The use of human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) for regenerative medicine is an attractive alternative for the treatment of genetic and degenerative diseases in which an extensive or continuous need of tissue regeneration is required. iPSCs are more easily amenable to in situ gene correction and can be expanded indefinitely retaining a pluripotent and undifferentiated state, and can therefore be used as a constant source of material for cell therapy. Development of iPSC-based therapies for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) patients represents an ideal paradigm in this scenario owing to the severe nature of the disease, the demonstration that corrected keratinocytes can have long-term tissue repopulation, and the need for large numbers of stem cells to cover the affected surface area. We have recently demonstrated that Therapeutic Reprogramming (TR) (achieved by genetic correction of RDEB patients-derived iPSC) provides a virtually unlimited source of genetically corrected autologous keratinocytes that can from multi-layered skin with restored functionality and physiological expression of Collagen VII type 1 (Sebastiano et al., 2014). While effective, one of the major bottlenecks of this approach is the many sub-cloning steps required to derive the corrected iPSC clones, with an inherent accumulation of a large number of somatic mutations and karyotype abnormalities (in agreement with a conspicuous body of evidence in the field) that could have unpredictable effects in vivo after transplantation and with serious implications about the safety of iPSC-based therapy in general. This represents a fundamental problem and a preeminent priority that needs to be addressed before translation of iPSC-based technologies to the clinic is put in place. In this proposal we are aiming at tackling this problem by proposing a novel approach to derive genetically corrected iPSCs carrying a slim number of somatic mutations. We believe our proposal will have a fundamental impact on the safety of iPSC-based therapies and will serve as a paradigm for the development of release criteria that will be used to qualify iPSC-banks for any genetic and degenerative disease.

Public Health Relevance

The proposal is relevant to protecting and improving public health because it has a high potential to positively impact the safety of induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-based clinical trials and stem cells-based personalized regenerative medicine. The project is relevant to the NIH and in particular to National( Institute( of( Arthritis( and( Musculoskeletal( and( Skin( Diseases because it aims at developing a novel and safe approach to derive and correct induced pluripotent cells from patients affected by Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AR070361-01A1
Application #
9317254
Study Section
Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Study Section (ACTS)
Program Officer
Cibotti, Ricardo
Project Start
2017-05-01
Project End
2019-01-31
Budget Start
2017-05-01
Budget End
2018-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94304