201
|
Karinaga R, Koumoto K, Mizu M, Anada T, Shinkai S, Sakurai K. PEG-appended beta-(1-->3)-D-glucan schizophyllan to deliver antisense-oligonucleotides with avoiding lysosomal degradation. Biomaterials 2005; 26:4866-73. [PMID: 15763266 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2004] [Accepted: 11/16/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Schizophyllan is a natural beta-(1-->3)-d-glucan existing as a triple helix in water and as a single chain in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). As we already reported, when a homo-polynucleotide [e.g., poly(dA) or poly(C)] is added to the schizophyllan/DMSO solution and subsequently DMSO is exchanged for water, the single chain of schizophyllan forms a complex with the polynucleotide. One of the potential applications for this novel complex is an antisense-oligonucleotide (AS ODN) carrier. The present paper describes a modification technique that enabled us to introduce PEG only to the side chain of schizophyllan. This technique consisted of periodate oxidation of the glucose side chain and subsequent reaction between methoxypolyethylene glycol amine and the formyl terminate, followed by reduction with NaBH4. Subsequently, we made a complex from PEG-appended schizophyllan and an AS ODN sequence, and carried out an in vitro antisense assay, administrating the AS ODN complex to depress A375 c-myb mRNA of A375 melanoma cell lines. The PEG-SPG/AS ODN complex showed more enhanced antisnese effect than naked AS ODN dose, i.e., the same level as that of RGD-appended SPG. Here, the RGD system has been shown one on the most effective AS ODN carrier (Science 261 (1993) 1004-1012). When we added nigericin to the assay system, the antisense effect was not affected in the PEG-SPG system, on the other hand, it was almost eliminated in the RGD system. Nigericin is well known to interrupt transport from endosome to lysosome. Therefore, the difference between the PEG and RGD complexes indicates that, in the PEG system, AS ODN was able to escape from lysosomal degradation. The present work has thus proposed a new strategy to delivery AS ODN using schizophyllan as a new carrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryouji Karinaga
- Department of Chemical Process & Environments, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1, Hibikino, Wakamatu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808 0135, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
202
|
Vessey JP, Shi C, Jollimore CA, Stevens KT, Coca-Prados M, Barnes S, Kelly ME. Hyposmotic activation of ICl,swell in rabbit nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells involves increased ClC-3 trafficking to the plasma membrane. Biochem Cell Biol 2005; 82:708-18. [PMID: 15674438 DOI: 10.1139/o04-107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells, hyposmotic stimulation leading to cell swelling activates an outwardly rectifying Cl(-) conductance (I(Cl,swell)), which, in turn, results in regulatory volume decrease. The aim of this study was to determine whether increased trafficking of intracellular ClC-3 Cl channels to the plasma membrane could contribute to the I(Cl,swell) following hyposmotic stimulation. Our results demonstrate that hyposmotic stimulation reversibly activates an outwardly rectifying Cl(-) current that is inhibited by phorbol-12-dibutyrate and niflumic acid. Transfection with ClC-3 antisense, but not sense, oligonucleotides reduced ClC-3 expression as well as I(Cl,swell). Intracellular dialysis with 2 different ClC-3 antibodies abolished activation of I(Cl,swell). Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that hyposmotic stimulation increased ClC-3 immunoreactivity at the plasma membrane. To determine whether this increased expression of ClC-3 at the plasma membrane could be due to increased vesicular trafficking, we examined membrane dynamics with the fluorescent membrane dye FM1-43. Hyposmotic stimulation rapidly increased the rate of exocytosis, which, along with ICl,swell, was inhibited by the phosphoinositide-3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin and the microtubule disrupting agent, nocodazole. These findings suggest that ClC-3 channels contribute to I(Cl,swell) following hyposmotic stimulation through increased trafficking of channels to the plasma membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John P Vessey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4H7, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
203
|
Guo LH, Schluesener HJ. Binding and uptake of immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides by human neuroblastoma cells. Oligonucleotides 2005; 14:287-98. [PMID: 15665596 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2004.14.287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) that contain unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (CpG-ODN) trigger a strong innate immune response in vertebrates. They have been used to eradicate experimental neuroblastoma, but a direct interaction of CpG-ODN with neuroblastoma cells has not been investigated. We have analyzed uptake, binding, and intracellular distribution of CpG-ODN in the neuroblastoma cells line SKNSH. Our results indicate that cellular uptake of CpG-ODN is dose, time, temperature, and energy dependent but independent of the CpG motif. After internalization, CpGODN localized to the cytoplasm and showed a typical speckled distribution pattern. The intracellular distribution pattern and binding proteins are CpG motif independent as well. Thus, CpG-ODNs are taken up by neuroblastoma cells by a nonspecific transfer mechanism for oligonucleotides and interact with intracellular proteins. These mechanisms might help us to understand the biodistribution of oligo within tumors and might be helpful in evaluating the therapeutic effects of oligonucleotides and rational drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Hao Guo
- Institute of Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, D-72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
204
|
Shi Y, Luo H, Jia J, Xiong J, Yang D, Huang B, Jin Y. Antisense downregulation of SARS-CoV gene expression in Vero E6 cells. J Gene Med 2005; 7:97-107. [PMID: 15543523 PMCID: PMC7166999 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV). It is an enveloped, single‐stranded, plus‐sense RNA virus with a genome of ∼30 kb. The structural proteins E, M and N of SARS‐CoV play important roles during host cell entry and viral morphogenesis and release. Therefore, we have studied whether expression of these structural proteins can be down‐regulated using an antisense technique. Methods Vero E6 cells were transfected with plasmid constructs containing exons of the SARS‐CoV structural protein E, M or N genes or their exons in frame with the reporter protein EGFP. The transfected cell cultures were treated with antisense phosphorothioated oligonucleotides (antisense PS‐ODN, 20mer) or a control oligonucleotide by addition to the culture medium. Results Among a total of 26 antisense PS‐ODNs targeting E, M and N genes, we obtained six antisense PS‐ODNs which could sequence‐specifically reduce target genes expression by over 90% at the concentration of 50 µM in the cell culture medium tested by RT‐PCR. The antisense effect was further proved by down‐regulating the expression of the fusion proteins containing the structural proteins E, M or N in frame with the reporter protein EGFP. In Vero E6 cells, the antisense effect was dependent on the concentrations of the antisense PS‐ODNs in a range of 0–10 µM or 0–30 µM. Conclusions The antisense PS‐ODNs are effective in downregulation of SARS. The findings indicate that antisense knockdown of SARS could be a useful strategy for treatment of SARS, and could also be suitable for studies of the pathological function of SARS genes in a cellular model system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
- General Surgery Department, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
| | - Dehua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
| | - Youxin Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
205
|
Yu X, Trang P, Shah S, Atanasov I, Kim YH, Bai Y, Zhou ZH, Liu F. Dissecting human cytomegalovirus gene function and capsid maturation by ribozyme targeting and electron cryomicroscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:7103-8. [PMID: 15883374 PMCID: PMC1091747 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0408826102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human CMV (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of birth defects and causes one of the most common opportunistic infections among transplant recipients and AIDS patients. Cleavage of internal scaffolding proteins by the viral protease (Pr) occurs during HCMV capsid assembly. To gain insight into the mechanism of HCMV capsid maturation and the roles of the Pr in viral replication, an RNase P ribozyme was engineered to target the Pr mRNA and down-regulate its expression by >99%, generating premature Pr-minus capsids. Furthermore, scaffolding protein processing and DNA encapsidation were inhibited by 99%, and viral growth was reduced by 10,000-fold. 3D structural comparison of the Pr-minus and wild-type B capsids by electron cryomicroscopy, at an unprecedented 12.5-angstroms resolution, unexpectedly revealed that the structures are identical in their overall shape and organization. However, the Pr-minus capsid contains tenuous connections between the scaffold and the capsid shell, whereas the wild-type B capsid has extra densities in its core that may represent the viral Pr. Our findings indicate that cleavage of the scaffolding protein is not associated with the morphological changes that occur during capsid maturation. Instead, the protease appears to be required for DNA encapsidation and the subsequent maturation steps leading to infectious progeny. These results therefore provide key insights into an essential step of HCMV infection using an RNase P ribozyme-based inhibition strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuekui Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
206
|
Huarte E, Tirapu I, Arina A, Vera M, Alfaro C, Murillo O, Palencia B, Busto V, Marín V, Mazzolini G, Melero I. Intratumoural administration of dendritic cells: hostile environment and help by gene therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2005; 5:7-22. [PMID: 15709906 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.5.1.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Like paratroopers in special operations, dendritic cells (DCs) can be deployed behind the enemy borders of malignant tissue to ignite an antitumour immune response. 'Cross-priming T cell responses' is the code name for their mission, which consists of taking up antigen from transformed cells or their debris, migrating to lymphoid tissue ferrying the antigenic cargo, and meeting specific T cells. This must be accomplished in such an immunogenic manner that specific T lymphocytes would mount a robust enough response as to fully reject the malignancy. To improve their immunostimulating activity, local gene therapy can be very beneficial, either by transfecting DCs with genes enhancing their performance, or by preparing tumour tissue with pro-inflammatory mediators. In addition, endogenous DCs from the tumour host can be attracted into the malignant tissue following transfection of certain chemokine genes into tumour cells. On their side, tumour stroma and malignant cells set up a hostile immunosuppressive environment for artificially released or attracted DCs. This milieu is usually rich in transforming growth factor-beta, vascular endothelial growth factor, and IL-10, -6 and -8, among other substances that diminish DC performance. Several molecular strategies are being devised to interfere with the immunosuppressive actions of these substances and to further enhance the level of anticancer immunity achieved after artificial release of DCs intratumourally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Huarte
- University of Navarra School of Medicine, Gene Therapy Unit, Centro Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Avda/Pio XII,55, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
207
|
Ren Y, Wei D, Liu J, Su W. An antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-doxorubicin conjugate: preparation and its reversal multidrug resistance of human carcinoma cell line in vitro. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2005; 23:1595-607. [PMID: 15620098 DOI: 10.1081/ncn-200031419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
An antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-doxorubicin conjugate was synthesized by an aminocaproic acid linker. The synthetic conjugate was identified by HPLC analysis and UV-vis spectra. Properties of the conjugate in vitro conditions were investigated. The results demonstrated that the conjugate was remarkably stabilized by doxorubicin. When incubated in Dulbecco Phosphate-Buflered Saline (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C, the conjugate was more stable than doxorubicin or the mixture of doxorubicin and antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. When incubated in 10% fetal serum at 37 degrees C, the conjugate showed a remarkable stabilization as compared to the unmodified oligodeoxynucleotide. Melting experiments demonstrated that the covalent attachment of doxorubicin strongly stabilized the binding of the oligodeoxynucleotide to its complementary sequence. In addition, in vitro reversion of multidrug resistance by the conjugate was assayed in a human carcinoma cell line (KB-A-1) resisting to doxorubicin. The result showed that the conjugate displayed very high reversal multdrug resistance activity in KB-A-1 cells in vitro. The conjugate lowered the IC50 value from 21.5 microM to 2.2 microM with a fold-reversal factor of 10. In contrast, a slight decrease of the IC50 value was observed when they combined with the "free" antisense oligodeoxynucleotide: the IC50 value was down from 21.5 microM to 16.8 microM. This study suggested that antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-doxorubicin conjugate might be helpful in multidrug resistance reversal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Institute of Biochemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
208
|
Thomson CA, Atkinson HM, Ananthanarayanan VS. Identification of small molecule chemical inhibitors of the collagen-specific chaperone Hsp47. J Med Chem 2005; 48:1680-4. [PMID: 15743211 DOI: 10.1021/jm049148+] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hsp47 is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone whose activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases. Here, we describe the development of an assay for screening libraries of chemical compounds for inhibitors of Hsp47. A preliminary screen of 2080 compounds identified four that demonstrated inhibitory activity against Hsp47 in vitro, with IC(50) values ranging from 3 to 27 muM. Compounds identified through this method may provide the basis for development of novel antifibrotic therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christy A Thomson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
209
|
Marano RJ, Rakoczy PE. Treatments for choroidal and retinal neovascularization: a focus on oligonucleotide therapy and delivery for the regulation of gene function. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2005; 33:81-9. [PMID: 15670087 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2005.00952.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Blinding eye diseases caused by neovascularization of the retinal tissue are the leading cause of blindness in Western societies. Current treatments, such as laser photocoagulation, are limited in their effectiveness at halting the progression of angiogenesis and are unable to reduce the number of vessels once they have developed. In addition, although complete blindness is often avoided, vision is often permanently impaired by the treatment itself. Several less invasive treatments are being developed and one of these is oligonucleotide gene therapy in which short stretches of nucleotides are being used as inhibitors of key, metabolic processes involved in angiogenesis. Combined with this is the development of new and improved nucleotide chemistries aimed at overcoming many of the problems associated with oligonucleotide gene therapy, such as poor longevity because of endonuclease activity. In addition, advancements in delivery systems have further enhanced the efficacy of oligonucleotide gene therapy by increasing cellular penetration and localizing delivery to specific cell types and organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Marano
- Department of Molecular Ophthalmology, Lions Eye Institute, Western Australia, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
210
|
|
211
|
Shanley TP. Cytokines in inflammatory diseases: role and therapeutic targets in acute respiratory distress syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2.2.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
212
|
Galderisi U, Cipollaro M, Cascino A. Clinical trials of a new class of therapeutic agents: antisense oligonucleotides. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 6:69-79. [PMID: 15989497 DOI: 10.1517/14728214.6.1.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) are short stretches of DNA complementary to a target mRNA. The ODNs selectively hybridise to their complementary RNA by Watson-Crick base pairing rules. In theory, the use of antisense ODNs provides a method to specifically inhibit the intracellular expression of any disorder whose genetic aetiology is well known. For this reason, researchers thought that if antisense drugs proved to be so specific there would be no side effects. However, toxicity-related problems arose in initial animal studies of antisense drugs in the early 1990s and since then companies have been using these compounds cautiously. In order to be useful therapeutically, an ODN must (a) exhibit reasonable stability in the physiological environment, (b) be taken up and retained in adequate quantities by the target cells, (c) specifically bind target mRNA with high affinity, (d) have an acceptable therapeutic ratio, free of unwanted toxic and non-specific side effects and (e) be easily synthesised in sufficient quantities to allow clinical use. Most of these criteria have already been met by ODNs recently used in this way. This review describes certain therapeutic applications of antisense techniques currently under investigation in oncology, haematopathology and inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- U Galderisi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
213
|
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has infected millions of people worldwide and has emerged as a global health crisis. The currently available therapy is interferon (IFN) either alone or in combination with ribavirin. However, the disappointing efficacy of IFN has led to the considerable need for improved treatments and a number of new therapies are under evaluation in clinical trials. These include pegylated IFNs, which have altered physiochemical characteristics allowing once-weekly dosing. Combination of pegylated IFN with ribavirin should further improve sustained response rates. However, not all patients are successfully treated with IFNs, particularly those infected with genotype 1 of the virus, and it is likely that potent, specific drugs will be required. The majority of new approaches currently trying to combat this viral disease are aimed at inhibition of viral targets. Most effort has been directed towards inhibition of the NS3 serine protease, and potent inhibitors have now been described. However, a clinical candidate is yet to emerge against this difficult target. Considerable work by leading researchers has provided crystal structures of the key replicative enzymes, NS3 protease, NS3 helicase, NS5B polymerase and full-length NS3 protease-helicase, and there is much hope that such structural information will bear fruit. More recently, inhibition of host targets, particularly inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), has become of interest and there are on-going clinical trials with such inhibitors. Research aimed at novel treatments for HCV disease is gathering pace and very recent developments in cell-based assay systems can only hasten the discovery of improved therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B W Dymock
- Roche Discovery Welwyn, Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 3AY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
214
|
Affiliation(s)
- C F Bennett
- ISIS Pharmaceuticals, 2280 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
215
|
Ren Y, Zhan X, Wei D, Liu J. In vitro reversal MDR of human carcinoma cell line by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-doxorubicin conjugate. Biomed Pharmacother 2005; 58:520-6. [PMID: 15511610 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2004.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2004] [Accepted: 05/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A conjugate of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN) covalently linked with deoxorubicin (DOX) was synthesized. Its properties and antitumour activity in human carcinoma DOX resistant cells (KB-A-1) were investigated in vitro. The results showed that the conjugate was strongly stable both in Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) and in culture medium. The intracellular concentration of the conjugate was higher than that of the AS DON by HPLC analysis. The conjugate showed potent dose-dependent inhibition to the growth of KB-A-1 cells. Chemosensitivity of KB-A-1 cells to DOX was also investigated in vitro. When the cells were first exposed to the conjugate (0.5 microM) and then exposed to DOX for 24 h, the IC50 value of DOX decreased from 21.5 to 2.2 microM. In contrast, when treated with the mixture of the same concentration of the AS ODN with equivalent DOX, the IC50 value of DOX was 16.8 microM. Intracellular DOX concentration was detected in KB-A-1 treatment with the conjugate in vitro by HPLC. The results showed that the intracellular DOX concentration was 6.4-fold increased in KB-A-1 cells treated with the conjugate compared to treatment with DOX alone. In contrast, 1.8-fold increasing was observed when treated with the AS ODN. Western blot analysis showed a significantly decrease in the amount of P-glycoprotein in KB-A-1 cells. These results suggest that the conjugate is effective in reversing multidrug resistance. Certainly, further studies are conducting to explore the antitumour effect of the conjugate in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, New World Institute of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
216
|
Awad AM, Sobkowski M, Seliger H. Enzymatic and hybridization properties of oligonucleotide analogs containing novel phosphoramidate internucleotide linkages. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2005; 23:777-87. [PMID: 15281366 DOI: 10.1081/ncn-120039357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In line with the paradigm, that antisense oligonucleotides should contain minimal structural modifications, in order to minimize the risk of toxicity and antigenicity, we describe here the preparation and the properties of oligonucleotides modified to contain, in addition to phosphodiester bonds, a small number of phosphoramidate internucleotide linkages substituted with aminoethoxyethyl groups in order to convey protection against exo- and endonucleases. Prolonged stability was, in fact, found in model experiments with respective enzymes, as well as in studies done in human blood serum. Regardless of number and position of phosphoramidate linkages, the modified oligonucleotides showed only a slight decrease of Tm in hybridization studies with complementary oligonucleotides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Awad
- Sektion Chemische Funktionen in Biosystemen, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
217
|
Zhang Z, Weinschenk T, Schluesener HJ. Uptake, intracellular distribution, and novel binding proteins of immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in microglial cells. J Neuroimmunol 2005; 160:32-40. [PMID: 15710455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2004.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2004] [Revised: 10/27/2004] [Accepted: 10/27/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Microglial cells are central components of the innate immune system of the brain and contribute to inflammatory and degenerative processes. DNA with unmethylated CpG dinucleotides is a potent stimulant of microglial cells. We have analyzed uptake, intracellular distribution, and cellular binding proteins of CpG oligdeoxynucleotides (ODNs) by the microglial cell line N9. The uptake of CpG-ODN is concentration-, time-, and temperature-dependent, but, interestingly, independent of the CpG dinucleotides. After internalisation, CpG-ODN localized to the cytoplasm and showed a typical speckled distribution pattern. We further purified the cellular binding proteins of CpG-ODN and identified several binding proteins by tryptic digestion and mass spectrometry. Most of the CpG-ODN binding proteins are RNA processing enzymes, which are important for RNA splicing, export, and stability. Further, we identified a protein, pigpen, which has not been observed in microglial cells, so far. These proteins apparently bind CpG-ODN with low selectivity, as binding is independent of CpG dinucleotides. Interference of immunostimulatory and therapeutic oligonucleotides with proteins and enzymes of RNA transport and processing has not been described so far and might affect the physiological functions of these proteins and also might influence cellular localization of therapeutic ODN. These findings are helpful in understanding the cellular fate of ODN and the nonsequence-specific effects of ODN and for rational design and evaluation of ODN-based therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiren Zhang
- Institute of Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Calwer Street 3, Tuebingen D-72076, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
218
|
Lucas B, Remaut K, Sanders NN, Braeckmans K, De Smedt SC, Demeester J. Towards a better understanding of the dissociation behavior of liposome-oligonucleotide complexes in the cytosol of cells. J Control Release 2005; 103:435-50. [PMID: 15763625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2004.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2004] [Revised: 12/10/2004] [Accepted: 12/16/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
To obtain real breakthroughs in antisense therapy, it is necessary to understand the cellular behavior of antisense delivery systems. Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy (FFS), which measures in time fluorescence fluctuations in the excitation volume of a microscope and which can thus be applied on a cellular scale, shows potential for this purpose. In this study dual color FFS was explored to characterize the complexation (association and dissociation) between Cy5-labeled oligonucleotides (Cy5-ONs) and FITC-labeled cationic liposomes (FITC-liposomes) in respectively buffer, cell lysate and the cytosol of Vero cells. In Hepes buffer the association of the Cy5-ONs to the FITC-liposomes could be clearly observed from the high peaks of Cy5- and FITC-fluorescence, which appeared simultaneously in the excitation volume. This was explained by the fact that in the complexed state many Cy5-ONs and FITC-liposomes are bound to each other and thus move together through the excitation volume thereby resulting in high fluorescence 'FITC/Cy5-peaks'. FFS measurements on FITC-liposome/Cy5-ONs complexes in cell lysate revealed that a minor part of the Cy5-ONs was released from the complexes. The major part of the Cy5-ONs remained in the complexes, which also seemed to aggregate in cell lysate. In agreement with the measurements in cell lysate, after microinjection of FITC-liposome/Cy5-ONs complexes in the cytosol of Vero cells a part of the Cy5-ONs was released (as Cy-ONs were detected by FFS in the nuclei) while the other part remained bound (as Cy5-peaks were frequently observed in the cytosol). As will be explained, the Cy5-peaks could be due both to Cy5-ONs clustered with cytosol components and Cy5-ONs still complexed to FITC-liposomes with quenched FITC-fluorescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Lucas
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
219
|
Sakurai K, Uezu K, Numata M, Hasegawa T, Li C, Kaneko K, Shinkai S. β-1,3-Glucan polysaccharides as novel one-dimensional hosts for DNA/RNA, conjugated polymers and nanoparticles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2005:4383-98. [PMID: 16136229 DOI: 10.1039/b506673p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharides have triple-stranded helical structures whose sense and pitch are comparable to those of polynucleotides. We recently revealed that the beta-1,3-glucans could interact with certain polynucleotides to form triple-stranded and helical macromolecular complexes consisting of two polysaccharide-strands and one polynucleotide-strand. This unique property of the beta-1,3-glucans has made it possible to utilize these polysaccharides as potential carriers for various functional polynucleotides. In particular, cell-uptake efficiency of the resultant polysaccharide/polynucleotide complexes was remarkably enhanced when functional groups recognized in a biological system were introduced as pendent groups. The beta-1,3-glucans can also interact with various one-dimensional architectures, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes, to produce unique nanocomposites, in which the single-walled carbon nanotubes are entrapped within the helical superstructure of beta-1,3-glucans. Various conductive polymers and gold nanoparticles are also entrapped within the helical superstructure in a similar manner. In addition, diacetylene monomers entrapped within the helical superstructure can be photo-polymerized to afford the corresponding poly(diacetylene)-nanofibers with a uniform diameter. These findings indicate that the beta-1,3-glucans are very attractive and useful materials not only in biotechnology but also in nanotechnology. These unique properties of the beta-1,3-glucans undoubtedly originate from their inherent, very strong helix-forming character which has never been observed for other polysaccharides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Sakurai
- Department of Chemical Processes and Environments, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, Hibikino, 1-1 Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 808-0135, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
220
|
Transferrin-appended .BETA.-(1.RAR.3)-D-glucan schizophyllan for antisense oligonucleotides delivery to enhance the cellular uptake. E-JOURNAL OF SURFACE SCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2005.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
221
|
Rogers FA, Manoharan M, Rabinovitch P, Ward DC, Glazer PM. Peptide conjugates for chromosomal gene targeting by triplex-forming oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 32:6595-604. [PMID: 15602001 PMCID: PMC545466 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkh998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are DNA-binding molecules, which offer the potential to selectively modulate gene expression. However, the biological activity of TFOs as potential antigene compounds has been limited by cellular uptake. Here, we investigate the effect of cell-penetrating peptides on the biological activity of TFOs as measured in an assay for gene-targeted mutagenesis. Using the transport peptide derived from the third helix of the homeodomain of antennapedia (Antp), we tested TFO-peptide conjugates compared with unmodified TFOs. TFOs covalently linked to Antp resulted in a 20-fold increase in mutation frequency when compared with 'naked' oligonucleotides. There was no increase above background in mutation frequency when Antp by itself was added to the cells or when Antp was linked to mixed or scrambled sequence control oligonucleotides. In addition, the TFO-peptide conjugates increased the mutation frequency of the target gene, and not the control gene, in a dose-responsive manner. Confocal microscopy using labeled oligonucleotides indicated increased cellular uptake of TFOs when linked to Antp, consistent with the gene-targeting data. These results suggest that peptide conjugation may enhance intranuclear delivery of reagents designed to bind to chromosomal DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faye A Rogers
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 068520, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
222
|
de Vries EFJ, Vroegh J, Dijkstra G, Moshage H, Elsinga PH, Jansen PLM, Vaalburg W. Synthesis and evaluation of a fluorine-18 labeled antisense oligonucleotide as a potential PET tracer for iNOS mRNA expression. Nucl Med Biol 2004; 31:605-12. [PMID: 15219279 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2004.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is overexpressed in inflammatory bowel diseases. An antisense oligonucleotide with good hybridization properties for iNOS mRNA was selected using RT-PCR. The oligonucleotide was reliably labeled with fluorine-18 using N-(4-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl)-2-bromoacetamide. Cellular uptake and efflux of oligonucleotide complexed with FuGENE-6 were rapid, unlike naked oligonucleotide, which hardly accumulated. However, neither uptake nor efflux showed any selectivity for iNOS expressing cells. The oligonucleotide showed a high level of non-specific binding, which may have obscured its specific hybridization to iNOS mRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik F J de Vries
- PET Center, Groningen University Hospital, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
223
|
Marano RJ, Wimmer N, Kearns PS, Thomas BG, Toth I, Brankov M, Rakoczy PE. Inhibition of in vitro VEGF expression and choroidal neovascularization by synthetic dendrimer peptide mediated delivery of a sense oligonucleotide. Exp Eye Res 2004; 79:525-35. [PMID: 15381036 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2004.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2003] [Accepted: 06/22/2004] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Ocular neovascularisation is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries and the most potent angiogenic factor associated with neovascularisation is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We have previously described a sense oligonucleotide (ODN-1) that possesses anti-human and rat VEGF activity. This paper describes the synthesis of lipid-lysine dendrimers and their subsequent ability to delivery ODN-1 to its target and mediate a reduction in VEGF concentration both in vitro and in vivo. Positively charged dendrimers were used to deliver ODN-1 into the nucleus of cultured D407 cells. The effects on VEGF mRNA transcription and protein expression were analysed using RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The most effective dendrimers in vitro were further investigated in vivo using an animal model of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). All dendrimer/ODN-1 complexes mediated in a significant reduction in VEGF expression during an initial 24 hr period (40-60%). Several complexes maintained this level of VEGF reduction during a subsequent, second 24 hr period, which indicated protection of ODN-1 from the effects of endogenous nucleases. In addition, the transfection efficiency of dendrimers that possessed 8 positive charges (x=81.51%) was significantly better (P=0.0036) than those that possessed 4 positive charges (x=56.8%). RT-PCR revealed a correlation between levels of VEGF protein mRNA. These results indicated that the most effective structural combination was three branched chains of intermediate length with 8 positive charges such as that found for dendrimer 4. Dendrimer 4 and 7/ODN-1 complexes were subsequently chosen for in vivo analysis. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated that both dendrimers significantly (P<0.0001) reduced the severity of laser mediated CNV for up to two months post-injection. This study demonstrated that lipophilic, charged dendrimer mediated delivery of ODN-1 resulted in the down-regulation of in vitro VEGF expression. In addition, in vivo delivery of ODN-1 by two of the dendrimers resulted in significant inhibition of CNV in an inducible rat model. Time course studies showed that the dendrimer/ODN-1 complexes remained active for up to two months indicating the dendrimer compounds provided protection against the effects of nucleases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Marano
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, 2 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
224
|
Rohmann A, Lochmann D, Weyermann J, Bertling WM, Dingermann T, Zimmer A. Rapid screening method for antisense oligonucleotides against human growth factor receptor p185(erbB-2). Oligonucleotides 2004; 14:1-9. [PMID: 15104891 DOI: 10.1089/154545704322988003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was the development of an indirect cell proliferation assay as screening tool for antisense oligonucleotides. Unmodified and phosphorothioate-modified oligonucleotides with different amounts of sulfur in the DNA backbone were examined for biologic activity. The human growth factor receptor p185(erbB-2) was chosen as cellular target. High-level expression of this protein can be related to an early event in tumor development and cell proliferation. We correlated the expression of p185(erbB-2) with the cell proliferation of BT-474. Additionally a control cell line (MCF-7) with very low p185(erbB-2) expression was cultivated. Antisense oligonucleotides were transfected as a liposome formulation (Lipofectin), GIBCO-BRL, Eggenstein, Germany). Cell count was correlated with a total protein quantification assay (BCA method). Stability against nuclease digestion was determined with a DNase I assay. Sequence-specific antisense effects on the p185(erbB-2) protein level were determined by Western blot. An antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide was identified to inhibit the cell proliferation in comparison to a random control and a negative control oligonucleotide sequence. The comparison of fully thioated, partly thioated, and unmodified oligonucleotides verified the correlation between the enzymatic stability and the biologic activity of the different modifications. Using the unstable oligonucleotides, more treatments were necessary to achieve an antiproliferative effect. In our study, the indirect proliferation assay was found to be a reliable and potent tool for an antisense oligonucleotide screening by targeting the p185(erbB-2) protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anke Rohmann
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, 60439 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
225
|
Vollmer J, Weeratna RD, Jurk M, Samulowitz U, McCluskie MJ, Payette P, Davis HL, Schetter C, Krieg AM. Oligodeoxynucleotides lacking CpG dinucleotides mediate Toll-like receptor 9 dependent T helper type 2 biased immune stimulation. Immunology 2004; 113:212-23. [PMID: 15379982 PMCID: PMC1782571 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01962.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) with unmethylated CpG dinucleotides mimic the immune stimulatory activity of bacterial DNA in vertebrates and are recognized by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). It is also possible to detect immune activation with certain phosphorothioate sequences that lack CpG motifs. These ODN are less potent than CpG ODN and the mechanism by which they stimulate mammalian leucocytes is not understood. We here provide several lines of evidence demonstrating that the effects induced by non-CpG ODN are mediated by TLR9. First, non-CpG ODN could not stimulate cytokine secretion from the splenocytes of TLR9-deficient (TLR9(-/-)) mice. Second, immunization of TLR9(+/+) but not TLR9(-/-) mice with non-CpG ODN enhanced antigen-specific antibody responses, although these were T helper type 2 (Th2)-biased. Third, reactivity to non-CpG ODN could be reconstituted by transfection of human TLR9 into non-responsive cells. In addition, we define a new efficient immune stimulatory motif aside from the CpG dinucleotide that consists of a 5'-TC dinucleotide in a thymidine-rich background. Non-CpG ODN containing this motif induced activation of human B cells, but lacked stimulation of Th1-like cytokines and chemokines. Our study indicates that TLR9 can mediate either efficient Th1- or Th2-dominated effects depending on whether it is stimulated by CpG or certain non-CpG ODN.
Collapse
|
226
|
Kipshidze NN, Porter TR, Dangas G, Yazdi H, Tio F, Xie F, Hellinga D, Fournadjiev J, Wolfram R, Seabron R, Waksman R, Abizaid A, Roubin G, Iyer S, Leon MB, Moses JW, Iversen P. Systemic targeted delivery of antisense with perflourobutane gas microbubble carrier reduced neointimal formation in the porcine coronary restenosis model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 4:152-9. [PMID: 14984716 DOI: 10.1016/s1522-1865(03)00184-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2003] [Accepted: 11/17/2003] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS The antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO), AVI-4126, has been effective in reducing neointimal formation in animal models following delivery by pluronic gels, local delivery catheters and coated stents. Greater flexibility of repeated-dosage regimens and reduced procedure complexity may be provided by systemic injection of AVI-4126 bound to perfluorobutane gas microbubble carriers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of perfluorocarbon gas microbubble carrier (PGMC)-based systemic delivery of AVI-4126 on expression of the c-myc in vascular tissue and restenosis after stent implantation. METHODS Seven pigs underwent stent implantation (3 stents/animal). Five pigs received IV injection of PGMC and 2 mg of AVI-4126 (AVI BioPharma). Two served as control. Four hours postprocedure, 3 pigs were sacrificed and stented segments analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Western blot. In chronic experiments, 4 pigs (12 stent sites) were sacrificed at 28 days. RESULTS HPLC analysis of plasma samples of treated animals showed minimal presence of AVI-4126. HPLC of the treated arteries demonstrated easily detected concentrations of AVI-4126. Western blot analysis of the stented vessels demonstrated modest inhibition of c-myc. Morphometry showed that the neointimal area was significantly reduced in the AVI-4126/PGMC group compared with control (2.63+/-1.99 vs. 4.77+/-.1.71 mm2, respectively, P<.05). CONCLUSION In the porcine coronary stent model, systemic targeted delivery of AVI-4126 using PGMC carrier significantly inhibited neointimal formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas N Kipshidze
- Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute and Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 130 East 77th Street, Black Hall, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
227
|
Kipshidze NN, Iversen P, Kim HS, Yiazdi H, Dangas G, Seaborn R, New G, Tio F, Waksman R, Mehran R, Tsapenko M, Stone GW, Roubin GS, Iyer S, Leon MB, Moses JW. Advanced c-myc antisense (AVI-4126)-eluting phosphorylcholine-coated stent implantation is associated with complete vascular healing and reduced neointimal formation in the porcine coronary restenosis model. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004; 61:518-27. [PMID: 15065150 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.20007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
An advanced six-ring morpholino backbone c-myc antisense (AVI-4126) was shown to inhibit c-myc expression and intimal hyperplasia after local catheter delivery in a porcine balloon injury model. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an AVI-4126-eluting phosphorylcholine-coated (PC) stent on c-myc expression restenosis and vascular healing after stent implantation in porcine coronary arteries. PC stents were loaded with AVI-4126 using soak trap. Nine pigs underwent AVI-4126 PC coronary stent implantation (two stents/animal). Two to six hours postprocedure, three pigs were sacrificed and stented segments were analyzed by Western blot for c-myc expression. In chronic experiments, six pigs (12 stent sites) were sacrificed at 28 days following intervention and vessels were perfusion-fixed. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of plasma samples showed minimal presence of the antisense. Western blot analysis of the stented vessels demonstrated inhibition of c-myc expression at 2 and 6 hr after procedure. Quantitative histologic morphometry showed that the neointimal area was significantly reduced (by 40%) in the antisense-coated group compared with control (2.3 +/- 0.7 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.8 mm(2), respectively; P = 0.0077). Immunostaining and electron microscopy demonstrated complete endothelialization, without fibrin deposition, thrombosis, or necrosis in all implanted stents. In the porcine coronary model, an advanced c-myc-eluting PC stent blocked c-myc expression and significantly inhibited myointimal hyperplasia and allowed complete reendothelialization and healing response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas N Kipshidze
- Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute and Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York 10021, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
228
|
Kurz K. Hydrolytische Spaltung von Nucleinsäuren-vom Enzymmechanismus zum Enzymmodell. CHEM UNSERER ZEIT 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/ciuz.19980320206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
229
|
Mizu M, Koumoto K, Kimura T, Sakurai K, Shinkai S. Protection of polynucleotides against nuclease-mediated hydrolysis by complexation with schizophyllan. Biomaterials 2004; 25:3109-16. [PMID: 14967545 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.09.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2003] [Accepted: 09/18/2003] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Schizophyllan is a beta-(1-->3)-D-glucan existing as a triple helix in water and as a single chain in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), respectively. As we already reported, when some homo-polynucleotide (for example, poly(dA) or poly(C)) is added to the schizophyllan/DMSO solution and subsequently DMSO is exchanged for water, the single chain of schizophyllan (s-SPG) forms a complex with the polynucleotide. The present work demonstrates that the polynucleotide bound in the complex is more stable to nuclease-mediated hydrolysis than the polynucleotide itself (i.e., naked polynucleotide), using high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet absorbance technique. A kinetic study for the hydrolysis clarified that the simple Michaelis-Menten relation is held and the maximum velocity for the complex is one-sixth as small as that of the naked polynucleotide. This low hydrolysis rate for the complex suggests that s-SPG is applicable to a carrier for antisense oligonucleotides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masami Mizu
- Department of Chemical Process and Environments, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1, Hibikino, Wakamatu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
230
|
Brignole C, Pastorino F, Marimpietri D, Pagnan G, Pistorio A, Allen TM, Pistoia V, Ponzoni M. Immune cell-mediated antitumor activities of GD2-targeted liposomal c-myb antisense oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004; 96:1171-80. [PMID: 15292389 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djh221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expression of the c-myb proto-oncogene in neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor of infancy, is linked with cell proliferation and differentiation. Neuroblastoma can be selectively targeted via monoclonal antibodies against the disialoganglioside (GD2) tumor-associated antigen. Liposomes coated with anti-GD2 antibodies (targeted liposomes) and entrapping a c-myb antisense oligonucleotide have antitumor activity. Because antisense oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs can stimulate immune responses, we evaluated the effect of CpG-containing c-myb antisense oligonucleotides encapsulated within targeted liposomes. METHODS Antisense (myb-as) and scrambled (myb-scr) control oligonucleotides with CpG motifs were encapsulated within GD2-targeted and non-targeted liposomes. Two murine (nude and SCID-bg) xenograft models of neuroblastoma were established. Mice (groups of 10) were injected intravenously with various oligonucleotide and liposome formulations, and life span, long-term survival, immune cell activation, and cytokine release were measured over time. RESULTS Tumor-bearing mice injected with targeted liposome-CpG-myb-as or targeted liposome-CpG-myb-scr lived longer than mice in any other group, although long-term survival (i.e., more than 120 days) was obtained only in mice injected with targeted liposome-CpG-myb-as. Splenocytes isolated from mice injected with targeted liposome-CpG-myb-as contained activated macrophages, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, but only activated NK cells were associated with antitumor cytotoxic activity. In vivo immune cell activation was accompanied by the time-dependent increases in plasma levels of the cytokines interleukin 12 (IL-12; maximum level reached by 2 hours) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma; maximum level reached by 18 hours) and was dependent on the oligonucleotide CpG motif. Ablation of macrophages or NK cells resulted in a loss of in vivo antitumor activity. CONCLUSION Immune cell activation, involving the time-dependent activation of macrophages and NK cells, contributes to the antitumor activity of targeted liposome-CpG-myb-as against neuroblastoma and could improve the effectiveness of antitumor targeted liposomes.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- CpG Islands/genetics
- CpG Islands/immunology
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Gangliosides/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Genes, myb
- Humans
- Injections, Intravenous
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Liposomes
- Macrophages/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Mice, SCID
- Neuroblastoma/drug therapy
- Neuroblastoma/genetics
- Neuroblastoma/immunology
- Neuroblastoma/metabolism
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/metabolism
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/pharmacology
- Proto-Oncogene Mas
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/pharmacology
- Spleen/cytology
- Spleen/immunology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Oncology, Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
231
|
Zhu J, Trang P, Kim K, Zhou T, Deng H, Liu F. Effective inhibition of Rta expression and lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by human RNase P. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:9073-8. [PMID: 15184661 PMCID: PMC428475 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0403164101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonuclease P (RNase P) complexed with external guide sequence (EGS) represents a nucleic acid-based gene interference approach to knock-down gene expression. Unlike other strategies, such as antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, and RNA interference, the RNase P-based technology is unique because a custom-designed EGS molecule can bind to any complementary mRNA sequence and recruit intracellular RNase P for specific degradation of the target mRNA. In this study, we demonstrate that the RNase P-based strategy is effective in blocking gene expression and growth of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), the causative agent of the leading AIDS-associated neoplasms, such as KS and primary-effusion lymphoma. We constructed 2'-O-methyl-modified EGS molecules that target the mRNA encoding KSHV immediate-early transcription activator Rta, and we administered them directly to human primary-effusion lymphoma cells infected with KSHV. A reduction of 90% in Rta expression and a reduction of approximately 150-fold in viral growth were observed in cells treated with a functional EGS. In contrast, a reduction of <10% in the Rta expression and viral growth was found in cells that were either not treated with an EGS or that were treated with a disabled EGS containing mutations that preclude recognition by RNase P. Our study provides direct evidence that EGSs are highly effective in inhibiting KSHV gene expression and growth. Exogenous administration of chemically modified EGSs in inducing RNase P-mediated cleavage represents an approach for inhibiting specific gene expression and for treating human diseases, including KSHV-associated tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Zhu
- Program in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, 140 Warren Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
232
|
Mizu M, Koumoto K, Anada T, Karinaga R, Kimura T, Nagasaki T, Shinkai S, Sakurai K. Enhancement of the Antisense Effect of Polysaccharide–Polynucleotide Complexes by Preventing the Antisense Oligonucleotide from Binding to Proteins in the Culture Medium. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2004. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.77.1101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
233
|
Zou H, Lee J, Kilani AF, Kim K, Trang P, Kim J, Liu F. Engineered RNase P ribozymes increase their cleavage activities and efficacies in inhibiting viral gene expression in cells by enhancing the rate of cleavage and binding of the target mRNA. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:32063-70. [PMID: 15169770 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m403059200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered RNase P ribozymes are promising gene-targeting agents that can be used in both basic research and clinical applications. We have previously selected ribozyme variants for their activity in cleaving an mRNA substrate from a pool of ribozymes containing randomized sequences. In this study, one of the variants was used to target the mRNA encoding thymidine kinase (TK) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The variant exhibited enhanced cleavage and substrate binding and was at least 30 times more efficient in cleaving TK mRNA in vitro than the ribozyme derived from the wild type sequence. Our results provide the first direct evidence to suggest that a point mutation at nucleotide 95 of RNase P catalytic RNA from Escherichia coli (G(95) --> U(95)) increases the rate of cleavage, whereas another mutation at nucleotide 200 (A(200) --> C(200)) enhances substrate binding of the ribozyme. A reduction of about 99% in TK expression was observed in cells expressing the variant, whereas a 70% reduction was found in cells expressing the ribozyme derived from the wild type sequence. Thus, the RNase P ribozyme variant is highly effective in inhibiting HSV-1 gene expression. Our study demonstrates that ribozyme variants increase their cleavage activity and efficacy in blocking gene expression in cells through enhanced substrate binding and rate of cleavage. These results also provide insights into the mechanism of how RNase P ribozymes efficiently cleave an mRNA substrate and, furthermore, facilitate the development of highly active RNase P ribozymes for gene-targeting applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zou
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Program in Comparative, Biochemistry, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 94720, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
234
|
Abstract
Antisense technology exploits oligonucleotide analogs to bind to target RNAs via Watson-Crick hybridization. Once bound, the antisense agent either disables or induces the degradation of the target RNA. Antisense agents can also alter splicing. During the past decade, much has been learned about the basic mechanisms of antisense, the medicinal chemistry, and the pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicologic properties of antisense molecules. Antisense technology has proven valuable in gene functionalization and target validation. With one drug marketed, Vitravenetm, and approximately 20 antisense drugs in clinical development, it appears that antisense drugs may prove important in the treatment of a wide range of diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley T Crooke
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, 2292 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
235
|
Benimetskaya L, Stein CA. Antisense therapy: recent advances and relevance to prostate cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 1:20-30. [PMID: 15046709 DOI: 10.3816/cgc.2002.n.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Currently employed treatment options for patients with advanced and metastatic cancer such as surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy are limited. In particular, the well known limitations of chemotherapy are at least in part due to a lack of specificity. The activation of dominant oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes may represent novel targets for cancer therapy. Antisense therapy has been widely used to specifically and selectively inhibit the expression of selected genes at the messenger RNA level. Combinations of antisense oligonucleotides with chemotherapeutic agents may offer important advantages in cancer treatment. Several antisense drugs, especially oblimersen (G3139), have shown interesting results in experiments in animals, and have entered clinical trials. However, control oligonucleotides must be carefully chosen to separate antisense effects from the many potential nonspecific effects of oligonucleotides. This review summarizes the advantages and limitations of antisense therapy and its use in the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luba Benimetskaya
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
236
|
Abstract
RNase P, a tRNA processing enzyme, contains both RNA and protein subunits. M1 RNA, the catalytic RNA subunit of RNase P from Escherichia coli, recognizes its target RNA substrate mainly on the basis of its structure and cleaves a double stranded RNA helix at the 5' end that resembles the acceptor stem and T-stem structure of its natural tRNA substrate. Accordingly, a guide sequence (GS) can be covalently attached to the M1 RNA to generate a sequence specific ribozyme, M1GS RNA. M1GS ribozyme can target any mRNA sequence of choice that is complementary to its guide sequence. Recent studies have shown that M1GS ribozymes efficiently cleave the mRNAs of herpes simplex virus 1 and human cytomegalovirus, and the BCR-ABL oncogenic mRNA in vitro and effectively reduce the expression of these mRNAs in cultured cells. Moreover, an in vitro selection scheme has been developed to select for M1 GS ribozyme variants with more efficient catalytic activity in cleaving mRNAs. When expressed in cultured cells, these selected ribozymes also show an enhance ability to inhibit viral gene expression and growth. These recent results demonstrate the feasibility of developing the M1GS ribozyme-based technology as a promising gene targeting approach for basic research and clinical therapeutic application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phong Trang
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Program in Comparative Biochemistry, School of Public Health, 140 Warren Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
237
|
Segal DJ, Gonçalves J, Eberhardy S, Swan CH, Torbett BE, Li X, Barbas CF. Attenuation of HIV-1 Replication in Primary Human Cells with a Designed Zinc Finger Transcription Factor. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:14509-19. [PMID: 14734553 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m400349200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecule inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) have been extremely successful but are associated with a myriad of undesirable effects and require lifelong daily dosing. In this study we explore an alternative approach, that of inducing intracellular immunity using designed, zinc finger-based transcription factors. Three transcriptional repression proteins were engineered to bind sites in the HIV-1 promoter that were expected to be both accessible in chromatin structure and highly conserved in sequence structure among the various HIV-1 subgroups. Transient transfection assays identified one factor, KRAB-HLTR3, as being able to achieve 100-fold repression of an HIV-1 promoter. Specificity of repression was demonstrated by the lack of repression of other promoters. This factor was further shown to repress the replication of several HIV-1 viral strains 10- to 100-fold in T-cell lines and primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Repression was observed for at least 18 days with no significant cytotoxicity. Stable T-cell lines expressing the factor also do not show obvious signs of cytotoxicity. These characteristics present KRAB-HLTR3 as an attractive candidate for development in an intracellular immunization strategy for anti-HIV-1 therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Segal
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and the Departments of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
238
|
Shaw BR, Dobrikov M, Wang X, Wan J, He K, Lin JL, Li P, Rait V, Sergueeva ZA, Sergueev D. Reading, writing, and modulating genetic information with boranophosphate mimics of nucleotides, DNA, and RNA. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004; 1002:12-29. [PMID: 14751819 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1281.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The P-boranophosphates are efficient and near perfect mimics of natural nucleic acids in permitting reading and writing of genetic information with high yield and accuracy. Substitution of a borane (-BH3) group for oxygen in the phosphate ester bond creates an isoelectronic and isosteric mimic of natural nucleotide phosphate esters found in mononucleotides, i.e., AMP and ATP, and in RNA and DNA polynucleotides. Compared to natural nucleic acids, the boranophosphate RNA and DNA analogs demonstrate increased lipophilicity and resistance to endo- and exonucleases, yet they retain negative charge and similar spatial geometry. Borane groups can readily be introduced into the NTP and dNTP nucleic acid monomer precursors to produce alpha-P-borano nucleoside triphosphate analogs (e.g., NTPalphaB and dNTPalphaB). The NTPalphaB and dNTPalphaB are, in fact, good to excellent substrates for RNA and DNA polymerases, respectively, and allow ready enzymatic synthesis of RNA and DNA with P-boranophosphate linkages. Further, boranophosphate polymer products are good templates for replication, transcription, and gene expression; boronated RNA products are also suitable for reverse transcription to cDNA. Fully substituted boranophosphate DNA can activate the RNase H cleavage of RNA in RNA:DNA hybrids. Moreover, certain dideoxy-NTPalphaB analogs appear to be better substrates for viral reverse transcriptases than the regular ddNTPs, and may offer promising prodrug alternatives in antiviral therapy. These properties make boranophosphates promising candidates for diagnostics; aptamer selection; gene therapy; and antiviral, antisense, and RNAi therapeutics. The boranophosphates constitute a versatile family of phosphate mimics for processing genetic information and modulating gene function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ramsay Shaw
- Paul M. Gross Chemical Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0346, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
239
|
Gutiérrez-Puente Y, Tari AM, Ford RJ, Tamez-Guerra R, Mercado-Hernandez R, Santoyo-Stephano M, Lopez-Berestein G. Cellular pharmacology of P-ethoxy antisense oligonucleotides targeted to Bcl-2 in a follicular lymphoma cell line. Leuk Lymphoma 2004; 44:1979-85. [PMID: 14738153 DOI: 10.1080/1042819031000099733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A P-ethoxy oligonucleotide (oligo), 20 bases long and specific for the translation initiation site of human Bcl-2 mRNA, was incorporated into liposomes to increase its intracellular delivery. This oligo selectively inhibited Bcl-2 protein expression and induced growth inhibition in t(14;18)-positive transformed follicular lymphoma (FL) cell lines. We studied the inhibitory effects of shorter liposomal P-ethoxy oligos (7, 9, 11 or 15 mer) in order to determine the activity of different oligo chain lengths targeted to the same Bcl-2 mRNA. At 12 microM, all the oligos inhibited the growth of a FL cell line. We compared the 7-mer oligo with the 20-mer oligo. The two oligos inhibited Bcl-2 protein expression similarly: 66% and 60% for the 7- and 20-mer, respectively. The uptake and retention of both oligos were also very similar. Our results indicate that the Bcl-2 inhibitory activity is maintained with P-ethoxy antisense oligos ranging from 7 to 20 bases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Gutiérrez-Puente
- Immunobiology and Drug Carriers Section, Department of Bioimmunotherapy, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
240
|
Affiliation(s)
- G J Nabel
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3005, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
241
|
Storni T, Ruedl C, Schwarz K, Schwendener RA, Renner WA, Bachmann MF. Nonmethylated CG Motifs Packaged into Virus-Like Particles Induce Protective Cytotoxic T Cell Responses in the Absence of Systemic Side Effects. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 172:1777-85. [PMID: 14734761 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.3.1777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA rich in nonmethylated CG motifs (CpGs) greatly facilitates induction of immune responses against coadministered Ags. CpGs are therefore among the most promising adjuvants known to date. Nevertheless, CpGs are characterized by two drawbacks. They have unfavorable pharmacokinetics and may exhibit systemic side effects, including splenomegaly. We show in this study that packaging CpGs into virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the hepatitis B core Ag or the bacteriophage Qbeta is a simple and attractive method to reduce these two problems. CpGs packaged into VLPs are resistant to DNase I digestion, enhancing their stability. In addition, and in contrast to free CpGs, packaging CpGs prevents splenomegaly in mice, without affecting their immunostimulatory capacity. In fact, vaccination with CpG-loaded VLPs was able to induce high frequencies of peptide-specific CD8(+) T cells (4-14%), protected from infection with recombinant vaccinia viruses, and eradicated established solid fibrosarcoma tumors. Thus, packaging CpGs into VLPs improves both their immunogenicity and pharmacodynamics.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Allolevivirus/genetics
- Allolevivirus/immunology
- Animals
- Antigen Presentation/genetics
- Antigen Presentation/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CpG Islands/genetics
- CpG Islands/immunology
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/genetics
- DNA Methylation
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Dendritic Cells/virology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
- Fibrosarcoma/immunology
- Fibrosarcoma/prevention & control
- Glycoproteins/administration & dosage
- Glycoproteins/genetics
- Glycoproteins/immunology
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens/administration & dosage
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens/genetics
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens/immunology
- Liposomes/immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/genetics
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/immunology
- Peptide Fragments/administration & dosage
- Peptide Fragments/genetics
- Peptide Fragments/immunology
- RNA, Viral/administration & dosage
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- Recombination, Genetic
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/virology
- Thionucleotides/antagonists & inhibitors
- Thionucleotides/toxicity
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Viral Proteins/administration & dosage
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Viral Proteins/immunology
- Virion/genetics
- Virion/immunology
- Virion/metabolism
- Virus Assembly/genetics
- Virus Assembly/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tazio Storni
- Cytos Biotechnology AG, Schlieren-Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
242
|
Goñi JR, de la Cruz X, Orozco M. Triplex-forming oligonucleotide target sequences in the human genome. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 32:354-60. [PMID: 14726484 PMCID: PMC373298 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkh188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The existence of sequences in the human genome which can be a target for triplex formation, and accordingly are candidates for anti-gene therapies, has been studied by using bioinformatics tools. It was found that the population of triplex-forming oligonucleotide target sequences (TTS) is much more abundant than that expected from simple random models. The population of TTS is large in all the genome, without major differences between chromosomes. A wide analysis along annotated regions of the genome allows us to demonstrate that the largest relative concentration of TTS is found in regulatory regions, especially in promoter zones, which suggests a tremendous potentiality for triplex strategy in the control of gene expression. The dependence of the stability and selectivity of the triplexes on the length of the TTS is also analysed using knowledge-based rules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Ramon Goñi
- Molecular Modelling and Bioinformatics Unit, Institut de Recerca Biomédica, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Josep Samitier 1-5, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
243
|
Abstract
With the advent of functional genomics and the shift of interest towards sequence-based therapeutics, the past decades have witnessed intense research efforts on nucleic acid-mediated gene regulation technologies. Today, RNA interference is emerging as a groundbreaking discovery, holding promise for development of genetic modulators of unprecedented potency. Twenty-five years after the discovery of antisense RNA and ribozymes, gene control therapeutics are still facing developmental difficulties, with only one US FDA-approved antisense drug currently available in the clinic. Limited predictability of target site selection models is recognized as one major stumbling block that is shared by all of the so-called complementary technologies, slowing the progress towards a commercial product. Currently employed in vitro systems for target site selection include RNAse H-based mapping, antisense oligonucleotide microarrays, and functional screening approaches using libraries of catalysts with randomized target-binding arms to identify optimal ribozyme/DNAzyme cleavage sites. Individually, each strategy has its drawbacks from a drug development perspective. Utilization of message-modulating sequences as therapeutic agents requires that their action on a given target transcript meets criteria of potency and selectivity in the natural physiological environment. In addition to sequence-dependent characteristics, other factors will influence annealing reactions and duplex stability, as well as nucleic acid-mediated catalysis. Parallel consideration of physiological selection systems thus appears essential for screening for nucleic acid compounds proposed for therapeutic applications. Cellular message-targeting studies face issues relating to efficient nucleic acid delivery and appropriate analysis of response. For reliability and simplicity, prokaryotic systems can provide a rapid and cost-effective means of studying message targeting under pseudo-cellular conditions, but such approaches also have limitations. To streamline nucleic acid drug discovery, we propose a multi-model strategy integrating high-throughput-adapted bacterial screening, followed by reporter-based and/or natural cellular models and potentially also in vitro assays for characterization of the most promising candidate sequences, before final in vivo testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Gautherot
- Virology Platform, Industrialization and Process Development, AVENTIS PASTEUR, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
244
|
Matsuno A, Nagashima T. A Novel Strategy for Growth Suppression of Glioma Cells: Targeting Microtubules. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2004. [DOI: 10.1267/ahc.37.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Matsuno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Teikyo University Ichihara Hospital
| | | |
Collapse
|
245
|
Cheon YP, Xu X, Bagchi MK, Bagchi IC. Immune-responsive gene 1 is a novel target of progesterone receptor and plays a critical role during implantation in the mouse. Endocrinology 2003; 144:5623-30. [PMID: 14500577 DOI: 10.1210/en.2003-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormone progesterone (P) is a critical regulator of uterine receptivity during blastocyst implantation. The hormone acts through nuclear P receptors (PRs) to modulate the expression of specific gene networks in various uterine cell types. To identify the P-regulated pathways underlying uterine receptivity, we previously used oligonucleotide microarrays to analyze uterine mRNA profiles at the time of implantation in response to RU486, a PR antagonist. We reported that the mRNA corresponding to the immune-responsive gene 1 (Irg1), a previously described lipopolysaccharide-inducible gene, is one of the several mRNAs that are markedly down-regulated by RU486 in the preimplantation uterus. In the present study, we performed in situ hybridization to show that P stimulates Irg1 mRNA synthesis in the luminal epithelial cells of uteri of ovariectomized wild-type but not PR knockout mice. We also report that Irg1 mRNA was induced in the luminal epithelium of pregnant uterus between d 3 and 5, overlapping the window of implantation. To investigate the function of Irg1 during implantation, we administered sense or antisense oligodeoxynucleotides into preimplantation mouse uteri. Treatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides led to suppression in Irg1 mRNA expression without affecting unrelated mRNAs in the pregnant uterus. This intervention was also accompanied by impairment in embryo implantation, indicating that the phenotype is linked to the suppression of Irg1 mRNA. Collectively, our studies identified Irg1 as a novel target of PR in the pregnant uterus and also revealed that it is a critical regulator of the early events leading to implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Pil Cheon
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
246
|
Abstract
Potent inhibition of endogenous gene expression by RNA interference has been achieved by using sequence-specific posttranscriptional gene silencing through the action of small interfering RNA molecules (siRNA). In these reports, the natural function of genes could be deduced through the ensuing loss of function. Based on the extraordinary effectiveness in silencing endogenous genes, we wondered whether siRNA could be applied against viral replication in a hepatitis B virus (HBV) model using HBV-specific siRNA. To test this idea, HepG2 2.2.15, a human hepatoblastoma cell line that constitutively produces infectious HBV particles, was transfected with HBV-specific siRNAs and controls. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion into culture media was inhibited by 78%, 67%, and 42% with siRNA against the polyadenylation (PA), precore (PreC), and surface (S) regions, respectively, compared with controls as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After exposure to HBVPA siRNA, Northern blot analysis showed that HBV pregenomic RNA levels were decreased by 72%, and levels of HBV RNA containing the polyadenylation signal sequence were suppressed by 86%, as detected by RNase protection assay. Levels of HBV core-associated DNA, a replication intermediate, also decreased by 71%. Immunocytochemistry revealed that 30% to 40% of the cells transfected with HBVPA siRNA were completely negative for detectable HBsAg levels. Controls consisting of treatment with HBV-specific siRNA alone, lipofection reagent alone, or random double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) lipofection complex failed to decrease HBV surface antigen, HBV messenger RNA (mRNA), or core-associated HBV-DNA levels. In conclusion, siRNA inhibits hepatitis B viral replication in a cell culture system. Future studies are needed to explore the specific delivery of siRNA to liver cells in vivo and the applicability of this approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masayoshi Konishi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1845, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
247
|
Hagiwara S, Nakamura K, Hamada H, Sasaki K, Ito Y, Kuribayashi K, Sato T, Sato Y, Takahashi M, Kogawa K, Kato J, Terui T, Takayama T, Matsunaga T, Taira K, Niitsu Y. Inhibition of type I procollagen production by tRNAVal CTE-HSP47 ribozyme. J Gene Med 2003; 5:784-94. [PMID: 12950069 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrosis characteristically occurs in the advanced stages of chronic inflammatory diseases, occasionally as the primary lesion, and frequently determines the disease prognosis. Fibrotic lesions consist mostly of collagen, and therefore it may be possible to prevent or treat fibrosis by inhibiting collagen production. Of the currently available therapeutic approaches, however, none is sufficiently effective and specific for inhibition of collagen. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone that has been reported to play a pivotal role in secretion of procollagen molecules. Therefore, we have tried to suppress its function to inhibit these various types of collagen. METHODS We have developed a novel type of ribozyme by ligating a hammerhead sequence to a tRNA(Val) promoter to facilitate displacing the ribozyme from nucleus to cytoplasm and to constitutive transport element, a binding motif of helicase which unwinds mRNA to render the target sequence on the mRNA accessible to the ribozyme. RESULTS The ribozyme thus constructed showed strong activity to cleave HSP47 mRNA and suppress the secretion of type I procollagen in the human primary fibroblast. CONCLUSION We suggest applicability of this ribozyme as a new modality for antifibrosis therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seiya Hagiwara
- The 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
248
|
Whitehead BF, Schofield R, Rogers KM, Gustafsson K, Fabre JW. Modulation of adenovirus infection in vitro by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. Respirology 2003; 8:310-5. [PMID: 12911823 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.2003.00480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) may represent a novel, airway directed approach to the treatment of adenovirus infection of the lung, for which no specific therapy exists. This study assessed the efficacy of antisense ODNs in modulating adenovirus infection in vitro. METHODOLOGY A biological assay, which quantified viral plaque formation by wild type adenovirus 5 in a lung epithelial cell line (A549), was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of a number of antisense ODNs targeted to the early (E) 1 A and protein IX genes of adenovirus 5. Antisense ODNs (20-21mers, phosphorothioate end-protected) were designed to straddle the initiation of translation (AUG) codon of the mRNA of the targeted gene. RESULTS There was a consistent and significant (P < 0.005) reduction in viral plaque formation in those cells treated with an E1A antisense ODN, compared with the nonsense control ODN. Neither the addition of a cationic lipid (Lipofectamine), nor increasing the concentration of ODN from 1 micro mol to 15 micro mol enhanced the original inhibitory effect observed with the E1A antisense ODN. CONCLUSIONS An antisense ODN targeted to the E1A gene can specifically inhibit adenovirus 5 infection in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for antisense ODNs in adenovirus infection of the lung.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce F Whitehead
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
249
|
Abe T, Hikiji H, Shin WS, Koshikiya N, Shima SI, Nakata J, Susami T, Takato T, Toyo-oka T. Targeting of iNOS with antisense DNA plasmid reduces cytokine-induced inhibition of osteoblastic activity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2003; 285:E614-21. [PMID: 12657566 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00267.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proinflammatry cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha combined with interleukin-1beta, induce excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) and its cytotoxic metabolite peroxynitrite (ONOO-) via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in murine osteoblasts. In this study, to properly estimate the effects of antisense DNA of iNOS on osteoblastic activity, we produced transformed cell lines with antisense plasmid that specifically targets the iNOS gene for potential long-lasting inhibition. Transformed antisense cell lines were identified by 1) the detection of antisense transcripts, 2) the attenuated expression of iNOS protein, 3) the reduction of NO synthase activity, and 4) the level of NO production. These cell lines targeting iNOS, which showed decreased production of both NO and ONOO-, prevented the inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation as was assayed by the mRNA expression of type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and Core binding factor in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines. Present results indicate that the antisense DNA plasmid of iNOS is potent to reduce the cytokine-induced inhibition of osteoblastic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Abe
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
250
|
Li ZQ, Yuan XH, Jiang PC, Chen WG, Wen ZH. Inhibition effect of vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on C6 glioma. Chin J Cancer Res 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/s11670-003-0028-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
|