
- To achieve this overall objective, the following activities will be performed:
- 1) Optimization of the editing protocol and assessment of hematopoietic potential of human MPO knockout hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC)
- 2) Complete assessment of potential off-target editing and chromosomal translocations.
- 3) Hold an INTERACT meeting
- 4) Assess dose effects on in vitro reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NETosis produced by human MPO KO neutrophils. 5) Test efficacy of murine or rat MPO KO HSPC in novel murine and rat PAH models.
- 6) Complete pilot engraftment/toxicology study in NSG mice transplanted with human MPO KO HSPC.
- 7) Assess human MPO KO neutrophils for retention of normal neutrophil immune functions.
- 8) Develop manufacturing methods and complete one clinical scale GMP-compatible manufacturing run.
- 9) Develop draft clinical protocol and prepare, schedule and conduct a pre-IND meeting.
Grant Application Details
- Autologous MPO Knock-Out Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Translational Candidate
Autologous MPO Knock-Out Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Area of Impact
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), initially associated with Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis -SSC), and then applied to other causes of PAH
Mechanism of Action
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein produced by neutrophils plays a critical role in the development of PAH. Disrupting the MPO gene in autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) followed by transplantation of the edited HSPC eliminates the source of neutrophil MPO. This approach prevents development of PAH in murine models and, we propose, in patients with PAH in Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis-SSc) and other forms of PAH.
Unmet Medical Need
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a progressive condition for which there is no cure; existing treatments provide only symptomatic relief and survival remains unacceptably poor. Transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells with MPO gene knock-out may be a novel treatment for PAH
Project Objective
Pre-IND meeting
Major Proposed Activities
- Assess PAH disease-modifying activity and safety of transplanted myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene knock-out HSPC
- Develop cGMP cell manufacturing methods and analytic assays for MPO gene knock-out HSPC
- Complete draft of clinical protocol and conduct pre-IND meeting with FDA
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a progressive condition for which there is no cure. We are developing a treatment for PAH by transplanting autologous HSC with MPO gene knock-out. The goal is to advance this novel therapy to clinical trials for PAH associated with Scleroderma, an auto-immune disorder often complicated by PAH. Scientific findings and biomedical materials produced from the studies will be publicly available to non-profit and academic organizations in California.