Genetic modification of murine dendritic cells by RNA transfection

The RUFYs, a Family of Effector Proteins Involved in Intracellular Trafficking and Cytoskeleton Dynamics

Intracellular trafficking is essential for cell structure and function. In order to perform key tasks such as phagocytosis, secretion or migration, cells must coordinate their intracellular trafficking, and cytoskeleton dynamics. This relies on certain classes of proteins endowed with specialized and conserved domains that bridge membranes with effector proteins. Of particular interest are proteins capable of interacting with membrane subdomains enriched in specific phosphatidylinositol lipids, tightly regulated by various kinases and phosphatases. Here, we focus on the poorly studied RUFY family of adaptor proteins, characterized by a RUN domain, which interacts with small GTP-binding proteins, and a FYVE domain, involved in the recognition of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. We report recent findings on this protein family that regulates endosomal trafficking, cell migration and upon dysfunction, can lead to severe pathology at the organismal level.

Intracellular Delivery by Membrane Disruption: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Concepts

Intracellular delivery is a key step in biological research and has enabled decades of biomedical discoveries. It is also becoming increasingly important in industrial and medical applications ranging from biomanufacture to cell-based therapies. Here, we review techniques for membrane disruption-based intracellular delivery from 1911 until the present. These methods achieve rapid, direct, and universal delivery of almost any cargo molecule or material that can be dispersed in solution. We start by covering the motivations for intracellular delivery and the challenges associated with the different cargo types-small molecules, proteins/peptides, nucleic acids, synthetic nanomaterials, and large cargo. The review then presents a broad comparison of delivery strategies followed by an analysis of membrane disruption mechanisms and the biology of the cell response. We cover mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and chemical strategies of membrane disruption with a particular emphasis on their applications and challenges to implementation. Throughout, we highlight specific mechanisms of membrane disruption and suggest areas in need of further experimentation. We hope the concepts discussed in our review inspire scientists and engineers with further ideas to improve intracellular delivery.

Enhancement of dendritic cells transfection in vivo and of vaccination against B16F10 melanoma with mannosylated histidylated lipopolyplexes loaded with tumor antigen messenger RNA

We report the preparation of mannosylated nanoparticles loaded with messenger RNA (mRNA) that enhance the transfection of dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo and the anti-B16F10 melanoma vaccination in mice. Mannosylated and histidylated lipopolyplexes (Man(11)-LPR100) were obtained by adding mannosylated and histidylated liposomes to mRNA-PEGylated histidylated polylysine polyplexes. Upon intravenous injection, ∼9% of the radioactivity of technetium 99 m-labeled lipopolyplexes measured in the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys was found in the spleen. We demonstrate that spleen from mice injected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mRNA-loaded Man(11)-LPR100 contained four times more DCs expressing EGFP than that from mice injected with sugar-free LPR100. This better transfection of DCs is correlated with a better inhibition of B16F10 melanoma growth and an increased survival time when mice were immunized with MART-1 mRNA-loaded Man(11)-LPR100. These results indicate that mannosylated and histidylated LPR is an efficient system for the delivery of tumor antigen mRNA in splenic DCs aiming to induce an anticancer immune response.

FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR

This paper discusses the preparation of mannosylated nanoparticles loaded with messenger RNA that enhance the transfection of dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo and the anti-B16F10 melanoma vaccination in mice. The authors describe an efficient system for the delivery of tumor antigen mRNA in splenic DCs aiming to induce an anticancer immune response.