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Xiang M, Li Y, Liu J, Shi J, Ge Y, Peng C, Bin Y, Wang Z, Wang L. G-Quadruplex Linked DNA Guides Selective Transfection into Nucleolin-Overexpressing Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102247. [PMID: 36297681 PMCID: PMC9609445 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a promising approach for treating tumors. Conventional approaches of DNA delivery depending on non-viral or viral vectors are unsatisfactory due to the concerns of biosafety and cell-targeting efficiency. The question how to deliver DNA into tumor cells efficiently and selectively is a major technological problem in tumor gene therapy. Here, we develop a vector-free gene transfer strategy to deliver genes effectively and selectively by taking advantage of targeting nucleolin. Nucleolin, a shuttle protein moving between cell membrane, cytoplasm and nuclei, is overexpressed in tumor cells. It has a natural ligand G-quadruplex (Gq). Gq-linked DNA (Gq-DNA) is likely to be internalized by ligand dependent uptake mechanisms independently of vectors after neutralizing negative charges of cell membrane by targeting nucleolin. This strategy is referred to as Gq-DNA transfection. Benefiting from its high affinity to nucleolin, Gq-DNA can be effectively delivered into nucleolin-positive tumor cells even nuclei. Gq-DNA transfection is characterized by low cytotoxicity, high efficiency, ease of synthesis, high stability in serum, direct access into nuclei, and specific nucleolin-positive tumor cell targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Xiang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yongkui Li
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yizhi Ge
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chen Peng
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yawen Bin
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.W.)
| | - Lin Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (L.W.)
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2
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Kumar R, Santa Chalarca CF, Bockman MR, Bruggen CV, Grimme CJ, Dalal RJ, Hanson MG, Hexum JK, Reineke TM. Polymeric Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11527-11652. [PMID: 33939409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The advent of genome editing has transformed the therapeutic landscape for several debilitating diseases, and the clinical outlook for gene therapeutics has never been more promising. The therapeutic potential of nucleic acids has been limited by a reliance on engineered viral vectors for delivery. Chemically defined polymers can remediate technological, regulatory, and clinical challenges associated with viral modes of gene delivery. Because of their scalability, versatility, and exquisite tunability, polymers are ideal biomaterial platforms for delivering nucleic acid payloads efficiently while minimizing immune response and cellular toxicity. While polymeric gene delivery has progressed significantly in the past four decades, clinical translation of polymeric vehicles faces several formidable challenges. The aim of our Account is to illustrate diverse concepts in designing polymeric vectors towards meeting therapeutic goals of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy. Here, we highlight several classes of polymers employed in gene delivery and summarize the recent work on understanding the contributions of chemical and architectural design parameters. We touch upon characterization methods used to visualize and understand events transpiring at the interfaces between polymer, nucleic acids, and the physiological environment. We conclude that interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies motivated by fundamental questions are key to designing high-performing polymeric vehicles for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | | | - Matthew R Bockman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Craig Van Bruggen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Christian J Grimme
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Rishad J Dalal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mckenna G Hanson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Joseph K Hexum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M Reineke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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3
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Mishra B, Wilson DR, Sripathi SR, Suprenant MP, Rui Y, Wahlin KJ, Berlinicke CA, Green JJ, Zack DJ. A combinatorial library of biodegradable polyesters enables non-viral gene delivery to post-mitotic human stem cell-derived polarized RPE monolayers. REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 6:273-285. [PMID: 33732871 DOI: 10.1007/s40883-019-00118-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Safe and effective delivery of DNA to post-mitotic cells, especially highly differentiated cells, remains a challenge despite significant progress in the development of gene delivery tools. Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) offer an array of advantages for gene delivery over viral vectors due to improved safety, carrying capacity, ease of manufacture, and cell-type specificity. Here we demonstrate the use of a high-throughput screening (HTS) platform to synthesize and screen a library of 148 biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, successfully identifying structures that enable efficient transfection of human pluripotent stem cell differentiated human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with minimal toxicity. These NPs can deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA) to RPE monolayers more efficiently than leading commercially available transfection reagents. Novel synthetic polymers are described that enable high efficacy non-viral gene delivery to hard-to-transfect polarized human RPE monolayers, enabling gene loss- and gain-of-function studies of cell signaling, developmental, and disease-related pathways. One new synthetic polymer in particular, 3,3'-iminobis(N,N-dimethylpropylamine)-end terminated poly(1,5-pentanediol diacrylate-co-3 amino-1-propanol) (5-3-J12), was found to form self-assembled nanoparticles when mixed with plasmid DNA that transfect a majority of these human post-mitotic cells with minimal cytotoxicity. The platform described here can be utilized as an enabling technology for gene transfer to human primary and stem cell-derived cells, which are often fragile and resistant to conventional gene transfer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhudatta Mishra
- Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - David R Wilson
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21231, United States.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Srinivas R Sripathi
- Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Mark P Suprenant
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21231, United States.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Yuan Rui
- Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21231, United States.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Karl J Wahlin
- Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Cynthia A Berlinicke
- Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Jordan J Green
- Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21231, United States.,Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Donald J Zack
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States.,Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
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4
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Boyle WS, Twaroski K, Woska EC, Tolar J, Reineke TM. Molecular Additives Significantly Enhance Glycopolymer-Mediated Transfection of Large Plasmids and Functional CRISPR-Cas9 Transcription Activation Ex Vivo in Primary Human Fibroblasts and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 30:418-431. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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5
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Tasharrofi N, Kouhkan F, Soleimani M, Soheili ZS, Atyabi F, Akbari Javar H, Abedin Dorkoosh F. Efficient gene delivery to primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells: The innate and acquired properties of vectors. Int J Pharm 2016; 518:66-79. [PMID: 28017770 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.12.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is designing non-viral gene delivery vectors for transfection of the primary human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). In the design process of gene delivery vectors, considering physicochemical properties of vectors alone does not seem to be enough since they interact with constituents of the surrounding environment and hence gain new characteristics. Moreover, due to these interactions, their cargo can be released untimely or undergo degradation before reaching to the target cells. Further, the characteristics of cells itself can also influence the transfection efficacy. For example, the non-dividing property of RPE cells can impede the transfection efficiency which in most studies was ignored by using immortal cell lines. In this study, vectors with different characteristics differing in mixing orders of pDNA, PEI polymer, and PLGA/PEI or PLGA nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. Then, their characteristics and efficacy in gene delivery to RPE cells in the presence of vitreous or fetal bovine serum (FBS) were evaluated. All formulations showed no cytotoxicity and were able to protect pDNA from premature release and degradation in extracellular media. Also, the adsorption of vitreous or serum proteins onto the surface of vectors changed their properties and hence cellular uptake and transfection efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Tasharrofi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Masoud Soleimani
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra-Soheila Soheili
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Atyabi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Akbari Javar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farid Abedin Dorkoosh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Medical Biomaterial Research Center (MBRC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Fuge G, Zeng AP, Jandt U. Weak cell cycle dependency but strong distortive effects of transfection with Lipofectamine 2000 in near-physiologically synchronized cell culture. Eng Life Sci 2016; 17:348-356. [PMID: 32624780 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201600113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we reported a method to generate and validate cell cycle-synchronized cultures of multiple mammalian suspension cell lines under near-physiological conditions. This method was applied to elucidate the putative interdependencies of the cell cycle and recombinant protein expression in the human producer cell line HEK293s using Lipofectamine 2000 and the reporter plasmid pcDNA3.3 enhanced green fluorescent protein, destabilized using PEST sequence. A population-resolved modeling approach was applied to quantitatively assess putative variations of cell cycle dependent expression rates based on the obtained experimental data. We could not confirm results published earlier by other groups, based on nonphysiological synchronization attempts, reporting transfection efficiency being strongly dependent on the cell cycle phase at transfection time point. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that transfection and protein expression distort the progression of the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grischa Fuge
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Hamburg University of Technology Hamburg Germany
| | - An-Ping Zeng
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Hamburg University of Technology Hamburg Germany
| | - Uwe Jandt
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Hamburg University of Technology Hamburg Germany
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7
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The heterogeneous nature of polyethylenimine-DNA complex formation affects transient gene expression. Cytotechnology 2016; 60:63. [PMID: 19649718 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-009-9215-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2009] [Accepted: 07/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyethylenimine has been used widely in transient gene expression with mammalian cells. To further understand its mediation of gene transfer, the transfection of HEK 293-F cells with dynamically prepared PEI/DNA complexes was studied with the help of fluorescent labeling. The efficiency of complex endocytosis/phagocytosis was found to correlate with the average sizes of complexes applied and complexes greater than 1 μm in diameter were likely excluded by the cells. Coupled with complex growth in size, the degree of association between PEI and DNA increased with the time of complex formation in the presence of competing ions. The blocking of transcription by complex formation necessitated complex dissociation in the nuclear environment for transcription to happen. Intracellularly, the fates of PEI complexed DNA therefore may be mostly determined by the degree of association. Results also suggested that the uptake of PEI/DNA complexes and subsequent protein expression were independent of the cell cycle stages of HEK 293-F cells.
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8
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Durymanov MO, Yarutkin AV, Khramtsov YV, Rosenkranz AA, Sobolev AS. Live imaging of transgene expression in Cloudman S91 melanoma cells after polyplex-mediated gene delivery. J Control Release 2015; 215:73-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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9
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Castillo Salvador AE, Fuge G, Jandt U, Zeng AP. Growth kinetics and validation of near-physiologically synchronized HEK293S Cultures. Eng Life Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201400224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Grischa Fuge
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; Hamburg University of Technology; Hamburg Germany
| | - Uwe Jandt
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; Hamburg University of Technology; Hamburg Germany
| | - An-Ping Zeng
- Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; Hamburg University of Technology; Hamburg Germany
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10
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Low Molecular Weight Chitosan (LMWC)-based Polyplexes for pDNA Delivery: From Bench to Bedside. Polymers (Basel) 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/polym6061727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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11
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Delyagina E, Schade A, Scharfenberg D, Skorska A, Lux C, Li W, Steinhoff G. Improved transfection in human mesenchymal stem cells: effective intracellular release of pDNA by magnetic polyplexes. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2013; 9:999-1017. [PMID: 24063366 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.13.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Magnetically guided transfection has been shown as a promising approach for the genetic modification of cells. We observed that polyethylenimine (PEI)-condensed pDNA, combined with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) via biotin-streptavidin interactions could provide higher transfection efficiency than pDNA/PEI alone, even without the application of a magnetic force. Therefore, we intended to investigate the beneficial properties of MNP-based transfection. MATERIALS & METHODS We performed three-color fluorescent labeling of magnetic transfection complexes and traced them inside human mesenchymal stem cells over time using confocal microscopy in order to study pDNA release kinetics by colocalization studies. RESULTS We demonstrated that MNP-combined pDNA/PEI complexes provide more rapid and efficient release of pDNA than pDNA/PEI alone, which could be explained by the retention of PEI on the surface of the MNPs due to strong biotin-streptavidin interactions. CONCLUSION The process of pDNA liberation may significantly influence the efficiency of the transfection vector. Therefore, it should be carefully considered when creating novel gene delivery agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenya Delyagina
- Reference & Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy, Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Rostock, Schillingallee 35, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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12
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Abouzeid AH, Torchilin VP. The role of cell cycle in the efficiency and activity of cancer nanomedicines. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2013; 10:775-86. [DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2013.776538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Gene therapy holds promise for the treatment of many inherited and acquired diseases of the eye. Successful ocular gene therapy interventions depend on efficient gene transfer to targeted cells with minimal toxicity. A major challenge is to overcome both intracellular and extracellular barriers associated with ocular gene delivery. Numerous viral and nonviral vectors were explored to improve transfection efficiency. Among nonviral delivery systems, polymeric vectors have gained significant attention in recent years owing to their nontoxic and non-immunogenic nature. Polyplexes or nanoparticles can be prepared by interaction of cationic polymers with DNA, which facilitate cellular uptake, endolysosomal escape and nuclear entry through active mechanisms. Chemical modification of these polymers allows for the generation of flexible delivery vectors with desirable properties. In this article several synthetic and natural polymeric systems utilized for ocular gene delivery are discussed.
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14
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A simple and rapid nonviral approach to efficiently transfect primary tissue–derived cells using polyethylenimine. Nat Protoc 2012; 7:935-45. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2012.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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15
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Effect of addition of 'carrier' DNA during transient protein expression in suspension CHO culture. Cytotechnology 2012; 64:613-22. [PMID: 22415736 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-012-9435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient protein expression using polyethyleneimine as a transfection agent is useful for the rapid production of small amounts of recombinant proteins. It is known that an increase in extracellular DNA concentration during transfection can lead to a nonlinear increase in intracellular DNA concentration. We present an approach that hypothesizes that this nonlinearity can be used to decrease the amount of plasmid required for productive transfections. Through addition of non coding 'carrier' DNA to increase total DNA concentration during transfection, we report a statistically significant increase in protein (IgG) expression per unit plasmid used for transfection. This approach could be useful to increase protein yields for large scale transfections under conditions where plasmid availability is limited.
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16
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Hsu CYM, Uludağ H. Nucleic-acid based gene therapeutics: delivery challenges and modular design of nonviral gene carriers and expression cassettes to overcome intracellular barriers for sustained targeted expression. J Drug Target 2012; 20:301-28. [PMID: 22303844 DOI: 10.3109/1061186x.2012.655247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The delivery of nucleic acid molecules into cells to alter physiological functions at the genetic level is a powerful approach to treat a wide range of inherited and acquired disorders. Biocompatible materials such as cationic polymers, lipids, and peptides are being explored as safer alternatives to viral gene carriers. However, the comparatively low efficiency of nonviral carriers currently hampers their translation into clinical settings. Controlling the size and stability of carrier/nucleic acid complexes is one of the primary hurdles as the physicochemical properties of the complexes can define the uptake pathways, which dictate intracellular routing, endosomal processing, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. In addition to nuclear import, subnuclear trafficking, posttranscriptional events, and immune responses can further limit transfection efficiency. Chemical moieties, reactive linkers or signal peptide have been conjugated to carriers to prevent aggregation, induce membrane destabilization and localize to subcellular compartments. Genetic elements can be inserted into the expression cassette to facilitate nuclear targeting, delimit expression to targeted tissue, and modulate transgene expression. The modular option afforded by both gene carriers and expression cassettes provides a two-tier multicomponent delivery system that can be optimized for targeted gene delivery in a variety of settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Yu Ming Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Cananda
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17
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Symens N, Soenen SJ, Rejman J, Braeckmans K, De Smedt SC, Remaut K. Intracellular partitioning of cell organelles and extraneous nanoparticles during mitosis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2012; 64:78-94. [PMID: 22210278 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2011.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of nanoparticles as a result of cell division is highly relevant to the field of nonviral gene delivery. We reviewed the literature on the intracellular distribution of cell organelles (the endosomal vesicles, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus), foreign macromolecules (dextrans and plasmid DNA) and inorganic nanoparticles (gold, quantum dot and iron oxide) during mitosis. For nonviral gene delivery particles (lipid- or polymer-based), indirect proof of nuclear entry during mitosis is provided. We also describe how retroviruses and latent DNA viruses take advantage of mitosis to transfer their viral genome and segregate their episomes into the host daughter nuclei. Based on this knowledge, we propose strategies to improve nonviral gene delivery in dividing cells with the ultimate goal of designing nonviral gene delivery systems that are as efficient as their viral counterparts but non-immunogenic, non-oncogenic and easy and inexpensive to prepare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Symens
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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18
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Symens N, Walczak R, Demeester J, Mattaj I, De Smedt SC, Remaut K. Nuclear inclusion of nontargeted and chromatin-targeted polystyrene beads and plasmid DNA containing nanoparticles. Mol Pharm 2011; 8:1757-66. [PMID: 21859089 DOI: 10.1021/mp200120v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear membrane is one of the major cellular barriers in the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA). Cell division has a positive influence on the expression efficiency since, at the end of mitosis, pDNA or pDNA containing complexes near the chromatin are probably included by a random process in the nuclei of the daughter cells. However, very little is known about the nuclear inclusion of nanoparticles during cell division. Using the Xenopus nuclear envelope reassembly (XNER) assay, we found that the nuclear enclosure of nanoparticles was dependent on size (with 100 and 200 nm particles being better included than the 500 nm ones) and charge (with positively charged particles being better included than negatively charged or polyethyleneglycolated (PEGylated) ones) of the beads. Also, coupling chromatin-targeting peptides to the polystyrene beads or pDNA complexes improved their inclusion by 2- to 3-fold. Upon microinjection in living HeLa cells, however, nanoparticles were never observed in the nuclei of cells postdivision but accumulated in a specific perinuclear region, which was identified as the lysosomal compartment. This indicates that nanoparticles can end up in the lysosomes even when they were not delivered through endocytosis. To elucidate if the chromatin binding peptides also have potential in living cells, this additional barrier first has to be tackled, since it prevents free particles from being present near the chromatin at the moment of cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Symens
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Chen J, Li Z, Huang H, Yang Y, Ding Q, Mai J, Guo W, Xu Y. Improved antigen cross-presentation by polyethyleneimine-based nanoparticles. Int J Nanomedicine 2011; 6:77-84. [PMID: 21289984 PMCID: PMC3025594 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s15457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose In the development of therapeutic vaccines against cancer, it is important to design strategies for antigen cross-presentation to stimulate cell-mediated immune responses against tumor antigens. Methods We developed a polyethyleneimine (PEI)-based protein antigen delivery system to promote cross-presentation through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I pathway using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen. PEIs formed nanoparticles with OVA by electrostatic interactions, as demonstrated by electrophoresis analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and photon correlation spectroscopy analysis. Results The nanoparticles were used to stimulate mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells in vitro and resulted in significantly more OVA257–264/MHC I complex presentation on dendritic cell surfaces. The activated dendritic cells interacted specifically with RF33.70 to stimulate interleukin-2 secretion. The cross-presentation promoting effect was more prominent in dendritic cells that had been cultured for longer periods of time (13 days). Further studies comparing the antigen presentation efficacies by other polyanionic agents, such as PLL or lysosomotropic agents, suggested that the unique “proton sponge effect” of PEI facilitated antigen escape from the endosome toward the MHC I pathway. Conclusion Such a PEI-based nanoparticle system may have the potential to be developed into an effective therapeutic vaccine delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Di Gioia S, Conese M. Polyethylenimine-mediated gene delivery to the lung and therapeutic applications. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2009; 2:163-88. [PMID: 19920904 PMCID: PMC2761186 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s2708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nonviral gene delivery is now considered a promising alternative to viral vectors. Among nonviral gene delivery agents, polyethylenimine (PEI) has emerged as a potent candidate for gene delivery to the lung. PEI has some advantages over other polycations in that it combines strong DNA compaction capacity with an intrinsic endosomolytic activity. However, intracellular (mainly the nuclear membrane) and extracellular obstacles still hamper its efficiency in vitro and in vivo, depending on the route of administration and the type of PEI. Nuclear delivery has been increased by adding nuclear localization signals. To overcome nonspecific interactions with biological fluids, extracellular matrix components and nontarget cells, strategies have been developed to protect polyplexes from these interactions and to increase target specificity and gene expression. When gene delivery into airway epithelial cells of the conducting airways is necessary, aerosolization of complexes seems to be better suited to guarantee higher transgene expression in the airway epithelial cells with lower toxicity than observed with either intratracheal or intravenous administration. Aerosolization, indeed, is useful to target the alveolar epithelium and pulmonary endothelium. Proof-of-principle that PEI-mediated gene delivery has therapeutic application to some genetic and acquired lung disease is presented, using as genetic material either plasmidic DNA or small-interfering RNA, although optimization of formulation and delivery protocols and limitation of toxicity need further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale L. Pinto 1, Foggia, Italy
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21
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The synthesis of cationic polyurethanes to study the effect of amines and structures on their DNA transfection potential. J Control Release 2009; 133:68-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2008.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2008] [Revised: 09/10/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Pujals S, Delgado D, Solinís MA, Gascón AR, Giralt E, Pedraz JL. A proline-rich peptide improves cell transfection of solid lipid nanoparticle-based non-viral vectors. J Control Release 2008; 133:52-9. [PMID: 18854203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2008.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2008] [Revised: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to improve the transfection efficacy of solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)-based non-viral vectors into ARPE-19 cells through the addition of Sweet Arrow Peptide (SAP). First, we prepared SAP-DNA complexes at ratios of at least 50:1, and then incorporated them into the SLNs. All formulations were able to protect DNA, and the peptide favoured the most bioactive form (supercoiled) of open circular DNA turns. In vitro transfection studies of the vectors containing the pCMS-EGFP plasmid in HEK293 and ARPE-19 cell lines revealed that incorporation of SAP led to greater transfection in both cell lines, although via different mechanisms. The presence of SAP in the formulations did not affect the viability of HEK293 or ARPE-19 cells. In HEK293 cells, SAP enabled greater uptake of the vectors, and an SAP to DNA ratio of 50:1 was sufficient for enhancing transfection. In contrast, in ARPE-19 cells, SAP induced a change in the dominant entrance mechanism, from clathrin endocytosis to caveolae/raft-dependent endocytosis, thereby decreasing use of the lysosomal pathway and consequently, reducing vector degradation. The extent to which SAP uses one mechanism or the other largely depends on its concentration in the formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory, Pharmacy Faculty, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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23
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del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Delgado D, Solinís MA, Gascón AR, Pedraz JL. Solid lipid nanoparticles for retinal gene therapy: transfection and intracellular trafficking in RPE cells. Int J Pharm 2008; 360:177-83. [PMID: 18508211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2008.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Revised: 04/03/2008] [Accepted: 04/05/2008] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are usually employed to study DNA systems for diseases related to problems in the retina. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been shown to be useful non-viral vectors for gene therapy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the transfection capacity of SLNs in the human retinal pigment epithelial established cell line (ARPE-19) in order to elucidate the potential application of this vector in the treatment of retinal diseases. Results showed a lower transfection level of SLNs in ARPE-19 cells than in HEK293 (2.5% vs. 14.9% EGFP positive cells at 72h post-transfection). Trafficking studies revealed a delay in cell uptake of the vectors in ARPE-19 cells. Differences in internalization process into the two cell lines studied explain, in part, the difference in the gene expression. The clathrin-mediated endocytosis in ARPE-19 cells directs the solid lipid nanoparticles to lysosomes; moreover, the low division rate of this cell line hampers the entrance of DNA into the nucleus. The knowledge of intracellular trafficking is very useful in order to design more efficient vectors taking into account the characteristics of the specific cell line to be transfected.
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Affiliation(s)
- A del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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24
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Di Gioia S, Rejman J, Carrabino S, De Fino I, Rudolph C, Doherty A, Hyndman L, Di Cicco M, Copreni E, Bragonzi A, Colombo C, Boyd AC, Conese M. Role of Biophysical Parameters on ex Vivo and in Vivo Gene Transfer to the Airway Epithelium by Polyethylenimine/Albumin Complexes. Biomacromolecules 2008; 9:859-66. [DOI: 10.1021/bm701190p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sante Di Gioia
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Joanna Rejman
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Salvatore Carrabino
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Ida De Fino
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Carsten Rudolph
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Ann Doherty
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Laura Hyndman
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Maurizio Di Cicco
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Elena Copreni
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Alessandra Bragonzi
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Carla Colombo
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - A. Christopher Boyd
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
| | - Massimo Conese
- Institute for Experimental Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmacy and Biotechnology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Medical Genetics Section, Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K., Dipartimento di Otorinolaringoiatra, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli
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Toropainen E, Hornof M, Kaarniranta K, Johansson P, Urtti A. Corneal epithelium as a platform for secretion of transgene products after transfection with liposomal gene eyedrops. J Gene Med 2007; 9:208-16. [PMID: 17351984 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first objective of the study was to evaluate the transfection of corneal epithelium with non-viral vectors to secrete transgene products into the tear fluid and aqueous humor. The second goal was to evaluate the differentiated corneal epithelial cell culture for transfection studies. METHODS The human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line was cultured to different stages of differentiation and transfected with complexes of pCMV-SEAP2 with DOTAP/DOPE, DOTAP/DOPE/protamine sulfate (PS) and polyethylenimine (PEI). The complexes of DOTAP/DOPE with plasmid (CMV-SEAP2 or pCMV-Luc4) were subsequently applied topically to the rabbit eyes. Secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) was analyzed using chemiluminescent assay. Luciferase (Luc) was detected at the mRNA level in cornea and conjunctiva using a qRT-PCR. RESULTS The transfection levels decreased with differentiation of HCE cells. PEI was effective in transfecting both the dividing and partly differentiated cells, but ineffective in differentiated cells. DOTAP/DOPE showed high activity in differentiated cell cultures, while added PS did not improve transfection. Significant SEAP expression was observed for three days after in vivo transfection in the tear fluid and aqueous humor. The luciferase mRNA was found both in the cornea and conjunctiva. The rates of SEAP secretion from both the basolateral side of differentiated HCE cells and cornea in vivo were within the same range. CONCLUSIONS Corneal epithelium can be transfected topically to secrete gene products to the tear fluid and aqueous humor. The differentiated HCE model is a useful tool in the evaluation of non-viral carriers for corneal transfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Toropainen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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Männistö M, Reinisalo M, Ruponen M, Honkakoski P, Tammi M, Urtti A. Polyplex-mediated gene transfer and cell cycle: effect of carrier on cellular uptake and intracellular kinetics, and significance of glycosaminoglycans. J Gene Med 2007; 9:479-87. [PMID: 17410614 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Here we report on studies that probe whether the intracellular kinetics of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are modified during the cell cycle in a way that can be correlated with changes in gene transfer efficiency with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) polyplexes. METHODS Synchronized D407 retinal cells were transfected with PEI and PLL polyplexes using a luciferase reporter. The free and/or loosely complexed nuclear pDNA was determined by real-time PCR, and compared with transgene expression, the rate of pinocytosis by FITC-dextran uptake and the content of cell surface GAGs. RESULTS The amount of free and/or loosely complexed nuclear pDNA between cell cycle phases varied approximately 4-20 times (G1 < S < G2/M). Both carriers delivered pDNA in a similar way into the nucleus (PLL vs. PEI < or = 3.5-fold), but PEI was approximately 10-100 times more efficient in gene expression than PLL (G1 < G2/M < S). The rate of pinocytosis increased up to 70-fold from G1 to middle S phase. Cell surface heparan and chondroitin sulfate increased 50-80%, and hyaluronan decreased 50% when the cells went from G1 through S to G2/M. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained indicates that no single parameter (pinocytosis, cell surface GAGs, nuclear uptake) solely accounts for the differential pDNA uptake or expression during cell cycle, and that the main difference in PLL- and PEI-mediated transfections seems to be at the nuclear level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjo Männistö
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
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Grosse S, Thévenot G, Monsigny M, Fajac I. Which mechanism for nuclear import of plasmid DNA complexed with polyethylenimine derivatives? J Gene Med 2006; 8:845-51. [PMID: 16685744 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the nuclear import mechanism of plasmid/polyethylenimine (PEI) derivative complexes and the putative nuclear targeting of therapeutic genes by the use of oligosaccharides, we have studied the nuclear import of plasmid DNA complexed either with PEI or with lactosylated PEI (Lac-PEI) in cystic fibrosis human airway epithelial cells ( summation operatorCFTE29o- cells). METHODS AND RESULTS Cells were synchronized by a double-thymidine block protocol and gene transfer efficiency was evaluated: Lac-PEI- and PEI-mediated gene transfer was greatly increased when cells have undergone mitosis during the course of transfection. However, both types of complexes were able to transfect some growth-arrested cells. When the nuclear import of plasmid/Lac-PEI or plasmid/unsubstituted PEI complexes was studied in digitonin-permeabilized cells, the nuclear uptake of both types of complexes did not follow the classic pathway of nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-containing proteins and lactose residues did not act as a nuclear localization signal. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that for complexes made with PEI derivatives, the major route for plasmid DNA nuclear entry is a passive nuclear importation during mitosis when the nuclear membrane temporarily breaks down. However, albeit to a lesser extent as that observed in dividing cells, a plasmid DNA importation also occurs in nondividing cells by a yet unknown mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Grosse
- Université Paris-Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, EA 2511, Paris, France
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Mladenova V, Russev G. Enhanced repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks in S phase. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:1631-4. [PMID: 16494874 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2005] [Revised: 01/16/2006] [Accepted: 02/08/2006] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Hela cells synchronized in G1 and S phases of the cell cycle were transfected with pEGFP crosslinked with trioxsalen. Twelve hours later the number of fluorescent cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. Cells in S phase have repaired 0.2-0.3 ICL/kb over the 12h period, while cells in G1 phase repaired interstrand crosslinks much more poorly. The crosslinked plasmids were efficiently recruited to the nuclear matrix both in G1 phase and S-phase, which showed that the poor repair of G1 cells was a result of a lack of DNA replication rather than of a lack of matrix attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Mladenova
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Street, Block 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Mellor HR, Davies LA, Caspar H, Pringle CR, Hyde SC, Gill DR, Callaghan R. Optimising non-viral gene delivery in a tumour spheroid model. J Gene Med 2006; 8:1160-70. [PMID: 16807955 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our current understanding of how the unique tumour microenvironment influences the efficacy of gene delivery is limited. The current investigation systematically examines the efficiency of several non-viral gene transfer agents to transfect multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTS), an in vitro model that displays a faithful three-dimensional (3D) representation of solid tumour tissue. METHODS Using a luciferase reporter assay, gene transfer to MCTS was optimised for 22 kDa linear and 25 kDa branched polyethyleneimine (PEI), the cationic lipids Lipofectamine(trade mark) and DCChol : DOPE, and the physical approach of tissue electroporation. Confocal microscopy was used to take optical tissue slices to identify the tissue localisation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene expression and the distribution of fluorescently labelled complexes. A MCTS model of quiescent tumour regions was used to establish the influence of cellular proliferation status on gene transfer efficiency. RESULTS Of the polyplexes tested, 22 kDa linear PEI provided optimal gene delivery, with gene expression peaking at 46 h. Despite being the optimal vector tested, PEI-mediated transfection was limited to cells at the MCTS periphery. Using fluorescent PEI, it was found that complexes could only penetrate the outer 3-5 proliferating cell layers of the MCTS, sparing the deeper quiescent cells. Gene delivery in an MCTS model comprised entirely of quiescent cells demonstrated that in addition to being inaccessible to the vector, quiescent tumour regions are inherently less susceptible to PEI-mediated transfection than proliferating regions. This 'resistance' to transfection observed in quiescent cells was overcome through the use of electroporation. Despite the improved efficacy of electroporation in quiescent tissue, the gene expression was still confined to the outer regions of MCTS. The results suggest that limited access to central regions of an MCTS remain a significant barrier to gene delivery. CONCLUSIONS This data provides new insights into tumour-specific factors affecting non-viral gene transfer and highlights the difficulties in delivering genes to avascular tumour regions. The MCTS model is a useful system for the initial screening of future gene therapy strategies for solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- H R Mellor
- Oxford Drug Resistance Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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