Knocking out TMEM38B in human foetal osteoblasts hFOB 1.19 by CRISPR/Cas9: A model for recessive OI type XIV.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type XIV is a rare recessive bone disorder characterized by variable degree of severity associated to osteopenia. It is caused by mutations in TMEM38B encoding for the trimeric intracellular cation channel TRIC-B, specific for potassium and ubiquitously present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. OI type XIV molecular basis is largely unknown and, due to the rarity of the disease, the availability of patients' osteoblasts is challenging. Thus, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to knock out (KO) TMEM38B in the human Foetal Osteoblast hFOB 1.19 to obtain an OI type XIV model. CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful technology to generate in vitro and in vivo models for heritable disorders. Its limited cost and ease of use make this technique widely applicable in most laboratories. Nevertheless, to fully take advantage of this approach, it is important to be aware of its strengths and limitations. Three gRNAs were used and several KO clones lacking the expression of TRIC-B were obtained. Few clones were validated as good models for the disease since they reproduce the altered ER calcium flux, collagen I structure and impaired secretion and osteoblastic markers expression detected in patients' cells. Impaired proliferation and mineralization in KO clones unveiled the relevance of TRIC-B in osteoblasts functionality.

Introduction

In nature calcium represents the third most abundant ion and it has a fundamental role in modulating cell activity by acting as second messenger for several cellular biological processes, ranging from differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, autophagy to apoptosis [1]. To enable such multiple responsive behavior, the cytosolic calcium concentration is kept extremely low through sequestration into organelle stores [2]. This allows quick and transient calcium spikes upon intracellular release mediated by voltage, or ligand dependent, calcium-permeable channel openings [3-6]. It is the rapid change in cytosolic concentration, responsible for the activation of calcium dependent proteins and/or enzymes, that mediates cellular response to external signals [7]. The main intracellular calcium store is represented by the sarcoplasmic-/ endoplasmic- reticulum (SR/ER) in excitable and non-excitable cells, respectively, and its release is guaranteed by ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol 3 phosphate receptors (IP3Rs), respectively [8]. The maintenance of SR and ER membrane potential following calcium release requires the opening of cation channels allowing the passage of counter ions from the cytosol to the SR/ER lumen [9]. The trimeric cation channels, TRICs, were identified as responsible for the transport of potassium ions across the SR/ER membranes mediating counter cations fluxes necessary for the calcium release [10]. The mammalian family of TRICs is composed by TRIC-A and TRIC-B subtypes, which are encoded by two different genes: TMEM38A and TMEM38B [11]. TRIC-A couples with RyRs and it is mainly expressed in muscle and brain, while TRIC-B synchronizes with IP3Rs and is ubiquitously expressed. Tric-a knock out mice show impaired muscle contraction [11], whereas Tric-b knock out are lethal at birth due to insufficient surfactant production and alveoli collapse [12]. Surprisingly, Tric-b mutant mice revealed a bone defect associated to reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) and impaired mineralization, with no evident muscle or neurological phenotype [13]. In 2016, Cabral et al. found TRIC-B loss-of-function in individuals diagnosed with a recessive form of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), classified as OI type XIV [14]. Individuals with mutation in TMEM38B are characterized by osteopenia, but not respiratory failure, and they show a great phenotypic variability with mild to severe bone deformities, none to frequent fractures, different degree of growth retardation and short stature [14, 15]. Other typical OI features such as dentinogenesis imperfecta, grey-blue sclerae, hearing loss and scoliosis have also extremely variable penetrance. Both murine model and patients’ osteoblasts present the expected impaired calcium flux from ER to cytosol, but the link between TRIC-B mutations and bone phenotype is still poorly defined and its elucidation will require further investigation using appropriate tools.

In vitro cell cultures represent one of the most consolidate models to study cell behavior and to dissect biochemical pathways in normal or pathological condition, independently from the external contest, which can be the tissue, the organ, or the entire organism. Primary osteoblasts, the cells of choice to investigate brittle bone diseases, such as OI type XIV, are extremely difficult to obtain from patients due to the invasiveness of bone biopsy. Furthermore, osteoblasts need to be used at very early passages to avoid their in vitro de-differentiation to fibroblast-like cells [16]. To overcome osteoblast scarcity, heterogeneity and limited lifespan, the generation of immortalized cells lines represents the favorite tool in bone research, since they do not need isolation from fresh biopsy, are easy to maintain and are characterized by relative phenotypic stability [16]. Here we used CRISPR/Cas9 to successfully generate the first in vitro osteoblast model for OI type XIV reproducing the molecular and biochemical features of patients’ cells and we demonstrated the negative effect of TRIC-B loss-of-function in osteoblast proliferation and mineralization. The technical limitation and strength of CRISPR/Cas approach in providing in vitro disease models is also discussed.

Materials and methods

Human foetal osteoblast (hFOB) cell line

The immortalized human foetal osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell line (ATCC, CRL-11372) was used to generate the TMEM38B knock out model. Cells were grown at 34°C in humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in growing medium made of Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 Ham (DMEM:F12) (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri, USA) containing 2.5 mM L-glutamine and 15 mM 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl] ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) and added with 10% bovine serum (Euroclone, Buchs, Switzerland) and 0.3 mg/ml geneticin (G418).

For the differentiation and mineralization experiments, cells were kept in DMEM media (Lonza Biosciences, Basel, Switzerland) supplemented with 100 nM dexamethasone (Sigma Aldrich), 50 μg/ml ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Fluka) and 10 mM β-glycerophosphate (Sigma Aldrich). Cells were maintained in this medium at 37° C for 4, 8, 15 or 21 days depending on the experiments.

For each experiment the not transfected human foetal osteoblasts were used as control.

Knock out in vitro model generation

Details on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of TMEM38B in hFOB are reported in ().

Western blot

Cells were plated in 6 well/plate in DMEM:F12 media and grown at 34°C to confluency. Following PBS wash, cells were lysed and sonicated in RIPA buffer (150 mM NaCl, 1% IGEPALR CA-630, 0.5% sodiumdeoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, and 50 mM Tris, pH 8) supplemented with protease inhibitors (13 mM benzamidine, 2 mM N-ethylmalemide, 5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and 2 mM NaVO3). Proteins were quantified by QuantumProtein Bicinchoninic Protein Assay Kit (Euroclone). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Sigma Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) was used as standard. Proteins extracted from WT and mutant clones were run on 6%, 7.5%, 10% and 12% (v/v) SDS-PAGE for COL1A1, ITPR1/2/3, OSX and TRIC-B, respectively and the gels were electrotransferred to a PVDF membrane (GE Healthcare, Chicago, Illinois, USA) at 100 V for 2 h in 19 mM Tris-HCl, 192 mM glycine and 20% (v/v) methanol. Membranes were then blocked with 2.5% milk for COL1A1 and with 5% (w/v) milk for the other proteins detection in TBS-Tween (20 mM Tris-HCl, 500 mM NaCl, pH 7.5 (TBS), 0.05% (v/v) Tween-20) (Sigma Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) at RT for 1 h and incubated o/n at 4°C with anti-COL1A1 (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri, USA) 1:500 in 2.5% milk, with antibody against ITPR1/2/3 isoforms (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, Texas, USA) 1:200 in 5% milk, with antibody against OSX (Invitrogen, Rockford, Illinois, USA) 1:200 in 1.5% milk or with antibody against TRIC-B (Invitrogen, Rockford, Illinois, USA) 1:500 in 2.5% milk, in TBS-T.

The anti-rabbit (1:10000 in 2% milk in TBS-T) or anti-mouse (1:2000 in 5% milk in TBS-T) secondary antibody (Cell Signaling, Danvers, Massachusetts, USA) was added for 1 h at RT. Total protein staining (Swift Membrane stain, G-Biosciences) or β-actin were used for protein loading normalization.

The signal was detected by ECL western blotting detection reagents (GE Healthcare, Chicago, Illinois, USA) and images were acquired with Image Quant LAS 4000 (GE Healthcare). Bands intensities were evaluated by densitometry, using ImageQuant TL analysis software (GE Healthcare).

[Ca2+] measurements

The resting [Ca2+]i and ER-dependent Ca2+ release were evaluated in untransfected and mutant clones loaded with the Ca2+-sensitive fluorophore, Fura-2/AM (Molecular Probes Europe BV, Leiden, The Netherlands). The Ca2+ imaging set-up and loading procedures were extensively described elsewhere [17]. Briefly, 2×105 cells were plated on 9 mm diameter cover slip (Marienfeld GmbH, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany) in a 6 well plate. Cells were incubated with 4 μM FURA-2/AM in 150 mM NaCl, 6 mM KCl, 1.5 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 10 Mm glucose and 10 mM Hepes (PSS) for 20 min at 37°C in the dark. Cells were then washed in PSS solution and analysed with a fluorescence microscope equipped with Zeiss Achroplan 40X lens. Cells were excited at 340 and 380 nm and the light emitted was revealed at 510 nm. The calibration of resting intracellular Ca2+ levels was done using Grynkiewicz, as shown in [18]. UTP (100 μM) was added for 5 min, in absence of external calcium (0 Ca2+), to stimulate calcium release from ER through the IP3R channel.

Collagen analysis

Labelling of collagen with L-[2,3,4,5-3H]-proline (PerkinElmer, Milan, Italy) was used to evaluate collagen overmodification in un-transfected, WT and mutant clones. 2.5×104 cells were plated and cultured in growing medium in 6-well plates for 24 h. Cells were then incubated for 2 h with serum-free growing medium supplemented with 100 μg/ml (+)-sodium L-ascorbate (Sigma Aldrich). Labelling with 28.57 μCi of 3H-Pro/ml was performed for 18 h in the same medium. Collagen was extracted by pepsin digestion and salt precipitation as described [19]. Collagen was resuspended in Laemmli buffer and the radioactivity [counts per minute (CPM)] was measured using a liquid scintillation analyzer (PerkinElmer TRI-CARB 2300 TR). Equal amount of 3H-labeled collagen from un-transfected, WT and KO clones was loaded on 6% urea-SDS gels in non-reducing condition. The gels were fixed in 45% methanol, 10% glacial acetic acid, incubated for 1 h with enhancer (PerkinElmer), washed in deionized water and dried. 3H gel radiographs were obtained by direct exposure of dried gels to hyperfilm (Amersham) at −80°C. The radiography films were digitalized by VersaDoc 3000 (Bio-Rad). The faster migration of the collagen bands in mutant samples was determined qualitatively in comparison to control samples loaded in the same gel. To quantify the percentage of collagen secretion, the ratio between the CPM in the media and in media plus cell layer was calculated.

Real time qPCR

RNA was extracted from cell layer after 0, 4, 8 and 21 days of differentiation using QIAzol (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) following manufacturer’s recommendation. RNA was also extracted after 1 day of differentiation with or without incubation with 50 μM 2-APB for 16 h. RNA concentration was evaluated by Nanodrop spectrophotometer (Cellbio ND-1000), and RNA quality was check by agarose gel electrophoresis. cDNA was synthesized from 500 ng of RNA using the High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription kit (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA) according to manufacturer’s protocol in a final volume of 20 μL. qPCR was performed in triplicate in a 25 μL reaction using Taqman Universal PCR Master mix (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA) and commercial TaqMan probes: Hs01047973_m1, RUNX2; Hs01866874_s1, OSTERIX/SP7; Hs01587814_g1, BGLAP; Hs00164004_m1, COL1A1, Hs99999905_m1, GAPDH using a Mx3000P (Stratagene) thermocycler and the MxPro software (Stratagene). The relative expression level of each gene was calculated using the ΔΔCt method. qPCR for ITPR1, ITPR2, ITPR3, ALP, OPN, IBSP, DMP, RANKL, OPG, G6PD and GAPDH (primers sequences are available upon request) was performed in 25 μL reaction mixtures with 12.5 μL SYBR Green Master mix (Applied Biosystems) using the QuantStudio 3 thermocycler and the QuantStudio Design & analysis software (Applied Biosystems). The relative expression level of each gene was calculated using the ΔΔCt method.

Alkaline phosphatase assay

Alkaline phosphatase activity was analyzed on un-transfected cells and KO clones at 0, 4, 8 and 15 days of differentiation using the alkaline phosphatase assay kit (Abnova, Taipei, Taiwan), following the manufacturer’s recommendation. Briefly, 2x105 cells were plated in 33 mm petri dish in DMEM media. The day after, the differentiation factors (100 nM dexamethasone, 50 μg/ml ascorbic acid 2-phosphate and 10 mM beta-glycerophosphate) were added to the media and the cells were moved to the 37°C incubator. Cells were then lysated with 0.2% Triton-X-100 and quantified with Quantum Protein kit (Euro- clone, Pero, Italy). The absorbance (405 nm) was measured using a plate reader Clario star (BMG Labtech, Ortenber, Germany) and the results were normalized to day 0.

Extracellular matrix mineralization

2×104 cells were plated in 24 well/plate in growing medium and cultured at 34°C. Two days after the medium was changed with DMEM supplemented with differentiation factors (100 nM dexamethasone, 50 μg/ml ascorbic acid 2-phosphate and 10 mmol/L beta-glycerophosphate). The medium was changed every two days for 15 days. Then, cells were fixed in 10% (v/v) formaldehyde (Sigma, St. Louis, Missouri, USA) at RT for 30 min, washed with dH2O and stained with 58 mM alizarin red s (Sigma–Aldrich) pH 4.1–4.3 for 45 min at RT in the dark. Images were acquired using a DFC480 digital camera (Leica Microsystems srl, Milan, Italy) connected to a light microscope (Dialux 20, Leica Microsystems srl, Milan, Italy).

For quantification 200 μL of 10% (v/v) acetic acid were added to each well, and the plate was incubated at room temperature for 30 min with shaking. Cells were scraped and transferred to a 1.5-mL tube. After vortexing for 30 s, the sample was heated at 85°C for 10 min, incubated on ice for 5 min, centrifuged at 20000 g for 15 min and 200 μL of the supernatant were moved in a new tube. Then 75 μL of 10% (v/v) ammonium hydroxide was added to neutralize the acid. Aliquots of the supernatant were read at 405 nm using the UVIDEC-340 double beam spectrophotometer (Jasco, Lecco, Italy).

Cell proliferation

Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Titer 96 AQueous Cell proliferation Assay (Promega, Madison, Wisconsin, USA), containing MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt] following the manufacturer’s indication. 5x103 cells were plated in 96 well/plate in complete growing medium at 34°C and 37°C. After 1, 2, 3 and 4 days of culture the medium was replaced with 100 μL of fresh medium. After 1 hour the MTS reagent was added and incubated at 34°C and 37°C for 4 hours. The absorbance was measured at 490 nm with a plate reader Clario star (BMG labtech). The values were normalized to day 1 of proliferation. Also, after 4 days of culture, the medium was replaced with 100 μL of fresh medium with or without 50 μM 2-APB plus the MTS reagent and incubated at 37°C for 4 hours and absorbance was measured at 490 nm. Technical triplicates were performed.

Statistical analysis

All values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or standard error mean (SEM), as indicated. Technical triplicates were performed for all experiments, except for ALP assay for which technical duplicates were performed. Statistical comparisons were based on Student’s T-test considering statistically significant p value < 0.05.

Results

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated TMEM38B knock out in hFOB

The most severely compromised cells in OI type XIV, whose dysfunction is causing the osteopenic phenotype, are osteoblasts [14, 15], thus to investigate the molecular basis of the disease, the generation of an in vitro model is recommended. To this purpose, the immortalized human foetal osteoblasts line hFOB 1.19 was selected. These cells have the unique property to behave as immature- and mature- osteoblasts depending on growth conditions [20]. To knock out TMEM38B in hFOB 1.19, the CRISPR/Cas9 was chosen as gene editing technique, due to its ease of use and rapidity ().

OI type XIV in vitro model generation and western blot validation.

(A) Strategy used to generate in vitro TMEM38B models by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. (1) In silico target sequence identification; (2) cloning of gRNAs in the eukaryotic expressing vectors pSpCas9(BB)-2A-GFP and pSpCas9-2A-PURO; (3) hFOB cells lipofectamine transfection; (4) evaluation of targeting specificity by T7 endonuclease I assay and targeting efficiency by GFP screening (inside blue arrow); (5) generation of single cell clonal lines by serial dilutions of the cells transfected with the pSpCas9-2A-PURO constructs; (6) clonal line screening by restriction endonuclease digestion; (7) evaluation of TRIC-B protein by western blotting; (8) clones genotyping by sequencing. (B) Western blot analyses using TRIC-B specific antibody. The absence of protein expression is evident in mutant clones obtained from transfection with gRNA-2 (A3, A6, A7, A12, A17), gRNA-3.2 (B11, B14, B17, B19) and from transfection with both guides (C5, C10). Clones identified as WT (A4) or heterozygous (A13) from restriction enzyme digestion analysis expressed the protein similarly to not-transfected control cells (C).

Since knock out is more efficiently obtained by targeting genes at the 5’ end, three RNA guides (gRNAs) were selected in this region using two freely available bioinformatic tools (). Sixtythree single clones were obtained by serial dilutions of cells transfected with gRNA-2 (N = 17) and gRNA-3.2 (N = 36), separately or with a mix of the two guides (N = 10) (). The absence of TRIC-B in the knock out (KO) clones was demonstrated by western blotting () and Sanger sequencing was carried out to determine the specific mutations on selected clones, 7 obtained from gRNA-2, 5 from gRNA-3.2 and 2 from the mix of the two. Small insertions and/or deletions (indels), responsible either for premature stop codon formation or change in amino acid sequence were identified. Of note, in 9 out of 14 sequenced clones more than two different mutant alleles were identified (), as expected based on 43% diploidy and 57% tetraploidy reported for hFOB 1.19. Even if the lack of full length TRIC-B was demonstrated, the heterogeneity of the indels does not allow to exclude that in case of in-frame transcripts, they could be translated, although quickly degraded, and thus, impair cell homeostasis. Indeed, a similar possibility cannot be excluded for some of the mutant TMEM38B alleles described so far in OI patients [14, 15, 21–26].

Electrophysiological and biochemical validation of knock out clones as model for the disease

The impairment of K+ flux through mutant TRIC-B channel was reported to compromise the Ca2+ release from the ER to the cytosol through IP3Rs in fibroblasts and osteoblasts isolated from OI type XIV patients and osteoblasts obtained from the newborn Tmem38b murine knock out model [13, 14]. Thus, ER Ca2+ mobilization was evaluated in some hFOB KO clones.

The Ca2+-sensitive fluorophore FURA-2 was used to analyse Ca2+ concentration in both un-transfected hFOB and TRIC-B KO osteoblasts. Resting steady state intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was significantly decreased in all KO clones with respect to control (). The overall ER ability to release Ca2+ in TRIC-B-deficient cells was then evaluated by exposing the cells to cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 20 μM), a selective inhibitor of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity. CPA induced a transient increase in [Ca2+]i due to passive ER Ca2+ release and reflected ER Ca2+ levels. CPA-induced ER Ca2+ mobilization was not affected by the absence of TRIC-B (). Next, we assessed the impact of TMEM38B KO on physiological ER Ca2+ release through IP3Rs. When the IP3Rs-mediated ER Ca2+ release was stimulated by the IP3-producing agonist UTP, Ca2+ exit from the ER was significantly reduced in TRIC-B KO clones compared to controls, proving the impairment of Ca2+ flux in mutant clones, as previously described both in human and mice cells lacking TRIC-B (). Since in non-excitable cells the intracellular calcium flux from the ER to the cytosol is dependent on the activity of the IP3Rs channels, encoded by ITPR1, ITPR2, ITPR3, respectively, their expression was analyzed by qPCR. A significant reduction was found for IP3R-1 and -3 (), but western blot analysis revealed no difference in protein expression () (A3 KO clone 1.12 fold differences compared to controls).

Intracellular Ca2+ concentration, ER calcium flux and collagen analysis.

(A) Resting [Ca2+]i was reduced in KO clones (A3, A6 and A12) with respect to control cells. (B) Decreased Ca2+ mobilization in TRIC-B deficient fibroblasts. UTP was used to stimulate the IP3R channel in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (0 Ca 2+). The calcium flux through IP3R was significantly reduced in mutant (A3, A6 and A12) compared to control cells. The quantitative analysis is expressed as mean ± SEM in (C). (D) The expression of the ITPR1, ITPR2, ITPR3 genes, encoding for the three isoforms of the IP3Rs channels was evaluated by qPCR revealing a significant reduction for ITPR1 and ITPR3 in the KO clone A3. (E) Western blot analyses using IP3R1/2/3 specific antibody revealed no differences in the channels protein expression. (F) Representative SDS-PAGE autoradiography of 3H-collagen type I extracted from control hFOB untrasfected cells (C), KO (A3, A12, A6 and C5) and WT (A4) clones. Collagen type I α bands show a faster electrophoretic migration in KO clones compared to untrasfected control and WT clone. *p<0.05.

To validate our KO clones as appropriate in vitro model for OI type XIV, collagen was also investigated since under post-translational modification of the protein was reported by Cabral et al in human patients’ cells [14]. 3H-proline labelled collagen type I from TRIC-B KO clones revealed a faster migration of α(I) bands respect to control supporting reduced hydroxylation and glycosylation ().

A3 KO clone proved to reproduce patients’ osteoblast phenotype

Reduced expression of early osteoblastic markers was previously described in patients’ osteoblasts, as well as in bone extract and osteoblasts from the Tric-b KO murine model [13, 15]. Thus, their expression was analyzed in few KO clones at day 0, 4 and 8 of culture in osteoblastic differentiation medium. Representative data obtained for A3 KO clone are shown from now on. The expression of RUNX2, SP7, BGLAP and COL1A1 was significantly reduced in the mutant clone compared to controls (). Similarly, a reduced expression of the early osteoblast markers was detected in control cells in which Ca2+ flux was inhibited by 2-APB, supporting the calcium dependence of osteoblast differentiation (). The expression of the late osteoblastic markers ALP, BGLAP, OPN, IBSP, DMP was also evaluated following 21 days in osteoblastic differentiation medium (). ALP expression was reduced in A3 compared to controls. BGLAP, IBSP, and DMP expression was increased, as reported for patient’ cells [15]. OPN was decreased, in agreement with the generally opposite roles of IBSP and OPN in promoting and inhibiting mineralization. Importantly, the decrease of collagen type I and osterix was also confirmed at protein level ().

Expression analysis of osteoblastogenic markers and of the RANKL/OPG ratio.

(A) RUNX2, SP7, BGLAP and COL1A1 expression was reduced in A3 mutant clone with respect to control cells at all time points analysed during hFOB differentiation. (B) ALP, BGLAP, OPN, IBSP, DMP expression was evaluated following 21 days in osteoblastic differentiation medium. ALP and OPN expression was reduced while BGLAP, IBSP and DMP expression was increased in A3 mutant clone with respect to control cells. (C) A reduced collagen I and a slightly reduced osterix expression were detected by western blot analyses in mutant clone. (D) Measurements of RANKL/OPG ratio. qPCR analysis showed an increased ratio in the mutant clone A3 at both 4 and 21 days. * p<0.05.

An increase of RANKL/OPG ratio in the mutant sample () suggested an alteration in osteoclastogenesis possibly due to an osteoblast dependent mechanism.

Impairment of TMEM38B KO cells proliferation and mineralization

Cell cycle progression is highly dependent on IP3-mediated ER Ca2+ release [27, 28] thus, the effect on cell proliferation was evaluated in the KO clones. MTT analysis was performed both at 34°C, the temperature required for optimal hFOB proliferation as immature-osteoblastic cells, and at 37°C, the temperature at which human osteoblasts’ grow.

A significant proliferation reduction was detected at all examined time points at both tested temperatures (). The incubation of control cells with 2-APB, an inhibitor of ER calcium flux, mimicked the data of mutant cells, thus supporting the dependence of osteoblasts proliferation on Ca2+ flux ().

Cell proliferation, collagen secretion and matrix mineralization analysis.

(A) Analysis of cell proliferation was performed both at 34°C and 37°C. A significant impairment of proliferation was detected in the KO clone A3 at both temperatures after 2, 3 and 4 days of culture. (B) Collagen secretion was evaluated upon cells 3H-proline labelling. A significant reduction of collagen secretion was detected in mutant clone compared to control cells. (C) The activity of ALP was significantly reduced in A3 mutant clone compared to WT at 4, 8 and 15 days of differentiation. All data were normalized to day 0. (D) The mineralization was analysed by alizarin red S staining. The mineral amount was significantly reduced in KO clones with respect to WT. *p<0.05.

To evaluate the effect of lack of TRIC-B on collagen production, the ratio of medium secreted collagen on total collagen synthesis was evaluated upon 3H-proline labelling of TRIC-B A3 KO clone. A significant reduction of collagen secreted into the medium was detected in mutant compared to control cells (). The mineralization was evaluated by measuring the ALP activity in cell lysates at 0, 4, 8 and 15 days of culture in osteoblastic differentiation medium. The KO clones showed reduced ALP activity with respect to control, supporting an impairment in mineralization (). The delay in matrix mineralization was further confirmed in KO clones by quantitation of alizarin red S staining, following 15 days of in vitro culture in differentiation medium. The KO cells revealed a significant reduction in mineral deposition with respect to controls, even if the amount of mineral increased during differentiation in both control and mutants ().

Discussion

CRISPR/Cas9 was used to generate clonal lines lacking TRIC-B to develop an in vitro model for the recessive osteogenesis imperfecta form type XIV. TRIC-B was initially identified as a membrane protein participating in cellular Ca2+ signaling and, based on homology with TRIC-A, was recognized as ER K+ channel present in most of the tissues [11]. The characterization of the Tric-b knock out mouse and the identification of loss-of-function mutations in patients affected by OI type XIV demonstrated its unexpected and relevant role in bone homeostasis. Mutant murine and patients’ cells are characterized by impaired calcium flux from ER, supporting the essential role of TRIC-B to mediate the counter cationic flux necessary to limit the ER membrane hyperpolarization [13, 14]. Nonetheless, how altered calcium flux translates into a phenotype limited to bone is still puzzling the field. Of note, Tric-b KO mice die in perinatal period due to the insufficient surfactant release in the alveoli, whereas no respiratory phenotype was described in OI type XIV patients, suggesting different compensation in human versus murine pneumocytes, and anyway limiting the use of the mouse KO model to investigate the effect of TRIC-B through development [12, 13]. Cabral et al. reported in OI type XIV patients’ cells an alteration in the expression of several calcium dependent proteins and enzymes involved in collagen folding and post translational modification including PDI, known to have a role in α(I) chain recognition as well as in proline hydroxylation, and LH1 and LH2 relevant for helical and telopeptide lysine hydroxylation. Furthermore, the structurally abnormal collagen was mainly intracellular retained and anyway not incorporated in the extracellular matrix, suggesting ER stress and matrix insufficiency as major players in the OI outcome [14]. The limited number of osteoblasts patients’ cells analyzed associated to the variability in patients’ outcome underlines the limit of using primary osteoblasts cells and the need for the newly generated TMEM38B knock out hFOB. The validation of the mutant clones was undertaken based on the phenotype previously described in patients’ cells and compared to the findings reported in Tmem38b knock out mice. In detail, ER Ca2+ mobilization, early and late osteoblastic markers expression and collagen structure were analyzed. Resting steady state intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was significantly decreased in all KO clones as previously detected in human cells and opposite to what found in mutant murine osteoblasts [13, 14]. Ca2+ exit from the ER was significantly reduced in TRIC-B KO clones compared to controls, confirming the impairment of Ca2+ flux previously described both in human and mice cells lacking TRIC-B. Most of TRIC-B KO clones revealed faster electrophoretic α(I) bands reproducing the faster electrophoretic migration of collagen I from patients’ osteoblasts and fibroblasts described by Cabral et al. and supporting a reduced level of post translational modification, associated with a decreased helical lysine hydroxylation [14]. One of the selected clones lacked the α2(I) band, likely due to an off-target effect of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting. Indeed, the risk of undesired mutations, other than the intended on-target site, is still one of the major drawbacks of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, especially when in some selected sequences the guide choice is limited [29]. For the two effective guides chosen at the 5’ end of the TMEM38B gene, gRNA-2 and gRNA-3.2, the CrisprScan predicted off-target sites with a maximum of 2 mismatches were one and none, respectively. The expression of early osteoblast markers (RUNX2, SP7, COL1A1) was significantly impaired in the mutant clone, reproducing both human and murine mutant osteoblasts findings [13, 15]. ALPL expression was reduced in A3 compared to controls, in agreement with the ALP activity data. The late markers IBSP, BGLAP and DMP were increased at day 21 of culture, as in the patient’ cells. OPN was instead decreased, in agreement with the generally opposite roles of IBSP and OPN in promoting and counteracting mineralization [30]. Importantly, the increased RANKL/OPG ratio in the mutant sample at day 4 and 21 of culture suggested that the alteration in osteoclastogenesis detected in patients could be due to an osteoblasts’ dependent mechanism as well as to an intrinsic defect. To complete the validation of TMEM38B KO in vitro model, the expression of IP3R was investigated. In patients’ osteoblasts, but not in fibroblasts, a decreased expression was reported for IP3R-1 to 16 ± 5% of control value without reduction of the protein level [14] and in TRIC-B KO clone similar findings were detected. In murine KO calvarial osteoblasts no RNA expression difference was shown for any of the isoforms [13]. Interestingly, among all clones generated only few, among which A3 was chosen as representative throughout the manuscript, pass through the validation analysis, thus underlining the relevance to have human mutant cells as comparison for the clones modified by CRISPR/Cas9 to reduce the number of clones to be screened. To know more on the role of TRIC-B in bone cells activity, proliferation, collagen secretion and extracellular matrix mineralization were investigated using the mutant hFOB OI type XIV model. The significant proliferation reduction detected in TRIC-B A3 KO clone, together with the low expression level of the early and higher expression of late osteoblastic markers, supports the low number of osteoblasts found in the patients’ bone biopsies and in the diaphysis of Tric-b KO mouse long bones [13, 15]. Of note, no difference in proliferation was detected in mutant calvarial osteoblasts from the KO mouse model [13]. The reduced collagen secretion and ALP activity in TRIC-B clone explains the reduced collagen deposition and impaired mineralization found in both membranous and endochondral bones of newborn Tric-b KO mice associated to intracellular collagen retention in the ER and the reduced collagen and mineral amount in the extracellular matrix of long term cultured mutant murine osteoblasts [13]. Altered mineralization was also described in patients’ bone biopsies [15]. Indeed, collagen I represents the most abundant protein scaffold for mineral deposition in the extracellular matrix and requires the activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) that hydrolyzes pyrophosphate providing inorganic phosphate to promote mineralization. Interestingly, reduced expression of Alp transcript was reported in mutant murine osteoblasts, contrarily to its increase observed in patients’ cells in which anyway protein activity was not evaluated.

Conclusions

The TMEM38B KO hFOBs represent the first immortalized human osteoblast model for OI type XIV and they will represent a unique tool to address the still open questions on OI disease pathophysiology: how calcium flux impairment is affecting collagen synthesis and structure; which calcium dependent signaling pathways are mostly affecting osteoblast differentiation and activity; is calcium necessary for proper collagen and/or other relevant bone proteins secretion?

The mutant cells reproduced the reduced steady state [Ca2+]i, the impairment of IP3Rs-mediated ER Ca2+ release, the reduced expression of osteoblastic markers and the reduced ITPR1 transcript found in patients osteoblasts. The impairment in cell proliferation of KO clone explains the reduced number of osteoblasts in patients’ biopsies. Interestingly, in hFOB a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity and a strong reduction in mineral deposition support the osteopenia and low bone volume described as common features in OI patients. The availability of an in vitro model will allow to dissect the molecular basis of the disease offering a valid platform for drug target discovery and preclinical screening.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Screening of hFOB transfected with the pSpCas9(BB)-2A-GFP and pSpCas9(BB)-2A-GFP-gRNA-2 vectors.

(A) Screening by GFP fluorescent microscopy analysis. Representative image of hFOB transfected with the pSpCas9(BB)-2A-GFP vector. Bright field (upper panel) and fluorescent (lower panel) images are shown. (B) Screening by T7 endonuclease assay. Representative gels indicating, in cells targeted with the guide gRNA-2, the presence of the amplicon fragments (arrow) after T7 endonuclease digestion. About 60–70% transfection efficiency and target specificity were demonstrated. MW: molecular weight; gv: digested amplicon from cells transfected with gRNA containing construct; nt: digested amplicon from not transfected cells; nd: not digested amplicon.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Mutant clonal lines screening by T7 endonuclease I assay and restriction enzyme digestions.

(A) The sequences of the gRNAs are indicated on top of the gels, the PAM sequences are in bold. Representative gels indicating the presence of the amplicon fragments (arrow) after T7 endonuclease digestion in cells targeted with gRNA-2 and gRNA-3.2. MW: molecular weight; nd: not digested amplicon, nt: digested amplicon from not transfected cells, ev: digested amplicon from cells transfected with empty vector; gv: digested amplicon from cells transfected with gRNA containing construct. (B) Scheme of the specific restriction enzymes used to discriminate among targeted and WT clones. Two restriction endonucleases recognizing the WT sequence in the region of the Cas9 cleavage were chosen for each guide to optimize the detection of the mutations inserted by non-homologous-end-join repair system. BtsXI and XcmI digestions were performed for gRNA-2 (in orange), BspHI and BccI digestion for gRNA-3.2 (in green). (C) Clonal lines screening for gRNA-2 targeting. Representative gels showing the bands after BstXI and XcmI digestions of the amplicon obtained from gRNA-2 transfected clones. Arrows indicate the bands upon enzymes cleavage. MW: molecular weight; nd: not digested amplicon. (D) Clonal lines screening for gRNA-3.2 targeting. Representative gels showing the bands after BspHI and BccI digestions of amplicon obtained from gRNA-3.2 transfected clones. Arrows indicate the bands upon enzymes cleavage. MW: molecular weight; nd: not digested amplicon.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Original uncropped scans of the western blots shown in Fig and Fig .

(A) Western blot of TRIC-B and β-Actin of the generated clones. (B) Western blot of ITPR1, 2, 3 isoforms on A3 and control clones with relative total protein staining. (C) Western blot of Collagen type I on A3 and control clones with relative total protein staining. (D) Western blot of Osterix on A3 and control clones with relative total protein staining.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Ca2+ mobilization from ER.

(A, B, C) Endogenous Ca2+ release induced by the IP3-producing autacoid UTP (100 μM) was abrogated by depletion of the ER Ca2+ store with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 20 μM).

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Validation of further TMEM38B KO hFOBs.

(A) Expression analysis of the osteoblastogenic marker RUNX2. RUNX2 expression was reduced in B17 mutant clone with respect to control cells at all time points analysed during hFOB differentiation. (B) Osteoblasts’ proliferation analyses. Proliferation was reduced in the majority of the mutant clones analysed. (C) Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis. The activity of ALP was significantly reduced in B17, B11 and B14 mutant clones compared to WT at 4, 8, 12 and 15 days of differentiation. (D) Mineralization level by ARS staining. The mineral amount was significantly reduced in the KO clone A12 with respect to WT in both differentiated and not differentiated conditions. *p<0.05.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Expression of osteoblast markers and osteoblast proliferation upon inhibition of Ca2+ flux by 2-APB.

(A) Expression of the osteoblast markers RUNX2, SP7 and COL1A1 was reduced in control cells in which Ca2+ flux was inhibited by 2-APB. (B) The incubation of control cells with 2-APB reduced osteoblasts proliferation. Data support the calcium dependence of osteoblast differentiation and proliferation.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Enzyme digestion for clones transfected with gRNA2.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Enzyme digestion for clones transfected with gRNA3.2.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

Enzyme digestion for clones transfected with both gRNA2 and gRNA3.2.

(DOCX)

Click here for additional data file.

(PDF)

Click here for additional data file.

30 Jun 2021

PONE-D-21-18710

Knocking out TMEM38B in human foetal osteoblasts hFOB 1.19 by CRISPR/Cas9: a model for recessive OI type XIV

PLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Partly

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: I Don't Know

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Reviewer #1: The Authors used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate an in vitro osteoblast model for OI type XIV, reproducing the molecular and biochemical features of patients’ cells and demonstrating the negative effect of TRIC-B loss-of-function in osteoblast proliferation and mineralization.

The manuscript is very interesting. Although this, there are some points that need to be addressed.

The authors should perform also TRIC-B Known down with siRNA and compare the results between two methodologies (CRISPR/Cas9 and siRNA). The Authors performed a serial dilution to select clones, but they did not indicate the percentage of transfection. To confirm their model, the authors must evaluate ALPL, OPN, IBSP, and DMP, late markers of osteogenesis that should increase in osteoblasts of OI type XIV (lin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jun 1;102(6):2019-2028.). Moreover, the molecular expression of bone related –markers must be confirmed by corresponding protein levels. Then, ALP and Alizarin Red S were evaluated at different times. The assays must be performed at the same times (4, 8 and 15 days). Images of ALP and Alizarin Red S must be added. The subtitle “Cell mineralization” must be changed with: “Extracellular matrix mineralization”. RANKL/OPG profile must be investigated. Discussion section is too long.

Reviewer #2: In this manuscript the Authors attempt to create a cellular model of Osteogenesis imperfecta type XIV by knocking down TRIC-B, a cationic channel specific for potassium and ubiquitously present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. To do that they applied CRISPR/Cas9 technology against TMEM38B, the gene coding for TRIC-B, in human fetal osteoblasts. The authors were able to obtain several clones were TRIC-B was knocked down and selected one clone as the one that recapitulate the disease. The work is interesting in principle, however there few concerns that need to be discussed as follows:

1. CRISPR/Cas9 technology is now quite well known and used, so I’0m not sure there a point in showing all the passages of the protocol in figure 1A.

2. It is not clear why among several clones in which TRIC-B is knocked down, the authors picked the A3, if their hypothesis work (TRIC-B impairment causes OI type XIV) all the clones (or at least few of them) must recapitulate the disease characteristics. How can we be sure that the clone A3 is not obtained just by chance? This protocol should reproducible in different labs and so the authors should show that they can have more than one clone reproducing the disease.

3. Some markers are analyzed just by real time PCR, these results must be confirmed at protein level.

4. In figure 4 C, the legend is missing and is not clear what they are evaluating. In figure 4D, “differentiation factors” is misleading, that is the absorbance of alizarin red and that should be stated clearly. Images of Alizarin red well must be shown.

5. The discussion is too long, I don’t think there is a point is discussing CRISPR/Cas9 drawback and troubleshooting.

6. The quality of English composing can be improved. The sentences are sometimes too long and difficult to comprehend.

**********

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11 Aug 2021

Dear Professor Gianpaolo Papacci,

Academic Editor of PlosOne

We are submitting the revision of the manuscript “Knocking out TMEM38B in human foetal osteoblasts hFOB 1.19 by CRISPR/Cas9: a model for recessive OI type XIV” Manuscript Number: PONE-D-21-18710 by Leoni L. et al.

A manuscript version with track changes is also provided.

We thank the Reviewers for their constructive comments, which we took into careful consideration and we believe that they contributed to improve the manuscript.

The following is a point-by-point response to the Referees comments.

REVIEWERS' COMMENTS

Reviewer #1:

-The Authors used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate an in vitro osteoblast model for OI type XIV, reproducing the molecular and biochemical features of patients’ cells and demonstrating the negative effect of TRIC-B loss-of-function in osteoblast proliferation and mineralization.

The manuscript is very interesting. Although this, there are some points that need to be addressed.

The authors should perform also TRIC-B Known down with siRNA and compare the results between two methodologies (CRISPR/Cas9 and siRNA).

We thank the Reviewer for the appreciation of our work. For what concern the TRIC-B knock down, we did not perform a gene silencing by siRNA since its transient nature would not have allowed us to evaluate the long term effects we were interested on, i.e. mineralization and late osteoblast markers expression. Nevertheless, to add further evidences to support our findings, we now provide data on other CRISPR Cas generated clones in Fig S5.

-The Authors performed a serial dilution to select clones, but they did not indicate the percentage of transfection.

The percentage of transfection was 60-70%, as indicated in Supplementary Materials- results section “using the constructs pSpCas9(BB)-2A-GFP and pSpCas9(BB)-2A-GFP-gRNA-2, a 60-70% transfection efficiency and target specificity were demonstrated (Supplementary Figure S1A, B)”. We did not perform such evaluation on the cells transfected using pSpCas9(BB)-2A-PURO since we expected similar efficiency and we did not have the fluorescence marker to use for proper quantitation.

-To confirm their model, the authors must evaluate ALPL, OPN, IBSP, and DMP, late markers of osteogenesis that should increase in osteoblasts of OI type XIV (lin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jun 1;102(6):2019-2028.). Moreover, the molecular expression of bone related –markers must be confirmed by corresponding protein levels.

As requested, we performed the analyses of the molecular expression of the suggested late osteoblastogenesis markers. ALPL expression was reduced in A3 compared to controls, in agreement with the ALP activity data. IBSP, and DMP were increased, as in the human cells. OPN was instead decreased, in agreement with the generally opposite roles of IBSP and OPN in promoting and opposing mineralization (Bouleftour W, et al. The role of the SIBLING, bone sialoprotein in skeletal biology—contribution of mouse experimental genetics. Matrix Biol. 2016;52-54:60–77). The osterix and collagen I expression profile was confirmed by western blot data. The new data were added in Figure 3 B, C and in the text.

-Then, ALP and Alizarin Red S were evaluated at different times. The assays must be performed at the same times (4, 8 and 15 days). Images of ALP and Alizarin Red S must be added.

As requested, we performed the ALP activity measurement also at day 15 and the new data are shown in Figure 4C. We also added the images of the alizarin red S mineral staining in Figure 4D.

-The subtitle “Cell mineralization” must be changed with: “Extracellular matrix mineralization”.

We revised the subtitle following the suggestion.

-RANKL/OPG profile must be investigated.

As requested, the RANKL/OPG profile was investigated by qPCR. The ratio was increased in the mutant clone at 4 and 21 days of culture, in agreement with Webb et al. data (Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Jun 1;102(6):2019-2028), suggesting an effect on osteoclastogenesis. We added the new data in Figure 3D and in the text.

-Discussion section is too long.

We agree with the Reviewer and we shortened the discussion. In particular, we removed the section focusing on Crispr/Cas9 limitation. We believe it will not compromise the message of the manuscript and it will make easier reading the discussion.

Reviewer #2:

In this manuscript the Authors attempt to create a cellular model of Osteogenesis imperfecta type XIV by knocking down TRIC-B, a cationic channel specific for potassium and ubiquitously present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. To do that they applied CRISPR/Cas9 technology against TMEM38B, the gene coding for TRIC-B, in human fetal osteoblasts. The authors were able to obtain several clones were TRIC-B was knocked down and selected one clone as the one that recapitulate the disease. The work is interesting in principle, however there few concerns that need to be discussed as follows:

1. CRISPR/Cas9 technology is now quite well known and used, so I’m not sure there a point in showing all the passages of the protocol in figure 1A.

We agree the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing is indeed a relatively common and well-known technique and indeed most of the information on mutant generation has been added as supplementary materials, nevertheless, to better follow the flow of our experiments, we believe it is useful to keep the scheme in the main text (Fig. 1A).

2. It is not clear why among several clones in which TRIC-B is knocked down, the authors picked the A3, if their hypothesis work (TRIC-B impairment causes OI type XIV) all the clones (or at least few of them) must recapitulate the disease characteristics. How can we be sure that the clone A3 is not obtained just by chance? This protocol should reproducible in different labs and so the authors should show that they can have more than one clone reproducing the disease.

We agree with the Reviewer, in order to proof the goodness of the model, more than one clone should recapitulate the human disease characteristic. Indeed, we obtained several knocked out clones for TRIC-B but, we decided starting from Figure 3 to show data only for clone A3 to avoid redundancy and large images. Nevertheless, following the Reviewer’ recommendation, we now provided further validation of our findings on different TRIC-B knock out clones in Fig S5.

3. Some markers are analyzed just by real time PCR, these results must be confirmed at protein level.

As requested also by Reviewer 1, we confirmed at the protein level the expression of some osteoblastogenic markers (osterix and collagen type I). We added the new data in Figure 3C and in the text.

4. In figure 4 C, the legend is missing and is not clear what they are evaluating. In figure 4D, “differentiation factors” is misleading, that is the absorbance of alizarin red and that should be stated clearly. Images of Alizarin red well must be shown.

We apologize for the missing/misleading legend in Figure 4 C and D. We fixed it. As requested, we added images of the alizarin red staining in Figure 4D.

5. The discussion is too long, I don’t think there is a point is discussing CRISPR/Cas9 drawback and troubleshooting.

We agree with the Reviewer and we shortened the discussion removing the CRISPR/Cas9 drawback and troubleshooting section.

6. The quality of English composing can be improved. The sentences are sometimes too long and difficult to comprehend.

As requested, the English has been revised.

Submitted filename: Response to Reviewers f.docx

Click here for additional data file.

27 Aug 2021

Knocking out TMEM38B in human foetal osteoblasts hFOB 1.19 by CRISPR/Cas9: a model for recessive OI type XIV

PONE-D-21-18710R1

Dear Dr. Forlino,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Gianpaolo Papaccio, M.D., Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

**********

2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: I Don't Know

**********

4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

**********

6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: (No Response)

Reviewer #2: The Authorsa hve addressed all the concern raised by this reviewer. The manuscript is now greatly improved.

**********

7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

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Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

17 Sep 2021

PONE-D-21-18710R1

Knocking out TMEM38B in human foetal osteoblasts hFOB 1.19 by CRISPR/Cas9: a model for recessive OI type XIV

Dear Dr. Forlino:

I'm pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been deemed suitable for publication in PLOS ONE. Congratulations! Your manuscript is now with our production department.

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PLOS ONE

Table 1

Mutations identified in gRNA-2 and gRNA-3.2 transfected clones.

Clone	Guide	DNA mutations	Protein mutations
A3	gRNA-2	c.176_177ins132	p.F59L; p.F59_G60ins44
		c.173_176delGTTT	p.C58Lfs*72
		c.174delT	p.F59Lfs*73
A5	gRNA-2	c.176_177ins140	p.G60Lfs*63
		c.177_182delTGGTGG	p.F59_G60del; p.G61L
		c.174delT	p.F59Lfs*73
A6	gRNA-2	c.171_181del11ins636	p.H57Efs*113
		c.174delT	p.F59Lfs*73
		c.171_187del17	p.C58Ffs*75
A7	gRNA-2	c.176_177insG	p.F59Lfs*81
		c.174delT	p.F59Lfs*73
A11	gRNA-2	c.173_174insT	p.G60Wfs*81
		c.174delT	p.F59Lfs*73
A12	gRNA-2	c.176_177ins219	p.F59Lfs*61
		c.180_196del17insG>A	p.G61Sfs*75
		c.174_175delTT	p.F59Wfs*80
A17	gRNA-2	c.177_178ins228	p.F59_G60ins76
		c.177_182delTGGTGG	p.F59_G60del; p.G61L
		c.173_188del16	p.F59Yfs*68
B11	gRNA-3.2	c.414_454del41	p.N139Cfs*147
		c.399_449del51	p.N134_A159del
		c.426_454del29	p.I142Mfs*151
B14	gRNA-3.2	c.435_437delAGC	p.A146del
		c.426_437del12	p.V143_A144del
B17	gRNA-3.2	c.431_434delTGAT	p.M144Kfs*156
		c.427_447del21insG>A	p.V143_W149del; p.A150T
		c.435_441del7	p.I145Mfs*155
B19	gRNA-3.2	c.432_438del7	p.M144Ifs*155
		c.438_443delTATTGG	p.I147_G148del
		c.433_437delATAGC	p.I145Yfs*159
		c.437_438insT	p.I147Yfs*162
B24	gRNA-3.2	c.436_439delGCTA	p.A146Lfs*156
		c.428_439del12	p.M144_I147del
C5	gRNA-2	c.172_182delTGGTGG	p.F59_G60del;p.G61L
		c.177delT	p.F59Lfs*73
		c.159_209del51	p.A54_A70del
	gRNA-3.2	c.408_444del38	p.Y136Lfs*148
		c.437_443del7	p.A146Dfs*155
		c.436_446del9	p.A146_G148del
		c.429_438del10	p.M144Lfs*154
		c.432_437delGATAGC	p.M144_I145del; p.A146I
C10	gRNA-2	c.177delT	p.F59Lfs*73
	gRNA-3.2	c.439_440delATins3549	p.I147Afs*156
		c.438_443delTATTGG	p.I147_G148del