451
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Piao X, Wang H, Binzel DW, Guo P. Assessment and comparison of thermal stability of phosphorothioate-DNA, DNA, RNA, 2'-F RNA, and LNA in the context of Phi29 pRNA 3WJ. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 24:67-76. [PMID: 29051199 PMCID: PMC5733572 DOI: 10.1261/rna.063057.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The question of whether RNA is more stable or unstable compared to DNA or other nucleic acids has long been a subject of extensive scrutiny and public attention. Recently, thermodynamically stable and degradation-resistant RNA motifs have been utilized in RNA nanotechnology to build desired architectures and integrate multiple functional groups. Here we report the effects of phosphorothioate deoxyribonucleotides (PS-DNA), deoxyribonucleotides (DNA), ribonucleotides (RNA), 2'-F nucleotides (2'-F), and locked nucleic acids (LNA) on the thermal and in vivo stability of the three-way junction (3WJ) of bacteriophage phi29 motor packaging RNA. It was found that the thermal stability gradually increased following the order of PS-DNA/PS-DNA < DNA/DNA < DNA/RNA < RNA/RNA < RNA/2'-F RNA < 2'-F RNA/2'-F RNA < 2'-F RNA/LNA < LNA/LNA. This proposition is supported by studies on strand displacement and the melting of homogeneous and heterogeneous 3WJs. By simply mixing different chemically modified oligonucleotides, the thermal stability of phi29 pRNA 3WJ can be tuned to cover a wide range of melting temperatures from 21.2°C to over 95°C. The 3WJLNA was resistant to boiling temperature denaturation, urea denaturation, and 50% serum degradation. Intravenous injection of fluorescent LNA/2'-F hybrid 3WJs into mice revealed its exceptional in vivo stability and presence in urine. It is thus concluded that incorporation of LNA nucleotides, alone or in combination with 2'-F, into RNA nanoparticles derived from phi29 pRNA 3WJ can extend the half-life of the RNA nanoparticles in vivo and improve their pharmacokinetics profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijun Piao
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Medicine; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute; The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Medicine; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute; The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Daniel W Binzel
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Medicine; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute; The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- College of Medicine; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute; The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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452
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An Overview of Recent Advances and Clinical Applications of Exon Skipping and Splice Modulation for Muscular Dystrophy and Various Genetic Diseases. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1828:31-55. [PMID: 30171533 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8651-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Exon skipping is a therapeutic approach that is feasible for various genetic diseases and has been studied and developed for over two decades. This approach uses antisense oligonucleotides (AON) to modify the splicing of pre-mRNA to correct the mutation responsible for a disease, or to suppress a particular gene expression, as in allergic diseases. Antisense-mediated exon skipping is most extensively studied in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and has developed from in vitro proof-of-concept studies to clinical trials targeting various single exons such as exon 45 (casimersen), exon 53 (NS-065/NCNP-01, golodirsen), and exon 51 (eteplirsen). Eteplirsen (brand name Exondys 51), is the first approved antisense therapy for DMD in the USA, and provides a treatment option for ~14% of all DMD patients, who are amenable to exon 51 skipping. Eteplirsen is granted accelerated approval and marketing authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on the condition that additional postapproval trials show clinical benefit. Permanent exon skipping achieved at the DNA level using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology holds promise in current preclinical trials for DMD. In hopes of achieving clinical success parallel to DMD, exon skipping and splice modulation are also being studied in other muscular dystrophies, such as Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), dysferlinopathy including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), Miyoshi myopathy (MM), and distal anterior compartment myopathy (DMAT), myotonic dystrophy, and merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A). This chapter also summarizes the development of antisense-mediated exon skipping therapy in diseases such as Usher syndrome, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), and allergic diseases.
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453
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Ladju RB, Pascut D, Massi MN, Tiribelli C, Sukowati CHC. Aptamer: A potential oligonucleotide nanomedicine in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 9:2951-2961. [PMID: 29416827 PMCID: PMC5788695 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers with a high mortality rate. Late diagnosis and poor prognosis are still a major drawback since curative therapies such as liver resection and liver transplantation are effective only for an early stage HCC. Development of novel molecular targeting therapies against HCC may provide new options that will improve the efficiency of the diagnosis and the success of the therapy, thus ameliorating the life expectancy of the patients. The aptamer is an oligonucleotide nanomedicine that has high binding affinity and specificity to small and large target molecules in the intracellular and extracellular environment with agonist or antagonist function. Currently, several aptamers for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes are under development to recognize different molecules of HCC. In in vitro models, the aptamer has been shown to be able to reduce the growth of HCC cells and increase the sensitivity to conventional chemotherapies. In in vivo mouse models, aptamer could induce cell apoptosis with antitumor activity. Overall data had shown that aptamer has limited toxicity and might be safe in clinical application. This review summarizes recent information of aptamer as a potential oligonucleotide nanomedicine tool, in diagnostics, targeted therapy, and as drug delivery nano-vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rusdina Bte Ladju
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.,Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Devis Pascut
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato, AREA Science Park Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
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454
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Gilot D, Galibert MD. miRNA displacement as a promising approach for cancer therapy. Mol Cell Oncol 2017; 5:e1406432. [PMID: 29404400 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2017.1406432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
microRNA (miRNA) are critical post-transcriptional regulators and key players in diseases development. We demonstrated that non-canonical microRNA Responsive Elements (here MRE-16) could sequester miR-16, dampening miR-16 tumor suppressor function. We developed small oligonucleotides, masking specifically these unusual miR-16 binding sites, that restored miR-16 function. This constitutes a promising targeted approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gilot
- CNRS UMR 6290, IGDR, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard 35043 Rennes, France.,Université de Rennes 1, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard 35043 Rennes, France.,Equipe labellisée Fondation ARC, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard 35043 Rennes, France
| | - Marie-Dominique Galibert
- CNRS UMR 6290, IGDR, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard 35043 Rennes, France.,Université de Rennes 1, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard 35043 Rennes, France.,Equipe labellisée Fondation ARC, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard 35043 Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Génétique Somatique des Cancers, 2 Rue Henri le Guilloux, 35000 Rennes, France
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455
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Quantitative analysis of imetelstat in plasma with LC-MS/MS using solid-phase or hybridization extraction. Bioanalysis 2017; 9:1859-1872. [PMID: 29205051 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2017-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Imetelstat, a 13-mer oligonucleotide with a lipid tail is being evaluated for treating hematologic myeloid malignancies. This report describes the development of extraction and quantification methods for imetelstat. Methodology & results: Imetelstat was extracted using SPE (rat plasma) or by hybridization using a biotinylated capture probe (human plasma) and was quantified by LC-MS/MS. Calibration curves were established (0.1-50 μg/ml). Stability of imetelstat in plasma was demonstrated. Concentrations of imetelstat extracted using either of the methods and quantified with LC-MS/MS were comparable with a validated ELISA. CONCLUSION Two extraction methods (solid phase and hybridization) were developed for quantifying imetelstat in plasma using LC-MS/MS. The hybridization extraction in combination with LC-MS/MS is a novel extraction approach.
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456
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Hegarty JP, Stewart DB. Advances in therapeutic bacterial antisense biotechnology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 102:1055-1065. [PMID: 29209794 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8671-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Antisense therapeutics are a biotechnological form of antibiotic therapy using chemical analogues of short single-stranded nucleic acid sequences modified to form stable oligomers. These molecules are termed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) because their sequence is complementary, via Watson-Crick specific base pairing, to their target messenger RNA (mRNA). ASOs modify gene expression in this sequence-dependent manner by binding to its complementary mRNA and inhibiting its translation into protein through steric blockage and/or through RNase degradation of the ASO/RNA duplex. The widespread use of conventional antibiotics has led to the increasing emergence of multiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. There is an urgent need to develop alternative therapeutic strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial infections, and until recently, the use of ASOs as therapeutic agents has been essentially limited to eukaryotic cells, with ASOs as antibacterials having been largely unexplored primarily due to the poor uptake efficiency of antisense molecules by bacteria. There are conceptual advantages to bacterial antisense antibiotic therapies, including a sequence-dependent approach that allows for a rational design to multiple specific molecular targets. This review summarizes the current knowledge of antisense bacterial biotechnology and highlights the recent progress and the current obstacles in their development for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Hegarty
- College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, 500 University Drive, H137, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA, 17033-0850, USA
| | - David B Stewart
- College of Medicine, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University, 500 University Drive, H137, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA, 17033-0850, USA.
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457
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Krhac Levacic A, Morys S, Wagner E. Solid-phase supported design of carriers for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160617. [PMID: 28963371 PMCID: PMC5662914 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid molecules are important therapeutic agents in the field of antisense oligonucleotide, RNA interference, and gene therapies. Since nucleic acids are not able to cross cell membranes and enter efficiently into cells on their own, the development of efficient, safe, and precise delivery systems is the crucial challenge for development of nucleic acid therapeutics. For the delivery of nucleic acids to their intracellular site of action, either the cytosol or the nucleus, several extracellular and intracellular barriers have to be overcome. Multifunctional carriers may handle the different special requirements of each barrier. The complexity of such macromolecules however poses a new hurdle in medical translation, which is the chemical production in reproducible and well-defined form. Solid-phase assisted synthesis (SPS) presents a solution for this challenge. The current review provides an overview on the design and SPS of precise sequence-defined synthetic carriers for nucleic acid cargos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Krhac Levacic
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Morys
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Center for System-Based Drug Research, and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
- Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstrasse 4, D-80799 Munich, Germany
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458
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Murtola M, Ghidini A, Virta P, Strömberg R. Zinc Ion-Dependent Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based Artificial Enzyme that Cleaves RNA-Bulge Size and Sequence Dependence. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22111856. [PMID: 29109368 PMCID: PMC6150328 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this report, we investigate the efficiency and selectivity of a Zn2+-dependent peptide nucleic acid-based artificial ribonuclease (PNAzyme) that cleaves RNA target sequences. The target RNAs are varied to form different sizes (3 and 4 nucleotides, nt) and sequences in the bulge formed upon binding to the PNAzyme. PNAzyme-promoted cleavage of the target RNAs was observed and variation of the substrate showed a clear dependence on the sequence and size of the bulge. For targets that form 4-nt bulges, we identified systems with an improved efficacy (an estimated half-life of ca 7–8 h as compared to 11–12 h for sequences studied earlier) as well as systems with an improved site selectivity (up to over 70% cleavage at a single site as compared to 50–60% with previous targets sequences). For targets forming 3-nt bulges, the enhancement compared to previous systems was even more pronounced. Compared to a starting point of targets forming 3-nt AAA bulges (half-lives of ca 21–24 h), we could identify target sequences that were cleaved with half-lives three times lower (ca 7–8 h), i.e., at rates similar to those found for the fastest 4-nt bulge system. In addition, with the 3-nt bulge RNA target site selectivity was improved even further to reach well over 80% cleavage at a specific site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merita Murtola
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Alice Ghidini
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland.
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 83 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
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459
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El Zahar NM, Magdy N, El-Kosasy AM, Bartlett MG. Chromatographic approaches for the characterization and quality control of therapeutic oligonucleotide impurities. Biomed Chromatogr 2017; 32. [PMID: 28869310 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorothioate (PS) oligonucleotides are a rapidly rising class of drugs with significant therapeutic applications. However, owing to their complex structure and multistep synthesis and purification processes, generation of low-level impurities and degradation products are common. Therefore, they require significant investment in quality control and impurity identification. This requires the development of advanced methods for analysis, characterization and quantitation. In addition, the presence of the PS linkage leads to the formation of chiral centers which can affect their biological properties and therapeutic efficiency. In this review, the different types of oligonucleotide impurities and degradation products, with an emphasis on their origin, mechanism of formation and methods to reduce, prevent or even eliminate their production, will be extensively discussed. This review will focus mainly on the application of chromatographic techniques to determine these impurities but will also discuss other approaches such as mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, the chirality and formation of diastereomer mixtures of PS oligonucleotides will be covered as well as approaches used for their characterization and the application for the development of stereochemically-controlled PS oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M El Zahar
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - N Magdy
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A M El-Kosasy
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Michael G Bartlett
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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460
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Armstrong RN, Steeples V, Singh S, Sanchi A, Boultwood J, Pellagatti A. Splicing factor mutations in the myelodysplastic syndromes: target genes and therapeutic approaches. Adv Biol Regul 2017; 67:13-29. [PMID: 28986033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in splicing factor genes (SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1 and ZRSR2) are frequently found in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), suggesting that aberrant spliceosome function plays a key role in the pathogenesis of MDS. Splicing factor mutations have been shown to result in aberrant splicing of many downstream target genes. Recent functional studies have begun to characterize the splicing dysfunction in MDS, identifying some key aberrantly spliced genes that are implicated in disease pathophysiology. These findings have led to the development of therapeutic strategies using splicing-modulating agents and rapid progress is being made in this field. Splicing inhibitors are promising agents that exploit the preferential sensitivity of splicing factor-mutant cells to these compounds. Here, we review the known target genes associated with splicing factor mutations in MDS, and discuss the potential of splicing-modulating therapies for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard N Armstrong
- Bloodwise Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK
| | - Violetta Steeples
- Bloodwise Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK
| | - Shalini Singh
- Bloodwise Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Sanchi
- Bloodwise Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacqueline Boultwood
- Bloodwise Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK.
| | - Andrea Pellagatti
- Bloodwise Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK.
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461
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Chen L, Watson C, Morsch M, Cole NJ, Chung RS, Saunders DN, Yerbury JJ, Vine KL. Improving the Delivery of SOD1 Antisense Oligonucleotides to Motor Neurons Using Calcium Phosphate-Lipid Nanoparticles. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:476. [PMID: 28912673 PMCID: PMC5582160 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting the upper and lower motor neurons in the motor cortex and spinal cord. Abnormal accumulation of mutant superoxide dismutase I (SOD1) in motor neurons is a pathological hallmark of some forms of the disease. We have shown that the orderly progression of the disease may be explained by misfolded SOD1 cell-to-cell propagation, which is reliant upon its active endogenous synthesis. Reducing the levels of SOD1 is therefore a promising therapeutic approach. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) can efficiently silence proteins with gain-of-function mutations. However, naked ASOs have a short circulation half-life and are unable to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) warranting the use of a drug carrier for effective delivery. In this study, calcium phosphate lipid coated nanoparticles (CaP-lipid NPs) were developed for delivery of SOD1 ASO to motor neurons. The most promising nanoparticle formulation (Ca/P ratio of 100:1), had a uniform spherical core-shell morphology with an average size of 30 nm, and surface charge (ζ-potential) of -4.86 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of ASO was 48% and stability studies found the particle to be stable over a period of 20 days. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the negatively charged ASO-loaded CaP-lipid NPs could effectively deliver SOD1-targeted ASO into a mouse motor neuron-like cell line (NSC-34) through endocytosis and significantly down-regulated SOD1 expression in HEK293 cells. The CaP-lipid NPs exhibited a pH-dependant dissociation, suggesting that that the acidification of lysosomes is the likely mechanism responsible for facilitating intracellular ASO release. To demonstrate tissue specific delivery and localization of these NPs we performed in vivo microinjections into zebrafish. Successful delivery of these NPs was confirmed for the zebrafish brain, the blood stream, and the spinal cord. These results suggest that CaP-lipid NPs could be an effective and safe delivery system for the improved delivery of SOD1 ASOs to motor neurons. Further in vivo evaluation in transgenic mouse models of SOD1 ALS are therefore warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyu Chen
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research InstituteWollongong, NSW, Australia
- Science Medicine and Health Faculty, Centre for Medical and Molecular Bioscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Clare Watson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research InstituteWollongong, NSW, Australia
- Science Medicine and Health Faculty, Centre for Medical and Molecular Bioscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Marco Morsch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Cole
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger S. Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Darren N. Saunders
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Science Medicine and Health Faculty, Centre for Medical and Molecular Bioscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Kara L. Vine
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research InstituteWollongong, NSW, Australia
- Science Medicine and Health Faculty, Centre for Medical and Molecular Bioscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
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462
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Selective Therapeutic Intervention: A Challenge against Off-Target Effects. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:671-674. [PMID: 28732687 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite the massive global spend on biology-driven drug discovery, tackling the issue of side effects and adverse events resulting from drug promiscuity represents a persistent challenge. Although delivering authentic medical innovations today is more complex than ever, minimization of off-target effects should be a priority.
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463
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Moghimi SM, Wagner E. Nanoparticle Technology: Having Impact, but Needing Further Optimization. Mol Ther 2017. [PMID: 28625572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Moein Moghimi
- School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Queen's Campus, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BH, UK.
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany; Nanosystems Initiative Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany.
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464
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Lulli M, Cammalleri M, Granucci I, Witort E, Bono S, Di Gesualdo F, Lupia A, Loffredo R, Casini G, Dal Monte M, Capaccioli S. In vitro and in vivo inhibition of proangiogenic retinal phenotype by an antisense oligonucleotide downregulating uPAR expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 490:977-983. [PMID: 28666875 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.06.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Neoangiogenesis is the main pathogenic event involved in a variety of retinal diseases. It has been recently demonstrated that inhibiting the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) results in reduced angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), establishing uPAR as a therapeutic target in proliferative retinopathies. Here, we evaluated in cultured human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) and in OIR mice the potential of a specific antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ASO) in blocking the synthesis of uPAR and in providing antiangiogenic effects. uPAR expression in HRECs was inhibited by lipofection with the phosphorotioated 5'-CGGCGGGTGACCCATGTG-3' ASO-uPAR, complementary to the initial translation site of uPAR mRNA. Inhibition of uPAR expression via ASO-uPAR was evaluated in HRECs by analyzing VEGF-induced tube formation and migration. In addition, the well-established and reproducible murine OIR model was used to induce retinal neovascularization in vivo. OIR mice were injected intraperitoneally with ASO-uPAR and retinopathy was evaluated considering the extent of the avascular area in the central retina and neovascular tuft formation. The ASO-uPAR specifically decreased uPAR mRNA and protein levels in HRECs and mitigated VEGF-induced tube formation and cell migration. Noteworthy, in OIR mice ASO-uPAR administration reduced both the avascular area and the formation of neovascular tufts. In conclusion, although the extrapolation of these experimental findings to the clinic is not straightforward, ASO-uPAR may be considered a potential therapeutic tool for treatment of proliferative retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Lulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Cammalleri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Granucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Ewa Witort
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Bono
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Federico Di Gesualdo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Antonella Lupia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Rosa Loffredo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Casini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Dal Monte
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sergio Capaccioli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy.
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465
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Inhibiting Translation One Protein at a Time. Trends Biochem Sci 2017; 42:412-413. [PMID: 28522328 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Historically, translational inhibitors have been confined to anti-bacterials that globally affect translation. Lintner et al. demonstrate that small molecules can specifically inhibit translation of a single disease-associated protein by stalling the ribosome's nascent chain [1], opening up a new therapeutic strategy for 'undruggable' proteins.
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466
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Ahmed M. Peptides, polypeptides and peptide–polymer hybrids as nucleic acid carriers. Biomater Sci 2017; 5:2188-2211. [DOI: 10.1039/c7bm00584a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Peptide, polypeptide and polymer–peptide hybrid based nucleic acid therapeutics (NAT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marya Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry & School of Sustainable Design and Engineering
- University of Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown
- Canada
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