Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos

Abstract Background Recent technological development allows nearly complete replacement of the cytoplasm of egg/embryo, eliminating the transmission of undesired defective mitochondria (mutated mitochondrial DNA: mtDNA) for patients with inherited mitochondrial diseases, which is called mitochondria...

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Main Authors: Masahito Tachibana, Takashi Kuno, Nobuo Yaegashi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-10-01
Series:Reproductive Medicine and Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12230
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author Masahito Tachibana
Takashi Kuno
Nobuo Yaegashi
author_facet Masahito Tachibana
Takashi Kuno
Nobuo Yaegashi
author_sort Masahito Tachibana
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Recent technological development allows nearly complete replacement of the cytoplasm of egg/embryo, eliminating the transmission of undesired defective mitochondria (mutated mitochondrial DNA: mtDNA) for patients with inherited mitochondrial diseases, which is called mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT). Methods We review and summarize the mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial diseases, the research milestones and future research agenda of MRT and also discuss MRT‐derived potential application in common assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment for subfertile patients. Main findings Emerging techniques, involving maternal spindle transfer (MST) and pronuclear transfer (PNT), have demonstrated in preventing carryover of the unbidden (mutated) mtDNA in egg or in early embryos. The House of Parliament in the United Kingdom passed regulations permitting the use of MST and PNT in 2015. Furthermore, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to granted licenses world first use of those techniques in March 2017. However, recent evidence demonstrated gradual loss of donor mtDNA and reversal to the nuclear DNA‐matched haplotype in MRT derivatives. Conclusion While further studies are needed to clarify mitochondrial biogenesis responsible for reversion, ruling in United Kingdom may shift the current worldwide consensus that prohibits gene modification in human gametes or embryos, toward allowing the correction of altered genes in germline.
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spelling doaj.art-212ac66cc867411981732a8baed9efb52022-12-22T03:41:24ZengWileyReproductive Medicine and Biology1445-57811447-05782018-10-0117442143310.1002/rmb2.12230Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryosMasahito Tachibana0Takashi Kuno1Nobuo Yaegashi2Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Tohoku University School of Medicine Sendai JapanDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology Tohoku University School of Medicine Sendai JapanDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology Tohoku University School of Medicine Sendai JapanAbstract Background Recent technological development allows nearly complete replacement of the cytoplasm of egg/embryo, eliminating the transmission of undesired defective mitochondria (mutated mitochondrial DNA: mtDNA) for patients with inherited mitochondrial diseases, which is called mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT). Methods We review and summarize the mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial diseases, the research milestones and future research agenda of MRT and also discuss MRT‐derived potential application in common assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment for subfertile patients. Main findings Emerging techniques, involving maternal spindle transfer (MST) and pronuclear transfer (PNT), have demonstrated in preventing carryover of the unbidden (mutated) mtDNA in egg or in early embryos. The House of Parliament in the United Kingdom passed regulations permitting the use of MST and PNT in 2015. Furthermore, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to granted licenses world first use of those techniques in March 2017. However, recent evidence demonstrated gradual loss of donor mtDNA and reversal to the nuclear DNA‐matched haplotype in MRT derivatives. Conclusion While further studies are needed to clarify mitochondrial biogenesis responsible for reversion, ruling in United Kingdom may shift the current worldwide consensus that prohibits gene modification in human gametes or embryos, toward allowing the correction of altered genes in germline.https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12230germ line gene therapymaternal spindle transfer (MST)mitochondrial bottleneck effectmitochondrial diseasesmitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT)
spellingShingle Masahito Tachibana
Takashi Kuno
Nobuo Yaegashi
Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
Reproductive Medicine and Biology
germ line gene therapy
maternal spindle transfer (MST)
mitochondrial bottleneck effect
mitochondrial diseases
mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT)
title Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
title_full Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
title_fullStr Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
title_full_unstemmed Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
title_short Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
title_sort mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology a paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
topic germ line gene therapy
maternal spindle transfer (MST)
mitochondrial bottleneck effect
mitochondrial diseases
mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT)
url https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12230
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