No abstract

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer (CC), but viral infection alone does not guarantee the development of this malignancy. Indeed, deficiencies of dietary micronutrients could favor cervical cancer development in individuals that harbor HR-HPV infections. The status of retinoid levels, natural and synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, is important in maintaining cellular differentiation of the cervical epithelium. Moreover, many studies show a link between deficient intake of retinoids or alteration of the retinoid receptors and CC development. In spite of this, the effect of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in presence of HR-HPV oncoproteins on cervical carcinogenesis in vivo has not been reported. Transgenic mice expressing E6 or E7 oncoproteins (K14E6 or K14E7 mice, respectively) were used to evaluate the possible role of VAD in the development of malignant cervical lesions. The survival of the mice in VAD condition was studied, and histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical detection of molecular cancer markers such as the tumor suppressor retinoic acid receptor beta (RARb), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cleaved caspase 3, and the tumor suppressor protein p16 INK4A (inhibitor of CDK4) were performed. Our results show that K14E6/VAD mice showed moderate cervical dysplasia; notably, K14E7/VAD mice developed severe cervical dysplasia and cervical in situ carcinoma at an early age. VAD synergizes with HPV16E7 oncoprotein expression favoring cervical carcinogenesis in vivo.

Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein on dendritic cells (DCs) and CD11b+Gr1+ cells using the K14E7 transgenic mouse model. Materials and Methods. The morphology of DCs was analyzed in male mouse skin on epidermal sheets using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentages of DCs and CD11b+Gr1+ cells in different tissues and to evaluate the migration of DCs. Results. In the K14E7 mouse model, the morphology of Langerhans cells and the migratory activity of dendritic cells were abnormal. An increase in CD11b+Gr1+ cells was observed in the blood and skin of K14E7 mice, and molecules related to CD11b+Gr1+ chemoattraction (MCP1 and S100A9) were upregulated. Conclusions. These data suggest that the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein impairs the function and morphology of DCs and induces the systemic accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+ cells.

Inherited retinal dystrophies [IRDs] are a common cause of severe vision loss resulting from pathogenic genetic variants. The eye is an attractive target organ for testing clinical translational approaches in inherited diseases. This has been demonstrated by the approval of the first gene supplementation therapy to treat an autosomal recessive IRD, RPE65-linked Leber congenital amaurosis (type 2), 4 years ago. However, not all diseases are amenable for treatment using gene supplementation therapy, highlighting the need for alternative strategies to overcome the limitations of this supplementation therapeutic modality. Gene editing has become of increasing interest with the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 platform. CRISPR-Cas9 offers several advantages over previous gene editing technologies as it facilitates targeted gene editing in an efficient, specific, and modifiable manner. Progress with CRISPR-Cas9 research now means that gene editing is a feasible strategy for the treatment of IRDs. This review will focus on the background of CRISPR-Cas9 and will stress the differences between gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 and traditional gene supplementation therapy. Additionally, we will review research that has led to the first CRISPR-Cas9 trial for the treatment of CEP290-linked Leber congenital amaurosis (type 10), as well as outline future directions for CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the treatment of IRDs.