101
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Farina JM, Pereyra M, Mahmoud AK, Chao CJ, Barry T, Halli Demeter SM, Ayoub C, Arsanjani R. Current Management and Future Perspectives in the Treatment of Lp(a) with a Focus on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:919. [PMID: 37513831 PMCID: PMC10385436 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a lipid molecule with atherogenic, inflammatory, thrombotic, and antifibrinolytic effects, whose concentrations are predominantly genetically determined. The association between Lp(a) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been well-established in numerous studies, and the ability to measure Lp(a) levels is widely available in the community. As such, there has been increasing interest in Lp(a) as a therapeutic target for the prevention of CVD. The impact of the currently available lipid-modifying agents on Lp(a) is modest and heterogeneous, except for the monoclonal antibody proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i), which demonstrated a significant reduction in Lp(a) levels. However, the absolute reduction in Lp(a) to significantly decrease CVD outcomes has not been definitely established, and the magnitude of the effect of PCSK9i seems insufficient to directly reduce the Lp(a)-related CVD risk. Therefore, emerging therapies are being developed that specifically aim to lower Lp(a) levels and the risk of CVD, including RNA interference (RNAi) agents, which have the capacity for temporary and reversible downregulation of gene expression. This review article aims to summarize the effects of Lp(a) on CVD and to evaluate the available evidence on established and emerging therapies targeting Lp(a) levels, focusing on the potential reduction of CVD risk attributable to Lp(a) concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Farina
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Milagros Pereyra
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Ahmed K Mahmoud
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Chieh-Ju Chao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Timothy Barry
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Susan M Halli Demeter
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Chadi Ayoub
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Reza Arsanjani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
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102
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Byrnes AE, Dominguez SL, Yen CW, Laufer BI, Foreman O, Reichelt M, Lin H, Sagolla M, Hötzel K, Ngu H, Soendergaard C, Estevez A, Lin HC, Goyon A, Bian J, Lin J, Hinz FI, Friedman BA, Easton A, Hoogenraad CC. Lipid nanoparticle delivery limits antisense oligonucleotide activity and cellular distribution in the brain after intracerebroventricular injection. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:773-793. [PMID: 37346977 PMCID: PMC10280097 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics are being investigated for a broad range of neurological diseases. While ASOs have been effective in the clinic, improving productive ASO internalization into target cells remains a key area of focus in the field. Here, we investigated how the delivery of ASO-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) affects ASO activity, subcellular trafficking, and distribution in the brain. We show that ASO-LNPs increase ASO activity up to 100-fold in cultured primary brain cells as compared to non-encapsulated ASO. However, in contrast to the widespread ASO uptake and activity observed following free ASO delivery in vivo, LNP-delivered ASOs did not downregulate mRNA levels throughout the brain after intracerebroventricular injection. This lack of activity was likely due to ASO accumulation in cells lining the ventricles and blood vessels. Furthermore, we reveal a formulation-dependent activation of the immune system post dosing, suggesting that LNP encapsulation cannot mask cellular ASO backbone-mediated toxicities. Together, these data provide insights into how LNP encapsulation affects ASO distribution as well as activity in the brain, and a foundation that enables future optimization of brain-targeting ASO-LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Byrnes
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sara L. Dominguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chun-Wan Yen
- Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Benjamin I. Laufer
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Department of OMNI Bioinformatics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Oded Foreman
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Mike Reichelt
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Han Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Meredith Sagolla
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Kathy Hötzel
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hai Ngu
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Christoffer Soendergaard
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Alberto Estevez
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hsiu-Chao Lin
- Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Alexandre Goyon
- Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Juan Bian
- Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jessica Lin
- Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Flora I. Hinz
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Brad A. Friedman
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Department of OMNI Bioinformatics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Amy Easton
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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103
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Genna V, Iglesias-Fernández J, Reyes-Fraile L, Villegas N, Guckian K, Seth P, Wan B, Cabrero C, Terrazas M, Brun-Heath I, González C, Sciabola S, Villalobos A, Orozco M. Controlled sulfur-based engineering confers mouldability to phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:4713-4725. [PMID: 37099382 PMCID: PMC10250214 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorothioates (PS) have proven their effectiveness in the area of therapeutic oligonucleotides with applications spanning from cancer treatment to neurodegenerative disorders. Initially, PS substitution was introduced for the antisense oligonucleotides (PS ASOs) because it confers an increased nuclease resistance meanwhile ameliorates cellular uptake and in-vivo bioavailability. Thus, PS oligonucleotides have been elevated to a fundamental asset in the realm of gene silencing therapeutic methodologies. But, despite their wide use, little is known on the possibly different structural changes PS-substitutions may provoke in DNA·RNA hybrids. Additionally, scarce information and significant controversy exists on the role of phosphorothioate chirality in modulating PS properties. Here, through comprehensive computational investigations and experimental measurements, we shed light on the impact of PS chirality in DNA-based antisense oligonucleotides; how the different phosphorothioate diastereomers impact DNA topology, stability and flexibility to ultimately disclose pro-Sp S and pro-Rp S roles at the catalytic core of DNA Exonuclease and Human Ribonuclease H; two major obstacles in ASOs-based therapies. Altogether, our results provide full-atom and mechanistic insights on the structural aberrations PS-substitutions provoke and explain the origin of nuclease resistance PS-linkages confer to DNA·RNA hybrids; crucial information to improve current ASOs-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Genna
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- NBD | Nostrum Biodiscovery, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | - Laura Reyes-Fraile
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Nuria Villegas
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | - Punit Seth
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Brad Wan
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Cristina Cabrero
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, C/ Serrano 119, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | - Montserrat Terrazas
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry, IBUB, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabelle Brun-Heath
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Carlos González
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, C/ Serrano 119, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | | | | | - Modesto Orozco
- Mechanisms of Diseases, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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104
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Huang LA, Lin C, Yang L. Plumbing mysterious RNAs in "dark genome" for the conquest of human diseases. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1577-1595. [PMID: 37165619 PMCID: PMC10278048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing has revealed that less than 2% of transcribed genes are translated into proteins, with a large portion transcribed into noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Among these, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent the largest group and are pervasively transcribed throughout the genome. Dysfunctions in lncRNAs have been found in various diseases, highlighting their potential as therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic targets. However, challenges, such as unknown molecular mechanisms and nonspecific immune responses, and issues of drug specificity and delivery present obstacles in translating lncRNAs into clinical applications. In this review, we summarize recent publications that have explored lncRNA functions in human diseases. We also discuss challenges and future directions for developing lncRNA treatments, aiming to bridge the gap between functional studies and clinical potential and inspire further exploration in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chunru Lin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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105
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Nakevska Z, Yokota T. Challenges and future perspective of antisense therapy for spinal muscular atrophy: A review. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151326. [PMID: 37295266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the most common genetic cause of infantile death, is caused by a mutation in the survival of motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1), leading to the death of motor neurons and progressive muscle weakness. SMN1 normally produces an essential protein called SMN. Although humans possess a paralogous gene called SMN2, ∼90% of the SMN it produces is non-functional. This is due to a mutation in SMN2 that causes the skipping of a required exon during splicing of the pre-mRNA. The first treatment for SMA, nusinersen (brand name Spinraza), was approved by the FDA in 2016 and by the EMU in 2017. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide-based therapy that alters the splicing of SMN2 to make functional full-length SMN protein. Despite the recent advancements in antisense oligonucleotide therapy and SMA treatment development, nusinersen is faced with a multitude of challenges, such as intracellular and systemic delivery. In recent years, the use of peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) in antisense therapy has gained interest. These are antisense oligonucleotides conjugated to cell-penetrating peptides such as Pips and DG9, and they have the potential to address the challenges associated with delivery. This review focuses on the historic milestones, development, current challenges, and future perspectives of antisense therapy for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Nakevska
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave., Edmonton AB T6G 2E1, Canada.
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave., Edmonton AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave., Edmonton AB T6G 2E1, Canada; The Friends of Garret Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, 8812 112 St., Edmonton AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
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106
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Moreno-Gonzalez MA, Ortega-Rivera OA, Steinmetz NF. Two decades of vaccine development against atherosclerosis. NANO TODAY 2023; 50:101822. [PMID: 37860053 PMCID: PMC10586238 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2023.101822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the development of fatty plaques in the arterial walls, ultimately increasing the risk of thrombosis, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The immune response in this complex disease is both atheroprotective and pro-atherogenic, involving both innate and adaptive immunity. Current treatments include the adjustment of lifestyle factors, cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins, and immunotherapy, whereas vaccine development has received comparatively little attention. In this review, we discuss the potential of antigen-specific vaccination as a preventative approach based on more than 20 years of research and innovation. Vaccination targets include proteins that are more abundant in atherosclerotic patients, such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein B-100, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 serine protease (PCSK9), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and heat shock proteins HSP60 and HSP65. Immunization with such proteins or their peptide epitopes has been shown to induce T-cell activation, produce antigen-specific antibodies, reduce the size of atherosclerotic lesions, and/or reduce serum cholesterol levels. Vaccination against atherosclerosis therefore offers a new strategy to address the burden on healthcare systems caused by cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Moreno-Gonzalez
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Oscar A. Ortega-Rivera
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
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107
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Singh J, Goodman-Vincent E, Santosh P. Evidence Synthesis of Gene Therapy and Gene Editing from Different Disorders-Implications for Individuals with Rett Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109023. [PMID: 37240368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review and thematic analysis critically evaluated gene therapy trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, haemoglobinopathies, immunodeficiencies, leukodystrophies, lysosomal storage disorders and retinal dystrophies and extrapolated the key clinical findings to individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT). The PRISMA guidelines were used to search six databases during the last decade, followed by a thematic analysis to identify the emerging themes. Thematic analysis across the different disorders revealed four themes: (I) Therapeutic time window of gene therapy; (II) Administration and dosing strategies for gene therapy; (III) Methods of gene therapeutics and (IV) Future areas of clinical interest. Our synthesis of information has further enriched the current clinical evidence base and can assist in optimising gene therapy and gene editing studies in individuals with RTT, but it would also benefit when applied to other disorders. The findings suggest that gene therapies have better outcomes when the brain is not the primary target. Across different disorders, early intervention appears to be more critical, and targeting the pre-symptomatic stage might prevent symptom pathology. Intervention at later stages of disease progression may benefit by helping to clinically stabilise patients and preventing disease-related symptoms from worsening. If gene therapy or editing has the desired outcome, older patients would need concerted rehabilitation efforts to reverse their impairments. The timing of intervention and the administration route would be critical parameters for successful outcomes of gene therapy/editing trials in individuals with RTT. Current approaches also need to overcome the challenges of MeCP2 dosing, genotoxicity, transduction efficiencies and biodistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatinder Singh
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases (CIPPRD), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology (CIPP) Rett Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Ella Goodman-Vincent
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases (CIPPRD), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology (CIPP) Rett Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Paramala Santosh
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases (CIPPRD), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology (CIPP) Rett Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AZ, UK
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108
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Gupta R, Salave S, Rana D, Karunakaran B, Butreddy A, Benival D, Kommineni N. Versatility of Liposomes for Antisense Oligonucleotide Delivery: A Special Focus on Various Therapeutic Areas. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051435. [PMID: 37242677 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics, specifically antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), can effectively modulate gene expression and protein function, leading to long-lasting curative effects. The hydrophilic nature and large size of oligonucleotides present translational challenges, which have led to the exploration of various chemical modifications and delivery systems. The present review provides insights into the potential role of liposomes as a drug delivery system for ASOs. The potential benefits of liposomes as an ASO carrier, along with their method of preparation, characterization, routes of administration, and stability aspects, have been thoroughly discussed. A novel perspective in terms of therapeutic applications of liposomal ASO delivery in several diseases such as cancer, respiratory disease, ophthalmic delivery, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disease, neuronal disorders, hematological malignancies, myotonic dystrophy, and neuronal disorders remains the major highlights of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav Gupta
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad 382355, India
| | - Sagar Salave
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad 382355, India
| | - Dhwani Rana
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad 382355, India
| | - Bharathi Karunakaran
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad 382355, India
| | - Arun Butreddy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA
| | - Derajram Benival
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad 382355, India
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109
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Pornnoppadol G, Bond LG, Lucas MJ, Zupancic JM, Kuo YH, Zhang B, Greineder CF, Tessier PM. Bispecific antibody shuttles targeting CD98hc mediate efficient and long-lived brain delivery of IgGs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.29.538811. [PMID: 37162883 PMCID: PMC10168297 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.29.538811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The inability of antibodies and other biologics to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key limitation to their use in diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic applications. One promising strategy is to deliver IgGs using a bispecific BBB shuttle, which involves fusing an IgG with a second affinity ligand that engages a cerebrovascular endothelial target and facilitates transport across the BBB. Nearly all prior efforts have focused on the transferrin receptor (TfR-1) as the prototypical endothelial target despite inherent delivery and safety challenges. Here we report bispecific antibody shuttles that engage CD98hc (also known as 4F2 and SLC3A2), the heavy chain of the large neutral amino acid transporter (LAT1), and efficiently transport IgGs into the brain parenchyma. Notably, CD98hc shuttles lead to much longer-lived brain retention of IgGs than TfR-1 shuttles while enabling more specific brain targeting due to limited CD98hc engagement in the brain parenchyma. We demonstrate the broad utility of the CD98hc shuttles by reformatting three existing IgGs as CD98hc bispecific shuttles and delivering them to the mouse brain parenchyma that either agonize a neuronal receptor (TrkB) or target other endogenous antigens on specific types of brain cells (neurons and astrocytes).
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110
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Anwar S, Mir F, Yokota T. Enhancing the Effectiveness of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Using Cell-Penetrating Peptide Conjugation, Chemical Modification, and Carrier-Based Delivery Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041130. [PMID: 37111616 PMCID: PMC10140998 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based therapies are a promising approach for treating a wide range of hard-to-treat diseases, particularly genetic and rare diseases. These therapies involve the use of short synthetic sequences of DNA or RNA that can modulate gene expression or inhibit proteins through various mechanisms. Despite the potential of these therapies, a significant barrier to their widespread use is the difficulty in ensuring their uptake by target cells/tissues. Strategies to overcome this challenge include cell-penetrating peptide conjugation, chemical modification, nanoparticle formulation, and the use of endogenous vesicles, spherical nucleic acids, and smart material-based delivery vehicles. This article provides an overview of these strategies and their potential for the efficient delivery of oligonucleotide drugs, as well as the safety and toxicity considerations, regulatory requirements, and challenges in translating these therapies from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Anwar
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Farin Mir
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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111
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Ovsepian SV, Waxman SG. Gene therapy for chronic pain: emerging opportunities in target-rich peripheral nociceptors. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:252-265. [PMID: 36658346 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00673-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
With sweeping advances in precision delivery systems and manipulation of the genomes and transcriptomes of various cell types, medical biotechnology offers unprecedented selectivity for and control of a wide variety of biological processes, forging new opportunities for therapeutic interventions. This perspective summarizes state-of-the-art gene therapies enabled by recent innovations, with an emphasis on the expanding universe of molecular targets that govern the activity and function of primary sensory neurons and which might be exploited to effectively treat chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saak V Ovsepian
- School of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, UK.
| | - Stephen G Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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112
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Lorenzo DN, Edwards RJ, Slavutsky AL. Spectrins: molecular organizers and targets of neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:195-212. [PMID: 36697767 PMCID: PMC10598481 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Spectrins are cytoskeletal proteins that are expressed ubiquitously in the mammalian nervous system. Pathogenic variants in SPTAN1, SPTBN1, SPTBN2 and SPTBN4, four of the six genes encoding neuronal spectrins, cause neurological disorders. Despite their structural similarity and shared role as molecular organizers at the cell membrane, spectrins vary in expression, subcellular localization and specialization in neurons, and this variation partly underlies non-overlapping disease presentations across spectrinopathies. Here, we summarize recent progress in discerning the local and long-range organization and diverse functions of neuronal spectrins. We provide an overview of functional studies using mouse models, which, together with growing human genetic and clinical data, are helping to illuminate the aetiology of neurological spectrinopathies. These approaches are all critical on the path to plausible therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaris N Lorenzo
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Reginald J Edwards
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anastasia L Slavutsky
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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113
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Valenzuela A, Ayuso M, Buyssens L, Bars C, Van Ginneken C, Tessier Y, Van Cruchten S. Platelet Activation by Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) in the Göttingen Minipig, including an Evaluation of Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) Ontogeny. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041112. [PMID: 37111598 PMCID: PMC10143489 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) is a therapeutic modality that enables selective modulation of undruggable protein targets. However, dose- and sequence-dependent platelet count reductions have been reported in nonclinical studies and clinical trials. The adult Göttingen minipig is an acknowledged nonclinical model for ASO safety testing, and the juvenile Göttingen minipig has been recently proposed for the safety testing of pediatric medicines. This study assessed the effects of various ASO sequences and modifications on Göttingen minipig platelets using in vitro platelet activation and aggregometry assays. The underlying mechanism was investigated further to characterize this animal model for ASO safety testing. In addition, the protein abundance of glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) was investigated in the adult and juvenile minipigs. Our data on direct platelet activation and aggregation by ASOs in adult minipigs are remarkably comparable to human data. Additionally, PS ASOs bind to platelet collagen receptor GPVI and directly activate minipig platelets in vitro, mirroring the findings in human blood samples. This further corroborates the use of the Göttingen minipig for ASO safety testing. Moreover, the differential abundance of GPVI and PF4 in minipigs provides insight into the influence of ontogeny in potential ASO-induced thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients.
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114
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Sell MC, Ramlogan-Steel CA, Steel JC, Dhungel BP. MicroRNAs in cancer metastasis: biological and therapeutic implications. Expert Rev Mol Med 2023; 25:e14. [PMID: 36927814 PMCID: PMC10407223 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2023.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. The seeding of primary tumours at a secondary site is a highly inefficient process requiring substantial alterations in the genetic architecture of cancer cells. These alterations include significant changes in global gene expression patterns. MicroRNAs are small, non-protein coding RNAs which play a central role in regulating gene expression. Here, we focus on microRNA determinants of cancer metastasis and examine microRNA dysregulation in metastatic cancer cells. We dissect the metastatic process in a step-wise manner and summarise the involvement of microRNAs at each step. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of different microRNA-based strategies that have been used to target metastasis in pre-clinical models. Finally, we highlight current clinical trials that use microRNA-based therapies to target advanced or metastatic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C. Sell
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - Charmaine A. Ramlogan-Steel
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - Jason C. Steel
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - Bijay P. Dhungel
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
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115
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López-Méndez TB, Sánchez-Álvarez M, Trionfetti F, Pedraz JL, Tripodi M, Cordani M, Strippoli R, González-Valdivieso J. Nanomedicine for autophagy modulation in cancer therapy: a clinical perspective. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:44. [PMID: 36871010 PMCID: PMC9985235 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-00986-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, progress in nanotechnology provided new tools to treat cancer more effectively. Advances in biomaterials tailored for drug delivery have the potential to overcome the limited selectivity and side effects frequently associated with traditional therapeutic agents. While autophagy is pivotal in determining cell fate and adaptation to different challenges, and despite the fact that it is frequently dysregulated in cancer, antitumor therapeutic strategies leveraging on or targeting this process are scarce. This is due to many reasons, including the very contextual effects of autophagy in cancer, low bioavailability and non-targeted delivery of existing autophagy modulatory compounds. Conjugating the versatile characteristics of nanoparticles with autophagy modulators may render these drugs safer and more effective for cancer treatment. Here, we review current standing questions on the biology of autophagy in tumor progression, and precursory studies and the state-of-the-art in harnessing nanomaterials science to enhance the specificity and therapeutic potential of autophagy modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania B López-Méndez
- NanoBioCel Group, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Miguel Sánchez-Álvarez
- Area of Cell and Developmental Biology. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (IIB), Madrid, Spain
| | - Flavia Trionfetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - José L Pedraz
- NanoBioCel Group, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cordani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Juan González-Valdivieso
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA.
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116
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Morini E, Chekuri A, Logan EM, Bolduc JM, Kirchner EG, Salani M, Krauson AJ, Narasimhan J, Gabbeta V, Grover S, Dakka A, Mollin A, Jung SP, Zhao X, Zhang N, Zhang S, Arnold M, Woll MG, Naryshkin NA, Weetall M, Slaugenhaupt SA. Development of an oral treatment that rescues gait ataxia and retinal degeneration in a phenotypic mouse model of familial dysautonomia. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:531-547. [PMID: 36809767 PMCID: PMC10027479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused by a splicing mutation in elongator acetyltransferase complex subunit 1 (ELP1). This mutation leads to the skipping of exon 20 and a tissue-specific reduction of ELP1, mainly in the central and peripheral nervous systems. FD is a complex neurological disorder accompanied by severe gait ataxia and retinal degeneration. There is currently no effective treatment to restore ELP1 production in individuals with FD, and the disease is ultimately fatal. After identifying kinetin as a small molecule able to correct the ELP1 splicing defect, we worked on its optimization to generate novel splicing modulator compounds (SMCs) that can be used in individuals with FD. Here, we optimize the potency, efficacy, and bio-distribution of second-generation kinetin derivatives to develop an oral treatment for FD that can efficiently pass the blood-brain barrier and correct the ELP1 splicing defect in the nervous system. We demonstrate that the novel compound PTC258 efficiently restores correct ELP1 splicing in mouse tissues, including brain, and most importantly, prevents the progressive neuronal degeneration that is characteristic of FD. Postnatal oral administration of PTC258 to the phenotypic mouse model TgFD9;Elp1Δ20/flox increases full-length ELP1 transcript in a dose-dependent manner and leads to a 2-fold increase in functional ELP1 in the brain. Remarkably, PTC258 treatment improves survival, gait ataxia, and retinal degeneration in the phenotypic FD mice. Our findings highlight the great therapeutic potential of this novel class of small molecules as an oral treatment for FD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Morini
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Anil Chekuri
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily M Logan
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica M Bolduc
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily G Kirchner
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monica Salani
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aram J Krauson
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amal Dakka
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Anna Mollin
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | | | - Xin Zhao
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Nanjing Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Sophie Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | | | | | | | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
| | - Susan A Slaugenhaupt
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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117
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Braatz C, Komes MP, Ravichandran KA, de Fragas MG, Griep A, Schwartz S, McManus RM, Heneka MT. NLRP3-directed antisense oligonucleotides reduce microglial immunoactivities in vitro. J Neurochem 2023. [PMID: 36799439 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the cerebral deposition of Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, which leads to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). NLRP3 reduction has been found to increase microglial clearance, protect from synapse loss, and suppress both the changes to synaptic plasticity and spatial memory dysfunction observed in murine AD models. Here, we test whether NLRP3-directed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) can be harnessed as immune modulators in primary murine microglia and human THP-1 cells. NLRP3 mRNA degradation was achieved at 72 h of ASO treatment in primary murine microglia. Consequently, NLRP3-directed ASOs significantly reduced the levels of cleaved caspase-1 and mature IL-1β when microglia were either activated by LPS and nigericin or LPS and Aβ. In human THP-1 cells NLRP3-targeted ASOs also significantly reduced the LPS plus nigericin- or LPS plus Aβ-induced release of mature IL-1β. Together, NLRP3-directed ASOs can suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activity and subsequent release of IL-1β in primary murine microglia and THP-1 cells. ASOs may represent a new and alternative approach to modulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in neurodegenerative diseases, in addition to attempts to inhibit the complex pharmacologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Braatz
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Max P Komes
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kishore Aravind Ravichandran
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Matheus Garcia de Fragas
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.,Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angelika Griep
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Róisín M McManus
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Institute for Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
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118
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Cas9-mediated replacement of expanded CAG repeats in a pig model of Huntington's disease. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:629-646. [PMID: 36797418 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01007-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The monogenic nature of Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative diseases caused by the expansion of glutamine-encoding CAG repeats makes them particularly amenable to gene therapy. Here we show the feasibility of replacing expanded CAG repeats in the mutant HTT allele with a normal CAG repeat in genetically engineered pigs mimicking the selective neurodegeneration seen in patients with HD. A single intracranial or intravenous injection of adeno-associated virus encoding for Cas9, a single-guide RNA targeting the HTT gene, and donor DNA containing the normal CAG repeat led to the depletion of mutant HTT in the animals and to substantial reductions in the dysregulated expression and neurotoxicity of mutant HTT and in neurological symptoms. Our findings support the further translational development of virally delivered Cas9-based gene therapies for the treatment of genetic neurodegenerative diseases.
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119
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Merjane J, Chung R, Patani R, Lisowski L. Molecular mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as broad therapeutic targets for gene therapy applications utilizing adeno-associated viral vectors. Med Res Rev 2023. [PMID: 36786126 DOI: 10.1002/med.21937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the devastating clinical outcome of the neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), its etiology remains mysterious. Approximately 90% of ALS is characterized as sporadic, signifying that the patient has no family history of the disease. The development of an impactful disease modifying therapy across the ALS spectrum has remained out of grasp, largely due to the poorly understood mechanisms of disease onset and progression. Currently, ALS is invariably fatal and rapidly progressive. It is hypothesized that multiple factors can lead to the development of ALS, however, treatments are often focused on targeting specific familial forms of the disease (10% of total cases). There is a strong need to develop disease modifying treatments for ALS that can be effective across the full ALS spectrum of familial and sporadic cases. Although the onset of disease varies significantly between patients, there are general disease mechanisms and progressions that can be seen broadly across ALS patients. Therefore, this review explores the targeting of these widespread disease mechanisms as possible areas for therapeutic intervention to treat ALS broadly. In particular, this review will focus on targeting mechanisms of defective protein homeostasis and RNA processing, which are both increasingly recognized as design principles of ALS pathogenesis. Additionally, this review will explore the benefits of gene therapy as an approach to treating ALS, specifically focusing on the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for gene delivery to the CNS and recent advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Merjane
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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120
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Holz E, Darwish M, Tesar DB, Shatz-Binder W. A Review of Protein- and Peptide-Based Chemical Conjugates: Past, Present, and Future. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020600. [PMID: 36839922 PMCID: PMC9959917 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the complexity of molecular entities being advanced for therapeutic purposes has continued to evolve. A main propellent fueling innovation is the perpetual mandate within the pharmaceutical industry to meet the needs of novel disease areas and/or delivery challenges. As new mechanisms of action are uncovered, and as our understanding of existing mechanisms grows, the properties that are required and/or leveraged to enable therapeutic development continue to expand. One rapidly evolving area of interest is that of chemically enhanced peptide and protein therapeutics. While a variety of conjugate molecules such as antibody-drug conjugates, peptide/protein-PEG conjugates, and protein conjugate vaccines are already well established, others, such as antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates and peptide/protein conjugates using non-PEG polymers, are newer to clinical development. This review will evaluate the current development landscape of protein-based chemical conjugates with special attention to considerations such as modulation of pharmacokinetics, safety/tolerability, and entry into difficult to access targets, as well as bioavailability. Furthermore, for the purpose of this review, the types of molecules discussed are divided into two categories: (1) therapeutics that are enhanced by protein or peptide bioconjugation, and (2) protein and peptide therapeutics that require chemical modifications. Overall, the breadth of novel peptide- or protein-based therapeutics moving through the pipeline each year supports a path forward for the pursuit of even more complex therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Holz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Martine Darwish
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Devin B. Tesar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Whitney Shatz-Binder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Correspondence:
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121
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Manuel JM, Guilloy N, Khatir I, Roucou X, Laurent B. Re-evaluating the impact of alternative RNA splicing on proteomic diversity. Front Genet 2023; 14:1089053. [PMID: 36845399 PMCID: PMC9947481 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1089053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) constitutes a mechanism by which protein-coding genes and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes produce more than a single mature transcript. From plants to humans, AS is a powerful process that increases transcriptome complexity. Importantly, splice variants produced from AS can potentially encode for distinct protein isoforms which can lose or gain specific domains and, hence, differ in their functional properties. Advances in proteomics have shown that the proteome is indeed diverse due to the presence of numerous protein isoforms. For the past decades, with the help of advanced high-throughput technologies, numerous alternatively spliced transcripts have been identified. However, the low detection rate of protein isoforms in proteomic studies raised debatable questions on whether AS contributes to proteomic diversity and on how many AS events are really functional. We propose here to assess and discuss the impact of AS on proteomic complexity in the light of the technological progress, updated genome annotation, and current scientific knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeru Manoj Manuel
- Research Center on Aging, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l’Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada,Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Noé Guilloy
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Inès Khatir
- Research Center on Aging, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l’Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada,Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Xavier Roucou
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada,Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CRCHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada,Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function Structure and Engineering, PROTEO, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Benoit Laurent
- Research Center on Aging, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l’Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada,Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada,*Correspondence: Benoit Laurent,
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122
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Li Y, Huang X, Tang J. Inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by a small molecular inhibitor targeting La-RNA interactions. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 940:175471. [PMID: 36549502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify small molecules blocking La-RNA interactions by using structural dynamics, molecular biology, and in vivo efficacy experiments. METHODS A docking virtual assay on the Chemdiv database was used to screen La binders, and their affinity were measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). A novel fluorescence polarization (FP) assay referring to the binding of La protein and 3'UUUOH was established to identify the inhibitors. Their activity on ovarian cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) and flow cytometry assay, respectively. Their in vivo efficacy against ovarian cancer growth were evaluated in a cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) model of A2780 cells. RESULTS From a total of 20 compounds with high potential binding activity with La protein, two small molecule compounds 4424-1120 and 8017-5932 with relatively stronger inhibition ability on La-RNA interactions were identified. These two compounds shared the same active centers with hydroxyimidazole and hydroxybenzene to interact with La protein through residues ARG57, GLN20 and GLN136. The in vitro assays showed that 4424-1120 and 8017-5932 effectively cause G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, inhibit cell proliferation, reduce cell invasion and promote apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. In a CDX model on BALB/C Nude mice, we found that the growth rate of the tumor was inhibited by 4424-1120. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated compound 4424-1120 shows good antitumor activity and safety in vitro and in vivo, and it provides a new idea for the discovery of antitumor lead compounds from small drug-like molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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123
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Dhuriya YK, Naik AA. CRISPR: a tool with potential for genomic reprogramming in neurological disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:1845-1856. [PMID: 36507966 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08136-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The intricate neural circuitry of the brain necessitates precise and synchronized transcriptional programs. Any disturbance during embryonic or adult development, whether caused by genetic or environmental factors, may result in refractory and recurrent neurological disorders. Inadequate knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurological disorders is the primary obstacle to the development of effective treatments, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic approaches to identify rational molecular targets. Recently, with the evolution of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, an engineered RNA system provides precise and highly effective correction or silencing of disease-causing mutations by modulating expression and thereby avoiding the limitations of the RNA interference strategy. This article discusses the CRISPR-Cas9 technology, its mechanisms, and the limitations of the new technology. We provide a glimpse of how the far-reaching implications of CRISPR can open new avenues for the development of tools to combat neurological disorders, as well as a review of recent attempts by neuroscientists to launch therapeutic correction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aijaz A Naik
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bethesda, USA.
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124
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Stirmlinger N, Delling JP, Pfänder S, Boeckers TM. Elevation of SHANK3 Levels by Antisense Oligonucleotides Directed Against the 3'-UTR of the Human SHANK3 mRNA. Nucleic Acid Ther 2023; 33:58-71. [PMID: 36355061 PMCID: PMC9940809 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2022.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SHANK3 is a member of the SHANK family of scaffolding proteins that localize to the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. Mutations within the SHANK3 gene or SHANK3 haploinsufficiency is thought to be one of the major causes for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMDS) that is characterized by a broad spectrum of autism-related behavioral alterations. Several approaches have already been proposed to elevate SHANK3 protein levels in PMDS patients like transcriptional activation or inhibition of SHANK3 degradation. We undertook a systematic screening approach and tested whether defined antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) directed against the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the human SHANK3 mRNA are suitable to elevate SHANK3 protein levels. Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and hiPSCs-derived motoneurons from controls and PMDS patients we eventually identified two 18 nucleotide ASOs (ASO 4-5.2-4 and 4-5.2-6) that were able to increase SHANK3 protein levels in vitro by about 1.3- to 1.6-fold. These findings were confirmed by co-transfection of the identified ASOs with a GFP-SHANK3-3'-UTR construct in HEK293T cells using GFP protein expression as read-out. Based on these results we propose a novel approach to elevate SHANK3 protein concentrations by 3'-UTR specific ASOs. Further research is needed to test the suitability of SHANK3-specific ASOs as pharmacological compounds also in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Stirmlinger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,International Graduate School for Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Pfänder
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,DZNE, Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany.,Address correspondence to: Tobias Boeckers, MD, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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125
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Chakraborty S, Mishra B, Kumar Das P, Pasari S, Hotha S. Synthesis of N-Glycosides by Silver-Assisted Gold Catalysis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202214167. [PMID: 36458817 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202214167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of N-glycosides from stable glycosyl donors in a catalytic fashion is still challenging, though they exist ubiquitously in DNA, RNA, glycoproteins, and other biological molecules. Herein, silver-assisted gold-catalyzed activation of alkynyl glycosyl carbonate donors is shown to be a versatile approach for the synthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, asparagine glycosides and quinolin-2-one N-glycosides. Thus synthesized nucleosides were subjected to the oxidation-reduction sequence for the conversion of Ribf- into Araf- nucleosides, giving access to nucleosides that are otherwise difficult to synthesize. Furthermore, the protocol is demonstrated to be suitable for the synthesis of 2'-modified nucleosides in a facile manner. Direct attachment of an asparagine-containing dipeptide to the glucopyranose and subsequent extrapolation to afford the dipeptide disaccharide unit of chloroviruses is yet another facet of this endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptashwa Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-, 411 008, MH, India
| | - Bijoyananda Mishra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-, 411 008, MH, India
| | - Pratim Kumar Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-, 411 008, MH, India
| | - Sandip Pasari
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-, 411 008, MH, India
| | - Srinivas Hotha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-, 411 008, MH, India
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126
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Nsairat H, AlShaer W, Odeh F, Essawi E, Khater D, Bawab AA, El-Tanani M, Awidi A, Mubarak MS. Recent Advances in Using Liposomes for Delivery of Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics. OPENNANO 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onano.2023.100132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
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127
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Chen T, Xu J, Zhu L, Yan D. Cancer-cell-membrane-camouflaged supramolecular self-assembly of antisense oligonucleotide and chemodrug for targeted combination therapy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:1914-1924. [PMID: 36617999 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05669k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are critical regulators of cell death that are overexpressed in many cancer cells, especially in multi-drug resistant cancer cells. Combinatorial gene- and chemotherapies using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to suppress the expression of Bcl-2-family mRNA and restore the sensitivity of the cell to chemodrugs provide a promising pathway for anticancer treatment. However, intrinsic differences between macromolecular ASOs and small molecular chemodrugs make their co-delivery challenging. Moreover, extraneous carriers may induce immunogenicity and inflammation problems. Herein, we develop a targeted nanodrug delivery system using the cationic amphiphilic chemodrug mitoxantrone (Mito), which interacts with Bcl-2 ASO through electrostatic interaction and self-assembles into nanoparticles (NP[Bcl-2/Mito]), whose size can be controlled by regulating the ratio of ASO and Mito. NP[Bcl-2/Mito] can protect the ASO from degradation during delivery and combine gene- and chemotherapies to improve the anticancer effect. Furthermore, cancer cell membranes (CCMs) derived from homologous tumors were used to camouflage NP[Bcl-2/Mito] (NP[Bcl-2/Mito]@CCM) to achieve immune escape and tumor targeting. Both in vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrate the excellent performance of NP[Bcl-2/Mito]@CCM for drug-resistant breast tumor therapy. This CCM-camouflaged ASO/chemodrug nanoplatform provides a promising pathway for the targeted delivery of ASOs and chemodrugs for tumor combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbao Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200217, China.
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200217, China.
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lijuan Zhu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200217, China.
| | - Deyue Yan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai, 200217, China.
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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128
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Parsons MF, Allan MF, Li S, Shepherd TR, Ratanalert S, Zhang K, Pullen KM, Chiu W, Rouskin S, Bathe M. 3D RNA-scaffolded wireframe origami. Nat Commun 2023; 14:382. [PMID: 36693871 PMCID: PMC9872083 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36156-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hybrid RNA:DNA origami, in which a long RNA scaffold strand folds into a target nanostructure via thermal annealing with complementary DNA oligos, has only been explored to a limited extent despite its unique potential for biomedical delivery of mRNA, tertiary structure characterization of long RNAs, and fabrication of artificial ribozymes. Here, we investigate design principles of three-dimensional wireframe RNA-scaffolded origami rendered as polyhedra composed of dual-duplex edges. We computationally design, fabricate, and characterize tetrahedra folded from an EGFP-encoding messenger RNA and de Bruijn sequences, an octahedron folded with M13 transcript RNA, and an octahedron and pentagonal bipyramids folded with 23S ribosomal RNA, demonstrating the ability to make diverse polyhedral shapes with distinct structural and functional RNA scaffolds. We characterize secondary and tertiary structures using dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling and cryo-electron microscopy, revealing insight into both global and local, base-level structures of origami. Our top-down sequence design strategy enables the use of long RNAs as functional scaffolds for complex wireframe origami.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly F Parsons
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Matthew F Allan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Computational and Systems Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics and Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Tyson R Shepherd
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Inscripta, Inc., Boulder, CO, 80027, USA
| | - Sakul Ratanalert
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Kaiming Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics and Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Krista M Pullen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Wah Chiu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,CryoEM and Bioimaging Division, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Silvi Rouskin
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark Bathe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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129
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Van Giesen KJ, Thompson MJ, Meng Q, Lovelock SL. Biocatalytic Synthesis of Antiviral Nucleosides, Cyclic Dinucleotides, and Oligonucleotide Therapies. JACS AU 2023; 3:13-24. [PMID: 36711092 PMCID: PMC9875237 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nucleosides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides modulate diverse cellular processes ranging from protein production to cell signaling. It is therefore unsurprising that synthetic analogues of nucleosides and their derivatives have emerged as a versatile class of drug molecules for the treatment of a wide range of disease areas. Despite their great therapeutic potential, the dense arrangements of functional groups and stereogenic centers present in nucleic acid analogues pose a considerable synthetic challenge, especially in the context of large-scale manufacturing. Commonly employed synthetic methods rely on extensive protecting group manipulations, which compromise step-economy and result in high process mass intensities. Biocatalytic approaches have the potential to address these limitations, enabling the development of more streamlined, selective, and sustainable synthetic routes. Here we review recent achievements in the biocatalytic manufacturing of nucleosides and cyclic dinucleotides along with progress in developing enzymatic strategies to produce oligonucleotide therapies. We also highlight opportunities for innovations that are needed to facilitate widespread adoption of these biocatalytic methods across the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sarah L. Lovelock
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K.
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130
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Luo M, Li Y, Peng B, White J, Mäkilä E, Tong WY, Jonathan Choi CH, Day B, Voelcker NH. A Multifunctional Porous Silicon Nanocarrier for Glioblastoma Treatment. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:545-560. [PMID: 36484477 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Clinical treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) remains a major challenge because of the blood-brain barrier, chemotherapeutic resistance, and aggressive tumor metastasis. The development of advanced nanoplatforms that can efficiently deliver drugs and gene therapies across the BBB to the brain tumors is urgently needed. The protein "downregulated in renal cell carcinoma" (DRR) is one of the key drivers of GBM invasion. Here, we engineered porous silicon nanoparticles (pSiNPs) with antisense oligonucleotide (AON) for DRR gene knockdown as a targeted gene and drug delivery platform for GBM treatment. These AON-modified pSiNPs (AON@pSiNPs) were selectively internalized by GBM and human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) cells expressing Class A scavenger receptors (SR-A). AON was released from AON@pSiNPs, knocked down DRR and inhibited GBM cell migration. Additionally, a penetration study in a microfluidic-based BBB model and a biodistribution study in a glioma mice model showed that AON@pSiNPs could specifically cross the BBB and enter the brain. We further demonstrated that AON@pSiNPs could carry a large payload of the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ, 1.3 mg of TMZ per mg of NPs) and induce a significant cytotoxicity in GBM cells. On the basis of these results, the nanocarrier and its multifunctional strategy provide a strong potential for clinical treatment of GBM and research for targeted drug and gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Luo
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics Science, Monash University, Parkville Campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria3052, Australia.,Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland4072, Australia.,Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland4006, Australia
| | - Yuchen Li
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland4006, Australia
| | - Bo Peng
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics Science, Monash University, Parkville Campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria3052, Australia.,Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical materials & Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an710072, China
| | - Jacinta White
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria3168, Australia
| | - Ermei Mäkilä
- Industrial Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, Turku20014, Finland
| | - Wing Yin Tong
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics Science, Monash University, Parkville Campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria3052, Australia
| | - Chung Hang Jonathan Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Bryan Day
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland4006, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland4072, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland4059, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics Science, Monash University, Parkville Campus, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria3052, Australia.,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria3168, Australia.,Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria3800, Australia
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131
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Myers KA. SCN1A as a therapeutic target for Dravet syndrome. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:459-467. [PMID: 37364240 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2230364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dravet syndrome is a severe early infancy-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Patients have drug-resistant seizures, as well as significant co-morbidities, including developmental impairment, crouch gait, sleep disturbance, and early mortality. The underlying cause is mutations in SCN1A, encoding the sodium channel subunit NaV1.1, in >90% of patients. At present, approved Dravet syndrome treatments are symptomatic, primarily aimed at reducing seizure frequency, but having little to no effect on co-morbidities. AREAS COVERED We discuss the potential to treat Dravet syndrome by targeting NaV1.1 directly. Anti-seizure medications that act as sodium channel inhibitors are generally minimally effective and can actually exacerbate seizures. However, other interventions are currently under investigation, including gene therapies that increase the amount of functional NaV1.1. Some of these interventions have encouraging pre-clinical data from in vitro and animal models. EXPERT OPINION Increasing functional NaV1.1 via antisense oligonucleotides or virus-borne vectors is the most promising avenue for meaningful improvement in Dravet syndrome treatment, with the potential to not only reduce seizures but also address the multiple co-morbidities associated with this disease. However, human clinical trial data are necessary to determine safety and to clarify if, and to what extent, these interventions modify the natural history of Dravet syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Myers
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Medical Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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132
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Gene Therapy and Cardiovascular Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1396:235-254. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-5642-3_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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133
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He M, Yokota T. Exons 45-55 Skipping Using Antisense Oligonucleotides in Immortalized Human DMD Muscle Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2640:313-325. [PMID: 36995604 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3036-5_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) have demonstrated high potential as a therapy for treating genetic diseases like Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD). As a synthetic nucleic acid, AOs can bind to a targeted messenger RNA (mRNA) and regulate splicing. AO-mediated exon skipping transforms out-of-frame mutations as seen in DMD into in-frame transcripts. This exon skipping approach results in the production of a shortened but still functional protein product as seen in the milder counterpart, Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Many potential AO drugs have advanced from laboratory experimentation to clinical trials with an increasing interest in this area. An accurate and efficient method for testing AO drug candidates in vitro, before implementation in clinical trials, is crucial to ensure proper assessment of efficacy. The type of cell model used to examine AO drugs in vitro establishes the foundation of the screening process and can significantly impact the results. Previous cell models used to screen for potential AO drug candidates, such as primary muscle cell lines, have limited proliferative and differentiation capacity, and express insufficient amounts of dystrophin. Recently developed immortalized DMD muscle cell lines effectively addressed this challenge allowing for the accurate measurement of exon-skipping efficacy and dystrophin protein production. This chapter presents a procedure used to assess DMD exons 45-55 skipping efficiency and dystrophin protein production in immortalized DMD patient-derived muscle cells. Exons 45-55 skipping in the DMD gene is potentially applicable to 47% of patients. In addition, naturally occurring exons 45-55 in-frame deletion mutation is associated with an asymptomatic or remarkably mild phenotype as compared to shorter in-frame deletions within this region. As such, exons 45-55 skipping is a promising therapeutic approach to treat a wider group of DMD patients. The method presented here allows for improved examination of potential AO drugs before implementation in clinical trials for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry He
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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134
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Kim B, Hosn RR, Remba T, Yun D, Li N, Abraham W, Melo MB, Cortes M, Li B, Zhang Y, Dong Y, Irvine DJ. Optimization of storage conditions for lipid nanoparticle-formulated self-replicating RNA vaccines. J Control Release 2023; 353:241-253. [PMID: 36414195 PMCID: PMC9708520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The recent clinical success of multiple mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has proven the potential of RNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in humans, and products based on base-modified RNA, sequence-optimized RNA, and self-replicating RNAs formulated in LNPs are all in various stages of clinical development. However, much remains to be learned about critical parameters governing the manufacturing and use of LNP-RNA formulations. One important issue that has received limited attention in the literature to date is the identification of optimal storage conditions for LNP-RNA that preserve long-term activity of the formulations. Here, we analyzed the physical structure, in vivo expression characteristics, and functional activity of alphavirus-derived self-replicating RNA (repRNA)-loaded LNPs encoding HIV vaccine antigens following storage in varying temperatures, buffers, and in the presence or absence of cryoprotectants. We found that for lipid nanoparticles with compositions similar to clinically-used LNPs, storage in RNAse-free PBS containing 10% (w/v) sucrose at -20 °C was able to maintain vaccine stability and in vivo potency at a level equivalent to freshly prepared vaccines following 30 days of storage. LNPs loaded with repRNA could also be lyophilized with retention of bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byungji Kim
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ryan R Hosn
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tanaka Remba
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dongsoo Yun
- Nanotechnology Materials Core, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Na Li
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mariane B Melo
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Manuel Cortes
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Bridget Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yuebao Zhang
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Yizhou Dong
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Center for Clinical and Translational Science, The Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Cancer Engineering, Center for Cancer Metabolism, Pelotonia Institute for Immune-Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Departments of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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135
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Wong KH, Lal SK. Alternative antiviral approaches to combat influenza A virus. Virus Genes 2023; 59:25-35. [PMID: 36260242 PMCID: PMC9832087 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-022-01935-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A (IAV) is a major human respiratory pathogen that contributes to a significant threat to health security, worldwide. Despite vaccinations and previous immunisations through infections, humans can still be infected with influenza several times throughout their lives. This phenomenon is attributed to the antigenic changes of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins in IAV via genetic mutation and reassortment, conferring antigenic drift and antigenic shift, respectively. Numerous findings indicate that slow antigenic drift and reassortment-derived antigenic shift exhibited by IAV are key processes that allow IAVs to overcome the previously acquired host immunity, which eventually leads to the annual re-emergence of seasonal influenza and even pandemic influenza, in rare occasions. As a result, current therapeutic options hit a brick wall quickly. As IAV remains a constant threat for new outbreaks worldwide, the underlying processes of genetic changes and alternative antiviral approaches for IAV should be further explored to improve disease management. In the light of the above, this review discusses the characteristics and mechanisms of mutations and reassortments that contribute to IAV's evolution. We also discuss several alternative RNA-targeting antiviral approaches, namely the CRISPR/Cas13 systems, RNA interference (RNAi), and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) as potential antiviral approaches against IAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Heng Wong
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sunil K Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia.
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia.
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136
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Viggiano A, Dell’Isola GB, Dini G, Verrotti A, Coppola G. Epilepsy and Cognitive Impairment in Childhood and Adolescence: A Mini-Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1646-1665. [PMID: 35794776 PMCID: PMC10514538 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220706102708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Managing epilepsy in people with an intellectual disability remains a therapeutic challenge and must take into account additional issues such as diagnostic difficulties and frequent drug resistance. Advances in genomic technologies improved our understanding of epilepsy and raised the possibility to develop patients-tailored treatments acting on the key molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the disease. In addition to conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs), ketogenic diet, hormone therapy and epilepsy surgery play an important role, especially in cases of drugresistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mainfactors influencing cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy and the main therapeutic options available for the epilepsies associated with intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Dini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
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137
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Apostolidi M, Stamatopoulou V. Aberrant splicing in human cancer: An RNA structural code point of view. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1137154. [PMID: 36909167 PMCID: PMC9995731 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1137154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing represents an essential process that occurs widely in eukaryotes. In humans, most genes undergo alternative splicing to ensure transcriptome and proteome diversity reflecting their functional complexity. Over the last decade, aberrantly spliced transcripts due to mutations in cis- or trans-acting splicing regulators have been tightly associated with cancer development, largely drawing scientific attention. Although a plethora of single proteins, ribonucleoproteins, complexed RNAs, and short RNA sequences have emerged as nodal contributors to the splicing cascade, the role of RNA secondary structures in warranting splicing fidelity has been underestimated. Recent studies have leveraged the establishment of novel high-throughput methodologies and bioinformatic tools to shed light on an additional layer of splicing regulation in the context of RNA structural elements. This short review focuses on the most recent available data on splicing mechanism regulation on the basis of RNA secondary structure, emphasizing the importance of the complex RNA G-quadruplex structures (rG4s), and other specific RNA motifs identified as splicing silencers or enhancers. Moreover, it intends to provide knowledge on newly established techniques that allow the identification of RNA structural elements and highlight the potential to develop new RNA-oriented therapeutic strategies against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Apostolidi
- Agilent Laboratories, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, United States
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138
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Abstract
Haplotyping individual full-length transcripts can be important in diagnosis and treatment of certain genetic diseases. One set of diseases, repeat expansions of simple tandem repeat sequences are the cause of over 40 neurological disorders. In many of these conditions, expanding a polymorphic repeat beyond a given threshold has been strongly associated with disease onset and severity. Given that most repeat expansions are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, repeat expansion disorders are typically characterized by a heterozygous expansion locus associated with a single haplotype. Precision genetic medicines can be used to selectively target expansion-containing sequences in a haplotype-specific manner.However, repeat expansion lengths often exceed the capacity of next-generation sequencing (NGS) reads. Therefore, the accurate length and haplotype determination of repeat expansions requires special considerations and requires the development of custom methods. Here we highlight a method for targeted haplotype phasing of the HTT gene, which can be adopted for use with other full-length transcripts and in other repeat expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nenad Svrzikapa
- Wave Life Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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139
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Romano R, De Luca M, Del Fiore VS, Pecoraro M, Lattante S, Sabatelli M, La Bella V, Bucci C. Allele-specific silencing as therapy for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by the p.G376D TARDBP mutation. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac315. [PMID: 36751500 PMCID: PMC9897181 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons. There is no treatment for this disease that affects the ability to move, eat, speak and finally breathe, causing death. In an Italian family, a heterozygous pathogenic missense variant has been previously discovered in Exon 6 of the gene TARDBP encoding the TAR DNA-binding protein 43 protein. Here, we developed a potential therapeutic tool based on allele-specific small interfering RNAs for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with the heterozygous missense mutation c.1127G>A. We designed a small interfering RNA that was able to diminish specifically the expression of the exogenous Green Fluorescent Protein (TAR DNA-binding protein 43G376D mutant protein) in HEK-293T cells but not that of the Green Fluorescent Protein (TAR DNA-binding protein 43 wild-type). Similarly, this small interfering RNA silenced the mutated allele in fibroblasts derived from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but did not silence the wild-type gene in control fibroblasts. In addition, we established that silencing the mutated allele was able to strongly reduce the pathological cellular phenotypes induced by TAR DNA-binding protein 43G376D expression, such as the presence of cytoplasmic aggregates. Thus, we have identified a small interfering RNA that could be used to silence specifically the mutated allele to try a targeted therapy for patients carrying the p.G376D TAR DNA-binding protein 43 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Romano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria De Luca
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Victoria Stefania Del Fiore
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Martina Pecoraro
- ALS Clinical Research Center, P Giaccone University Hospital and Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, via Gaetano La Loggia n° 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo La Bella
- ALS Clinical Research Center, P Giaccone University Hospital and Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, via Gaetano La Loggia n° 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Cecilia Bucci
- Correspondence to: Cecilia Bucci Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA) Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165 73100 Lecce, Italy E-mail:
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140
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Brown JL, Hart DW, Boyle GE, Brown TG, LaCroix M, Baraibar AM, Pelzel R, Kim M, Sherman MA, Boes S, Sung M, Cole T, Lee MK, Araque A, Lesné SE. SNCA genetic lowering reveals differential cognitive function of alpha-synuclein dependent on sex. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:180. [PMID: 36517890 PMCID: PMC9749314 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01480-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy for neurological disease has been successful in clinical settings and its potential has generated hope for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously described that ablating SNCA encoding for α-synuclein (αSyn) in a mouse model of AD was beneficial. Here, we sought to demonstrate whether transient reduction of αSyn expression using ASOSNCA could be therapeutic in a mouse model of AD. The efficacy of the ASOSNCA was measured via immunocytochemistry, RT-qPCR and western blotting. To assess spatial learning and memory, ASOSNCA or PBS-injected APP and non-transgenic (NTG) mice, and separate groups of SNCA-null mice, were tested on the Barnes circular maze. Hippocampal slice electrophysiology and transcriptomic profiling were used to explore synaptic function and differential gene expression between groups. Reduction of SNCA transcripts alleviated cognitive deficits in male transgenic animals, but surprisingly, not in females. To determine the functional cause of this differential effect, we assessed memory function in SNCA-null mice. Learning and memory were intact in male mice but impaired in female animals, revealing that the role of αSyn on cognitive function is sex-specific. Transcriptional analyses identified a differentially expressed gene network centered around EGR1, a central modulator of learning and memory, in the hippocampi of SNCA-null mice. Thus, these novel results demonstrate that the function of αSyn on memory differs between male and female brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Brown
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Damyan W. Hart
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Gabriel E. Boyle
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
- Present Address: Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
| | - Taylor G. Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Michael LaCroix
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
- Present Address: Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Andrés M. Baraibar
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Present Address: Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Ross Pelzel
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Minwoo Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Mathew A. Sherman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Samuel Boes
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Michelle Sung
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
- Present Address: Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
| | - Tracy Cole
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA USA
- Present Address: n-Lorem Foundation, Carlsbad, CA 92010 USA
| | - Michael K. Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
| | - Alfonso Araque
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Sylvain E. Lesné
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA
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141
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Rbm20 ΔRRM Mice, Expressing a Titin Isoform with Lower Stiffness, Are Protected from Mechanical Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Weakness. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415689. [PMID: 36555335 PMCID: PMC9779751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diaphragm weakness frequently develops in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients and is associated with increased morbidity, including ventilator weaning failure, mortality, and health care costs. The mechanisms underlying diaphragm weakness are incompletely understood but may include the elastic properties of titin, a giant protein whose layout in the muscle's sarcomeres makes it an ideal candidate to sense ventilation-induced diaphragm unloading, resulting in downstream signaling through titin-binding proteins. In the current study, we investigated whether modulating titin stiffness affects the development of diaphragm weakness during mechanical ventilation. To this end, we ventilated genetically engineered mice with reduced titin stiffness (Rbm20ΔRRM), and robust (TtnΔIAjxn) or severely (TtnΔ112-158) increased titin stiffness for 8 h, and assessed diaphragm contractility and protein expression of titin-binding proteins. Mechanical ventilation reduced the maximum active tension of the diaphragm in WT, TtnΔIAjxn and TtnΔ112-158 mice. However, in Rbm20ΔRRM mice maximum active tension was preserved after ventilation. Analyses of titin binding proteins suggest that muscle ankyrin repeat proteins (MARPs) 1 and 2 may play a role in the adaptation of the diaphragm to mechanical ventilation, and the preservation of diaphragm contractility in Rbm20ΔRRM mice. Thus, Rbm20ΔRRM mice, expressing titin isoforms with lower stiffness, are protected from mechanical ventilation-induced diaphragm weakness, suggesting that titin elasticity may modulate the diaphragm's response to unloading during mechanical ventilation.
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142
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Burbano LE, Li M, Jancovski N, Jafar-Nejad P, Richards K, Sedo A, Soriano A, Rollo B, Jia L, Gazina EV, Piltz S, Adikusuma F, Thomas PQ, Kopsidas H, Rigo F, Reid CA, Maljevic S, Petrou S. Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for KCNT1 encephalopathy. JCI Insight 2022; 7:146090. [PMID: 36173683 PMCID: PMC9746904 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are characterized by pharmaco-resistant seizures with concomitant intellectual disability. Epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS) is one of the most severe of these syndromes. De novo variants in ion channels, including gain-of-function variants in KCNT1, which encodes for sodium activated potassium channel protein KNa1.1, have been found to play a major role in the etiology of EIMFS. Here, we test a potential precision therapeutic approach in KCNT1-associated DEE using a gene-silencing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) approach. We generated a mouse model carrying the KCNT1 p.P924L pathogenic variant; only the homozygous animals presented with the frequent, debilitating seizures and developmental compromise that are seen in patients. After a single intracerebroventricular bolus injection of a Kcnt1 gapmer ASO in symptomatic mice at postnatal day 40, seizure frequency was significantly reduced, behavioral abnormalities improved, and overall survival was extended compared with mice treated with a control ASO (nonhybridizing sequence). ASO administration at neonatal age was also well tolerated and effective in controlling seizures and extending the life span of treated animals. The data presented here provide proof of concept for ASO-based gene silencing as a promising therapeutic approach in KCNT1-associated epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisseth Estefania Burbano
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melody Li
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nikola Jancovski
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Kay Richards
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alicia Sedo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Ben Rollo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linghan Jia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elena V. Gazina
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandra Piltz
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Fatwa Adikusuma
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Q. Thomas
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Helen Kopsidas
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Christopher A. Reid
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Snezana Maljevic
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Praxis Precision Medicines, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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143
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Kumar S, Kumar S, Arora A, Prasad AK, Maity J. 5‐Formyluridine and Its Synthetic Applications. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Bioorganic Laboratory Department of Chemistry University of Delhi Delhi India
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Bioorganic Laboratory Department of Chemistry University of Delhi Delhi India
| | - Aditi Arora
- Bioorganic Laboratory Department of Chemistry University of Delhi Delhi India
| | - Ashok K. Prasad
- Bioorganic Laboratory Department of Chemistry University of Delhi Delhi India
| | - Jyotirmoy Maity
- Department of Chemistry St. Stephen's College University of Delhi Delhi India
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144
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Hertzog A, Selvanathan A, Farnsworth E, Tchan M, Adams L, Lewis K, Tolun AA, Bennetts B, Ho G, Bhattacharya K. Intronic variants in inborn errors of metabolism: Beyond the exome. Front Genet 2022; 13:1031495. [PMID: 36561316 PMCID: PMC9763607 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1031495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding regions are areas of the genome that do not directly encode protein and were initially thought to be of little biological relevance. However, subsequent identification of pathogenic variants in these regions indicates there are exceptions to this assertion. With the increasing availability of next generation sequencing, variants in non-coding regions are often considered when no causative exonic changes have been identified. There is still a lack of understanding of normal human variation in non-coding areas. As a result, potentially pathogenic non-coding variants are initially classified as variants of uncertain significance or are even overlooked during genomic analysis. In most cases where the phenotype is non-specific, clinical suspicion is not sufficient to warrant further exploration of these changes, partly due to the magnitude of non-coding variants identified. In contrast, inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are one group of genetic disorders where there is often high phenotypic specificity. The clinical and biochemical features seen often result in a narrow list of diagnostic possibilities. In this context, there have been numerous cases in which suspicion of a particular IEM led to the discovery of a variant in a non-coding region. We present four patients with IEMs where the molecular aetiology was identified within non-coding regions. Confirmation of the molecular diagnosis is often aided by the clinical and biochemical specificity associated with IEMs. Whilst the clinical severity associated with a non-coding variant can be difficult to predict, obtaining a molecular diagnosis is crucial as it ends diagnostic odysseys and assists in management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Hertzog
- NSW Biochemical Genetics Service, Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Disciplines of Genetic Medicine and Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Ashley Hertzog,
| | - Arthavan Selvanathan
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Farnsworth
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michel Tchan
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Louisa Adams
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Lewis
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adviye Ayper Tolun
- NSW Biochemical Genetics Service, Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Disciplines of Genetic Medicine and Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce Bennetts
- Disciplines of Genetic Medicine and Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Department of Molecular Genetics, Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gladys Ho
- Disciplines of Genetic Medicine and Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Department of Molecular Genetics, Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaustuv Bhattacharya
- Disciplines of Genetic Medicine and Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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145
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Sangeeth A, Malleswarapu M, Mishra A, Gutti RK. Long Non-coding RNA Therapeutics: Recent Advances and Challenges. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:1457-1464. [PMID: 36121080 DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220919122520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of the roles of RNA other than just as a messenger, such as a ribozyme, and regulatory RNAs, such as microRNA and long noncoding RNAs, is fascinating. RNA is now recognized as an important regulator involved in practically every biological process. Research in the field of non-coding RNAs, specifically microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have developed immensely over the years. Recent studies identified diverse RNAs, including non-coding RNAs such as LncRNA and their various modes of action in the cells. These RNAs are anticipated to be key targets for the treatment of various diseases since they control a broad array of biological pathways. LncRNA-targeted drug platform delivers the pharmaceutical industry a myriad of opportunities and has the potential to modulate diseases at the genetic level while also overcoming the limitations of inconsistent proteins. This article focuses on the recent advancement as well as the major challenges in the field and describes the various RNA-based therapeutics that alter the quality of healthcare for many diseases and bring personalized medicines to fruition. The article also summarizes RNA-based therapeutics that are undergoing testing in clinical trials or have been granted FDA approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Sangeeth
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, (PO) Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046 (TS), India
| | - Mahesh Malleswarapu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, (PO) Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046 (TS), India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur 342037 (RJ), India
| | - Ravi Kumar Gutti
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, (PO) Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046 (TS), India
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146
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Zhang S, Meng Y, Zhou L, Qiu L, Wang H, Su D, Zhang B, Chan K, Han J. Targeting epigenetic regulators for inflammation: Mechanisms and intervention therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e173. [PMID: 36176733 PMCID: PMC9477794 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that resolution of inflammation is a critical and dynamic endogenous process for host tissues defending against external invasive pathogens or internal tissue injury. It has long been known that autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory disorders are characterized by dysregulated immune responses, leading to excessive and uncontrol tissue inflammation. The dysregulation of epigenetic alterations including DNA methylation, posttranslational modifications to histone proteins, and noncoding RNA expression has been implicated in a host of inflammatory disorders and the immune system. The inflammatory response is considered as a critical trigger of epigenetic alterations that in turn intercede inflammatory actions. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism that dictates the outcome of targeting epigenetic regulators for inflammatory disease is required for inflammation resolution. In this article, we elucidate the critical role of the nuclear factor‐κB signaling pathway, JAK/STAT signaling pathway, and the NLRP3 inflammasome in chronic inflammatory diseases. And we formulate the relationship between inflammation, coronavirus disease 2019, and human cancers. Additionally, we review the mechanism of epigenetic modifications involved in inflammation and innate immune cells. All that matters is that we propose and discuss the rejuvenation potential of interventions that target epigenetic regulators and regulatory mechanisms for chronic inflammation‐associated diseases to improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Zhang
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yang Meng
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Lian Zhou
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Lei Qiu
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Heping Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Dan Su
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Kui‐Ming Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
| | - Junhong Han
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
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147
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Bridging the Gap With Clinical Pharmacology in Innovative Rare Disease Treatment Modalities: Targeting DNA to RNA to Protein. J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 62 Suppl 2:S95-S109. [DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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148
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Nano drug delivery systems for antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) therapeutics. J Control Release 2022; 352:861-878. [PMID: 36397636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer, infectious diseases, and metabolic and hereditary genetic disorders are a global health burden affecting millions of people, with contemporary treatments offering limited relief. Antisense technology treats diseases by targeting their causal agents using its ability to alter or inhibit endogenous or malfunctioning genes. Nine antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drugs that represent four different chemical classes have been approved for the treatment of rare diseases, including nusinersen, the first new oligonucleotide-based drug. Advances in medicinal chemistry, understanding the molecular pathways, and the availability of vast genetic data have resulted in enormous improvements in the therapeutic performance of ASO drugs; however, their susceptibility to degradation in the circulation, rapid renal clearance, and immunostimulatory adverse effects greatly limit their clinical applications. An increasing number of ASO-based therapeutics is being tested in clinical trials. Improvements to the delivery of ASO drugs could potentially change the therapeutic landscape for many conditions in the near future. This review describes the technological advances and developments in drug delivery systems pertaining to ASO therapeutics.
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149
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Padmakumar S, D'Souza A, Parayath NN, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. Nucleic acid therapies for CNS diseases: Pathophysiology, targets, barriers, and delivery strategies. J Control Release 2022; 352:121-145. [PMID: 36252748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics have emerged as one of the very advanced and efficacious treatment approaches for debilitating health conditions, including those diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Precise targeting with an optimal control over gene regulation confers long-lasting benefits through the administration of nucleic acid payloads via viral, non-viral, and engineered vectors. The current review majorly focuses on the development and clinical translational potential of non-viral vectors for treating CNS diseases with a focus on their specific design and targeting approaches. These carriers must be able to surmount the various intracellular and extracellular barriers, to ensure successful neuronal transfection and ultimately attain higher therapeutic efficacies. Additionally, the specific challenges associated with CNS administration also include the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB), the complex pathophysiological and biochemical changes associated with different disease conditions and the existence of non-dividing cells. The advantages offered by lipid-based or polymeric systems, engineered proteins, particle-based systems coupled with various approaches of neuronal targeting have been discussed in the context of a variety of CNS diseases. The possibilities of rapid yet highly efficient gene modifications rendered by the breakthrough methodologies for gene editing and gene manipulation have also opened vast avenues of research in neuroscience and CNS disease therapy. The current review also underscores the extensive scientific efforts to optimize specialized, efficacious yet non-invasive and safer administration approaches to overcome the therapeutic delivery challenges specifically posed by the CNS transport barriers and the overall obstacles to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Padmakumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anisha D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 20115, USA
| | - Neha N Parayath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 20115, USA
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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150
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Tan Q, Zhao S, Xu T, Wang Q, Lan M, Yan L, Chen X. Getting drugs to the brain: advances and prospects of organic nanoparticle delivery systems for assisting drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:9314-9333. [PMID: 36349976 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb01440h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays an irreplaceable role in protecting the central nervous system (CNS) from bloodborne pathogens. However, the BBB complicates the treatment of CNS diseases because it prevents almost all therapeutic drugs from getting into the CNS. With the growing understanding of the physiological characteristics of the BBB and the development of nanotechnology, nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have become promising tools for delivering drugs across the BBB to the CNS. Herein, we systematically summarize the recent progress in organic-nanoparticle delivery systems for treating CNS diseases and evaluate their mechanisms in overcoming the BBB with the aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of organic nanoparticles in delivering drugs across the BBB. This review may inspire new research ideas and directions for applying nanotechnology to treat CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Tan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
| | - Shaojing Zhao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
| | - Ting Xu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
| | - Qin Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
| | - Minhuan Lan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
| | - Li Yan
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, 518118, China.
| | - Xianfeng Chen
- School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK.
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